Visitors to the Granby Public Library during the month of February were treated to a special display of paintings compliments of the Painting Study Group — a collection of local artists who meet monthly to discuss techniques, methodology and materials, and to also critique each other’s works. The idea for the showcase came from Pam Jones, who spoke to head librarian Kelly Marscycki for a Valentine’s exhibit, For the Love of Art. Marscycki was in favor, so the library’s Holly Johnson and painter Dorothy Dumond organized the event.
Throughout the month, the display attracted a lot of attention from library visitors. Many were greatly impressed by the number of award-winning artists in the Granby community. Also greatly appreciated were the display cases arranged by Sally Markey, containing graphic examples of topics that the group has studied.
Related to the display, two of the members of the study group presented a talk, Tools of the Trade, on Feb. 16, at the library. Dumond, an oil painter, and Carole Hartwell, who works in pastels, discussed their materials and techniques with an almost over-flow crowd of painters and non-painters alike. Not a staid lecture by any means, the lively talk welcomed questions and comments from the very interested audience.
Photo by Shirley Murtha
The Painting Study Group: front, from l. Dorothy Dumond, Marian Rowles, Suzanne Roz Magoon, Carole Day; back, from l. Rosemarie Mendes, Fran Miller, Carole Hartwell, Sally Markey, Pam Jones, John Walker.