When the Lynnfield Art Guild (LAG) opened “Creativity on Parade” at the Beebe Estate Gallery in Melrose, the debut marked a pandemic landmark for the arts group and a creative release for painters and other artists eager to have people see their work up close and in person.
LAG was able to host shows virtually up until this point, and Guild President Dan Abenaim said it was tough to hold shows via Zoom.
“For those 18 months (of the COVID-19 pandemic), it was like watching ‘Gone with The Wind’ or ‘Star Wars’ on a 12-inch, black-and-white TV: lucky to see them at all, but not the same as full-color Cinemascope,” he said. “The impact of seeing the real paintings on the walls of a beautiful venue like the Beebe Estate is almost physical ― you are assaulted by multiple stimuli of beauty and forms that make you appreciate the magnificent power of imagination.”
“Creativity on Parade” displayed through October at the Beebe and LAG’s busy fall schedule also included unveiling local watercolor artist and member Patricia (Pat) O’Connor as LAG’s latest featured artist. O’Connor has been painting for more than 40 years in all mediums, starting in oil and acrylics and now specializing in watercolor.
“Art has always been a part of my life,” she said. “I love to travel, cook, and work with my hands doing sewing, knitting and, of course, painting in various mediums over the past 40-plus years. In my free time I have been involved in various community and professional activities all my life. I love working with people.”
O’Connor added that both her painting and the friends she has made with the Lynnfield Art Guild have sustained her through many difficult times and have brought much joy into her life.
Abenaim said that he is grateful for the support from the Beebe Estate, adding that more arts venues like theirs are needed. The president also touched upon the theme of the exhibition, “Creativity on Parade,” and the importance of creative expression for everyone, not just artists.
“Creativity is essential for everybody,” said Abenaim. “Sure, it is on display when you see a painting or a movie or a play, but it is also on display when you don’t have all the ingredients for a recipe and you make do with what you have, or when you are closed by a pandemic and you reinvent yourself to survive and strive.”
The Arts Guild also presented a demonstration from pop artist Eddie Bruckner on Oct. 21. Bruckner, the owner of Eddie Bruckner Fine Art in Needham, is all about having fun when it comes to his work.
“My artwork is about having fun, bringing a smile to people’s faces and at the same time, providing a unique way of experiencing some of our most familiar objects, places or people,” he said. “My work focuses on lines, shapes and the integration of an illusion of mosaic tile. I am inspired to use these techniques to create visual parallels of my world impressions.”
Creating art has been a lifelong passion for Bruckner.
“I’ve always loved art,” he said. “I’ve been an artist all my life, mostly self-taught. I want my audience to personally connect to my art and enjoy the experience.”