The Gallery on the Green presents a retrospective of prints, paintings, and drawings by Connecticut artist A. Walter Kendra, who has devoted more than 60 years to creating work that speaks to his passion for architecture, landscape, and nature, especially nature. The exhibition displays the evolution of his studio practice over the years, revealing startling differences as well as continuity as Kendra transforms his direct observations of the world around him into abstractions.  “All of my work is abstracted from nature, and there’s an echo of representation in them, yet they transcend that. I always like my work to transcend, not mimic color or form.”
Kendra, professor emeritus of art and gallery director at Central Connecticut State University, received an M.A. from Columbia University.  Kendra studied at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Art School at San Miguel del Allende, Mexico, Positano Art Workshop, Italy and the Hartford Art School.  He was the recipient of Connecticut’s Higher Education Art Educator of the Year award in 1993.

Kendra has exhibited widely, in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia in solo and group shows. He was the president of the Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund in Canton during its duration and served on the Board of Trustees for the Art School at the University of Hartford where he is currently a Corporator.

Also on display in two upstairs galleries is “Down to Earth,” a group show by five Litchfield County artists. Specializing in different techniques and mediums, each finds inspiration in the shapes, colors and contours of the natural world.  Aaron Borkowski uses digital photography and software editing tools to create dazzling abstract montages. Kathleen Borkowski’s work begins with writing down words or sounds and morphs into an image. An early obsession with medieval manuscripts led her to study with master calligraphers and artists from the US, Britain and Europe.  Justine Ickes, a soloist in the previous Gallery show, exhibits new mixed media and collage works. Heather Neilson is an abstract artist and art educator and has pursued the study of art history and direct art making for 25 years.  Andy Pyle is an artist of 3D blown and sculpted hot-glass (furnace work), alone and in combination with lost-wax kiln-cast glass objects. Originally from Reading, UK, he now lives and operates Nunwell Glass in Lime Rock, CT.  Join these artists at a closing meet/greet on Saturday, May 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm.

On April 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm there will be an opening reception for the Kendra exhibit.  The reception including refreshments is free, and the public is warmly invited.