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Date: 11/3/2021
WESTHAMPTON – The Westhampton Library’s gallery showcases a new art exhibit from local artist Alma LaFrance.
LaFrance’s exhibit, titled “Art and the Coronavirus: An Exhibit of Oil Studies,” is inspired by online “studio talk” classes that LaFrance attended from March 2020-March 2021.
“In mid-March 2020, when the Arts went dark around the world, Martin Kinnear, an artist and teacher located in Norfolk, UK, reached out to his students. If he set up a camera in his home studio, he reasoned, and they all joined Zoom, their lessons could continue. This scheme worked,” said LaFrance.
Her works are “notes” of what she learned from Kinnear’s classes.
“Each week Martin Kinnear would select a painting by a noted artist, perhaps Monet or Degas, or one less familiar, representing a particular ‘school,’ such as the Fauvists or Scottish Colorists. The history of the artist, the traditions of the period would be shared, and the painting would be ‘read,’” explained LaFrance. “It wasn’t a critique, but simply an analysis of the ‘craft’ used to produce the work.”
When LaFrance presented her exhibit to the Westhampton Art Committee, they were eager to showcase it, according to committee member Jackie Brodeur.
“The Art Committee welcomes local artists that are often known by committee members,” said Brodeur. “This is a special exhibit that will educate viewers about the techniques and styles developed by the masters such as Turner or Degas. There are explanatory notes that cover each group of paintings which makes the exhibit like visiting a museum.”
Visitors can view LaFrance’s “studies” and even take some of them home. “Some of the paintings are for sale and visitors can get contact information at the front desk,” explained Brodeur.
“I do hope you enjoy this collection, forever dated, not by the year of the original but by the memories we hold of the year 2020,” LaFrance said.
LaFrance’s exhibit will be on display at the Westhampton Library until the end of November.
For more information, visit the Westhampton Public Library’s Facebook page at ??https://www.facebook.com/westhamptonpubliclibrary/.