Five local mixed media artists collaborate in “Mixing it Up,” a March 21-April 25 exhibit at Two Villages Art Society in the Contoocook village of Hopkinton. The exhibiting artists are Sandy Steen Bartholomew, Anne Boedecker, Joy Malcolm, Adele Sanborn, and Becky Sawyer.
An opening reception with the artists, featuring refreshments and live music by pianist Craig Fahey, will be held Saturday, March 21 from 12–2 p.m.
These artists share a passion for combining various materials to create one cohesive piece.
“Each artist explores it in her own distinctive way,” says Concord artist Boedecker. “Our materials range from objects found in the natural world to shrink plastic. The techniques are just as diverse, including assemblage, printmaking, painting, and sewing for creating their two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art.”
The central theme of the exhibit is the wabi-sabi beauty of the natural world. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty, value, and serenity in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Earthy colors and textures of hand-dyed fabric contribute to the wabi-sabi aesthetic.
Boedecker incorporates botanically-dyed fabric, hand-painted paper, found objects, and repurposed elements into mixed media and textile art. Sawyer (Henniker) creates wall pieces and jewelry with abstract and nature-inspired designs that are hand drawn on shrink plastic. Sanborn (Boscawen) combines photography, calligraphy, and other materials, often including poetry. Malcolm (Hopkinton) creates hand-bound books and wall pieces using painting, printmaking, collage, drawing, and cyanotype. Steen Bartholomew (Warner) is known for playful, offbeat creations that blend storytelling, humor, and a touch of chaos.
The exhibition is a tactile as well as visual experience, accessible and appealing to all ages.
The gallery is free and open to the public at 846 Main Street in Contoocook. Regular gallery hours during exhibits are 12-4 pm Thursday-Sunday. For up-to-date information about the schedule, artists, and other events at the gallery, visit the TVAS website. https://www.twovillagesart.org/