The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly and the Ocean Community YMCA Garden Club celebrate the return of spring with their annual show of fine art and flora with Featured Artists Kathleen Hemenway and Mimi Huszer Fagnant.
Flowersare the welcome beacons of warmer seasons that make any and every place feel special. Capturing the essence of flowers is not easy. The artists use their understanding of structure, color, and their medium to create luminous works in an impressive celebration of the colors and luscious vibrancy of the flower. Their work is paired with floral interpretations created by the Ocean Community YMCA Garden Club. This show also showcases ceramics and mixed media abstract work by featured artist Kathleen Hemenway and hand-crafted glass beads jewelry by featured artist Mimi Huszer Fagnant. All are invited to meet the artists at the show’s Opening Reception, Friday, June 2 from 5 – 8 PM. Our June show runs from May 31st through June25th.
Member artist Kathleen Hemenway combines her passion for abstract landscapes with exploration of mixed media. She considers herself a painter of the natural world and her medium reflects many overlapping influences in nature. According to the artist, “my paintings become timeless once I become lost in layer after layer of opaque and transparent paint.” The Washington, D.C. native describes her artistic process as a synthesis of what she first feels as an ordinary landscape which she transforms with texture and movement to create a new vision. Ms. Hemenway reflects that each painting may transform several times before she reaches “the aspiration I have formed in my mind.” She hopes that her work conveys a “natural glow” while she explores energy and light. She finds inspiration and satisfaction working in a series of projects. This process provides “momentum and transcendence.”
Member artist Mimi Huszer Fagnant has been creatively crafting and teaching crafts since 1977. For 17 years, she worked as a designer at a bead factory where she learned the jewelry business, worked with colorists developing bead colors, and with mold makers and model makers to create new products. In 2004, she started making her own glass beads, with a technique called lampworking, using a propane and oxygen torch to melt glass rods of many colors. The molten glass is coaxed into limitless shapes of beads. In addition to beads, the artist creates sculptural glass pieces that are used in fairy gardens, mobiles, ornaments, and suncatchers. Many of her beads are used as pendants, such as her award winning trumpet flowers, sterling lined large beads, and hearts. The artist reflects on her passion and ever-changing product line, “Every time I sit at the torch, there is something new I want to try.”
Mark your Calendar for these upcoming Special Events:
Friday, June 16th: Matthew & Paula Goldman, and Carla Panciera for an evening of literature, art, and herbal healing. Click here for more information.
Sunday, June 18th: Musical Performance by the Ken Serio Jazz Trio! Click here for more info.
Saturday, August 5th: The 2nd Annual Great Art Heist! Join us for this exciting gala event of the summer, in beautiful Watch Hill! Find out how to 'Steal' a great original piece of art here!
IN THE GALLERy june 2017
The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly is celebrating its 25th year. Special events throughout the year will celebrate this landmark anniversary, culminating with a special invitational show in September celebrating all the artists who have been part of ACGOW over the past quarter century.
With new shows and openings each month and special Westerly Arts Café events, there’s always something new to see, and experience.
Join us at the
Westerly Arts Café!
Check Events for all upcoming shows & performances at the Gallery.