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Realistic
paintings and stainless steel sculptures at Bear’s Mill
Gary Hovey creates sculptures out of stainless steel forks, knives, and
spoons. His unique work will be featured at Bear's Mill's “Art At the
Mill,” along with the paintings of Jackson Center resident Dan Knepper,
who taught art for 26 years before becoming a full-time artist. “This
exhibit will be fun for all who view it,” said Julie Clark, retail
manager and gallery coordinator for Bear's Mill. “Dan paints lovely,
accessible pictures that transport the viewer to a warm and comfortable
place, while Gary's remarkable sculptures will take your breath away
with their realism and beauty,” Ms. Clark stated. The exhibit will open
on Friday, October 31 with a reception featuring hors d'oeuvres and
drinks from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m.; the artists will speak briefly about
their work, methods, and inspiration at 7 p.m. This exhibit continues
through Sunday, November 23.
Dan Knepper started painting because he liked the challenge of
capturing faces, and finds the human face and form to be amazing. But
as the the award-winning artist continued to grow and develop, he
discovered that what most fascinated and inspired him was the light, a
driving force for the great Impressionists as well as many other
painters. “When I paint landscapes it's the illumination of leaves and
grasses, the glowing shadows,. . . those amazing moments when the air
itself has color that I try to capture and pass on,” Knepper explains.
He hopes that viewers step into the moments in time that he captures,
hearing the breezes blow, feeling the warm sunlight, and following the
inviting paths contained within the worlds he creates on canvas.
Gary Hovey says that his sculptures are about things he enjoys –
wildlife, welding, and humor, factors readily apparent in diverse
pieces that evoke smiles of delight. Gary finds his work challenging as
well as therapeutic; diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1994, the
New Knoxville resident says that meeting the high physical demands of
his art provides “something to look forward to, a reason to get up in
the morning.” According to Ms. Clark, Hovey's work has been among the
most popular ever presented at Bear's Mill. “His impressive sculptures
are at first appreciated for their life-like form; you see a graceful
bird on the wing, a predator ready to pounce, and then you look closer
and realize that the animals are made of stainless steel flatware
creatively welded together, and your enjoyment reaches a whole new
level,” Ms. Clark explained.
Bronze sculptures, paintings, and drawings by renowned Urbana artist
Mike Major remain on display at historic Bear's Mill through October
26. “Art At the Mill” receives financial support from Darke County
Endowment for the Arts. Art exhibits are on view during regular Mill
store hours, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily. Historic Bear's Mill is owned
and operated by Friends of Bear's Mill, 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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