Is it too early to be dreaming of spring? The Osilas Gallery at Concordia College in Bronxville thinks not. On Thursday, Jan. 31, the gallery opens “Petal Power: Hope Springs Eternal,” a group show that reminds us that spring is around the corner – somewhere.
“Petal Power” features more than 45 paintings, photographs and sculptures by David Kimball Anderson, Jackie Battenfield, Stanley Bielen, Jasmina Danowski, Nancy Daubenspeck, Katie DeGroot, Jeri Eisenberg, Adam Handler, Barbara Hirsch, Catherine Howe, Mary Judge, KK Kozik, David Licata, Jane McNichol, Isabelle Menin, Jill Parisi, Melanie Parke, Marilla Palmer, Walter Rane, Beth Rundquist and Ilene Sunshine.
Co-curator Patti O’Shaughnessy, principal of Patricia O’Shaughnessy Design in Bronxville, said of the galleries lending artwork to the exhibition, “We wanted this exhibition to feature excellent, accessible galleries we consider ‘friends of OSilas.’ The artists selected from these five galleries and the several independent artists who are also friends and colleagues use nature as their primary subject matter, bringing fresh perspective to each work and each series.”
The lending galleries include The Cooley Gallery (Old Lyme, Connecticut), Kathryn Markel Fine Arts (New York City and Bridgehampton, New York), Kenise Barnes Fine Art (Larchmont), Madelyn Jordon Fine Art (Scarsdale) and Muriel Guépin Gallery (New York City).
As a special addition to “Petal Power” on opening night (7 p.m.), several floral arrangements created by area florists will be placed around the gallery. Each floral arrangement will be inspired by a specific work in the exhibition. Donating florists include Green Wood Flowers, Mrs. Morgan’s Flower Shop, Tryforos & Pernice Florists and Delphinium Designs.
Co-curator Bartholomew Bland, director of the Lehman College Art Gallery at the City University of New York, remarked, “I always remember that great deadpan quote from Miranda Priestly in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’: ‘Florals for spring. Groundbreaking.’ But I realize that the optimism that comes with the first suggestion of spring is both a cliché and a real eternal truth. When Patti and I were putting together the exhibition during the short, dark, cold days of winter, we were reminded daily of just how much we need the promise of new life. I’ve worked on many exhibitions but never one where the work of the artists was so uniformly and blessedly joy-filled. It was a treat, and I hope visitors respond to the dazzling bouquet of color on the gallery’s walls.”
With such joyful recommendation, how could they not?
“Petal Power: Hope Springs Eternal” runs through May 16 at the college, 171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, in the Donald A. Krenz Academic Center on the second level of Scheele Memorial Library. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdayss, Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
For more, visit osilasgallery.org.
– Georgette Gouveia
