James Gahagan celebrated at Johnson
Exhibit features area artists
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The late Vermont artist James Gahagan, pictured, is being celebrated in an exhibit at Johnson State College. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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Published: October 16, 2009
JOHNSON – "Crazy Acres: An Homage to an Artist and Teacher James Gahagan" opens Saturday and closes Nov. 21 at Johnson State College's Julian Scott Memorial Gallery. The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, 4 to 6 p.m.
In the summer of 1971 a small group of young artists arrived in the Woodbury area to begin their studies in painting and drawing with James Gahagan. Some came from New York City (many were students from Pratt Art Institute) to live in tents in the wilderness. They set up their easels in a geodesic dome, and shared their meals in a screen tent. In the woods they were to draw from nature, swim in the pond, and attend life drawing sessions in the dome each weeknight.
Over two summers in the wilderness, students witnessed color-in-nature and experienced life in the woods. For Gahagan, "color" was not merely a concept but an epiphany. His passion revealed that the best way to touch "The Fleeting" was not to "capture" but to "embody."
Now in middle careers, these 13 artists, former students of Gahagan, are exhibiting their paintings in the Julian Scott Gallery. Alongside their teacher, they offer a unique glimpse of painting's lineage from Gahagan and points to all modern colorists.
Gahagan had painted in Vermont since his years at Goddard College in Plainfield (1949-1951). Gahagan, who learned from artist Hans Hofmann, moved from New York City to live in Woodbury in 1971. Gahagan and his wife, Patricia deGogorza, created the Dome school.
Featured artists include: Laurie Alpert, deGogorza, Diane Fitch, Amy Furman, Gahagan, Sharon Kaitz, Jean Sousa Kelso, Andrea Pearlman, George Pearlman, Leslie Price, Lorna Ritz, Anci Slovak, Carl Stallman and Ranelle Wolf.
Johnson State College's Julian Scott Memorial Gallery is located in the Dibden Center for the Arts in Johnson. For information, call (802) 635-1469, or go online to www.johnsonstate.
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