York Public Library will show works by Maine folk artist Raymond Welch May 6 through June 28. The Community Collects exhibit features pieces generously loaned to the Library from the private collections of individuals across the Seacoast region.
Born in Ohio, Welch moved with his family to Sanford and worked as a loom fixer and designer of carpet fabrics in the Goodall-Sanford Textile Mills. He loved music and played bass in a band performing throughout Northern New England.
At age 43, he began experimenting with watercolor painting. In 1958, inspired by the primitive art of Anna Mary Roberson, better-known as Grandma Moses, Welch started to paint in oils. He said, “I never copied anything. I just painted what’s in my head or in my memory.” He signed his paintings "Ray-Welch" and had exhibits of his self-proclaimed “Primitive Art” in New York and Boston. He died in 1996 at age 81.
Please join us for an opening reception for the Raymond Welch exhibit on Tuesday, May 14 from 5-7 PM in the Library's Upper Level. Refreshments provided.
Works featured in this exhibit have been generously loaned to York Public Library by collectors and curators Robert Chase and Richard Candee.
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ALSO ON DISPLAY: "Animals in Sweaters" - sculptures by Terry Golson
Terry Golson is the author of several cookbooks and a children’s picture book, spent a decade teaching about backyard hens, and was a professional equestrian and an animal behavior consultant. Her home in York, Maine, faces a beaver marsh where wildlife abounds. Terry's art is inspired by a life observing and working with animals of all kinds. Terry hand builds her sculptures out of clay and each is unique. The animals chosen to be shown at the library are from her series of Animals in Sweaters. Although it looks like they each come from their own storybook, all emerged from Terry’s imagination. She works out of a Chase’s Garage, a community studio near Short Sands Beach. To see more of her work go to www.terrygolson.com and follow her on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/terrygolson.
Terry's works will be on display in the glass cases on the Library's Upper Level.
Learn more about York Public Library Art Shows at yorkpubliclibrary.org/art.
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More Upcoming Art Shows:
Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, August 30: Gordon Carlisle, painter of building-sized murals to fine brush illustrations. He has produced more than 35 murals and public artworks throughout New England. He works in oils, acrylics, and watercolor. His works include studio art, graphics, portraits, plus theatrical set design and sign painting.
Tuesday, September 3 to Thursday, October 31: Dustan Knight, watercolor impressionist, educator, and teacher. An award-winning artist, Knight’s work has appeared in several exhibitions, including the Government Office in Concord, New Hampshire. Her book “Painting the Impressionistic Landscape” explores light and color in watercolor and acrylic.