Artists celebrate local plants in 'Spring Fling' exhibit

PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — An art show celebrating the beauty and diversity of plants in Orange County will be shown from April 7 to May 26 at three venues in Port Jervis.
Titled “Spring Fling!," the show features paintings, pastels, and mixed media works. Featured artist Debbie Gioello’s "Art on Art" florals will be shown at both Bon Secours Hospital and the mayor’s office at city hall. Joan Kehlenbeck and Peter Koenig from the River Valley Artists Guild of Port Jervis will show their work at Deerpark Town Hall.
Gioello juxtaposes realism and impressionism in her dimensional paintings, presented as “assemblage collages.” Realistic photographs of flowers are imposed on impressionistic visions of a flower garden series of infused watercolor paints and dyes on paper.
The watercolor background was inspired by the image of the flower and painted in abstract form. The original photograph of the flower was enlarged and applied to the watercolor background. The finished work combines two mediums in a single impact. Gioello uses etching techniques, watercolors, acrylics, and photography. She has received many awards and her work is displayed in many public and private collections. For more information visit debbiegioello.com.
Kehlenbeck’s "Spring Triptychs and Florals" will be shown with Peter Koenig’s museum-quality 18th- and 19th-century trade and inn signs.
Kehlenbeck, president of the River Valley Artists Guild, includes important local, historic buildings, and scenes in her drawings and paintings. She has shown her oil paintings and pastel drawings regionally, and her work is in many important collections.
Koenig’s attention to detail allows him to create a finished product that appears to be an original period piece. He was selected for the Directory of Traditional American Crafts by Early American Life magazine.
For more information email susanmiiller@yahoo.com or visit portjerviscouncilforthearts.org.