Riverside Artists Featured in New Exhibit that Explores Interpretations of the Seasons

Bristol, Rhode Island - The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library today announced that artwork submitted by Riverside artists Wendy Anctil and Jennifer Wright have been recognized as Works of Distinction in a new juried, community exhibit in which artists share their seasonal interpretative work of chronological, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, or spiritual seasons. Art For All Seasons is on view in the Community Galleries of the Library until Fri. Feb. 23, 2024. Impressionist artist Stephanie Stroud served as juror for the exhibit.

The writings of Henry David Thoreau and poet, philosopher, songwriter and philanthropist Gugu Mona influenced the exhibit’s theme. Thoreau once wrote, “ Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” Mona wrote, “Each season is unique yet so important, so cherish the seasons in your life.” Both of these writers reflect upon how the different seasons influence their unique perspectives on life. Through this exhibit, artists are invited to do the same.”

First Frost, created by Anctil, features leaves trapped beneath a thin layer of ice. “‘First Frost’ beautifully conveys a feeling of cold, the chill in the air when the first frost shimmers on the ground, our warm breath visible in the air,” shares Stroud. “But the fascinating contrast of this piece is how it was created with wool also generating feelings of warmth. The botanical printed leaves arranged on the wool in such a way as to be reminiscent of a quilt square reminds us of a warm wool blanket to ward off the chill highlighting the idea that sometimes art is contrary and cohesive at the same time.”

Beach Tapestry created by Wright explores the question of, what says summer more than a trip to the beach? The charm of this piece is in the execution of the technique as the choice of fibers in the tapestry convey more than colors to create a scene. “From the fluffy wind-blown sky to the movement of color in the water, and the sandy beach where you can almost see footprints in the sand from beach combers looking for the perfect shells,” said Stroud. “Ending with a virtual rainbow of colored streamers, the artist invites the viewer to decide, do they represent the colorful beach goers, the towels arranged carefully on the sand, kites flying in the breeze? Or perhaps something else, all while engaging the viewer with the intricacy of the technique.”

“As an artist myself, I have an awareness of how different works of art can appear when viewed on a screen versus in person, and this experience has only confirmed for me how important it is to see art in person,” said Stroud. “Nuance, scale, texture and color can only truly be conveyed live which made choosing works to be recognized in person so important. I particularly enjoyed my time at the Community Gallery at Rogers Free Library viewing the works and the experience of jurying this exhibit and am grateful to have been asked.”

Stroud earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design where she majored in illustration. A fiber artist who “paints with wool,” she creates impressionistic felted paintings inspired by nature. Primarily a landscape artist, Stroud is inspired by the variation in landscape that the world around us offers. Stroud exhibits her work at regional art shows including the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour. She is a Custom Framing Designer at Riverside Art in Somerset Massachusetts and is currently the Membership Chair for South Coast Artists.