Winter Warm-Up Exhibit: A Celebration of Art and Community

EXHIBIT:

Running from February 13th-28th

Art Opening: February 13th, 6-8 PM

It's that time of year again for our winter warm-up! Artists inspire us to hold on tight, hoping for warmer weather and clear skies. They create beauty and offer hope when the world feels cold or lonely.

A Glimpse into This Year’s Exhibit

Let's dive into the exhibit this year and hear from the artists themselves. Their words paint a vivid picture of inspiration and creativity.

Mark Altrogge

"I am so grateful Brian had the idea to have a 'Winter Warm-Up Night.' As I pondered possible subjects to paint, the idea of coffee popped into my head. What can warm us up more than sharing lattes, hot chocolates, and warm drinks with friends? This is what got me started on this current series. I have coffee every morning in one of my favorite mugs—a Beatles mug—in our nice warm den with a fireplace. As I worked on my painting, the Beatles song 'With a Little Help From My Friends' came to mind. So, instead of saying, 'I get high with a little help from my friends,' I titled it: 'I Get Warm With a Little Help From My Friends.'"

Licia Lucas-Pfadt

"Pottery isn’t a hobby for me; it’s a mission. I aim to infuse everyday functional wares with inspiration for your home and lifestyle. I want to bring people together around the table, creating memories and allowing for inner healing. My goal is to refine awareness and appreciation of the present moment through what I create. My play with colors evokes feelings of joy and peace, where healing can take place."

Linda Burkett

"Nothing celebrates the coming hope of warmer weather like the spectacle of summer skies. The colors and shapes draw us to the beauty of a new season. As I embrace a Winter Warm-Up, I find the hues and shapes of a summer sky enchanting. This watercolor invites us to ponder what might be just around the corner. Seeing promise in a bright, shining sun brings joy. May we each delight in the arrival of warm days, fresh starts, and new beginnings."

Sharon Boykiw

"An evocation of spring warmth and green, while critters survive outdoors. Maybe you also love to see local woodpeckers and other birds at the feeders this winter! Perhaps you feel cozy seeing a bunny emerge from its burrow."

Note about technique:

"Drypoint etching is done by drawing an image into a plate using a sharp pointed needle, then the image is inked and printed."

Bonnie Chovanec

(Acrylic Palm Tree Bark from Florida)

"Red Fox - Crafty little devil, always outsmarted by the wise Hare.

Stubborn Snow Bunny - Dreaming of spring flowers while outwitting the sly Red Fox.

Lop-Eared Hare - His ears allow him to hear the high frequency of a Red Fox from over 600 feet away!

Winter is magical—it brings to mind fables and fairytales. I present to you the Red Fox, the Stubborn Snow Bunny, and the Lop-eared Hare. All three pieces use the hardened stem of a palm tree as media for the acrylic painting. These traveled from Florida, were cleaned, dried, sanded, and transformed into art. A final coat of protective spray is added as the finishing touch."

Cora Smith

"It has been said that nothing revives one's heart and mind like setting sail on a beautiful day. This came to mind while watching sailboats flow through Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, in February 2020. My focus that year was light and restoration. This painting, 'Revival,' was done for the series 'Let There Be Light.' The colors in the water reflect the colors in the sky, showing the peace of that day. I like to think those in the boat enjoyed a time of restoration and revival."

Sandy Trimble

"When it’s cold outside, I want nothing more than a good book, a comfy chair, and a warm wrap by a fire. Winter is beautiful when viewed from the inside. However, when I go out, I bundle up in a warm coat, neck wrap, and earmuffs. Winter is about hibernating, regenerating, and slowing down. As nature is covered in snow, I am happiest blanketed in wool and warmth."

Cindi Kordell

"This year, Winter has descended upon us with a seeming vengeance. We endure its bitter cold and darkness. AND WE DO—ENDURE IT ALL—because in a few months, SPRING will return with warmth, light, and life bursting forth! I am re-reading the Diary of Anne Frank and marveling at her feisty spirit and determination. Her sense of hope amidst the cold and brutal darkness inspires me. I wanted to share that message through my calligraphy pieces. I created a triptych with three quotes that touch my heart. I used vibrant and dark colors to express the paradox of hope and light amidst dark times."

MaryAnne Lupinetti

"The mandala is symbolic and serves as a tool for meditation. I created this mandala to represent how a rose mirrors the cycle of life. I chose to stitch a red rose, using red to symbolize energy and vitality, along with purple for power and ambition. A rose begins with a seed, grows leaves, stems, and thorns before it blooms. As the petals fall, we learn to look forward to new beginnings."

Greg Langham

• Storm Rider (acrylic on panel): "April showers may bring May flowers, but the excitement of storms is best experienced doing what you love."

• Oh, Gypsie (acrylic on canvas): "Because she warmed things up everywhere she went."

• Jump Again (acrylic on canvas): "As the warm-up extends into summer, I remember the simple joys of youth."

  
  

Jonelle Summerfield

"I originally considered submitting paintings of winter, but I think we could all use a break from the cold and snow. The colorful paintings I included remind us of the liveliness that comes with warm weather. The sunflowers are for those who look forward to blooming flowers. The sidewalk café scene is for those who can’t wait to dine outdoors with friends. The landscape is from the Camino de Santiago in Spain, reminding us that it won’t be cold forever."

Conclusion: Embracing the Warmth of Community

Stay warm out there, folks! We're glad to be your neighbor.

-Maddie Jones, Asst. Art Gallery Manager

Let’s celebrate the warmth of art, coffee, and community together! Join us for the Winter Warm-Up Exhibit and experience the creativity that brings us all together.