English novelist Penelope Fitzgerald once said, “No two people see the external world in exactly the same way.” In this spirit, one local business owner has commissioned a group of local artists to create works inspired by local landmarks and the power of collaboration. On Friday, September 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., the artists will unveil the fruits of their labor—“Perspectives: An Evening of Four”—at M&H Custom Framing & Gallery (373 York Road, Warminster, 215-443-0968, mhcustomframing.com).
For “Perspectives,” M&H owner Karen Lentz assembled a team of skilled artists—Michael Kuyper, Kelly Lutz, Joanne Turner and Patrick Walsh—to travel as a group to the same four locations in the Philadelphia area: Graeme Park in Horsham; Kelly Drive in Philadelphia; the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College in Swarthmore; and Highland Oaks Farm in Newtown, near Washington Crossing National Cemetery. There, the artists used different mediums—oil for Kuyper, photography for Lutz, chalk pastels for Turner and acrylic for Walsh—to interpret what they saw.
“It’s truly ‘An Evening of Four’: four mediums, four artists and their perspectives from four locations they went to together at four times throughout the year,” says Lentz. “The premise was to have these artists go to these locations together as a group. They all worked en plein air (French for “in the open air”), so Patrick and Michael went back again by themselves to continue working. … I knew they would work really well together and inspire each other, and the camaraderie of them going out together is what I think is going to make [the “Perspectives” event] so unique.
“Kelly Lutz was the one who first presented the idea to me,” Lentz continues. “Her idea was to learn about the aspects of perspective by having different artists visit these places collectively and provide their own perspectives through their work. … I chose each of these artists because of my relationship with each one. I know the quality of their work, and each one works in a different medium, so I knew it would produce something special.”
Each artist intends to showcase at least two works per location for the “Perspectives” event, and all of their displayed works will be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Alchemy Open Studio Therapeutic Arts Center, a nonprofit organization based in Doylestown. Alchemy’s mission is to help those with developmental or psychological challenges, as well as others who are recovering from trauma or other personal issues, through art therapy, music therapy and other forms of expressive healing.
In addition to exceptional works from local artists, socializing and the delight of supporting a worthy cause, “Perspectives” attendees will enjoy wine and food crafted by the chef of Colmar-based Modern Palate. Also, “Perspectives” is receiving support from Team Toyota, which has locations in Langhorne and Glen Mills, as well as Princeton, N.J.
Lentz welcomes attendees to RSVP for the “Perspectives” event by calling M&H Custom Framing & Gallery at 215-443-0968 or sending an e-mail to mhframing@gmail.com.
Photograph of Michael Kuyper by Kelly Lutz
