Art in the AM event set in Rehoboth Nov. 2
Three local artists, nine writers and a musician will present a unique collaborative performance, Art in the AM, from 10 to 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the clubhouse of The Glade in Rehoboth Beach. Hosted by the Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild, the event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required. To reserve a space, email fischer.maribeth@gmail.com.
Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild Executive Director Maribeth Fischer says, "Think of it as a three-act play with each act featuring one artist. While a painting by artist A is being displayed, three writers will read the short [300 words or fewer] original poem, memoir-excerpt or flash fiction that the painting inspired. This will be followed by a live song performed by musician Stuart Vining who will explain what in the painting prompted his choice of song, and finally, the artist will speak about his or her own inspiration for the work."
The goal is to get people talking and thinking about the different ways people express themselves and to use one art form (writing or music) to talk about another (painting). Can writing about art inspire writers to delve deeper into their imaginations? Does hearing a song inspired by a painting change the way one views that painting? "This should be an interesting month. In addition to the variety of writers, we have completely different styles and mediums of art," says Cape Gazette columnist Lisa Graff, who will emcee the event and who led the guild's art-inspired Free Writes for four years. “But that’s the beauty of this event. You have so many different levels of creativity brought together as they might never be otherwise,” she says.
The three artists to participate in the November event, Judy Catterton, Howard Eberle and Lanelle Hearn, all submitted their paintings to be posted on the guild’s website in October, giving the writers time to choose and then study the work they are using for inspiration in their writings.
Catterton grew up in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in a family that loved art, often taking trips to area galleries and art shows or going on a sketching excursion. As an adult, Catterton was a prosecutor who sometimes found herself sketching jurors on a case she was trying. After retiring to Rehoboth, she took up painting in earnest; She has painted a number of portraits on commission and has exhibited work at Cadbury, the Back Porch Restaurant, Camp Rehoboth, The University of Wilmington, the Rehoboth Art League, Lavender Fields and Nassau Valley Vineyards. Carterton is member of the Delaware Shore Artists Group and the Rehoboth Art League.
A self-taught artist, Eberle has been painting in transparent watercolor since 1973, and professionally since 1990. He was born in Baltimore and lived in Pennsylvania for over 45 years. Two of his paintings reside in the permanent collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Eberle now lives and paints in Lewes. He is a member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, the International Society of Experimental Artists and the Rehoboth Art League. His works are represented by The Peninsula Gallery in Lewes and the McBride Gallery in Annapolis, Md. Eberle considers himself a portrait painter of objects and is drawn to architectural and textural elements- peeled paint, rust, wood and stone. He is inspired by the challenge of using composition and elements of design to create a powerful painting that he calls “abstract realism.”
"We want this to be casual and fun, igniting conversations and ideas," says Fischer. "Writing and painting are often such solitary activities. Even the reading of literature in public or the viewing of art can seem such serious and solemn endeavors. That's not what this is."
Coffee and pastries will be served. For more information, go to www.rehobothbeachwritersguild.com. For specific questions about Art in the AM or to RSVP, email fischer.maribeth@gmail.com.
