This past winter, Old York Historical Society’s curator Mary Harding logged thousands of miles traveling through four New England states to select work for “Road Trip,” the current exhibition on view through September 10 at the George Marshall Store Gallery. Although visits to artists’ studios is a matter of course for all of Harding’s shows, the idea of a “Road Trip” theme was a way of introducing new artists along with artists who have had a long association with the York gallery. As an aside, Harding kept a log of favorite places to eat, places to stay and views not to miss. One of her first trips was to the Boston area to visit Carole Rabe, Jon Imber and Jill Hoy. All three artists are tied to the city in the winter but head to Maine in the summer. Imber and Hoy, husband and wife, spend their summers in Stonington, Maine, where they both maintain studios and Hoy a gallery. Harding selected a colorful watercolor by Hoy, “First Frost, Caterpillar Hill,” a favorite overlook of Penobscot Bay from Route 175 and a large pastel by Imber of Stonington Harbor. A two-day trip looped from the New Hampshire seacoast through Sunapee to visit ceramic artist David Ernster, Hanover to visit printmaker Elizabeth Mayor and then a midday stop in Norwich, Vt., to meet Kate Emlen. Her “Beaver Meadow Road” painting seemed the ideal image for the exhibit’s announcement card. Traveling in March has its advantages as there is almost always room at the inn, and the Montpellier Inn was a perfect overnight stop. The state capital is also home to the American Culinary Institute and many fine restaurants. An invitation to dinner at the home of artist Susan Wahlrab meant that a restaurant tour would have to wait for a return visit. “To see Susan’s watercolors of the woods that surround her property, while enjoying a fabulous home-cooked meal is very special,” said Harding. Her tour continued the next morning by following Route 2, east towards Gorham, N.H. The White Mountain Range looms on the horizon along this very scenic route. In Gorham, she visited Bill Scolere and chose a number of large linoleum block prints for the show. Another overnight trip was downeast. “I was determined to show Philip Frey’s painting ‘Dessert Case at Cleonice,’ as this Ellsworth, Maine, Mediterranean bistro is one of my favorite stops,” said Harding. Harding has gotten very good at following directions to find artist’s studios. Hills and dales, twists and turns, dirt roads and washed out culverts do not deter her. While in the area, Harding visited MaJo Kellesian, who lives 20 minutes west of Route 1. MaJo and her poet husband chose their property in the early 1970s in an attempt to live “off the grid.” Since then, the grid has found them, but a common sight at MaJo’s studio window is a flock of wild turkeys. It is uncanny how the iridescent colors in her wax medium works on paper look like the chest feathers of this friendly flock. On this same trip, she selected work by Tom Curry and Bill Irvine. Both artists paint the scenery of the Eggemoggin Reach, the body of water that separates Deer Isle from the mainland. Curry exhibited his vibrant pastels in the gallery last season and this year has included oils on panel. On the way back to York, Harding picked up several new paintings by Connie Hayes, who will have a solo show at the gallery this September. Her painting of “The Mill Pond, York” defines this artist as a colorist. Other artists included in this diverse exhibition are Gary Haven Smith, Northwood, N.H.; Arthur DiMambro, Durham, N.H; George Lloyd, Portland, Maine; Jerry MacMichael, Winnesquam, N.H.; and Tom Glover, Rollinsford, N.H. Because these artists live fairly nearby, Harding makes frequent visits to their studios. Concurrently, new paintings by New Castle, N.H., artist, Grant Drumheller are featured in the dock level gallery. The George Marshall Store, a property and program of the Old York Historical Society, is at 140 Lindsay Road. For information, 207-351-1083. 
15 Aug 2006 / 0 Comment
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