Now Showing:
"Hope is a Mother" by Carolina Harman
Artist Statement
There have always been two words written on the walls of my studio – adaptability and resilience. I’ve been interested in these two hopeful words from the very beginning of my artistic practice, particularly as they relate to the environment, but also as a credo to live by as I’ve navigated complexity and constant change.
In 2020, I felt that hope was lost. That year began with wildfires in Australia and ended with over 300,000 people dying in the U.S. from COVID-19. The entire globe was united in suffering, caught up in a pandemic that seemed never-ending. Democracy was fighting for its life, our collective truth had all but vanished, and the unrelenting news of species loss, floods and wildfires made any flicker of hope go dark.
We’re still struggling with complex systems undergoing rapid transformation, and we haven’t solved many of the problems we face as a species. Still though, as I stood in my yard this past summer breathing in smoke that drifted into New York from Canada, I felt a strange new kind of obstinate hope. Because of all that we’ve been through these past few years, we’re beginning to understand the connectivity of everything on the planet. We are starting to trace our complex problems back to their origin, back to the source, and in doing so, we may be able to see the answers more clearly. There is no corner of the globe where one can hide from a pandemic, sea level rise, or microplastics. The planting of a monoculture forest designed for clearcutting in Canada (or burning) affects us all. The loss of a species breaks all our hearts.
‘My most recent work is populated with endangered birds from the Red List, pollinators struggling from habitat loss, sea life intertwined with plastics, and animals being protected in biospheres around the country. Every day, I fight against the feeling of powerlessness by choosing hope, and I use my skills as an artist to illustrate our challenges through the prism of beauty. In the end, my work is about interconnectedness; it is an act of devotion, and it is my finest effort to create an ode to the Great Mother.
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Next Show
"The Pull" by David Lionheart
Opening reception January 6, 2024 – 1 pm to 8 pm
Past Shows
“Corners of My Mind” with Carolyn Bogart Deleo
Carolyn specializes in abstract figurative storytelling. “Defining shapes and mixing my paint is my exploration and what I have found is that shapes give energy and color gives life.”
Joining Carolyn is her son and painter Ethan Bogart exhibiting “Under the Influence” A visual tour of New Orleans Symbolism. For nearly a decade, Ethan Bogart has explored the visual narratives within his beloved hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Summit the Soul" by David Lionheart and Robert Giolito
Photographs and Paintings
May 6, 2023 – July 23, 2023
About Bob Giolito
Bob Giolito has been photographing his friends climbing and skiing since 1992. At age 19, his first camera was a Kodak 35 mm point and shoot which accompanied him on a 95-day NOLS wilderness expedition in the Fall of 1994.
Following NOLS, Bob purchased his first SLR film 35mm-80mm which accompanied him on many climbs and ski descents. In the late 1990’s Bob’s first photos were published in The Complete Climber’s Handbook written by Jerry Cinnamon and published by Raged Mountain Press Mc-Graw Hill.
Today, Bob has all but replaced his film SLR with a digital 18mm- 55mm SLR when traveling in the backcountry. Truth be told, Bob prefers the simplicity of his old film camera to capture friends in adventure landscapes. Bob explains, “Taking photos of friends climbing and skiing has helped me shape my vision of what is possible in life. I love developing a relationship between people and terrain, tying the relationship between experience, friendship, and adventure in my photos.”
Chamonix, France, by Robert Giolito
About David Lionheart
Mixed media artist David Lionheart uses his keen sense of depth and spatial awareness to create abstract works, enhanced by color and texture. He employs a variety of unexpected materials to create layers of dimension, including oil paints, spray paints, and industrial materials, which results in a sculptural quality in his canvas and wood pieces. In his large-scale compositions, he demonstrates a unique understanding of the power of movement over a canvas, versus representing a specific subject. This creates a powerful suggestive journey that walks the viewer over every square inch of the piece.
