Winter Works
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Director, Development & Marketing, Arts Mid-Hudson for The Poughkeepsie Journal
As we move into the colder weather in the Hudson Valley, what better way to embrace the chill than with Winter Works at the Tivoli Artist Gallery (TAG). Nestled in the beautifully eclectic village of Tivoli, TAG invites all to come and celebrate the new year with its first show of 2022. This theme invited TAG member artists to reflect on process, practice and new work with regard to the winter season. The response was incredible, with an array of interpretations - from references to the magical dark/light of the solstice to the picturesque cold season landscape to large abstract works which shapes whimsically play off of the shadows created by the winter sun coming through the windows of the gallery.
This exhibit truly has something for everyone with close to twenty visual artists representing winter through a spectrum of color palettes, thematic choices, emotional discoveries as well as mesmerizing patterns. A series that caused me to linger as I took in the work was Elizabeth Barnett’s, “In Flight #1, #2 and #3.” Perfectly displayed above the archway to the back part of the gallery, Barnett’s paintings take you to moments of looking out an airplane window and gazing at the landscapes below. Peaceful, distant and still, this moment almost appears from a dream, reminding us of travel and the promise of the future.
Many of the artists created landscapes for this show, however, each one has a completely different feel. Kevin David Palfrayman’s “Remembrance of Seasons Past” depicts a scene, not of snow or stalk foliage, but that of a farmer looking across the landscape at a bare field. The sky, full of billowing clouds, light blues and peaches, is uplifting and hints of an essence of a season done well. Marie Cole’s “Day after Nor’easter” illustrates a snowy scene with a blue barn nestled in the pines. In the bottom left corner of the painting, golden grass is peaking through the snow, reminding the viewer of life or a new beginning that is patiently waiting below the cold exterior.
Melissa K. Braggin’s monotype collages portray cardinals, goldfinches and orioles with intricate layering and spirited floral colors. Conversely, Theresa Stickel’s work plays tricks on the viewer as her hypnotizing patterns created with ballpoint pens guide the eye to each corner of her work and back again as you try to decide which shape and line was created first.
The exploration of the winter theme by all artists evokes deep emotions. Gina Palmer, a retired art teacher and relief printmaker, explores nature themes and challenges herself to move the narrative. With a grid of small works entitled “Winter Blues Series”, Palmer mixes abstracts to convey a more personal expression of family and references to winter blues. She explains, “exploring the season in this way allows us to take some of the crazy things that are happening in our lives and make them joyful.”
Participating Artists: Elizabeth Barnett, Ted Braggins, Melissa Braggins, Marie Cole, Peggy Farrington, Lindsey Fischer, Fumiko Sugaya-Fisher, Janene Gentile, Lana Hirsch, Valerie Hoffman, Linda Lavin, Kevin Palfreyman, Gina Palmer, Terry Stickel, Silana Tagliaferri, Ann Marie Uebbing
If you go:
Winter Works
Tivoli Artist Gallery, 60 Broadway, Tivoli, NY 12583
Dates: January 14 – February 6, 2022
Hours: Friday, 5:00-8:30 p.m., Saturday, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m., Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment
Contact: 845-757-2667
Current COVID precautions will be observed