Message from the outgoing President – The year in review - October 2011
This year opened with a memorabilia filled member’s show “Who I Am” with Jim Koplar and Grace Epstein showing their art upstairs. The Winter Member-Guest Show glowed in late winter, with Tina Boyson’s flower photographs and Diane Wright’s mixed media assemblages filling the galleries upstairs. The biennial Word Art show went from March to April, with a lot of new faces and word artists to be seen at the Gallery. David Leff’s poetry and photographs were in the Spotlight Gallery and he did a reading of his works in March. In April, show participants also read their works to an enthusiastic crowd. Kim Wysocki and Kristin McNally’s atmospheric installations and paintings were in the larger gallery. The Cherry Brook Garden Club once again held its mid-week spring program at the Gallery in April.
April to May found the Gallery filled with the ever intriguing Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund Invitational, curated by Walter Kendra. The Gallery displayed a selection of paintings, sculptures and prints by the prestigious Robert Dente. Mr. Dente gave a well attended gallery talk in April, before the opening reception and also held two workshops. Mari Skarp and Bill Cifuni’s photographs and installations about memory graced the large upper gallery. Jon Eastman’s intriguing mixed media works drew people into the Spotlight Gallery.
An egg tempera painting class was taught in early summer at the Gallery by the talented Suzan Fox and
another class may be held this fall. The next show had the theme “Trading Places.” Malcolm Mackenzie’s photograph show
entitled “Trees” and Margaret Burgess’ art were upstairs. July to August was the 51st Anniversary show, with Joe Hoke’s landscape
paintings in the Spotlight Gallery. The sculptures of Hans Stargardter, Bill Doyle and Katherine Pearson are still out in the
The wonderful “Masks” show, a Fund Raiser where the artwork was donated to the Gallery started in late August. Kent McCoy and David Holzman were the curators and there was a great wall of masks from David’s students. The Masked Ball auctioned the artwork off and donations were received. Thanks you all! Felix Bronner and Marlene Mayes’ art was upstairs. Right now is our popular Open Juried Show. The show’s opening reception and announcement of awards will be on Saturday October 15, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Sharon Porpiglia will be showing her work in the Spotlight Gallery.
The last show of 2011 will be the gift-filled Holiday Show. Please plan on stopping by for your holiday gift shopping! The Spotlight Gallery will feature Dana Schreiber. I will have a show in the other upstairs gallery. There will be an Opening Reception on November 12 and our Holiday Party on December 17. For more information about the Gallery schedule, our web site gives you the show calendar and hard copies of the calendar are at the Gallery.
I am leaving the Board as of the October Annual Meeting. Kim Wysocki will be taking over the Presidency and I wish her well and hope everyone gives her as much support and help as has been given to me these last few years. It’s been quite a challenge but the friendships are wonderful. I look forward to continuing to help the Guild and Gallery, though at a somewhat less frantic pace. Thank you, everyone.
Judy Cantwell
Canton Artists’ Guild, Inc. Board President