Born in the City of Newburgh, NY, and raised by a single mother, David faced immeasurable challenges and traumas at an early age. He credits his mother’s indomitable strength and influence for guiding him through extreme adversity. Now he’s on a mission to teach others the potential any one person has to be a positive force for themselves and others.
David has overcome the horrific effects of sexual abuse, the catastrophic pain of a loved one’s suicide, the early struggles of life in a broken home, and the limitations of severe financial distress. With intense commitment to his own healing, David learned to view his struggles as blessings that taught him the value of adversity, and allow him to help others navigate their own challenging paths.
Today, David is the founder of the 501(c)(3) Play For Your Freedom. He utilizes wellness workshops to get veterans out of hospital rooms or secluded lifestyles and back into their lives in whatever capacity they can. He is also a powerful speaker on trauma, adversity, and triumph.
“David is a firm believer that everyone has the ability to be a force in this world, and he is using his own life to exemplify that belief. His message of resilience, gratitude, and hope is profoundly moving. He is not above allowing himself to be raw and real, and his audiences are often found in stunned silence moments before erupting into applause.” – Barbara Allen, Co Founder of American Snippets
Court of Owls by David Lionheart
Next Show: Here We Are
"Figures - Burden Loneliness" by Morris Shurman, David Patino, and David Lionheart
March 4, 2023 – April 30, 2023
"Glimpse of Time" by Olivia Sellinger
&
"Frik-Shuhn & Compass" by Thomas Spoerndle
December 10, 2022 – January 29, 2023
"States of Wonder" by Jerry Novesky
October 22, 2022 – November 27, 2023
It’s to be blessed if one can have a sense of wonder when looking at the elements and objects of everyday existence. The silhouette of the leaves of a houseplant on the windowsill, the geometry of a jay’s feather, the complexities of a common flower—these all offer definitions of beauty that are endless, sometimes even overwhelming.
What’s most amazing and challenging is when elements in nature approach a state of true chaos—when the geometry that governs natural elements gets so complex that it actually breaks down, which, theoretically, can’t happen. Think of clouds and violent water events, for example. Then, beauty becomes a momentary, transitory thing, totally different from what we normally perceive.
The challenge to a photographer—to any creative person, really—is to be able to recognize, translate and transform these elements or moments into something that conveys to someone else the sense of wonderment we originally had.
PORTRAY: Portraits with a Purpose
July 14, 2022 – September 18, 2022
Works from 18 artists who have captured unique stories worth telling through their visual art.
This new exhibit explores the visual portrayal in many mediums. The artists put on display the varied stories behind the portraits. How they characterize and interpret their subjects. And how they are uniquely connected to the artists lives.
"Brass Tax and the Invisible Complexities Within" by David Lionheart
March 25, 2022 – June 19, 2022
About David Lionheart
Mixed media artist David Lionheart uses his keen sense of depth and spatial awareness to create abstract works, enhanced by color and texture. He employs a variety of unexpected materials to create layers of dimension, including oil paints, spray paints, and industrial materials, which results in a sculptural quality in his canvas and wood pieces. In his large-scale compositions, he demonstrates a unique understanding of the power of movement over a canvas, versus representing a specific subject. This creates a powerful suggestive journey that walks the viewer over every square inch of the piece.
Born in the City of Newburgh, NY, and raised by a single mother, David faced immeasurable challenges and traumas at an early age. He credits his mother’s indomitable strength and influence for guiding him through extreme adversity. Now he’s on a mission to teach others the potential any one person has to be a positive force for themselves and others.
David has overcome the horrific effects of sexual abuse, the catastrophic pain of a loved one’s suicide, the early struggles of life in a broken home, and the limitations of severe financial distress. With intense commitment to his own healing, David learned to view his struggles as blessings that taught him the value of adversity, and allow him to help others navigate their own challenging paths.
Today, David is the founder of the 501(c)(3) Play For Your Freedom. He utilizes wellness workshops to get veterans out of hospital rooms or secluded lifestyles and back into their lives in whatever capacity they can. He is also a powerful speaker on trauma, adversity, and triumph.
