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Historic
Bears Mill
“Art at the Mill” New Season:
Paintings & Pottery
“Art
At the Mill” begins a new season with an exhibit which will
run from Friday, March 29 through Sunday, April 21 at historic Bear's
Mill.
Painter Elaine Balsley will display work focused around “The Flavor of
Italy,”
while clay artist Rick Paldino's exhibit will feature pottery enhanced
by
hand-carved wood. Due to observance of Good Friday, the artists'
reception
which usually accompanies the opening will not occur until Friday,
April 5 when
light appetizers and wine will be served from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
According
to Julie Clark, retail manager and gallery coordinator
for Bear's Mill, Ms. Balsley's paintings will not only include intimate
looks
at chapels, homes, and scenery encountered in Italy, but also serene
still
lifes and vibrant florals with an Italian flavor. Elaine Balsley says
that she
is particularly inspired by the Impressionists, especially Monet,
Degas, and
Cassatt, and strives to achieve the level of feeling those painters
expressed.
“Elaine enjoys creating art in all media and of any genre; that joy in
creation
is easily discernible in her impressive body of work,” said Mrs. Clark.
Rick
Paldino was introduced to clay while in high school, and
instantly knew that he had found his calling. After graduating from
Wright
State University, the potter taught and worked in Nashville, Tennessee,
and
Canton, Ohio, before moving to Troy, Ohio, where he continues to create
functional and decorative pieces. Mr. Paldino says that incorporating
wood into
his work for the past couple of years has provided new challenges which
stimulate creativity. “I am excited about the new work coming out of my
exploration and pleased with the results,” he stated.
Bear's
Mill has presented “Art At the Mill” for several years, and
in 2008 created a designated gallery space for these exhibits which
have over
the years featured a wide variety of work by diverse area artists. “Art
At the
Mill” will continue through December; upcoming exhibits include pottery
by
Julie Clark, Dionne Fleming, Rita Wiley, and Loretta Wray coupled with
watercolor paintings by Roger Haas in May, pulled prints and pastels by
Andrea
Starkey and wood-fired clay vessels by Patrick Rademaker during June,
and
contemporary hand prints by Molly Mote paired with contemporary metal
sculpture
by Jeff Rutledge in July. Rustic willow furniture and home accessories
by Greg
Adams will fill the gallery in August, and Ohio farm landscapes by Jane
Dippole
plus lighting sculptures by Jay Harrison will be shown in September.
Tom
Heephy and Vicki Rulli will show their limited edition
photographs in October along with jewelry, teapots and utensils created
by
metal smiths Nathan and Linda Jones. Acrylic paintings by Doug Fiely
will be
exhibited in November alongside hand-blown glass vessels by Brent Cole,
and the
final show of the year will have Jim Witmer's photographs displayed
with Dave
Kirchner's clay sculptures.
“Art
At the Mill” has received funding from the Ami McClurkin
Community Fund, held by the HOPE Foundation of Darke County, and also
receives
support from Darke County Endowment for the Arts. The art exhibit is on
view
during regular Mill store hours, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily. Historic
Bear's
Mill is operated by The Friends of Bear's Mill, Inc., a non-profit
organization, and is located at 6450 Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road about 5
miles
east of Greenville. For more information, contact Bear's Mill at
937-548-5112
or www.bearsmill.com.
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