Opening reception for new exhibit set at Peninsula Gallery March 31

Peninsula Gallery announces a new exhibit Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees, bringing together seven talented but very different artists. An opening reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 31.

Regular gallery artists Syd McGinley, Nick Serratore and Betsy VonDreele are joined by photographer Richard Calvo and painter Brenda Kidera, both of whom have been featured in previous exhibits. New to the gallery are Robert Jenkins and Theresa Politowicz.

Jenkins’ paintings may best be called misconceived entomology. He has a fascination for insects and has developed a way of depicting them in a three-dimensional way by overlapping layers of resin on which he paints different parts of the insect. He begins with a base sketch on glass that enables him to become familiar with the shapes that make up the insect. From there he paints different parts of his subject on each of the overlapping resin layers, usually five to seven, in order to give it dimension. When the finished painting is placed in a shadow box it gives the impression that the insect has been preserved between two pieces of glass. His work has been termed original and unique. At first glance one would think the paintings were real insects due to the detail that makes them lifelike replicas.

Theresa Politowicz’s wildlife watercolor art gives glimpses into the unique intricacies of nature and offers a perspective of the mystical world that surrounds everyone. Like Jenkins, she also has a fascination for insects, but hers come alive in stunning 3-D mixed-media sculptures. Insect wings are individually hand-drawn, cut, colored and shaped. Glass, metal, crystal and stone beads build the bodies. She invites viewers into her whimsical world of sharply dressed creatures with sophisticated palates. Each elegant subject is featured in natural surroundings and with the plants which comprise its beverage.

The Peninsula Gallery will donate a portion of all exhibit sales to Art in Bloom, which has been established to enhance the beautification and cultural environment of Historic Lewes and the community at large by means of public art. 

This exhibition continues until Sunday, April 29. The gallery is in the shops at the Beacon, 520 East Savannah Road, Lewes. For more information or to preview images from the show, go to www.peninsula-gallery.com or call 302-645-0551.