“David is a firm believer that everyone has the ability to be a force in this world, and he is using his own life to exemplify that belief. His message of resilience, gratitude, and hope is profoundly moving. He is not above allowing himself to be raw and real, and his audiences are often found in stunned silence moments before erupting into applause.” – Barbara Allen, Co Founder of American Snippets
"Primordial Substance" by Evan Samuelson
The first solo art show of painter Evan Samuelson of Beacon will be on display from July 9th through September 18th. The show, titled “Primordial Substance”, is a collection of 17 oil paintings. Depictions of the human form or expressive floral displays appear on oversized canvas or wood panels, with sizes such as 38”x 50” and an impressive 66”x 102”.
Considering his own work as generally in the surreal minimalist style, Samuelson also says “working larger has always felt natural. I like that the preliminary lines and strokes utilize more of a full-body motion. It can also be viewed from further away and seems to create an immersive experience for the viewer”.
The artist’s statement about this show: “My work expresses emotionally charged forms from an altered perspective. Implicit to that is the desire to foster a deeper awareness of what it is that truly connects us. Playing with repetition, shape, and tone I hope to blur the boundaries which have been taught and accepted. Working towards an association with, and acceptance of, the underlying oneness of being.” Samuelson explains his technique “Most paintings begin with sketched form followed by an imprimatura to tone the canvas. I then apply the grisaille method to achieve a fully monochromatic composition. More recent work is finished with layers of glaze for vibrant color. A final coat of varnish achieves a consistent sheen.”
Regarding his personal journey and development as an artist, Samuelson says: “Art has provided a means of enhanced self-awareness and self-preservation. It was manifesting through trauma and internal struggle. As I began to venture into readings that dissected these topics, a love of philosophy and psychology began to take shape. I have been developing and applying these concepts to my paintings ever since. The idea of a deeper connection and mode of being is all-encompassing and drives me to learn more every day. Accepting that all of these things are not necessarily gained but already exist within is so beautiful. The love and absolute beauty that resonates at our deepest levels. The parts of being that feel just as they should.”
Samuelson, who grew up on the South Shore of Long Island, has lived in Beacon for the last six years. In that time, he has shown paintings at Catalyst Gallery in Beacon, BAU Gallery in Beacon, and Hudson Beach Glass Art Gallery in Beacon.
"Wild Nights Are Calling" by David Lionheart
About the Curator, David Lionheart
Mixed media artist David Lionheart uses his keen sense of depth and spatial awareness to create abstract works, enhanced by color and texture. He employs a variety of unexpected materials to create layers of dimension, including oil paints, spray paints, and industrial materials, which results in a sculptural quality in his canvas and wood pieces. In his large-scale compositions, he demonstrates a unique understanding of the power of movement over a canvas, versus representing a specific subject. This creates a powerful suggestive journey that walks the viewer over every square inch of the piece.
Born in the City of Newburgh, NY, and raised by a single mother, David faced immeasurable challenges and traumas at an early age. He credits his mother’s indomitable strength and influence for guiding him through extreme adversity. Now he’s on a mission to teach others the potential any one person has to be a positive force for themselves and others.
David has overcome the horrific effects of sexual abuse, the catastrophic pain of a loved one’s suicide, the early struggles of life in a broken home, and the limitations of severe financial distress. With intense commitment to his own healing, David learned to view his struggles as blessings that taught him the value of adversity, and allow him to help others navigate their own challenging paths.
Today, David is the founder of the 501(c)(3) Play For Your Freedom. He utilizes wellness workshops to get veterans out of hospital rooms or secluded lifestyles and back into their lives in whatever capacity they can. He is also a powerful speaker on trauma, adversity, and triumph.
“David is a firm believer that everyone has the ability to be a force in this world, and he is using his own life to exemplify that belief. His message of resilience, gratitude, and hope is profoundly moving. He is not above allowing himself to be raw and real, and his audiences are often found in stunned silence moments before erupting into applause.” – Barbara Allen, Co Founder of American Snippets