BELLOWS FALLS-As part of Canal Street Art Gallery (CSAG)'s Inclusive and Accessible Art Action Plan, this spring the Atlantic Gallery at 548 West 28th St., Suite 540, in New York City presents CSAG's "Open," on view through May 4.
The exhibit's opening reception is Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. and offers visitors an Affordable Art Wall, a Community Art Table, and "Tell Your Truth" stickers. Featured are new works by Clare Adams, Penelope Arms, Len Emery, Mindy Fisher, Corinne Greenhalgh, Medora Hebert, Carol Keiser, Nicholas Kekic, Jean Krasno, Kathy Lavine, Jeanne McMahan, MC Noyes, Phyllis Rosser, Chris Sherwin, Jeanette Staley, and Kathleen Zimmerman.
The following night, in Bellows Falls, CSAG presents its 3rd Friday Gallery Night on April 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the openings of "Judy Hawkins: An Artist's Exploration" solo show with Judi Forman in the Working Artist Program and the unveiling of the new Community Art Studio.
"Today's galleries must be welcoming and accessible community institutions. This may be accomplished by providing art as an entry point to learn about ourselves and others," said CSAG Director Mike Noyes in a news release.
The "Judy Hawkins: An Artist's Exploration" solo show, on view through June 15, exhibits new oil paintings by the Westminster West artist. Hawkins begins work on a canvas from the top down, moving quickly and allowing paint drips, and accidental color combinations to guide the painting. The artist uses thin glazes to build up layers of color.
"Spirit Trees," the title work for the show, is "a bright and misty vision of tree branches, sky, atmosphere, and dense undergrowth," according to the news release.
"Over the last few years, I have thought about how important it is for me to continually learn something new whenever I put brush and color on canvas. When I paint, I have an internal 'dialog' with myself. Each new experience brings a new perspective and vocabulary to my work, not unlike life," Hawkins said.
Judi Forman returns to the Working Artist Program at Canal Street Art Gallery, which is an artist's studio and exhibition space within the gallery, and is open during the gallery's regular hours.
"My jewelry work is all about color and texture; I'm always on the lookout for new ways to add surface design to the metal with combinations of patinas, dyes, colored pencils, and anodizing. This creates an abundance of possibilities," Forman said.
The Community Art Studio, following a successful fundraiser to keep the program, is now permanently open at CSAG. All ages are welcome to the free-to-use space. Artist-grade supplies will be available for visitors during gallery hours to make art while overlooking the Bellows Falls Canal.
For more information, contact Noyes at 802-289-0104 or artinfo@canalstreetartgallery.com. Canal Street Art Gallery is located at 23 Canal St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.