Celebrating 20 Years of Fine Art and Custom Framing

Small wonder: Cozy Edgewood Gallery’s Cheryl Chappell and Doug Bloomer welcome the community to a celebration of its 20th year. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

 

The media and artistic styles spread out as well. It’s a show with watercolors by Michael Sickler and Bill Elkins, Nicora Gangi’s pastel, “Cherries,” and photographic works; Bob Gates and Marna Bell and Toni Toland all have works in the exhibit. There’s an impressive array of sculptures on display, including those created by Arlene Abend, David MacDonald and John Lombardi. Beyond that, the show encompasses mixed-media pieces and collages.

In planning the exhibition, the gallery, run by owner Doug Bloomer and manager Cheryl Chappell, wanted to celebrate the many shows staged at Edgewood and to directly connect with artists who have participated in its exhibits. A sprawling group show soon emerged as the best vehicle. “We contacted 56 artists, and 55 responded positively,” Chappell said. “Many of the artists said they were creating new work specifically for the show. That made us feel very good.” 

Once the artworks were on site, Chappell went through a familiar exercise: figuring out how to best hang and place the goods. On one hand, the gallery is a small space. On the other, Chappell thinks in terms of solutions, not problems. “It’s an intimate space, and I deal with it,” she said. “With the various shows, there are different challenges and different solutions. I look at color flow, how pieces complement each other and other factors.” 

Over the years, the gallery has interacted with a large roster of artists, and the exhibition certainly documents those contacts. The show displays Linda Bigness’ “Purple Rat,” John Thompson’s oil-on-linen “The Cigarette Runner,” Abend’s “The Tower” and “Liberation,” a bronze by Carol Adamec. “During the last 10 years, we’ve focused even more on local artists,” Chappell said. “That’s worked out well.” 

Finally, in addition to displaying many artists’ works, the current exhibit is different in that it’s an evolving show. “Several pieces were sold, and the buyers wanted to take them home,” Chappell noted. “We are replacing those pieces. We are also adding some ceramics to the exhibition. That will make it a slightly different show.” 

Celebrating 20 Years of Fine Art and Custom Framing will run at the Edgewood Gallery, 216 Tecumseh Road, through December. For more information, contact the gallery at 445-8111.