Gallery show opening at Ice House Friday

Variations on a theme are the essence of Themas, a new gallery exhibit opening at the Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, on Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. The opening follows an Artwalk that starts with a special reception at Mountain Laurel Gallery at 5 p.m. The art exhibit hangs at the Ice House through July 11.

Six artists from the region and Washington, D.C., selected six themes and created works of art plus variations resulting in more than 40 pieces in media ranging from sculpture to paintings. "It's a show that demonstrates how ideas are interpreted by different artists and the many possible ways of presenting these ideas," said Sinclair Hamilton, curator of the show.
As an added bonus, well-known poet, Ann Knox also collaborated on the show, writing poems which will be displayed in the gallery along with the art works. "Ann's poems are based on the selected themes," said Hamilton.

Among the regional artists participating in the show are painter Susan Lothers and sculptor and painter Mike Kligerman. "Mike has an exuberant approach to life and art," said Hamilton as well as a degree from the Instituto de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Hamilton, who is also a sculptor, has several pieces in the show.

The trio of artists who often show together in Washington, include Joe Edwards, Norma Ryan and John Ryan. "Norma is a magician in her ability to transform broken plates and cups into beautiful objects like mirrors and vases," said Hamilton. "She arranges hundreds of thematic elements to create a story line captured in patterns and colors." John Ryan is a prominent illustrator and Edwards is an abstract painter.

"This show promises to be different than many of our others," said Mary Hott, executive director of the Morgan Arts Council. "It has a strong intellectual aspect to it."

The curated gallery exhibit produced by the Morgan Arts Council is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is located on the corner of Independence and Mercer. Gallery hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 304-258-2300.