New Venue in Town: Artist Square Group Gallery

Although the gallery has been open for a few weeks, today was the official "Meet and Greet," a.k.a. official grand opening, for the Artist Square Group Gallery in Tower Square, downtown Springfield. My friend Alma had some items on display, and Tracy Woods had asked to borrow my punchbowl for the event, so of course I had to drop by.

In this photo (taken by me) I recognize artists A. J. Juarez, Awilda Oxios, Paul Midura, Morocco Flowers, and Jerry Barry, plus director Tracy Woods front and center. Not sure about the two ladies on the far right, or the lady seated next to Tracy. I chatted with a number of people: the artists I've named, some of the artists not pictured, plus several friends. I didn't get to meet everyone.

Jerry Barry's work is my favorite. He has painted a "park" series: landscapes of Central Park plus a couple of other parks. Two were hanging in the gallery. I recognized both spots immediately. The framed pieces I saw were prints; the originals hang in his home. I asked him why he painted, and got a disquisition (he's a teacher). One of the things he said was that when you're tired at the end of the day and want to relax, it's nice to contemplate a beautiful painting. He likes parks, and wanted to bring the park into his home. Literally! The originals are huge: 4 feet by 6 feet or 4 feet by 8 feet, and cover the walls of his home like murals. It must look like Monet's water lilies in the Orangerie.

I like the gallery, but the place I'd really like to go is Jerry Barry's house.