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Chester County Press

Clothesline Art Show brings casual atmosphere to Arts Alliance

07/03/2013 02:14PM ● By Acl

The Clothesline Art Show is set up like an outdoor art fair at the Oxford Arts Alliance.

By John Chambless

Staff Writer

Visiting the Clothesline Art Show at the Oxford Arts Alliance is like strolling through an outdoor art fair, only this one has the advantage of air conditioning.

The new exhibit, presented in conjunction with the Newark Arts Alliance, is set up with two canopy frames hung with original art and prints, as well as a nice mix of jewelry, crafts and fine art around the walls. The casual set-up invites leisurely browsing, and you can take your purchases home with you right away.

The wide range of media includes some colorful quilted wall hangings by Mary Coleman, and several of Larry Denver's wooden moon sculptures. There are whimsical gourd birds by Lorraine Louwerse, and some large, African-inspired vessels by Tina Skinner that are made out of gourds and embellished with natural rope decorations.

The hanging art shows a nice diversity as well. Barry Louwerse's "Man's Best Friend" is a Van Gogh tribute of sorts, with a seated boy regarding a groomed poodle. Louwerse also deserves credit for making good use of woodburning in his "Early Spring," a view of a bird and delicately etched branches.

Diane Blanche Stirrat's tiny acrylic, "Sky," is minimal but very effective, with just the right details of cloud and ground to suggest a large expanse of landscape.

Paula Graham's "Dark Passage" is a fine acrylic semi-abstract that suggests a weather-beaten interior room in an abandoned building. Also notable is Anne Marie Palita's razor-sharp black-and-white photo, "Promised Land State Park," a nicely composed view of stream and wooded bank.

Polly Davis Chalfant shows three tiny, hand-tinted prints of animals that are distinctive and engaging, and Cynthia Swanson's vivid paintings of roosters are another standout part of the show.

The Clothesline Art Show continues through July 26. The Oxford Arts Alliance is at 38 S. Third St., Oxford. There will be a reception on First Friday, July 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitwww.oxfordart.org for more information.