An Artists’ Circle Exhibition: July 9 – August 27
PETERBOROUGH, NH: Noted artists James Aponovich and Elizabeth Johansson will spearhead a seven-week exhibition entitled “An Artists’ Circle,” featuring their work along with work by thirteen of their artist friends at the Sharon Arts Downtown Exhibition Gallery in Peterborough, NH. The exhibition begins with an Opening Reception on Friday, July 9th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, and continues with a series of educational programs and events through the Closing Reception on Friday, August 27th, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Both receptions are free and open to the public.
The exhibition illustrates an artists’ circle—a group of friends and colleagues, including four couples, suggested by painters James Aponovich and Elizabeth Johansson—and the exchange of ideas and energy resulting from their friendship and appreciation for one another’s work. Throughout history, artists have sought the company of other artists who share an understanding of the discipline and pressures required by a life in art, as well as the joys of inspiration.
While these artists have exhibited together in various combinations, not all know all of the others personally. This exhibition completes the circle by bringing them together for the first time. Although they work in a variety of mediums, much of their work is characterized by fine detail and meticulous application.
In addition to Aponovich and Johansson, participating artists include painter Sean Beavers; sculptor and furniture maker Jon Brooks; naturalist and illustrator David Carroll; painter Jamie LaFleur; furniture masters David and Janet Lamb; watercolorist Bob Larsen; printmaker Peter Milton; sculptor Gary Haven Smith; glass artist Susan Pratt Smith; painter Sydney Sparrow; collagist Elaine Swenson; and potter Gerry Williams.
Although the exhibition includes artists at varying stages of their careers, many of the artists are recognized as masters in their fields. Among them are three New Hampshire State Artist Laureates (Gerry Williams, James Aponovich, and current Laureate David Lamb); six recipients of Artists Fellowships from the NH State Council on the Arts, including three Lifetime Fellows (Aponovich, Jon Brooks and Gary Haven Smith); a recipient of the NH Governor’s Arts Award as a NH Living Treasure (Gerry Williams); and a winner of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “genius grant” (David Carroll).
In conjunction with the Artists’ Circle exhibition, The Sharon Arts Center will be selling limited edition James Aponovich giclee reprints. James has made available 250 copies at a reduced price of $200 per print, and will be on hand at the Exhibition Gallery on several occasions to personalize each print. Each print comes with a ticket. At the closing event on August 27, from 5 – 7 pm, one lucky winner will go home with the original Aponovich oil painting, with a market value of $25,000. Prints will be available at the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery beginning July 1, 2010 and will be on sale through the closing event on August 27th, or until they are gone. For more information, please contact the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery at 924-2787. All proceeds will go to Sharon Arts.
Special events and educational programs related to this exhibition to be announced.
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About Sharon Arts:
The mission of Sharon Arts Center, a non-profit organization, is to support and serve artists and craftspeople, to engage the community in the artistic process, and to foster the relationship between artists and the community through education, exhibitions, the promotion and sale of art and craft, as well as through special programs and events.
The Downtown Galleries in Depot Square (Fine Craft Gallery & Store, Juried Artist Gallery and Exhibition Gallery) are open Monday – Thursday 10am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sundays 11am to 4pm. (The Exhibition Gallery is open year round). The Sharon Arts School of Art & Craft in Sharon, NH, offers a wide variety of art classes and programs. The School offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Sharon Arts Center is sponsored in part by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation,the Gilbert-Verney Charitable Foundation, and art lovers like you!