An exhibition of works in oil and oil pastel by area painter and jewelry and landscape designer Cynthia Murray is on display at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, from November 9, 2016 to January 2, 2017.  The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, entitled “A Painterly Perspective,” presents local artist Cynthia Murray’s works in oils and in oil pastels.  Ms. Murray, a Springfield resident who is a trained landscape architect in addition to being a painter and a jewelry designer, describes herself as beginning her creative pursuits early when, in childhood, she and her five siblings would do summer art projects under their mother’s direction.  She says that “As I conquered skills more complex than gluing greeting cards to scrap pieces of wood, I understood how art could be an effective way to communicate ideas that often felt too complex for words, a way to tell my story.”

Combining her appreciation for art with her interest in mathematics and science led her to the study of landscape architecture at Rutgers University and the University of Illinois, and from there to an international career in landscape design that brought her to locations throughout the US and abroad.  Her work in this field, culminating when her completed construction documents were turned over to the contractors, led her to the desire to be a more active participant “during that part of the design process where dreams imagined become a physical reality.” She was led to find creative outlets that would give her the opportunity to develop an artistic idea through to a finished product she could craft with her own hands.  “Oil painting, oil pastels and jewelry design allow me to explore different areas of interest. Each project, whether landscape design, painting or jewelry design, is a way for me to interpret the world around me, not necessarily how I see it, but how I feel it… to capture the emotional essence of any subject [in a manner]…that is hopefully both captivating and thought provoking.”

Ms. Murray’s work has been exhibited widely in local art venues, including Jenkins Arboretum in Devon, Beauty Gallery in Newtown Square, Patrone in Lansdowne, AK Interiors in Lancaster, Sweet Mabel Folk Art and Craft in Narberth, and area Arts Centers including our own Community Arts Center in Wallingford.

Examples of her work can be found on her website, http://cjmurraydesign.wixsite.com/cynthiamurraydesign

 

An exhibition of original art work by area artists will be on display at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore. The artists opening reception will take place Friday, May 20th from 6-8pm.  This is our 20th annual  exhibit, so come on out and celebrate with us! Bring friends and family – all are welcome.

This dynamic show reflects a wide variety of perspectives, media and subject matter presented by a diverse local group of artists, which includes both amateurs and professionals.

This years exhibitors are: Tracy Bouvette, Joan Sobel, Sean Roach, Sydney Evans, Jessica Riggleman, Susan Lawson, Lora Lavin, Siv Spurgeon, Wayne Brown, Martha Perkins, Maria Mooney, Bobbie Davis, Paula Lachman, Michele Southworth, Rinal Parikh, Kim Scott, Barbara Hibben, Susanne Fell Adams, Polly Dressler Bech, David Coffin, Dorothy Moffatt, Clair Oaks, Sally Paynter and Claire Thurman.

For your enjoyment, light refreshments and wine will be served while listening to Swarthmore musician, Greg Davis on guitar. See YOU there!

An exhibition of a variety of artworks by Swarthmore artist, Martha Perkins will be on display from March 31 through May 8, 2016 at Swarthmore Borough Hall.

The exhibit, entitled “Hope Springs Eternal” presents acrylic and mixed media paintings by Martha Perkins, as well as selected items of her hand-hammered jewelry. The show is a gathering of pieces inspired by the spring season of renewal and new growth, and a reminder of the ever-present possibility of hope.

She maintains a home studio in Swarthmore where she paints, creates leather-work and jewelry, and has established a specialty as a pet portraitist, working by commission.  Her work has been exhibited locally in area venues, and she currently has an exhibit of pet portraits on display at Unity Animal Hospital in Wallingford, PA.

Examples of her work can be seen at her websites: marthaperkinsart.com and petportraitsbymartha.com. You are also welcome to like her Pet Portraits by Martha Facebook Page or at Martha Perkins Art.

The public is invited to the artist’s wine and cheese opening reception on Friday April 1 from 6 to 8 pm, at 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore Borough Hall.  The  reception  will feature live acoustic guitar by local musician, Dean Maola and is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

An exhibition of original abstract acrylic paintings by local artist Kevin Koethe will be on display from March 3 through 28, 2016 at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore.

The exhibit, entitled “My Heart Talks in Colors,” presents the paintings of Mr. Koethe, a Swarthmore resident who has been painting since he was a teenager.  Inspired by everyday objects as well as by his dreams, his paintings are described as “a kaleidoscope of shifting colors and configurations that evolve as he explores color and form.”   Mr. Koethe has exhibited his paintings locally in several venues including the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, The Crum Creek Art Barn in Media, and Bryn Mawr Rehab Center.

 

The public is invited to the artist’s opening reception on Friday March 4 from 5:30 to 8 pm, which is scheduled as part of Swarthmore’s First Friday.  The exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

An exhibition of paintings by Tess Wei, Steve Sekula and Emma Kates-Shaw, all students of painter/professor Randall Exon at Swarthmore College, will be on display from February 4-29, 2016 at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore.

The exhibit, entitled “Works from Ireland – A Group Exhibition,” presents selected works painted by the three artists while they were together in Ballycastle, County Mayo. Ireland during the summer of 2015.  Their work as a group has previously been exhibited at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation located in Ballycastle.

This group of works, while varying in medium and style, share the commonality that they were formed in response to the countryside surrounding the coastal village of Ballycastle in northwest Ireland, and its light, colors and atmosphere.  The exhibit provides an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of artistic response that can  occur in the contemplation of the same landscape.

Emma Kates-Shaw, a senior Studio/Art and Sociology/Anthropology double major at the College, uses painting and weaving to convey a sense of joy, wonder and appreciation for the everyday.

Steve Sekula, also a senior, originally from Bucks County, and double majoring in Computer Science and Studio Art, paints in layers of oil and acrylic on colored canvas.  His objective for these paintings is to convey a sense of the atmosphere and space in the Irish landscape.

Tess Wei is a junior from Philadelphia, majoring in Studio Art and double minoring in Anthropology and Art History, who paints with oils, applied with a palette knife to paper.

Please join us at the artists’ reception which is free and open to the public on Friday, February 5, from 6 to 8 pm.