The Beauty of Nature in Glass
The Museum's featured artists are inspired by nature and interpret it in different mediums. They also contribute a portion from art sold to help fund the Museum's educational programs. The art is displayed on the first floor. The participating artists, their exhibit schedules, and pictures of some of their works are listed below.
Chris Sherwin of Sherwin Art Glass Street in Bellows Falls, VT, will display paperweights and other works January 9 through February 20. Chris apprenticed with Simon Pierce, Inc., in Vermont before moving to California to learn iridescent and torchworking techniques from "masters of the trade" at Orient & Flume Art Glass. He returned to New England in 2005 and opened his studio at 33 Bridge Street. His design ideas come from the beauty he finds in Nature, as well as from family, friends, and studio visitors. When designing a piece, his goal is to allow the decoration or floral pattern to dictate the form of the piece so as to provide harmony between the two. Find Chris at his studio by chance or appointment. Contact him www.sherwinartglass.com for information on glass-blowing demonstrations.
Visions of Nature
Diane Gibbons will display some of her works from January 9 through February 21. Working primarily in acrylics and watercolors, she often incorporates her own digital images of animals into her pieces to express her love of wildlife, nature, and interest in nature-based spiritual experience. Gibbons is an author, wildlife tracker, artist, and illustrator. She holds a Master of Science in conservation biology and a Master of Divinity and has studied art, tracking, and nature-based spiritual practices for many years. Her books include Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast and Stories in Tracks and Sign.
Chauncey Cable's Birdcarvings
Chancey Cable carved birds for over 50 years. The Museum will display his work during March and April as part of the Community Nature Art Exhibit. Mr. Cable's son, Jack Cable of Chester, has brought us his father's work to honor the man who carved birds up until his death at age 94. A DVD entitled "Birdcarving for Beginners" is about the work of Chauncey Cable and will be shown with the display.
Best Birthday Present Ever!
Starting from the time their friend Ed Ruck found the owl in their Vermont woods, Jay and Valerie Jackman of Plymouth worked determinedly to have the magnificent bird professionally mounted and displayed in a fitting cabinet that would provide a stunning new diorama that would be unveiled at the Museum's Birthday Party.
Under the Museum's permit, Jay had Wilderness Taxidermy of Chester begin mounting the owl with wings outspread. Jay then secured the artistry of master painter Richard Emery of Weathersfield, who had painted diorama backgrounds before for Jay, and stunning wormy butternut for the cabinet from Thomas Peck of Andover. Wood in hand, Jay began constructing the case, planing and gouging the wood by hand to form the cabinet and cornice. While the owl was being prepared and drying, Richard began painting the background and making rocks and other items to form the foreground. Meanwhile Jay was coordinating other contributors: Valerie Jackman for help with staining and foreground supplies; Paul Putnam of Chester for help with delivery; Acrylic Design of North Springfield for a donation of the "glass" front; and Jeffrey Rubin of Plymouth for financial support. Upon hearing about the project, Kevin O'Donnell of Chester gave a donation toward the Museum's taxidermy expense.
As a result, the Museum -- at very little cost -- was able to obtain a superb owl in a most beautiful display case to add to the Museum's comprehensive owl collection displayed on the first floor. The Museum thanks all involved. Because of their talents and generosity, they performed a near miracle in a matter of weeks, and now all future Museum visitors will enjoy the same surprise!
