NORWICH – The Jill Kraft Fine Art Gallery officially opens Saturday with the work of local artist Daniel Harrington.
The gallery, housed inside Chenango County’s only art store, The Artists’ Palette, along with retail art supplies, offers 320 square feet of display space and is open to any and all artists wishing to apply for a solo or group showing. Owner Jill Kraft says she would like to see a variety of work being showcased year round.
“I am open to showcasing all types of work in various mediums, my gallery is not limited to one kind of art, nor one kind of artist,” said Kraft.
Premiering in the gallery is the work of Daniel Harrington, of Guilford, which will center on his never before seen photography. The show is titled “Elements” because the general theme of the show is nature and the natural elements. Harrington has been painting for more than 20 years and says he learned to paint realistically throughout his high school years under the direction of his art teacher and internationally known realist painter, Daniel K. Tennant. www.danielktennant.com. “Mr. Tennant helped me develop as an artist and a photographer and eventually taught me to ‘see’ as an artist. This opened the door for me and allowed me to look at everyday things in a new way, to understand not only realism but many aspects of art,” said Harrington.
As well as studying painting, Harrington also studied photography under Tennant. Unlike the realistic way he paints Harrington unexpectedly finds himself taking photographs that carry more abstract qualities. After compiling a number of these more abstract images, Harrington decided to make them the focus of his show.
Harrington will be showcasing 14 new photography works, four of his original paintings and Giclee prints during his first show at The Artists’ Palette in Norwich. He will continue showing his work throughout the next year at various locations. Harrington’s painting, “Grandma’s Cellar” won “the grand prize award” at the Cooperstown Art Association regional show last summer which has entitled him to a solo show in 2012 at the CAA gallery located at 22 Main Street Cooperstown. His work can also be seen at Gallery 213 on State Street, Binghamton, and online at www.danharrington.etsy.com.
“With limited art gallery space throughout the county, I hope artists both locally and regionally will be excited to take the opportunity to show their work in my new space,” said Kraft. “With the opening of the gallery, I can offer artists more opportunities and options when it comes to furthering their artistic career,” she said.
The opening reception and official gallery opening will be held Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Artists’ Palette in Norwich. The show will be featured in the gallery from Dec. 3 to Jan. 14, 2012. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-3. The gallery is open during regular business hours or by appointment. For more information call Kraft at 244-1445 or stop by and see the show at 6167 State Highway 12, Norwich.
The Artists’ Palette has also recently expanded the “palette member” gallery, this is a fixed gallery space where, upon joining, artists are able to show their work month to month. Members receive benefits that are not available to others, including but not limited to discounts in the store, savings on artwork reproduction services, custom framing, and more. The members gallery encompasses over 200 square feet of space and is open to artists in all mediums. For more information check out the website at www.theartistspaletteonline.com.