Join us for an opening reception to celebrate our latest show in the gallery, “Harvest: The Art of Local Farmers.” The exhibition celebrates the creativity and imagination of local farmer-artists and runs from January 8 through March 21 with an opening reception with the artists on Friday, January 9 from 5-7pm.

The Champlain Valley is home to many small, diversified farms and to a community of artists inspired by the landscape of the region. “Harvest: The Art of Local Farmers” will highlight the intersection of farming and art through the work of artists who labor on the land. “Both farmers and artists transform raw materials into products that have value and meaning,” said Michelle Parker, the show’s co-curator. “Both require dedication, growth from practice, and an overarching vision. The eleven farmer-artists in the exhibition have drawn from their unique experiences and our shared surroundings to create this remarkable collection of artwork in our gallery space.”    

This mid-winter show will highlight eleven artists whose works include paintings, textiles, block prints, ink drawings, ceramics, and sculptures. They use fleece, wood, metal, paint, ink, canvas, paper, clay, and found objects as raw materials. The artists contributing to the exhibit are Michael Champagne (North Point Community Farm), Zach Clemans (Sandy’s Supper Club and Landscape Paintings), Cynthia Ford-Johnston (DaCy Meadow Farm), Doliah Francis (Sand River Community Farm), William Glaser Wilson (Essex Farm), Lotta Hauswaldt (Essex Farm), Kirsten Liebl (Woolecru), Joanie McMahon (Essex Farm), Benji Shankwitz (Mace Chasm Farm), Gizella Spencer (North Point Community Farm), and Susie Tarnowicz (Sugar House Creamery).

“Harvest: The Art of Local Farmers” opens January 8 and closes March 21.  Whitcomb’s Gallery is located at 1598 NYS Route 22, across from the Whallonsburg Grange, in Essex, NY. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. For more information visit www.thegrangehall.info.