PRESS RELEASE (Martha’s Vineyard) Louisa Gould Gallery is very pleased to announce our opening exhibit of the 2013 Summer Season “ Artists of Martha’s Vineyard ” with new works by gallery artists, Paul Beebe, John Holladay, Leslie Smith Self, Donna Blackburn, Maya Farber, Alan Eddy, Laura Roberts, Warren Gaines, Debra Gaines, Adriano Manocchia, and new artists to the gallery, Nick Paciorek, Fran Dropkin and Ann Rozhon. The exhibit opens on May 20 and runs through July 5. The opening reception will take place on Sunday, May 26 from 5 – 7 pm during the Memorial Day Weekend. Please stop by the opening to meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and celebrate the beginning of the season with us. There will be a special performance by the band, River Heart, a nationally known music and dramatic Celtic ensemble, from 7:30 – 8:30 pm following the opening reception.

This group show celebrates the start of the summer season here at the gallery in Vineyard Haven with over ninety new works. The gallery welcomes back Paul, John, Leslie, Donna, Maya, Alan, Laura, Warren, Debra, Alan, Laura and Adriano who have shown here for many years and welcomes Nick, Fran and Ann. This exhibition includes images that reflect the beauty, grace and iconic scenes found here on the island and well as images that remind us of our fondest memories of summer.

Recently recognized as a noted maritime artist with the American Society of Marine Artists, which promotes marine art and maritime history, Paul Beebe has created several new oil paintings on canvas of sailing ships and beach scenes. Paul paints dramatic skies with intense, deep tones, adds touches of brightness in the clouds, which are balanced by the rich colors and sense of movement in the water. His attention to detail especially seen in the sails and riggings on the ships and in the finely executed waves create a striking statement in each of his works.

John Holladay returns this season with a whole series of new works including classic scenes from the Island as well as a fun new series of brightly colored works on panel. His large acrylic on canvas, Menemsha , reflects memorable site from Menemsha harbor as it awakens for the new season and characteristically includes the touch of red as seen in the barrels to the left. John’s new bright small panels capture the flowers seen here, including zinnias, hydrangeas, Echinacea and others plus three works of various vividly colored vegetables.

Splitting her time between South Carolina and the Vineyard, Leslie Smith Self is drawn to coastal living. Leslie captures incredible light in her beach scenes with soft colors found in the dunes and brilliant lush grasses. She depicts the sheer beauty of the roses found on Cape Poge with the intensely rich colors. Her works are reflective of the early morning light and the glow at dusk found uniquely on the Island.

Donna Blackburn returns to the gallery with delightful new small oils on masonite depicting boats, sunset sails, tiny birds and beach scenes. As Donna states, “having grown up on the Southeastern New England seacoast, I can appreciate the unique beauty that Martha’s Vineyard provides me as an artist and I know where to find enticing views to paint, what time of day “throws the best shadows” and what colors describe the Vineyard’s subtle changes in atmosphere.”

Maya Farber, Alan Eddy and Laura Roberts return to the Island with a small number of new works for this show and the start of the season. Maya’s new acrylic paintings depict one of her most favorite themes, still life and florals as seen in Callas and Hydrangeas and Tulips and Melons , which is a collage and acrylic on canvas. Alan, best known as a maritime painter, shares another one of his spectacular marine scenes. Laura captures brilliant light and a serene image in her new oil on canvas, Evening Solitude.

Notable artists, Warren and Debra Gaines return to the gallery for the summer. Once again, Warren has created a series of vibrant and finely detailed pastels of the most iconic images found here on the Vineyard. These works recall favorite scenes for Islanders and visitors including the lighthouses, the dunes at Gayhead, various beaches and peaceful sailing scenes. Best known as a photographer, Debra, has now turned to encaustics and has created a new series, Three Seasons in Edgartown, which depicts the Main Street of Edgartown in various seasons. Debra uses her lush and picturesque photographs as her base and then adds encaustics using colored beeswax to enhance the surfaces.

Adriano Manocchia has recently joined the artists at the gallery. Originally a photojournalist, Adriano brings to his work, a clear and precise attention to detail. For this show, Adriano has created unique still lifes, which reflect nautical themes. In the work, Set to Sail , one sees that Adriano has included items needed for a sail and in other works, he includes a compass, maps, books, photos of J boats and other nautical imagery.

New to the gallery are artists, Nick Paciorek, Fran Dropkin and Ann Rozhon. Nick, a painter from Providence, is known for his brightly painted and colorful works that vividly depict each of his subjects, whether it is a street scene, cityscape, lush landscapes or a café scene. Nick describes his works as “broad strokes of brilliant color and a celebration of light and color” which are reflective in his series of Vineyard scenes. Located in New York City, Fran Dropkin has ties to the Boston area after receiving a BFA and MFA from Boston University. Fran’s works are rich in color and light and as she says “is inspired by memory, imagination and nature.” Her figurative beach landscapes and flower paintings are Fran’s signature themes and fit perfectly with this group show. Ann, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design has been a professional artist for over 25 years working in a variety of mediums. For this show, Ann has sent of series of small mixed media sculptures of figures, including some nudes and beachgoers as well as fish.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, May 26 from 5 – 7 pm at the opening of “ Artists of Martha’s Vineyard. ” The Louisa Gould Gallery is located at 54 Main Street in Vineyard Haven. For more information, please call 508-693-7373 or visit our website at www.louisagouldgallery.com.