I want to let everyone know about a new-ish project some folks and I are working to develop, Meeting House Arts. The basic idea is that we organize exhibits of local artists’ work to hang at the Waterbury Congregational Church – this provides a chance for area artists to show their work in a great space and for we local residents to get more opportunities to see original and contemporary art.
NEW EXHIBIT: Last spring, we had our first show and we are about to open our second: “Line Dances,” an exhibit of Barre artist Arthur Zorn’s abstract impressionist paintings. Opening February 1, the show will be up for most the month. Works range widely from portraits to non-representational meditations and are connected through their strong linear components – whether straight, swirled, or multi-layered. Mr. Zorn uses paint, chalk or charcoal, and repurposed objects to express his “life’s experiences, passions, feelings, joy, sufferings, guilt, angers, grief, and loves.”
FREE CONCERT & ART TALK: Along with the exhibit, we ask each artist to come in and do an art talk or other presentation to share a little more about their process, their philosophy, etc. Mr. Zorn, who is a professional and very talented musician in his “day job,” has offered to perform a solo piano concert in tandem with his talk. So, please come down to the White Meeting House at 7 PM on Saturday, February 7, to hear this free concert of piano and organ improvisations in a classical style, in response to selected pieces from the exhibit. This format offers an unusual opportunity for dynamic conversation around multiple experiences – of the artist, of the audience – in both musical and visual arts.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: Mr. Zorn has been showing his abstract impressionist paintings for over a decade and was featured in the Governor’s Gallery at the Statehouse in 2008. His energetic, improvisational style has been well-received by both critics and collectors. Mr. Zorn’s visual expressions may be seen as both a counterpoint to and an extension of his life’s work in music. After thirty years as a highly-regarded music teacher in the Barre schools, he is currently the organist and choir director at Bethany Church in Montpelier. He has conducted music festivals around New England; performed in solo and ensemble concerts as vocalist, as pianist, and as organist; and his original compositions have been broadcast live on VPR.
TIMING & MORE INFO: The exhibit will be up February 1st through February 22nd in the White Meeting House/Waterbury Congregational Church at 8 North Main Street. Doors will be open Tuesday through Friday, from 8:30AM to 4PM to view the show, or by special request. Both the exhibit and the concert are free and open to the public. More information about Zorn’s work is available at his website, www.artzorn.com. More information about these events and the Meeting House Arts project is available by contacting me, Torrey, at 244-8581 or torreycsmith@yahoo.com.
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