RiverArts is celebrating the opening of two exhibits on First Friday, August 2, 5-8pm, “Dog Days of Summer” in the Main Gallery and Works by Ann Cleary in the Studio Gallery, at 315 High Street, Suite 106. The former will be on view until August 31 and the latter will be exhibited through August 16.
Dog Portrait by Carl Jones
Given the recent heat and humidity indexes, we all sense what Dog Days of Summer means. Though this period of time, early July through early September, is associated with stagnation and inactivity, that is not the case with the artists who are interpreting this theme. Some are taking it figuratively with images of cooling swimming pools, a lawn chair under a big shady tree, water sports, or languishing in a hammock. Other artists are interpreting the theme more literally preferring to exhibit portraits of dogs. Also, adding to the festivities of the evening and in keeping with the theme of Dog Days, the Humane Society of Kent County will be offering pets up for adoption in the breezeway by the RiverArts Gallery.
On display in the Studio Gallery is a selection of works spanning a ten year period that demonstrates Ann Cleary’s shift from narrative oil paintings to the objects that she makes today. The brightly colored oil paintings suggest snippets of overheard stories, with a layering of paint that presages her move towards collage. Works on paper lose their figurative bent as the materials begin to take precedence. The viewer will find surfaces built up with materials as varied as discarded office papers, newspaper, toilet tissue rolled into coils, shopping lists, dry wall paste, and human hair. Clothesline wire, cabinet hardware, twigs, and found screen are recombined into the two hanging pieces that are included in the show – examples of just how far away from the wall her work has come.
Ann Cleary is currently living and working in the Hudson Valley, NY. She has spent her adult life between New York and Spain, where she exhibited individually in galleries and museums as well as created installations as half of the artistic duo Las Dos with artist, Catalina Obrador. Since her return to the States, she has organized a series of shows on a farm in Sullivan County, NY that caught the attention of farmers and city-slickers alike.
Gallery and gift shop hours are Tuesday – Friday 11:00-4:00; First Fridays 11:00-8:00; Saturday 9:30-4:00 and Sunday noon – 3:00. For more information on upcoming shows, classes, and events go to chestertownriverarts.org.
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