Art studios throughout island open Sunday

By ohtadmin | on August 03, 2023

Rumi Larson, 3, left, and her brother, Rider, analyze artwork Tuesday at the summer exhibit sponsored at the rec center by the Conanicut Island Art Association. The show will remain on display through Sunday. PHOTO BY ANDREA VON HOHENLEITEN

“Indoors,” a painting by Lindsey Willette, was named best in show at the Conanicut Island Art Association’s summer exhibition, which opened July 26 at the recreation center.

The exhibition, which celebrates the association’s 50th anniversary, will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Aug. 6. It also will be part of the open-studios tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. Along with pop-up exhibitions at the Out of the Box Studio, Curiosity & Co. and the Jamestown Arts Center, which is co-sponsoring the tour, artists from Shirley Bell’s house at 1035 East Shore Road to Lisa Barsumian’s place at 41 Walcott Ave. will open their doors so visitors can see them work.

Also participating are Jillian Barber, Alicia Bell, Rose Chase, Jennifer and David Clancy, Diane Damle, Peter Diepenbrock, Peter Elsworth, Tim Gavalakis, Isabella Knox, Donna Lee, Deb Lichtenstein, Suzanne Maccarone, Susan Mailloux, Amanda Matthews, Rick Meli, Julie Munafo, Kate Petrie, Teddy Trocki Ryba, Nick Shapin, Sandy Sorlien, Didi Suydam, Christopher Smeraldi, Ernie Wulff, Josy Wright, and Matt Vars.

Print maps of the tour are available at the recreation center. The arts center, which also is distributing print maps, has a link on its website to a Google Map so people can get turn-by-turn directions on their smartphones.

“This artist-led event is all about enabling artists to speak directly with the public and, in turn, providing a visitor with the opportunity to engage directly with an artist,” said Maureen Coleman, executive director of the arts center. “We are lucky to live in such a creative community that values this experience.”

Along with Willette’s winning painting, juror Kerstin Zettmar recognized four other artists. “Block Island Ferry” by Jodi Manca was awarded the runner-up prize and George Salters’ photograph, “Itzhak the Tailor, won third place.

Allie Sabalis’ watercolor “Aquatic #1” and Josy Wright’s monotype “Night Visitors” were named honorable mentions.

Unlike past summer shows, when exhibitors had to be members of the association to display their work, the group invited artists from throughout New England to participate. The exhibition commemorates the association’s 50th year as a community organization.

Zettmar, a native of Sweden, has been most widely recognized for her unique style of fiber art, which she calls fibrations. Her subject matters range from outdoor to inner landscapes, often having “a dreamlike quality reflecting mythological and spiritual themes.”

In judging the show, she talked about the difficulty of choosing among so many impressive pieces.

“I love when a picture tells a story and ignites your imagination; has something unusual and unexpected in it,” she said. “I looked for that and how well executed pieces were.”

Exhibiting artists can pick up their work after 3 p.m. Aug. 6.