Feathers and Fur, Birds and Beasts
Animals we live among, some wild and some domestic, will be the subjects of an exhibition hosted by the Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild from March 5 through April 23. Elinor Osborn's photographs of birds and ValeriaSarephena Elliott's photographic portraits of farm animals will enliven the walls, while in the center of the Backroom Gallery will hang ceramic bird houses by Abby Dreyer.
The public is cordially invited to meet the artists at a reception at the Guild on Saturday, March 12, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Abby Dreyer has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and studied wood working, furniture design, metal smithing and jewelry making. But it was not until January 2006 that she enrolled in a wheel throwing class and "discovered the wonders of clay." She says, "There has been nothing on my mind or in my hands since." She designs and builds one-of-a-kind birdhouses to be actual nesting boxes for various species of cavity nesting birds. The depth/width of the house as well as the diameter of the entrance hole is different for each species.
V
aleria Sarephina Elliott's photography (see right) has always been inspired by nature.Her latest project has been photographing farm animals in local barnyards. She says, "With patience, the animals grow accustomed to my presence, and allow a glimpse of their personalities. I strive to reveal the emotions of the individual, always attempting to capture the spirit of the moment and my subject. "
She has a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts, in New York, and says that her principal mentor is Phillip Geftner, Page One Photo Editor of the New York Times. Her work has been shown in many galleries in New York and Vermont.
Although award-winning photographer Elinor Osborn (left) enjoys photographing a variety of subjects in nature, the images in this exhibition will be of birds. In her book "Project UltraSwan" she follows the story of the trumpeter swan migration project in which scientists use ultralight aircraft to teach young swans the migration route. . Her photographs have been published in many books and magazines.
The Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild is located at 430 Railroad St. in St. Johnsbury and is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Telephone: 802-748-0158. Web address: www.nekartisansguild.com.
