By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Throughout the fall, the Dedham Art Association has held their Fall Members’ Exhibit at the Walpole Public Library (WPL) for locals and library goers to enjoy. The various pieces of artwork were featured in the library function room, hung on the walls.
Artwork from a variety of mediums were featured, including acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings, mixed media pieces, collages, pen and ink, and photography. Each piece held its own unique beauty and creative expression, ranging from landscape shots and portraits to typography pieces.
As one walked throughout the function room, they could be enchanted by various breathtaking scenes, people, and messages that were showcased and immortalized in these various works.
Each piece displayed the name of the work, the name of the artist, and the medium it was created within. A number was displayed by this information, as viewers were encouraged to vote on their favorite piece. A box was placed by the doorway with a small index card that acted as a ballot for attendees to vote for whichever piece spoke to them the most.
The exhibiting artists included: Larisa Altshul, Leslie Bowen, Inga Dankers, Shelia Davis, Chris Dooley, Martha Dowd, Sharon Downey, Samantha Eio, Denise Falbo, Karen Flowers Cagan, JoAnne Rose Foley, Mary Gillis, Eiblis Goldings, Gail Hansen, Kerry Hawkins, Margot Hurley, Lauras Kelly, Joan Kent, Randa Khuri, Lauren Kinghorn, Gary Koeppel, Ellen Little, Keith McClelland, Linda Mellen, Rosemarie Morelli, Karen O’Brien, Joan Onofrey, Richard Pepp, Rose Powers, Jonathan Ralton, Barbara Reynolds, Mark J. Richards, Chris Roberts, Judith Robichaud, Nan Rumpf, Barbara Swain, Richard Scott, Melanie Shapiro, Peter Shaw, Judith Stein, Barb Thomas, Joan Twinning, Naomi Wilsey, and Nancy Sacks.
The Juror of the exhibit is Judy Vilmain. According to the Dedham Artists Association website, Vilmain is “a Psychologist and painter living in Providence, Rhode Island, and is an Exhibiting Artist Member of the Providence Art Club. Her work includes intimate outdoor scenes and still-life paintings.”
As an artist, Vilmain shared with the Dedham Artists Association that: “With the objects I choose, and the way in which I paint them, I'm trying to present a world that feels familiar, solid, and grounded, hopefully providing the viewer a quiet break from the chaos… Regardless of the subject matter, I'm always considering the formal aspects of a painting: color, line, shape, and surface texture. Using these, I work towards a level of realism that still shows the hand of the painter— I want the viewer to keep moving back and forth between "seeing" the three-dimensional objects and seeing the paint and brushstrokes that created the illusion. That back and forth is what I find magical in a painting.” Her work as both an artist and a psychologist equips her with the skills to make her a fair and considerate juror.
The Fall Members' Exhibit not only celebrated the artistic achievements of the local community but also highlighted the transformative power of art in providing a respite from the chaos of everyday life. As the exhibit concludes, it leaves behind a trail of inspiration and appreciation for the diverse talents that enrich the local artistic landscape.
For more events and exhibits such as this, please visit the Dedham Artists Association website: https://www.dedhamartassociation.com/
