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SBY GALLERY Presents “Potpourri: A Survey of Art by Young & Established Artists” April 2009 The SBY Gallery welcomes a potpourri of artists both young and established during April. Several artists will feature a combination of abstracts, mixed media, and watercolors both realistic and abstract. The exhibit at SBY Gallery inside the South Berwick Yoga Center at 4 Portland Street, South Berwick, Maine, runs through May. An informal reception will be held Sunday afternoon, April 12th from 2-4pm Among the artists are Susan Norton Taylor May of Eliot, Maine, Sharleene Page Hurst of Hampton, NH, and art students from Berwick Academy. While very different in their approach to the visual arts, each has a unique signature and vibrance that define them; Susan, a watercolorist and Sharleene, an abstract surrealist working in multi media and acrylics. By age 13 Susan knew she wanted to paint in watercolor. Yet, her early creativity was channeled into pottery. As an undergraduate at Oberlin College, she majored in Art History and Studio Art. Spending her junior year at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, she was near enough to tour art museums throughout Great Britain and Europe. Among the artists under whom she studied were Polly Hammett, J. Hsuing Ju, Barbara Nechis, Mary Rieckert, Irving Shapiro, Burt Silverman, Frank Webb, Arne Westerman, Milford Zornes, and the faculty at the Intensive Studies Seminar in Taos, NM. Following a successful career as a potter while having married and raised a family of four, and traveling the Atlantic and Caribbean on a 55’ schooner, the tide of her interest shifted. During a mini semester at the Academy Art Museum in Easton training under watercolorist, Martha Hudson, Sue’s focus shifted from pottery to watercolor painting. Since 1985, this has remained Sue’s passion during which time she has been afforded numerous awards including the prestigious Pollack-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2001 - a highly competitive international program for artists of established artistic merit. Sue has exhibited nationally but this marks her first exhibit in the South Berwick community. Joining Sue at SBY Gallery is abstract surrealist, Sharleene Page Hurst. Ms. Hurst’s art is featured in many Asperger’s Association of New England art shows. She’s an outspoken advocate for the therapeutic connection between art and autism -- specifically Aspergers, for which she was diagnosed as an adult. As a youth, Sharleene turned to art to escape struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, undiagnosed autism and dyslexia. Later, in the 1980’s, Sharleene worked for a large corporation and was elected to and served in several local offices of government. Her paintings, which combine surrealism and abstraction, are created on stretched canvas using acrylic and glow-in-the- dark paints, and then sealed for protection. Ms. Hurst is a prolific artist, at the height of her creative powers after having honed her impressive skills as painter, draftswoman and sculptor over a remarkably short time. Collectors from as far away as Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Florida, California, England and Germany continue to seek her work. Currently, Sharleene works full time from home as a self taught artist. The two artists will share the exhibit with young artists from Berwick Academy. This exhibit represents a unique potpourri from the artistic community - both classically trained and self taught artists, young and established. Whether you are interested in a specific piece of art or simply wish to experience art in your own community, please help us welcome the artists on April 12th from 2-4pm and browse the exhibit. If you are unable to attend, but would like to see the exhibit, arrangements can be made with gallery manager, Lisa Toole at sbygallery@comcast.net or 603-591-0658. She would happily setup an appointment, conduct private tours, and field your questions regarding this exhibit. SHARLEENE PAGE HURST FEBRUARY 1ST- MARCH 31ST, 2009 DIRECTIONS: From South Take the exit onto I-95 N toward Portsmouth NH Partial toll road Take exit 3 for State Hwy 236/Coastal Rte/US-1 N toward Kittery/S Berwick Keep right at the fork to continue toward ME-236/Route 236 Turn right at ME-236/Route 236 Continue to follow ME-236 Turn right at ME-4/Portland St Destination will be on the right From North Take the exit onto I-95 S Toll road Take exit 19 for ME-9/ME-109 toward Sanford/Wells Turn right at ME-109/ME-9/Sanford Rd Turn left at N Berwick Rd/ME-9 Continue to follow ME-9 Turn left at N Berwick Rd/ME-9 Continue to follow ME-9 Turn left at Elm St/ME-4/ME-9 Continue to follow ME-4 Destination will be on the left |
