‘POPPIES’ by Catherine Worthington can be seen at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community on Dec. 5.
Bold and painterly quilted wall assemblages by artists Donald Talbot of Lisbon Falls and Beatrice Gilbert of North Yarmouth are on display until Dec. 31 at Maine Fiberarts’ Gallery, 13 Main Street, Topsham.
The exhibition, titled “Quilted Assemblages: Beatrice Gilbert & Dr. Donald Talbot,” represents new work by the artists.
A holiday open house and sale of members’ work also takes place 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, when Gilbert will demonstrate quilting. The public is invited to attend.
Talbot’s new body of work, titled “Based on Beverly: A Post-mortem Creative Collaboration,” was created while on sabbatical leave from Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa., where he has served as visual arts program coordinator and associate professor of English and fine arts since 2004.
He said the sources of inspiration for this new work were the journals and sketchbooks of his good friend and teacher, the late Beverly J. Semmens, a professor emeritus at the University of Cincinnati who died in 2010.
Talbot met Semmens when he was accepted as a graduate student in her fibers program at the University of Cincinnati in 1997, and credits her as being one of the most influential mentors of his life.
According to Gilbert, her artwork has always been a reflection of a deep response to color.
Gilbert uses unexpected layers and vibrant color to engage the viewer. For Gilbert, color is content. Simple in form, Gilbert’s work focuses on the drama that can come from playing with value, color, and contrast.
Gilbert’s home in North Yarmouth, continues to provide a grounding that is essential and inspiring to her for blending art and life.
The country setting and her earthbound interests in family, gardening, raising sheep, and spinning wool provide an environment that inspires graceful simplicity in artwork.
In addition to creating silk-stitched wall hangings, Gilbert also works in ceramics and in fiber, specializing in the use of luxury fibers— silk, alpaca, yak, and camel.
Gilbert notes that her artistic goal is “…to create beautiful pieces that enrich everyday life—to be lived with, not just looked at.”
Since 1996, Gilbert’s art has been featured in over 60 galleries and shows nationwide.
Meanwhile, artist, volunteer, teacher and mentor Catherine Worthington will exhibit her textile art at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community, 25 Thornton Way, Thursday, Dec. 5. She will speak at 4 p.m., followed by a reception, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. The public is invited.
Worthington’s intricate art quilts are in many private collections and have been exhibited throughout Maine, New England, Florida.
Worthington also teaches surface design classes and workshops in the Mid-coast. She is a member of Five Rivers Arts Alliance, Maine Fiber Arts, Maine Crafts Association, Designing Women and Surface Design Association. She has a BFA in textile design from the University of Massachusetts.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
