July 25 reception will include talk by Meade Cadot on Warfield birds

PETERBOROUGH , N.H. — The Sharon Arts Center and Harris Center for Conservation Education will host a reception July 25 for artists in the exhibit, “An Artists’ Circle,” currently on display in Peterborough .

The reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sharon Arts Center ’s gallery in downtown Peterborough. Refreshments will be provided. Those attending the reception can also hear Harris Center Senior Naturalist Meade Cadot discuss the natural history of some of the bird species in the Sharon Arts Center ’s remarkable Warfield Collection. Each bird was carved in basswood and painted by the late Robert and Virginia Warfield.

“An Artists’ Circle” is an exhibition featuring noted artists James Aponovich and 13 other artist friends. While these artists have exhibited together previously in various combinations, this exhibition completes the circle by bringing them together for the first time. Working in a variety of mediums, their work is characterized by fine detail and meticulous application.

Two of the artists, James Aponovich and Elizabeth Johansson, will be present to answer questions.

In addition to Aponovich, 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.

In conjunction with the current exhibition, Sharon Arts is offering an opportunity for a lucky person to own an original Aponovich oil painting, with a market value of $25,000, through a raffle drawing.  A limited-edition giclée print of the painting being raffled comes with each ticket purchased. The original oil painting is entitled “ Panicale , Umbria : Basket of Fruit,” and measures 20”H x 16”W.

Only 250 tickets and prints will be available, at a price of $200 each (the prints themselves are valued at $700).  All prints will be signed, dated, and numbered, and James Aponovich will be available at the Exhibition Gallery to personalize prints on several occasions during the exhibition, which runs from now through August 27th. Tickets and prints are available at the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Store and Gallery, and will be on sale through the Closing Reception held at the Exhibition Gallery on August 27th (5 – 7 p.m.), when the winning raffle ticket will be drawn, or until they are gone. For more information, please contact the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Store and Gallery at 924-2787. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Sharon Arts Center .

The seven-week exhibition closes Aug. 27.