ART! Summer Lights at Gallery Sitka, Newport

Gallery Sitka, celebrating their ten year anniversary is holdinng “Summer Lights” exhibit featuring New York artists Beth Barry, Barbara Groh, Shira Toren and a fine jewelry launch by New York City jewelry designer, Always, A. Gallery Sitka is at the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets. The show is running through July 15.

Art New England magazine was at the exhibit opening reception (and bearing cake) to celebrate their 45 year anniversary. Publisher Rita Fucillo stated, “Art New England is so happy to celebrate its 45th in Newport with Tamar and Gallery Sitka. A summer birthday pop-up amidst the gorgeous work of Beth, Barbara and Shira is quite special. Please join us as we toast the next 45!”

Tamar Russell Brown, Gallery Sitka owner stated, “Gallery Sitka is beyond excited to host Art New England, three of our incredible abstract-represented artists, and the debut of a jewelry designer’s summer line – a first for our gallery. This summer celebrates 10 years that Gallery Sitka has been showing art in New England so this opening is one not to miss!”

Artists in the exhibit include:

Beth Barry

Beth Barry’s themes range from celebration to reinterpretation to immediate reaction to impacted landscapes. Barry’s artistic influences include the coastline (as she was born in New Bedford) and the concept of rebirth is a recurring reference. Barry shares, “I characterize my paintings as landscapes with emotional concepts and feelings. Yet the works are often devoid of literal landscape references. I opt for transparent layers of primitive structures, loose gestures, and energetic color combinations.”

Barbara Groh

Barbara Groh is a visual artist who has immersed herself in the creative process for over four decades creating highly personal abstract works. Many travels inform her visual language as her sense of place, space and time. Featured are works inspired by India, Costa Rica and the Connecticut River by their proximity to water. Materials include acrylic, natural herbal paste, oil, graphite, ink, watercolor, and cold wax. Ms. Groh states, “It is a synthesis of location, perception, physicality, freedom and meditation. My art may reflect a quiet practice, a calligraphic meditation, or an energetic expression of freedom.”

“Angelica”, Shira Toren, Venetian plaster, pigment, acrylic on wood panel, 16″ x 16″

Shira Toren

Shira Toren is an American-Israeli visual artist based in Brooklyn. Her work explores personal and global themes that reflect upon the environment. The abstract monochromatic paintings are process-oriented, using a method developed by Toren whereby she rubs graphite powder, pigments, and ink onto Venetian plaster substrates. Toren offers, “I tend to toggle between additive and subtractive practices, masking certain layers while peeling away others. This lends to an array of textures and pigments, often exhibiting bursts of energy alongside instances of stillness.”

Jewelry Launch by New York jewelry designer, Always A.

Jewelry designer Autumn Hope Kirby introduces “Chapter 1: The Quintessentials” a debut jewelry collection which Kirby describes as “capturing the essence of New York’s chic vibrancy.” Everything is solid gold and natural diamonds. The collection is a mix of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces, ranging in price from $1,000 to $10,000.

At a Glance

WHAT:   “Summer Lights” Exhibit featuring New York Artists Beth Barry, Barbara Groh, Shira Toren, and Fine Jewelry Launch by Always, A. at Gallery Sitka/Newport
WHEN: Reception Saturday, June 15, 4:30-6:30pm; Show thru July 15; Gallery hours:
Gallery hours: M | Th | F | Sa, 11-5
WHERE: 227 Spring St., Newport, RI (corner of Franklin)
INFO: Open to all, free admission, GallerySitka.com

About Gallery Sitka

Gallery Sitka™ is a woman-owned and operated art entity with galleries in Newport, RI; Shirley, MA; Saratoga, NY (by appointment); and additional periodic pop-ups around the Northeast. With a focus on abstract art, Gallery Sitka represents the work of more than twenty painters, sculptors, encaustic artists, as well as jewelry designers from New England, New York, Brasil, France and Italy. The Gallery is committed to local art and the creative economy. Gallery Sitka opened in 2014 and has been featured in publications such as Art New England, Newport This Week, NorthCentral Mass.com, Harvard General Store, ChooseNorthCentral.com, among others. For more information visit gallerysitka.com.