Goshen artists following where the road leads
Goshen. The Goshen Art League is hosting an exhibit featuring 46 works of art now through April 30.
The Goshen Art League has been offering art exhibits for the last 60-years. This year, 2021, is no exception.
Currently, on exhibit are pieces of artwork that address the title: “Where the Road Leads,” which contemplates the changing times in our community, the natural world, and our own evolution.
Thirty artists using various media in 46 works of art present their thoughts and output interpreting what the theme means to them.
“I’m proud of this show. It’s a display of amazing work. It all came together well,” said the show’s curator, Michele Marie Meek. “I’m so proud of what’s on display. The pieces are very diverse in style and in theme interpretation. It’s always fascinating to see how differently and creatively artists interpret the same theme.”
For artist and Goshen Art League treasurer Pat MacDonald the “road” is actually several roads. Her oil painting “Decisions” is just that: There are many roads in life that can be taken, the decision of which way to go can be troublesome, but in her painting the decision is made from standing at a beautiful place.
“You can take the high road, that’s hard,” MacDonald explained, “or the low road, the easy way.”
Her second painting, “Going Home,” depicts traveling a road going through the Pine Island black dirt region—quiet, calming. “It’s a nice drive home; it’s soothing—going home to relax,” said MacDonald.
‘Art isn’t just for those who get it’
Robb Gomulka, Goshen Art League president, submitted an amusing piece of three-dimensional artwork. Using painted paneling that he cut into pieces, he created “Learn Quickly.”
Based on the well-known story of the tortoise and the hare, it shows the hare—reading books - sitting atop the tortoise moseying down a path. The hare is trying to learn quickly how to beat the tortoise in a race.
But is that the message?
“I love to hear peoples’ interpretations,” said Gomulka. “Art isn’t just for people ‘who get it.’ Art is for everyone. People shouldn’t be intimidated—it’s a learning experience. I want to disprove that stigma that art is just for people ‘who get it.’ “
Gomulka said he’s hoping to do more in 3-D-experiment with it.
Theme interpretations using various media, like oil, acrylic, pastels and photography run the gamut from pastoral scenes, like Mitchell Saler’s oil on canvas, “Hillside Path,” to the Twilight Zone.
For some artists the path isn’t clear, like “Uncertainty,” a Renelle Lorray photograph on canvas, with fog and mist, giving the viewer much to ponder, as does Gloria Bonelli’s digital photograph “No Turning Back,”
On the other hand, Meek’s oil painting is clear: It’s all about unity.
“I’m hoping to find a path that leads our country from diversity to unity, “ she said, of the close-up of the American Bald Eagle amidst other American symbols, like fields of grain and purple mountains.
Meek uses an African symbol from Ghana, the “Siamese Crocodile,” to illustrate her point: The crocodiles in the symbol, that are normally solitary animals, are intertwined—they have to work together to survive.
Essentials
The exhibit is open to the public through Friday, April 30, at the Goshen Music Hall, 223 Main S.t, Goshen; Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
The exhibit can also be viewed virtually on the Goshen Art League website at www. goshenartleague.com. All works of art are for sale.
Due to COVID restrictions, viewing will be limited to two guests in the gallery at a time. Masks are required.
Gerry Hluchan, owner of the Goshen Music Hall, provides a venue to exhibit several uniquely themed exhibits yearly. There is always a League art show on view at the Goshen Music Hall, which is home to the only art gallery in Goshen.