Fruitlands Museum presents two new exhibitions, Layers: A Pastel Exhibit by 80 Dusty Fingers and Irina Okula: Gifts of the Saggar Fire, on view July 12 – September 8, 2015 in the Art Museum.  Layers will showcase the artistry and diversity of pastel paintings created by the eight regional artists that make up the 2015 Fruitlands Artists-in-Residence group, 80 Dusty Fingers.  Gifts of the Saggar Fire will feature the stunning ceramic art of Irina Okula, created using alternative firing techniques.  An opening reception will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.  Many of the pastel artists and Irina Okula will be on hand to give talks and answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.  The reception is free with admission.

LAYERS: A PASTEL EXHIBIT BY 80 DUSTY FINGERS

For the very first time, this year’s Fruitlands Artists-in-Residence is a group.  The whimsically self-titled 80 Dusty Fingers consists of eight accomplished pastel artists - Linee Baird, Cynthia Crimmin, Dave Kaphammer, Lisa Regopoulos, Arlene G. Richman, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Gary Ozias and Joelle Freedman.  Layers will be a formal exhibit of their work in the Art Gallery, featuring some of the amazing pastels produced at the Museum during their residency as well as previous work. 

Throughout the season the eight local artists will be working en plein air and running workshops and demonstrations.  In addition to the Art Gallery exhibition, a rotating selection of work will be on view in the Wayside Visitor Center, introducing guests to the distinctive style of each artist. Whenever the artists are working on site, the Museum Store and interpretive staff will be happy to direct visitors to them.  Museumgoers are encouraged to stop by and chat with these talented artists and watch as they practice the amazing art of pastels.  Works created by the artists will also be for sale in the Museum Store.

IRINA OKULA: GIFTS OF THE SAGGAR FIRE

Gifts of the Saggar Fire is an exhibit by award-winning, Ipswich-based potter Irina Okula. Irina uses natural combustible materials in the firing process.  Her pots are made of earthenware clay and fired twice. Prior to the second firing, the work is broken into several pieces and the organic materials are placed in and around the individual pieces in separate saggars, or containers, and fired in a gas kiln.  The fire and natural materials dance upon the clay and leave exciting random marks. The patterns left by the process invoke the fiery chaos of nature, contrasted with the calm and serene patterns reminiscent of cloudy skyscapes and geologic formations. After firing in the saggar, the pieces are glued back together.

EVENTS & RELATED PROGRAMMING

Summer Exhibits Opening Reception and Gallery Talk

Sunday, July 12, 1-3PM | Free with Admission

Come to the Art Museum at Fruitlands and see the phenomenal artistry and diversity evident in pastel paintings created by eight regional pastel artists and the ceramic art of Irina Okula during the opening reception of the summer. Some of the pastel artists will be on hand to talk about their artwork. Light refreshments will be provided.

80 Dusty Fingers Pastel Painting Demo

Wednesday, July 15 12-2PM | Free with Admission

Artist-in-Residence Gary Ozias sets up a temporary studio in the Wayside Visitor Center to demonstrate the techniques and approaches he takes with pastel to make artwork that is uniquely his own. Stop in to see how he transforms a chalky stick of color into a work of beauty.

ART WORKSHOP: Plein Air Pastels with Joelle Feldman

Saturday July 18, 10AM-4PM daily: $100M, $125 NM

A recognized and award-winning professional artist, Joelle Feldman teaches students fundamental skills and introduces multiple approaches to painting with pastels. This one-day workshop will focus on composition, texture, color, drawing an outline, applying an under-painting and gradually building pastel layers until the painting is completed. The class starts with an introduction to materials, including exploration and experimentation with a variety of pastel painting surfaces using different grades and brands of pastel sticks. Instruction and pace may vary based on the class dynamics and participants’ needs. Open to all levels.

80 Dusty Fingers Pastel Painting Demo

Sunday, July 26 12-2pm | Free with Admission

Artist-in-Residence Cynthia Crimmin sets up a temporary studio in the Wayside Visitor Center and demonstrates the techniques and approaches she takes with pastels to make artwork that is uniquely her own. Stop in to see how she transforms a chalky stick of color into a work of beauty.

80 Dusty Fingers Gallery Tour

Sunday, July 26 1-2pm | Free with Admission

Artists-in-Residence Joelle Feldman, Arlene Richman, and Gary Ozias welcome visitors to special exhibition 80 Dusty Fingers and discuss their artworks, the materials they use, and their individual approach to the medium of pastels. Find out what steps are involved in creating a pastel painting, what variables artists consider when painting and more in this personalized gallery talk.

