The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘Brilliant’ show opens June 30
ESSEX — The July show at the Essex Art Association is an open exhibition and welcomes all area artists to submit up to two pieces of artwork for display.
This type of show offers the public a viewing experience with a wide spectrum of subjects, styles and mediums. The show is juried for awards only, with the EAA distributing $1800 in nine categories. In addition, one artist will be awarded a solo exhibit in the EAA Gantner Gallery during the 2019 gallery season.
The exhibit’s opening reception will be held on Friday, June 29 from 6-8 p.m. The show runs through July 21.
The exhibit theme, “Brilliant,” invites artists to share their most ingenious and insightful artwork reflecting expressions of dynamic composition, luminous color or any personal inspiration.
The Gantner Gallery exhibit, “Perspective of Portland, My Home Town,” features the work of Steven Wells of Portland, who has enjoyed portraying familiar and unique perspectives in and around his home town the better part of his life. This Paier College of Art student, after teaching art classes on and off for a few years, set aside his passion for watercolors to create with a different medium, hammer and nail. A professional building contractor for over 40 years.
Throughout his time designing, renovating, and creating homes in and around Portland, Steven never truly “put down the brush” as he would use the winter months to pick up where he left off, pursuing what he enjoys most, painting.
His profound ability to capture the essence of life and nature was undoubtedly nurtured by his mother Lois, a tremendous watercolorist of her own. They loved to share creative moments while they worked on their latest pieces.
Becoming a member of the Essex Art Association and participating in their exhibitions has been a welcoming experience and has allowed him to share, through his eyes, the artist behind the hammer.
Exhibition juror, Douglas Deveny is an Abstract Expressionist who attended the Art Institute of Atlanta and Savannah College of Art and Design. He graduated with a B.S. in Art Education from Southern Connecticut State University – Summa Cum Laude.
Deveny says, “My work is nonobjective. I like to explore the complexity in simplicity, by use of texture and color. I am intrigued by the beauty of deteriorated surfaces, happenstance and patina. Each painting incorporates a variety of techniques and countless layers of acrylic and mixed media, with a constant accumulation and reduction of materials, until each piece finds its own end.”
The EAA Gallery is located at 10 North Main Street, Essex. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays. For more information visit essexartassociation.com or call 860-7678996.