Beginning April 14th, the gallery will feature exquisite small oils by Joseph Salerno where the artist’s intention is that ” . . . the immediacy of the paint should reign supreme”. While these paintings are extremely evocative of a forested space both silent and quite spiritual in nature, they are worked in such a way that pure abstraction emerges. The continuation of a 2 1/2 year project, Salerno returned repeatedly to a small stretch of woods near his home where his depth of fascination with his subject evolved into a complex series. “Each new piece owes an obvious debt, and in a way contains, all of the previous ones, often reinterpreting past discoveries in a new light, while carrying the conversation forward to the next painting.” Seasonal permutations and diurnal light swings makes for an intimate and widely varied series of paintings.

Join us for a talk by the artist on Thursday, May 11. We’ll start with a viewing of the work at 4:30 pm before the talk begins at 4:45. Afterward, there will be time for questions, discussion, and light refreshments. This is a free event and all are welcome.

Salerno recently received the prestigious Avigdor Arikha Memorial International residency scholarship, an annual award providing a 2 week residence in Civita, Italy. He was chosen from a pool of finalists, all highly accomplished international artists.

Salerno received his BFA from Kent State University and his MFA from Indiana University. He has been on the faculty at Johnson State College since 1991. Salerno has received several faculty grants and attended the Fine Arts Work Center, the Stonington Painters Workshop, and the Vermont Studio Center. He has received a fellowship for “Aspects of Realism” Symposium and Workshop in La Napoule, France, and two study grants to Florence Italy.

The show will run through May 23.