Best of West Virginia 2011

Haeberle

The 4th Annual Best of West Virginia Juried Exhibition opened June 19, 2011 at Tamarack. Thirty-six counties in WV with 109 artists are represented in the exhibition that runs until August 13th. Christine Humphrey, Gallery Manager, commented that it showcases the most talented and creative artists in West Virginia.

Moul

Two members of the Renaissance Gallery had artwork accepted into this special show. Ron Haeberle, of Huntington, WV, had a watercolor of a West Virginia river and Laura Moul, of Milton, WV, had a metallic photographic reflection of Stewart Hall into the windows of the Mountainlair at West Virginia University.

Currently at the Renaissance Gallery is a solo exhibition of Ron Haeberle's "Surf and Turf a serious look at landscapes". Laura also has artwork in the gallery. The Renaissance Art Gallery is open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is located on the ground floor of the Renaissance Building (the old Huntington High School) on the corner of 8th Street and 9th Avenue.

The Renaissance Art Gallery is an artist co-operative gallery focusing on the work of local artists. Their mission is to promote art and art education in the community and among its members.

Additions to the Renaissance Art Gallery

New Members June 2011

Pati Payne

Pati Payne: Painter—New Member



Artist Pati Payne enjoys life and this enjoyment is reflected in her work. The work submitted to the 4th Annual National Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” is typical for her. Children playing in autumn leaves, flying kites and riding a seesaw in the park. These three works were perfect for this show, yes, but also perfect examples of well developed themes and composition. Each shows her high level of skill and development as an artist. The Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to welcome Pati to its membership and to award her space to permanently display her award winning art.



Linda Harbison: Painter & Sculptor—New Member




Linda Harbison


Many of you who have visited the Renaissance Art Gallery during the Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” have commented on Linda Harbison’s watercolors of Camden Park, one of Huntington, WV’s most beloved landmarks. You will all be pleased to know that painter and sculptor Linda Harbison has joined the Renaissance Art Gallery and will soon have her own display in the main gallery. Over the coming months you can see her artwork in the main gallery, as well as enjoy her company on walk-through on her gallery days.



Laura Moul: Photographer—New Member



Also joining at this time is landscape photographer, Laura Moul. She has been a frequent participant in our annual shows and a long time friend of the Renaissance Art Gallery. She is in her own right a well known and award winning artist. She also will have a permanent presence in the Gallery and will be a valuable resource on fine art photography and all the changes technology has brought to the field.

Laura Moul

One of the nicest things about the Renaissance Art Gallery is the artists. Each and every person manning the gallery is an active-productive artist from our community

“Surf and Turf” - Landscapes and Seascapes in Watercolor.



Clear Morning on Dry Branch
Ron Haeberle

 While this exhibition is not limited to landscapes and seascapes, they are the centerpiece. It is a collection which includes both older pieces that represent “landmarks” in the development of way I paint and new work that is still damp.


When I began painting, much of my early effort went into paintings of buildings or street scenes representing places I had visited. I was frustrated in the effort by producing stiff, uncomfortable looking images lacking the sense and feel I sought from watercolor. I began to cast about for a different approach. Surveying the works of others, I was soon able to find paintings to which I could simply say – “I like that”. I used that inspiration to begin to create landscapes that satisfied my desire to produce work that gave a comfortable sense of being there. A long series of landscapes has followed. Almost by definition my landscapes contain water. I suppose this comes from the challenge this presents in painting and the interest it adds if you can get it right.

It is no surprise then that portraying the sea with watercolor was the next challenge. My objective was to create images that would capture the sea in a realistic way without becoming overly romantic in the manner of many seascapes. It was my good fortune to strike the balance I was seeking very early on. A continuing series of surf paintings has been the result. In the process of doing research (sitting in a beach chair at varying times of the day) I begin to understand the profound way the sun, sky and wind determine the personality of the ever changing sea. There is no shortage of new images to record.

Morning Surf XII
Ron Haeberle

In the interest of full disclosure the exhibit includes a smattering of other subjects – the odd building, still life and portrait. These represent a continuing interest in attempting any subject that represents a challenge. As often happens, this has opened the door to a series of architectural paintings of Huntington buildings of both beauty and historical importance.

Most importantly these works represent my attempt to allow the viewer to experience a moment in time in a place they may not have visited. Not only by seeing but sensing the smells and sounds and feeling the warmth of the sun or the cool of the shade.

The Renaissance Gallery Opening

You are cordially invited to the opening of a new art exhibition at The Renaissance Art Gallery, Sunday June 5, 2011 from 2-4 pm. Not in the Kumkum Majumdar Exhibition Hall, but in the newly renovated Main Gallery.




After months of work the new hall is ready to display the Best Artwork in the Tri-State are, and to celebrate we are proud to welcome you to enjoy our gallery by viewing the outstanding watercolors of artist Ron Haeberle.



Ron was both designer and construction worker of this renovation, so what could be more appropriate than hanging his work to show off the new wall?



“Surf & Turf” is a serious look at landscape painting in watercolor and shows Ron’s progress through this popular and compelling format.

Come and Join us in celebrating our new gallery and enjoy Ron Haeberle's fine watercolors.

The Renaissance Gallery’s “Renaissance Man” Show Opens

The Renaissance Art Gallery

The Renaissance Gallery’s “Renaissance Man” Show Opens

Not since Leonardo Davinci has there been so many talents combined in one artist/person!  Ron Haeberle is one of the Tri State’s most prolific watercolor artists creating

works depicting historical buildings and regional recreation sites in his work.  A clean, precise yet impressionistic style makes his art soothing as well as evocative.  But wait… Ron is also the Gallery’s architect, interior designer, master carpenter, flooring specialist, wall and fixture painter, carpet installer and financial adviser. 

