“Empty Nest” by Elizabeth Staz (photo: Jana MacGinnes)
The Art Library called me to say I had two long “overdues”–not books, not works of art, but an art blog that heralds an artist of great repute and a gallery whose horn I needed to toot! The two go hand in hand.
Over three decades ago, my wife Jana and I made our first acquisition of serious art from a local painter who is well known for her abstract watercolors, often incorporating collage into the mix. The combination makes for a delightful interplay of color, tactile interest and fantasy. It is exactly those unique elements that prompted us to purchase Elizabeth Staz’s “The Empty Nest.”
She hails from the bucolic land of Boiling Springs, the home of the Children’s Lake, inhabited by “duck, duck, goose” or something that resembles flying fowl. Her paintings are wistful and whimsical, full of enchantment.
Over the years, Elizabeth has introduced people engaged in everyday activities, adding a narrative dimension to her painting. Perhaps the light brushes from her palette of pastels pronounce tales of time travel to exotic lands or her own garden. In discussing her art, she is the first to share that, more than anything, she “hopes the viewer will experience joy and a sense of adventure even in the commonplace.”
The award-winning artist has shown in galleries from Red Raven in Lancaster to her current home at Pure Gallery in The Shoppes in Arcona. Pure has represented Elizabeth since 2017. The gallery setting for Pure reflects the wooded glens and pristine streams with gurgling brooks and trees that whisper a language all their own, surrounded by Arcona’s landscape.
Rose Anderson of Pure Gallery (photo: Jana MacGinnes)
Owner Rose Anderson envisioned an art gallery for artists, art lovers and artworks that would accommodate all budgets and a variety of tastes. The Shoppes in Arcona were brand spanking new, and Rose was the first tenant to sign on at this creative enclave developed by Charter Homes and Neighborhoods. The setting was supreme for upscale restaurants, shops and services that spoke to a sense of discovery coming upon something exciting and different.
Off the beaten path, figuratively and literally, the Shoppes in Arcona today are home to Thea, an epicurean’s dream restaurant, Red Salon, an expansive hair/beauty emporium, and Arcona Athletic Club for making community connections while working out. In addition, SpringGate Winery, Water Colours Interior Design, Idea Coffee, Amore’ Pizza and Shirley Rae’s Ice Cream round out the Shoppes menu.
Rose saw the vast potential as the earliest adopter and, in celebrating her 20-year anniversary with the past eight of those in Arcona, proved her intuition right. In addition to representing Elizabeth, Pure boasts a roster of local talent including Peg Belcastro, Donna Daniels and Gail Coleman, as well as Ralph Hocker and Stewart Holmes. Rose has incorporated virtual receptions with Elizabeth, Peg and Gail through one-on-one interviews for discussing inspiration, process and creation.
Beyond offering paintings from the floor to the ceiling, Pure is as well known for its custom framing business. A gamut of gifts awaits within, showcasing paintings that become the icing on the anniversary cake. Pure unveils a king’s treasure of hand-carved wooden boxes and hand-crafted jewelry, glass objects d’ art, artisanal candles and cards. Now may be the perfect time for you to discover Elizabeth Staz and Pure Gallery. Be sure to help Rose blow out the candles on her cake and make a wish for an early spring.
CALC’s Juried Exhibit, “Looking In, Reaching Out”
“Haphazardly” by Ann Benton Yeager (photo: Abria Donato)
Long-time curator at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC), Cathy Stone created her own signature style, helping to put CALC on the map for presentation excellence with every show she mounted. Cathy became its executive director at the beginning of last year. After an exhaustive search, Abria Donato became the gallery director during late summer. She is a 2015 graduate of Edinboro University with a BFA in metal-smithing. She shares a vision with a community goal to bring a corral of local artists to the Carlisle address at 38 W. Pomfret St., and starts the new year off with a bang with a special juried show opening this Friday, Jan. 12. Three dozen artists made the cut for “Looking In, Reaching Out,” featuring 50 works of art. Abria was assisted in the process by TheBurg’s art writer, Bob MacGinnes (i.e. yours truly), and his photographer wife, Jana.
“Send it Away” by Alana Beall (photo: Abria Donato)
As seasoned jurors, it is one of our favorite activities to help decide what art gets shown from an extensive field of entrants works. Beyond its titled theme lies the challenge to look introspectively at disparate ends of the emotional barometer, from warm friendships to isolation and loneliness, the mental obstacles of daily living, and roadblocks faced for self-expression. Artists well-versed in the gauntlet that life who can throw down are Alana Beall, Andrea Frinch, Craig Bomberger, Gail Coleman and Ann Benton Yeager. It also includes other veterans such as Peg Belcastro, Julie Riker, Michelle Moats, Sue Marazzo, Susan Begnini-Landis and John Guarnera, who all offer their unique take on the dichotomy delivered in the exhibit. Collaborative director at CALC, Mo Geiger, adds her own spin on the more fun aspects of relationships, making connections though games and play. In her role at CALC, she synthesizes art projects filtered locally across organizations, museums and galleries, adding to the visual beauty of the region. She is also the co-founder of the South-Central Pennsylvania Performance Collective, Valley Traction. The exhibit, “Let’s Play,” will have its own soundtrack for the opening night reception for both shows upstairs and down from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The musical accompaniment will be provided by local artist, JWS. Mo has fun with the child in all of us bridging the real and surreal-Wonkaesque, “In a world of pure imagination.” If you venture out to participate in “Let’s Play,” you’ve already won the golden ticket!
January Art Events
Friday, Jan. 12, Carlisle Arts Learning Center, “Juried Exhibit” opening reception 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 19, 3rd in the Burg
- Art Association of Harrisburg “Figuratively Speaking” (Winter Members Show) curated by Nate Foster, reception, 5 to 8 p.m.
- Susquehanna Art Museum “Shifting Forms: 5 Decades of Abstraction” (in its last three days) from 5 to 8 p.m., curated by Bonnie Mae Carrow
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
