From the artgarage, Mentors Show Their Own Work

At a time when funding for the arts in public schools is reduced yearly, it is reassuring that artgarage exists and thrives at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. This after-school art studio, privately funded, is open every afternoon and staffed by volunteer adults who act as art mentors. All are practicing artists and artisans, some full-time, some part-time. 

The mentors include painters and potters, designers and fiber artists, sculptors and photographers. Some are extremely talented, some competent enthusiasts. But all bring knowledge of how art is made to give their students ways to express personal creativity.

Now through Jan. 3, Noble Horizons is exhibiting work from some of the artgarage mentors, with a percentage of sales going to the artgarage program. The show is wildly uneven. Good work mixes with pieces that I would have suggested stay at home. But as teaching examples — how to use Photoshop, make a monoprint, sculpt in clay, throw a pot, spatter canvas with controlled care, even make art from found materials like cardboard and the works of watches — the show spills over.

“Karuna,” a photo from Mike Sweeny, is unexpectedly touching. Three Buddhist prayer flags — red, white and blue, the colors of the French flag — hang from a line in front of vivid autumn foliage. The title refers to the Buddhist notion of compassion. Another Sweeny image, “Battle with Self,” is a study of light and darkness: a sunny, peopled beach is seen through rectangular openings in a dark, cool loggia.

Terry L. Moore shows nine Rothko-like studies in blues. All the pictures are divided horizontally by single, dark, thick lines. Paint flows down from the top of an image like rain on a glass window. The lower part of each picture is usually darker. These are lessons in controlling paint on canvas for multiple effects.

Joey Jablonski may have the wittiest piece with her large teapot. The handle is a mermaid in bikini top lithely bent outward. But Diane Shapira's set of beautifully glazed nesting bowls and her fine vase surely take the day for pottery.

Artgarage Art Mentors will continue at Noble Horizons, Salisbury, CT, through Jan 3. The exhibit is open weekends, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 860-435-9851 or go to www.noblehorizons.org.

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