By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
Without question, the highlight for the arts this week is the highly anticipated blockbuster opening of “Rural Modern: American Art Beyond the City” at The Brandywine River Museum of Art, showing October 29- January 22. This is the most ambitious museum show to date and features 70 works by famous American painters including Georgia O’Keefe, N.C. Wyeth, Charles Demuth, Marsden Hartley, Roger Medearis, Charles Sheeler and others loaned from collections across the United States as well as from the museum’s own collection.
The “Rural Modern” paintings are by American artists painting in the 1920s-1940s, who take a look at the America of the countryside, the farmers, the pastures, the barns – the life of heartland America between the wars, with a modernist viewpoint and painting style. These artists do not portray the sentimental idyllic “Currier & Ives” images of early American life, but try to represent life in a multifaceted perspective that reflects America’s coming of age artistically in the 20th Century. This is an in depth view of an important genre of American painting that is rarely brought together for the public eye.
Spring Turning by Dale Nichols, part of the ‘Rural Modern’ showing at the Brandywine River Museum of Art Show.
Throughout its showing there will be lectures, including “What is Rural Modernism?” this Saturday October 29 1-3:30pm by Associate Curator Amanda C. Burdan and scholar Betsy Fahlman. This should be an excellent lecture, and includes a tour of the show with the curators as well as a book-signing at 3:30. Accompanying this major exhibition is a brilliant catalogue book with each chapter written by different experts in their field. This important catalogue and the Robert Jackson “Behind The Easel” book (whose artists are currently showing at The Delaware Art Museum and The Somerville Manning Gallery) could be the two best art book gift ideas for 2016.
Also in Chadds Ford, Chester County native and impressionist plein air painter Jacalyn Beam has a solo show entitled “Tricks and Treats” at Chadds Ford Gallery located at 1609 Baltimore Pike (Route 1) in Chadds Ford. The show kicks off with a Halloween themed opening reception October 28 from 5-8pm, and continues through November 13.
In Kennett Square, current gallery shows at Mala Galleria and The Longwood Art Gallery are finishing their final week before November’s First Friday. And, if you have time this weekend, visit the recently opened lifestyle gallery of art, furniture, vintage and collectables at worKS, located at 432 South Walnut Street. There is definitely something for everybody here and the prices are affordable. The highlight of my first visit was to see the beautiful forged metal sculptural pieces by Rob Sigafoos displayed as soon as you enter. It felt right to see his work in a “home setting”, perfectly displayed, with lots of room and attention to each piece.
Caroline Roosevelt at WorKS in Kennett Square.
WorKS is a place that shows you how to live with art of every kind. Photographer Alessandra Manzotti also has a lovely section for display of her photography, and artist Caroline Roosevelt, who also works at the store, has a very humorous line of “depression cards”. Caroline writes and paints the cards herself. The most popular card is “I’m really proud of you for showering today”. I think we all know someone we could give that to. Kennett is really alive with new art and home businesses right now, and should be a great place every weekend through the holidays.
In Glen Mills, Ellen Catanzaro will be exhibiting her large atmospheric painted panels Pottery Barn Britton Lakes on Saturday, October 29th from 1-4. Join her at Pottery Barn for great shopping, art, food and wine. This is a great opportunity to see how art can work to enhance all the beauty of your home, right in time for the holidays.
In Paoli, there is an art show and sale this weekend at Waynesborough Golf Club, 440 Darby Paoli Road (Route 252) in Paoli with a local critique group from Delaware County. The sale kicks off Friday October 28th with a meet the artist reception from 5:00 until 8:00pm. The show/sale runs from Friday, October 28th through Sunday, October 30th and is open each day from 10am to 9pm. A portion of all sales will be donated to breastcancer.org.
