Spring renewal. Pearl Cherrington’s photo “Emergence – Pipestone Canyon” is on display at Winthrop Gallery.
By Laurelle Walsh
A new show highlighting the miracle of spring renewal, titled “Awakening,” begins today (April 22) at Winthrop Gallery.
The exhibit features work by all 30 member artists of the cooperative gallery, who “celebrate this transformation” with paintings, photography, drawings, ceramics, textiles and more, according to head of promotions, Laura Aspenwall.
The show runs through May 18. An artists’ reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday (April 25) from 5-7 p.m., with an opportunity to talk to the artists about their submissions, refreshments provided.
“April and May are months that mark the retreat of snow in the Methow and the beginning of a new cycle of wildflowers, returning birds and leafing trees and bushes,” Aspenwall said. “The dominant color changes from white to brown to green in the blink of an eye.”
Head curator Michael Caldwell said he expects “such a range of work” from the member artists in this show. “Artists respond to the seasonal renewal,” Caldwell said. “It’s almost like the resurrection of the earth every spring.”
Exhibit organizers expect a wide representation of art reflecting the regrowth of native vegetation post wildfire. “The green is coming through the black,” said painter and gallery president Patty Yates. “It’s like the beauty of nature is saying, ‘OK, moving on now,’” Yates said.
Yates will show her recent watercolor of arrowleaf balsamroot, presently in full bloom all around the valley. “I tried to capture the yellow of the world at that moment,” she said.
Winthrop Gallery, located at 237 Riverside Ave. in downtown Winthrop, is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact the gallery at 996-3925 or go to the gallery’s website at www.winthropgallery.com.
