Pictured left to right: Jonathan Frazier, Dave Henry, and
Earl Blust painting in Cape Cod. Photo by Steve Wetzel.
When a friend introduced Steve Wetzel of Harrisburg to members of an artist collective called the Seven Lively Artists at an exhibit in Mechanicsburg, this former cartoonist and now-and-then landscape artist had found his calling—and his group of like-minded creators.
After seeing their work, Wetzel traveled with them on their annual excursion to Cape Cod to paint, not within the warmth and comfort of a studio, but outdoors amid the area’s terrain and shorelines. Wetzel was hooked and has been a part of this group of artists for almost a dozen years.
Through Jan. 10, Wetzel is one of 16 artists from the Seven Lively Artists to show their work at Gallery at Second in downtown Harrisburg. The exhibition, entitled “7-Lively Artists 1956-2014,” includes more than 50 works on display covering a wide range of time and styles. Wetzel, for example, has four of his works in the show—all representational oil landscapes that were painted en plein air, meaning that they were painted in the open air and on location.
“Our group always tries to hold an annual holiday exhibit around November and December, and so this particular show coincides with that tradition,” Wetzel says. “This will be the first time we’ve had the opportunity to hold a group show at Gallery at Second, and so this will be a special event for us.”
The Seven Lively Artists trace their beginning to 1956, when seven friends brought a relatively novel concept—plein air painting—to the Harrisburg area. As the popularity of the form grew, membership increased, so that those original seven now number about 18.
This exhibit fits right in with what owners Ted and Linda Walke had in mind when they opened their gallery in May 2010 after an extensive renovation of their building on N. 2nd Street.
“Our goal is pretty simple,” Ted Walke says. “To place artwork in a wide scope of collections while underscoring the artwork’s educational and cultural value to patrons and visitors.”
The beautiful gallery usually features two independent exhibits on the main floor, every five to six weeks. The Upstairs Gallery features another 200-plus pieces by more than 50 local artists.
“With the exhibition of the Seven Lively Artists, it’s the first time we’ve opened the main floor for one exhibition,” Walke adds. “With more than 50 works by this collective, the resulting viewing experience will be one of both high quality and a mixture of mediums that will satisfy even the most discriminating gallery viewer.”
This is the first time the gallery has hosted the group. However, it has shown works by a number of the individual artists within it.
Paul Gallo of Middletown is another of the Seven Lively Artists featured in the exhibit. Gallo worked in advertising as an art director for more than 30 years, but in the past 10 discovered a renewed interest in fine art.
“I paint in oils, in a representational manner of subjects that interest me,” he says. “My three pieces in the current show are an example of this—a plein air landscape and two paintings of animals.”
While he enjoys the painting process, Gallo truly loves exhibiting his art, adding that most artists want their work to be viewed and appreciated.
“I think paintings are a calming, contemplative experience—a nice contrast to today’s hectic, sensory-assaulting visual media—television, movies, Internet,” he says.
From landscapes to animals, Walke is thrilled and honored to include this esteemed group within his walls, conveying on canvas the elements they felt and sensed while out of doors.
“With the interest shown thus far,” Walke says, “the public’s eager anticipation is a good indicator that we are among many who regard this Harrisburg collective as a cultural treasure.”
“7-Lively Artists 1956-2014” runs through Jan. 10 at Gallery at Second, 608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.galleryatsecond.com. Please note that the gallery will be closed Dec. 25 to Jan. 3.
