Arts & Leisure
"Road Trip" brings New England art to George Marshall Store Gallery
Kate Emlen's "Beaver Meadow Road" is one of an array of artwork by varied artists featured in the George Marshall Store Gallery's "Road Trip" exhibition, ongoing through Sept. 10.
Courtesy photo
Philip Frey's painting "Dessert Case at Cleonice" can be seen with selections from artists who live and work across New England at the George Marshall Store Gallery's "Road Trip" exhibition, ongoing through Sept. 10.
Courtesy photo
This diverse show is ongoing through Sept. 10.
Although visits to artists' studios is a matter of course for all of Harding's shows, the idea of a "Road Trip" theme was a way of introducing new artists along with artists who have had a long association with the York gallery.
As an aside, Harding kept a log of favorite places to eat, places to stay and views not to miss should you happen to travel some of the same routes.
One of her first trips was to the Boston, Mass., area to visit Carole Rabe, Jon Imber and Jill Hoy. All three artists are tied to the city in the winter but head to Maine in the summer.
Imber and Hoy, husband and wife, spend their summers in Stonington, where they both maintain studios and Jill a gallery. Harding selected a watercolor by Hoy, "First Frost, Caterpillar Hill," a favorite overlook of Penobscot Bay, and a large pastel by Imber of Stonington Harbor.
A two-day trip looped from the New Hampshire seacoast through Sunapee to visit ceramic artist David Ernster; Hanover to visit printmaker Elizabeth Mayor, and then a mid-day stop in Norwich, Vt., to meet Kate Emlen.
Emlen's "Beaver Meadow Road" painting became the image for the exhibit's announcement card.
"Norwich is one of those quintessential Vermont towns," Harding said, adding that Emlen can walk to everything: the post office, the bank, library, schools, the gourmet cheese and French bakery shop and numerous restaurants all situated around the village green.
Next came an invitation to dinner at the home of artist Susan Wahlrab.
"To see Susan's watercolors of the woods that surround her property, while enjoying a fabulous home cooked meal is very special," Harding said.
Her tour continued the next morning by following Route 2 east towards Gorham, N.H., where the White Mountains loom on the horizon. In Gorham she visited Bill Scolere and chose a number of large linoleum block prints for the show.
Another overnight trip was to Downeast Maine.
"I was determined to show Philip Frey's painting 'Dessert Case at Cleonice' as this Ellsworth, Maine, Mediterranean bistro is one of my favorite stops," Harding said.
While in the area, Harding visited MaJo Kellesian who works in wax.
On this same trip, Harding selected work by Tom Curry and Bill Irvine. Both artists paint the scenery of the Eggemoggin Reach, the body of water that separates Deer Isle from the mainland. Curry exhibited his pastels in the gallery last season and this year has included oils on panel.
On the way back to York, Harding picked up several new paintings by Connie Hayes, who will have her own show at the gallery this September - including one entitled, "The Mill Pond, York."
Other artists included in "Road Trip" are Gary Haven Smith, Jerry MacMichael, Tom Glover, George Lloyd and Arthur DiMambro.
Concurrently, new paintings by New Castle, N.H., artist Grant Drumheller are featured in the dock level gallery through Sept. 6.
The George Marshall Store is a property and program of the Old York Historical Society. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 351-1083
