A Keene State College art exhibit proves artistry can run in the family. The Carroll House Art Gallery held the opening for their first fall exhibit “The Offspring” Thursday, Sept. 5, where artists displayed their work next to work of one or more family members. The three-room gallery showed a diverse selection of art, from wildflower compressions to chocolate molds.
Many of the featured artists teach in the arts department at Keene State College, such as Sculpture Professor Lynn Richardson who helped create the show. “The idea started over the summer,” Richardson said. She described a friend telling her about being a model for her grandfather when she was a child. “She thought it was normal for people to do art with their families,” Richardson said. The idea manifested into the exhibit’s theme.
Finding art to fill the gallery walls proved easier than expected. Richardson said colleagues brought an abundance of family art once word of the show travelled. “We could easily keep going,” Richardson said. Paul McMullan, art professor at KSC, provided sculptures for the gallery alongside his father’s photography, his wife’s pottery and his mother-in-law’s paintings. McMullan said his father had died and his photography displayed was a tribute.
Emily Orell / Equinox Staff
The gallery showed art from other countries as well as local pieces. Artists brought work from Germany, England and Canada.
Some of the art reflected the geographical culture of the artist. A group of plush-winter coats combined with orange life-jackets hung on a wall, imported from Alaska. Another room displayed a cluster of glass-framed chocolate molds with one-half made of clay and a mirrored-half made out of chocolate; those pieces came from Germany. A fan oscillated in the room to help avoid melting.
Students and area residents visited the opening to see the eclectic collaborations. Sophomore Gavin Schlerf attended for his Foundations of Design class. “I like the theme,” Schlerf said, “You can see the talent between the generational gap.”
Seniors Meredith McKunes and Katie Copeland attended to support their teacher. “I like that there are some from teachers,” Copeland said, “My teacher has one with her relative.”
The diversity of pieces surprised them. “I thought it would just be photography,” said McKunes, “I like how there’s all different kinds of art.” Georgia Fletcher, 52 ,of Keene, visited the gallery because she knew some of the featured artists through her modeling. “I didn’t have any expectations for the show,” Fletcher said, “I’ve seen enough to know I want to come back and have more time to look.”
“The Offspring” show will remain up for viewing at The Carroll House Gallery until September 27.
Allie Baker can be contacted at abaker@keene-equinox.com