80 Dusty Fingers Gallery Tour

Sunday, August 9 1-2pm| Free with Admission

Artists-in-Residence Linee Baird, Arlene Richman, and Gary Ozias welcome visitors to special exhibition 80 Dusty Fingers and discuss their artworks, the materials they use, and their individual approach to the medium of pastels. Find out what steps are involved in creating a pastel painting, what variables artists consider when painting and more in this personalized gallery talk.

ART WORKSHOP: Pastel Painting with Linee Baird

Saturday, August 15, 10am-3pm | $100 Members, $125 Nonmembers

Come join Linée Baird on the grounds of Fruitlands for a day of plein-air painting with pastels.  Students will explore a variety of materials and add depth and reality to paintings after learning a technique called “under painting.” There will be demonstrations, one-on-one instruction and plenty of time to paint. The workshop will conclude with critiques of work completed in the class and helpful tips to keep the momentum going after the class is completed. Instruction and pace may vary based on the class dynamics and participants’ needs. Open to all levels of experience.

80 Dusty Fingers Pastel Painting Demo

Sunday, August 23, 12-2pm| Free with Admission

Artist-in-Residence Cynthia Crimmin sets up a temporary studio in the Wayside Visitor Center and demonstrates the techniques and approaches she takes with pastels to make artwork that is uniquely her own. Stop in to see how she transforms a chalky stick of color into a work of beauty.

80 Dusty Fingers Gallery Talk w/Linee Baird, Arlene Richman, Lisa Regopoulos

Monday, September 7 1-2pm | Free with Admission

Artists-in-Residence Linee Baird, Arlene Richman, and Lisa Regopoulos welcome visitors to special exhibition 80 Dusty Fingers and discuss their artworks, the materials they use, and their individual approach to the medium of pastels. Find out what steps are involved in creating a pastel painting, what variables artists consider when painting and more in this personalized gallery talk.

ART CLASSES: Joelle Feldman, Pastels

Tuesdays, September 15-October 20, 6:00-8:00pm | $200, $225

This beginner to intermediate students’ class is about learning, creativity and fun!

In this hands-on class with an individual coaching approach, students will learn how to build a pastel painting from start to finish. The focus will be on composition, texture, color, drawing an outline, applying an under-painting and gradually building pastel layers until the painting is complete.  Students will explore and experiment with a variety of pastel painting surfaces using different grades and brands of pastel sticks and analyze the various outcomes; as well as learn basic techniques and good study habits that will help you master the pastel painting process and, ultimately, give you greater creative freedom in the medium.

ART WORKSHOP: Pastel Painting with Lisa Regopoulos

Saturday, September 19 | Members $100, Nonmembers $125

Hold onto a piece of summer! In a supportive environment, using a photo that inspires you, discover how to compose and build a sand dune filled with depth, movement, and light. Learn the technique to achieve the effect of blowing grass and sand that looks warm and inviting. Pastel application, design, under painting, atmospheric perspective and more will be discussed. This workshop will begin with a sand dune demo followed by individual attention at your ease and plenty of time for painting.

To register for art workshops and classes, please email programming@fruitlands.org or call (978) 456-3924, ext. 239

Fruitlands Museum is open Monday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., weekends and holidays 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 for children 5 – 13, and free for members and children under 5. Fruitlands Museum is located at 102 Prospect Hill Road in Harvard, Mass. For more information please visit www.fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924 ext. 292.

ABOUT FRUITLANDS MUSEUM

Fruitlands Museum, founded in 1914 by Clara Endicott Sears, takes its name from an experimental utopian community led by Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane that existed on this site in 1843. The Fruitlands campus includes: The Fruitlands Farmhouse, the site of an experiment in communal living led by Alcott and Lane in 1843; The Shaker Museum, home to the largest archive of Harvard Shaker documents in the world; The Native American Gallery, which houses a significant collection of artifacts that honor the spiritual presence and cultural history of the first Americans; The Art Gallery, featuring a significant display of our extensive collection of Hudson River School landscape paintings, and a partial display of our over 230 nineteenth century vernacular portraits, the second largest collection in the country. The Land feature 210 acres with panoramic views of the Nashua River Valley, including 2.5 miles of walking trails. The Fruitlands Museum Store sells fine crafts by local artists, including pottery, glass, jewelry, clothing and home furnishings. The Museum Café, open during the main season (April 16 through November 2) focuses on locally sourced, sustainable cuisine reflective of the heritage of New England. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924 ext. 292.

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