VISUAL ARTS

 Are you ready for an afternoon of exploration that will delight your senses, go easy on your wallet and make you feel all warm and cozy inside at the same time? Then the 50 under 50 exhibit on display at the Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios from January 2nd – 27th is something you don’t want to miss. This collaborative gallery of 50 artists proudly presents hidden gems of work each well-priced at under $50. Attend the opening on Saturday, January 5th from 5-7pm to chat with the artists, see their work and mingle with a like-minded community of people who appreciate all things handmade.

With holiday shopping a distant memory, winter upon us, and a New Year’s resolution not to go anywhere near the mall for a very long time there’s no place better to be in January than The Loading Dock Gallery. In this Soho-cool renovated mill building gallery with exposed brick, beams, and wood floors with a history, spend an afternoon exploring functional and whimsical pottery from Muddy Girls, Glenn Szegedy’s small, one of a kind ceramics and sculpture and Taja Cockell’s hand woven table runners created from colorful cotton and paper yarn. For a bit of whimsy, check out Bruce Woods’ reanimated computer mice creatures and his polymer clay jewelry with embedded vintage objects. Linda Dunn will have small textile collages; images and colors revolving around text and mounted on a cradled board for easy display.

Looking for a special piece of art to brighten your home? In the Gallery, you will find original paintings in acrylic, oil, or watercolor by Jean Curley, Nita Leger Casey, Tracy Levesque, JJ Long, Denise Rainis and Paula Mingolelli. Their work includes small landscape paintings on ready-to-hang wood panels, mini paintings on easels, 3”x3” refrigerator magnet paintings, and small framed paintings of flowers, fruit, winter landscapes, abstracts, and scenes from picturesque Lubec on the coast of Maine. Several artists will offer matted and signed fine art prints, greeting cards, notecard sets, fine art calendars and coasters. All will make great gifts, or a special treat for yourself.

Fiber artist Ann Lee offers two small embroidered and embellished art quilts created as part of a series in which she challenged herself to use the complementary color scheme of blue and orange in work that incorporates layers of very diverse fabrics and hand embroidery. Jeanne Osborne, a milliner and fiber artist who designs and creates one-of-a-kind hats, handbags and wraps and restyles vintage and “found” pieces will showcase her popular neck ruffles and organic jewelry in this exhibit.

Fascinated? Curious? Visit The Loading Dock Gallery’s 50 under 50 exhibit to enjoy the laid-back gallery ambiance, immerse your senses in a realm of creativity, and find yourself a hidden gem. When you do, you will have the warm, cozy satisfaction of supporting local artists for less than you would spend on dinner for two, a new pair of shoes or a tank of gas. Now how’s that for heart-warming, mid-winter adventure?

50 under 50 will show in The Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Avenue, 2nd floor in the A Mill, from Wednesday, January 2 until Sunday, January 27, 2013. An opening reception for show participants will be Saturday, January 5, 5-7 pm, in and around the Gallery.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am - 4:30 pm. For information about the exhibit, visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com or call 978-656-1687.