Artists reflect on the meaning of home

By Geri Corey
Artists with the Goshen Art League created a variety of personal interpretations in meeting their latest assignment: “Home: Places, People, A State of Mind.”
Their current exhibit is the artistic result of what “home” means to each artist.
The artwork is on exhibit through July 29 at the Goshen Music Hall, 223 Main St., Goshen.
“We wanted people to imagine how Dorothy felt, clicking her heels, saying, 'There’s no place like home,'” said exhibit curator Susan Roth. The result, she said, was that a variety of personal stories were submitted. “I’m amazed with what they came up with,” Roth said.
“This is a good way to get to know people better,” she said, her eyes scanning the walls of the exhibit hall.
The presentations run the gamut from traditional homes, environmental scenes, animals, to nostalgic scenes from days past.
For artist Mitchell Saler, the homes that he painted in oil on board titled the “Jean Hasbrouck House” and the “Bevier-Etting House” not only represent the nostalgic warmth of past homes, but also reminds him of his college years at SUNY New Paltz, the location of these sturdy stone homes on historic Huguenot Street. Saler graduated from SUNY New Paltz, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree.
For curator Roth, home is place where she’s greeted by her pet, a lovable “mutt” that she adopted from Pets Alive five years ago. Her colored pencil rendition is in honor of Vesta — her name means goddess of hearth and home. And she's her perfect companion, creating a warm home environment.
Home, with a twist
Charcoal pencil, watercolors, photography, watercolors, acrylics, colored pen and ink, digital illustration prints, and sculptures, as well as oil and pastels, are included in the exhibit.
Some illustrations represent well-known interpretations of home, like Linda Fay Berger’s “Red Winter Barn,” a watercolor depicting a large red barn in a snow scene with snow-covered evergreen trees, or John Battaglia’s “Catskill Barn #1,” or Pam Mather-Cathy’s photo of “Wash Day.”
However, others offer a slight twist to home, such as Jo Ann Johnson’s pastel “Hoo-me Sweet Hoo-me,” showing contented owls in a nest, or Cynthia Harris–Pagano’s “Breakfast Still Life” in oil, or Marylyn Vanderpool’s feel-good rendition “The Boat Dock,” which is located near her home.
Artist Robb Gomulka suggests that people come see his artwork in acrylics and form opinions on what the painting means to them.
“In a communal society we have to be aware of dangers that we may not see. Things may not be what they seem,” was all the artist said about this fascinating painting. Interpreting the meaning is left up to the public.
Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment. For more information visit goshenartleague.com or email goshenartleague@gmail.com.