By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times
Dusk by Frances Roosevelt.
Welp. So much for spring. I went from using the heater to swifty turning on the air conditioner today in my apartment. What happened to the chunk of time when you can let the breeze in and it’s perfect? Oh, that was called Tuesday.
Not that I’m complaining! It’s perfect weather for an art stroll and it just so happens that this Friday is the May First Friday. We’ve got a few things lined up for you. First, let’s take a look at Wilmington. On Thursday night, Carspecken and Scott gallery will be featuring painter, Frances Roosevelt. I will get this out in the open now. Frances is my mother, and yes while I may be somewhat biased, although her work really speaks for itself. You may have seen her paintings at the Scarlett Thicket farm show which takes place every June out in Unionville. Her pieces, usually abstractions of Chester County landscapes or Charleston, SC landscapes (her hometown) are bright, vibrant and full of movement. You may view her work at Somerville Manning as well, but this reception is an opportunity to see the artists’ new work, as well mingle and enjoy a glass of wine at the reception. Stop by between 5:30 – 7:30pm to meet the artist! I’ll see you there.
Coming up on Thursday, will be the reception for Nurture to Nature at Gallery 222. This exhibition features work by painters Kristi Spillman Gilfillan and Joan Spillman. Kristi’s paintings reflect the landscapes of Chester County, as well as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. She exhibits locally and in plein air events as well. Joan Spillman, her mother, paints oil landscapes as well, and exhibits in the mid Atlantic region. This exhibition will be on display through May 26. Join Gallery 222 to ring in the opening reception from 5:30 – 8:30pm on Thursday, May 3rd.
Feather b y Mary Pritchard
Friday, we have a lot going on. Station Gallery, in conjunction with the Wilmington Art Loop, will be hosting a reception for their upcoming show Variations – New Pastels by Mary Pritchard. Pritchard is a landscape artist who has mastered the medium of oil pastels. (Full disclosure, oil pastels have always proved wildly difficult for me, so I applaud this). Station Gallery describes this show: “Variations” explores favorite themes and landscapes from different angles, seasons, and times of day. Scenes from coastal Maine; barns of Chestertown, Maryland; and river grasses and reflections are included in this solo exhibit.” Pop by this reception from 5 – 8pm.
Batman is defeated by the five lions by Kenny Rivero
Delaware Contemporary will be unveiling four new shows during the Wilmington Art Loop, so be sure to take in their offerings this Friday. First, the exhibition “Don’t Look For Me,” featuring Kenny Rivero will be on display. This exhibition has an interactive quality leading up to it as the artist will be painting live in the Avery Draper Gallery where attendees will have the opportunity to meet him. His work, dark and cryptic, reminds me a bit of Basquiat’s paintings mixed with a little Miro. His large oil and acrylic paints read like a ransom note, or hieroglyphics. The playful, bright colors mixed with the sinister vibes (either from the jet black canvas or the nefarious looking creatures he creates), really appeal to me personally. I enjoy a good contradiction, and Rivero’s work appears to be just that. He will finish up his live drawing at 5pm May 4th just in time for the reception.
Installation artist Jennifer Borders will introduce her new installation, “I Hear America Singing.” The piece incorporations video art, as well as audio transcriptions of protest poetry. Famous protesters and poets both historical and modern will be featured including: Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou, Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes, the student Emma Gonzalez and more.
Check out the University of Delaware Master of Fine Arts Exhibition entitled, “Cadence” as well. This group exhibition features Dona Altemus, Lisa Bennett, Rayna DeReus, Daniel Dias, Phat Le, Townley Mateson, Celeste Morton, Kate Testa, and Simone Welsh. While you’re there check out the 2018 Friends Juried Exhibition. The show is put on by The Creative Vision Factory’s Michael Kalmbach featuring Friends of The Delaware Contemporary. Artists Paula Cahill, Brian Conaty, Phyllis Gorsen, Suzy Kopf, and Gregg Morris. The linear, and geometric themes of this exhibition unite all of the contributing artists.
Really quickly, let’s pop on over to West Chester. Art Trust will be hosting a preview of the Chester County Studio Arts Tour which will be happening May 19 – 20th (and it’s a great event that I will cover more extensively next week), check out this reception which features work by participating Chester County Studio Arts Tour artists! Friday May 4th, from 5 – 9pm.
As always, tune in to WCHE 1520AM for Art Watch. This Wednesday join Margaret Winslow, Curator of Contemporary Art at The Delaware Art Museum as she hosts Delaware Contemporary’s Joseph Gonzalez & Morgan Hamilton. Until next time!
