Laugh Out Loud

LOL – Lots of Laughs

Welcoming in a New Season with Art and Laughter

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents its newest exhibit on March 29th with the opening of LOL – Lots of Laughs.  With new and original artwork from artists from throughout the region, LOL will make us laugh and show the humorous aspects of life.  Running through May 19 and located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, Connecticut, the seven-week show includes an Open Reception on Friday, March 29 from 6:30-9pm and will include wine and refreshments.

Let’s welcome the change of season with a few laughs and not take ourselves too seriously,” notes Barbara Nair, Director of Spectrum Gallery. “Humor can get us through almost any situation so we decided to show our respect and devote an entire show to it so come and enjoy.“

A variety of artists working in a wide-range of mediums are presenting at Spectrum including Arlyne Berzak who combines collage, paint and 3-D elements in her work; Claudia van Ness who works in oil, acrylic and mixed media; Margaret vonkleist Emond, who presents new and playful abstract, mixed media works; fine artist Mark Rich who will show a vibrantly-colored work in oil and wax pastel on canvas; and Pam Erickson, returning to Spectrum with several one-of-a-kind mixed media assemblages.

Also exhibiting in LOL is Cyd Gorman, an artist who works in multiple mediums including oil and acrylic painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media (including several new ones which she presents in LOL); painter and illustrator Jeff Leedy – his first time at Spectrum – shows several bright, spirited works in acrylic and oil pastels.  Also new to the Gallery is artist Jim Malloy whose work in acrylic is known for its raw style, vibrant colors and bold, abstract style.  Painter, Rachel Peterson, her first time at Spectrum uses bright colors and the grain of wooden discs to evolve the faces of her pieces in the show.  Maryland-based artist Kim Congdon brings to Spectrum her work in watercolor and oil, specializing in en plein air painting and landscapes, figures and portraits.  Austin, Texas painter Robert Page also new to Spectrum presents pieces with an artistic style that is moody, often incorporating humor and bits of surrealism.

Returning to Spectrum Gallery with new work is Linda McCarthy, an artist who creates mixed media abstracts and acrylic impressionistic pieces on canvas and aluminum; Linda Reid who produces landscapes and for this show an animal watercolor on canvas; and Catherine Satsuk, with a delicate and heartwarming oil on canvas work.  Spectrum favorite Diane Rubacha returns with new relief printmaking works; as does another printmaker, Elizabeth Ann McNally, who works with both narrative and nonrepresentational content, with key elements in her narrative work being animals and humor.

Returning and new photographers and digital artists presenting in LOL are anagram guru, David Cundy, and Maryann Flick, who exhibits several limited-edition photographs as well as new stained-glass panels and boxes – both functional and decorative; Susan Cannarella, an award-winning photographer whose work has been shown in New York and throughout New England; humor photographer, Aidan Moran and Robert Thomas (a Spectrum favorite) returns with several new and laugh out loud pieces; John Lawler whose photography (mostly in black and white) blurs the line between the past and present; Karen Burke, a photographer and digital artist, shares whimsical images that literally make viewers chuckle out loud; and Marcus Maronn, a photographer who captures nature in clever and unexpected ways.

Additional photographers include Howard Margules who shoots a wide-range of subjects but favors portrait photography, particularly candid, un-posed subjects; Faith Bilansky presents a digital archival print of a humorous candid moment; and for the first time at Spectrum, photographer Carol Kurwelnz whose work Balancing Act captures the essence of Laugh Out Loud.

Many Spectrum potters, glass artists, fabric designers and other fine artisans are exhibiting their pieces including new to Spectrum silk scarf designer, Martha Simpson, who brings to Spectrum her botanical eco-prints and Marsha Leavitt, a New England basket artist best known for her functional reed and paper basketry.

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store, open Wednesday-Saturday (12-6pm) and Sunday (12-5pm), is an expansion of the non-profit Arts Center Killingworth which organizes classes, workshops, and summer art and fashion camps for children and teens.  The Gallery and Arts Center also offer many artists from throughout Connecticut and beyond the opportunity to develop, present and sell their artwork both online and at the Gallery, located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, Connecticut.  For more information call Spectrum at (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org; or the Arts Center Killingworth at (860) 663-5593 and visit artscenterkillingworth.org.