E-Town's Lynden Gallery

A year or so ago, I was waiting at the E-town Amtrak station for the train to Philly when I met Lisa Clemens, gallery director of Lynden Gallery. She had the dead-giving away trappings of a design professional about her, so when the train came and we got seated, I took a leap and asked her what kind of drawings she had in her pink carrying tube. My hunch was correct, as she told me she was a design student at Drexel and was on her way to a class.

As we talked, she told me about her involvement with Lancaster's Arts Hotel and with renovating a local fire hall right there on Mainn Street in E-Town. I had been to the Arts Hotel, so knew a little about what she was talking about. But, as for the old fire hall, that was a new story. Apparently, she and her side-kick renovated the hall into a residence (top floor) and gallery/frame shop on the first floor. Their website shows some pictures of the project: http://www.lyndengallery.com/history.htm

Well, even though I haven't managed to get some pictures there to be framed, I have dropped in on a couple gallery events, including last night's Jazz and Chocolate Opening Reception. And, even though my better half doesn't like chocolate, jazz, or going out in freezing temps, I convinced her to come. When I first met Lisa, I told her about our own renovation addictions, and she was very inviting about sharing her fire hall with my family architect, if the chance ever blossomed. So, I taunted Michelle with the "carrot" of a tour, and, when we arrived at the gallery last night, Lisa warmly obliged.

On renovation projects of historic buildings, its a blessing and a curse to have space. Space can greatly increase the cost of materials, then you have the whole issue of how to deal with old and inefficient systems, like heating and electrical. You want to bring the building into the present in a joyful way, but you can't do that by ripping out and "disrespecting" history. Lisa's place seems to have done a perfect job in achieving the balance between form and function. They have preserved the original architectural details and the building's original program with thoughtful and seamless details, like a rope pole to exit the Gallery's namesake's bedroom loft and a new loft area that wraps around the original sleeping quarters without cutting off the views or sunlight from the windows.

And, as for the Opening, the music was refreshing and, well, I think I detected some Wilbur Chocolates inthe selection. The artists' works were displayed with ample "cruising" space, with what I think the best piece of the opening tucked at the end of the gallery's hall-like space.

That piece was a sculpture by Holly Garcia, and it is titled "Iris Courtesan". Apparently, it was commissioned by an opera or dance company while the artist was in California. It is a perfect conceptual balance between elegance and strength, demonstrating the feeling of peace that comes about when that balance is achieved. Michelle and I both fell in love with it immediately, and will probably take one picture at a time there to be framed just to prolong our opportunity to see it again.

Another of Garcia's work is on the Lynden gallery website, at
http://www.lyndengallery.com/index.htm

Physics inspired art at LVC

From the Lebanon Valley College website today:

"Carol Brown Goldberg, who draws her inspiration from physics, will exhibit her abstract paintings at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery at Lebanon Valley College early in 2010. Carol Brown Goldberg: Aura and the Implicate Order will be on display from Jan.15 through Feb. 21. Goldberg’s works explore the relationship between color, shape, movement, and space. Comprised of grids of colored circles, her large canvases draw the viewer’s eye through and beyond the rhythm of the receding circles.

“Physics is inspiration, my muse,” she writes on her website. “Quantum particles of hadrons, mesons, bosons, and fermions, anthropomorphized by me, dance across the cosmic space of my canvas.” Her broad spectrums of colors, executed in acrylic, are intensified by the pulverized glass that Goldberg adds to her pigments, creating an effect that she compares to the twinkling cosmos at night. "...

"Gallery hours are Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and by appointment for groups. Schools and other groups are encouraged to contact the Gallery at 717-867-6445 or mailto:detweile@lvc.edu for a guided tour."

Check her out at http://www.lvc.edu/News/index.aspx?newsid=613a4763-7178-4f42-adbe-2aac02f763a6&HeadLine=Physics%20Inspires%20the%20Paintings%20of%20the%20Renowned%20Artist%20Carol%20Brown%20Goldberg;%20Show%20Opens%20in%20January

Madelaine Gray show in Lebanon thru December

Friday night opened a showing of Madelaine Gray photos at the Gallery, in Lebanon. So it was a "two-fer" that night, as the town also organized a "First Friday Lebanon Art Walk."

The opening reception was splendid. Ms. Gray's work filled the place. The design and architecture of the Gallery and the art work complimented each other perfectly. And for those who found Friday a little too cold to walk the town, Niko's restaurant was just down the hallway from the Gallery.

For those looking for little get away from the holiday shopping, I suggest popping into the show for some food for your mind and creativity, and then into Niko's for food and spirits for the vessel. The Gallery is located at 31 South 8th St., 3rd floor--just park in the municipal parking lot in front of the farmers' market and use their stairs, in the rear of the building, to the third floor. And, check the gallery out online at www.lebanonpictureframe.com

Unfortunately, the next Lebanon Art Walk won't be until February.