Ron has worked all through this past winter and spring to remodel our main Gallery at Renaissance. And we felt it appropriate that he should open it to you with a one-man show.  If you have visited us before, you must come to the reception on June 5^th from 2-4 p.m. to see Ron’s work and see his handiwork.  If you are one of the hundreds of people who have driven past us on 8^th Street and 9^thAvenue saying to yourself  “ want to stop in and see what the Renaissance Gallery is all about”…well now is your chance!  You will have from June 5, 2011 until July 1^st to see Ron’s work and our newly renovated Gallery. 

We thank Ron for his undying energy and dedication to The Renaissance Gallery.  He is a man who puts his energy where his mouth is!  And we are blessed to have him. 

Even though we have been in a mess since the beginning trying to keep the Gallery open with everything in the KumKum Majumdar Exhibition Hall during Ron’s work, you still have time to stop in on Wednesday afternoons, Friday and Saturdays from 12-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m.

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Sign up to receive our blog about the Gallery every week, or just visit our website and click on blog. For all the latest news about the artists of Renaissance and all gallery events, visitwww.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance and leave your comments or requests. 

You may also leave messages at the Gallery by calling (304) 525-3235.  You may make special appointments by calling (304) 453-3187

The Renaissance Art Gallery

900 8th Street, Suite #20

Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235

Appointments: (304) 453-3187

gallerywv@yahoo.com

www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

Interesting Work

In every art show there are always a few pieces that stand out. They are not always the ones that win, but they are the ones we remember. And they show the artist’s unique point of view. And the 4th Annual National Spring Fine Arts Exhibiton is no exception

Unique Views

Colleen Harris sent in 3 paintings that at first look didn’t seem to fit the theme, “Parks & Recreation”, but look again. The artist’s unusual portrait style is at first distracting. She is not so married to realism that she lets it interfere with her art. And she is subtle!

“The Fish and Boat that Got Away”, the wild-eyed boy, and howling dog in the background. This is a fishing story? And what a story! Only a little water, a shade different from the sky, and a fleeting glimpse of tail—and a wicked sense of humor! All three paintings require that kind of 2 and 3 look! The other two pieces also show her wit and style.

Sometimes a title will throw us. “The Dump Truck Driver” the entry form read. While unpacking Nancy Garcia’s work, we wondered if she had sent the wrong painting, until we saw it. The sand, the beach and the toy truck! It is a really delightful painting, and a perfect fit for our show.

Other times, no explanation is needed as a familiar landmarks that is recognized by all, as in “Dam Rock—Canaan Valley”

Methods and Media

Then there are methods and media we have not seen for a while. Mary Grassell’s fine art prints are a welcome addition to the show.

Each year one artist manages to surprise us. Leona Mackey’s “Reaching”, a steel and glass composition was one such work this year.



And I have to admit I have grown rather fond of Don Watts bold style. He paints with enthusiasm, and bold colors.

Nostalgia often pulls at our hearts and memories. The sights, the sounds and smells of summers gone by—so well illustrated by Linda Harbison in her “Camden Park series. We have many takes on the amusement Park, from vintage Ferris Wheels, roller coasters to the beloved carousel. Heather Arden also visited the theme of amusement parks but with fine art photography. And a totally different point of view, almost surrealist, jumps off the canvas by artist Debra Shirley, A totally different take on familiar scenes.



Grand National Monuments To Intimate City Parks

Park & Play figured in most of the work in this year’s 4th Annual National Spring Fine Art Exhibition. Magnificent landscapes and majestic seashores result in stunning paintings, but play is also there. Not surprisingly, fishing and boating, two subjects near and dear to many hearts were often the subjects of artwork. But children were also a major part of this show—playing, running and just being.

Success in the Midst of a Mess

We all feel unnerved when we are remodeling...choosing the paint, the floor coverings, the light fixtures, the furniture...it just about drives us all nuts!  In our private homes during a remodel, we can just let everything pile up and not worry about it.  If friends or family stop by we say "Just forgive the mess, we are remodeling."

Well the Artist Members of the Renaissance Gallery chose not to close the doors for our remodel.  Instead we are plowing through it all and still having classes every week on Saturdays and Mondays and Wednesdays.  We have the doors open for our usual days and hours, Friday and Saturday from 12-4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

Of course we are not worrying about a thing!  We have the KumKum Majumdar Exhibition Hall to conduct our classes, gallery hours and even to open a new spring show called "Parks and Recreation".  You can see

by the look on the face of the Award of  Excellence in the Fine Arts division, Bruce Bowersock, as his winning Ghost Bird goes flying into his left ear...see it?  That is the effect this remodel is having on all of us, but in the middle of it, three yes, count them, three area artists have emailed us wishing to become members of our Gallery.  Wow, is all we can say.  Come on in and join the crowd.


Do we wish we had everything all finished?  Of course, but our member, Ron Haeberle, who is a master carpenter when he is not painting the most breath-taking watercolor paintings of our area, is proceeding at his own pace.  What was that wonderful old quote about marching to a different drummer or something?  Well, that would be Ron.
We just cannot wait for you to see what he has accomplished out of an area that is a hundred years old.  This is success in the midst of a mess.  Watch for the press releases for our reopening when the last nail is driven and the last spot of paint is touched up.