Once again the Marion Art Center (MAC) sparkled with creative genius as its latest exhibit opened on May 24. The gallery walls now display works from two very different painters; works that surprisingly balance each other without sharing a common theme or even painting style.

            From now until July 6, art lovers will enjoy the creations of two Rhode Island artists, Janet Gendreau of Bristol and Peter Hussey of Portsmouth. Gendreau is a trained artist working in pastels. Hussey is self-taught and works with watercolors. Both artists’ paintings demonstrate their ability to share a view of the world that is uniquely their own.

            Gendreau said of her use of pastels, “I like to work with pastels because it gives me immediate results.” Not having to wait for paints to dry is critical to her being able to capture a moment when the natural light has achieved its zenith for the day.

            And capturing that light in coastal scenes or the graceful arc of trees and flowers is Gendreau’s desire, one she executes with a clear eye and gentle hand. The tone of her paintings are lush; the mood almost dreamlike, drawing the viewer into that slice of time with tender grace. Her paintings are in a word sublime.

            “You have about two hours if you are lucky,” Gendreau said of working outdoors. By using pastels she can put down the majority of the picture’s intention as guided by her skillful hand. Later, back in her studio, she’ll use photographs to assist her in completing the thought she found and strives to express. 

            Gendreau studied art in college, finding her passion as an illustrator. But life’s demands pulled her away into the ebb and flow of providing and caring for her family. Once the work of being a Mother and all that it requires in terms of time investment slowed down, she was able to return to painting. For the last eight years she has worked nearly full-time painting, nurturing her talent, and producing works of art that allow the viewer to breath in deeply, taking in the atmosphere she collected out in the field.

            Hussey’s work is all about bold colors, linear sightlines, and pieces of architecture that cause one to ask, “What’s beyond that door?” Of himself Hussey said, “I was just born to be in it,” meaning being an artist. He said as a young boy his mother layered his education with vast books on the grand masters, books that intrigued him and sparked his imagination. But in college he studied art history, not art. “I actually got a degree in business,” he said laughingly, “I didn’t want to curate: I wanted to create.”        Hussey credits his lack of formal art training with freedom. He said that in the absence of being trained he has allowed himself to explore the best methods to achieve what he sees. And what he sees are strictly executed straight lines that form roof tops, windows, doorways, and other structural elements. His subject matter is a study in patience and exactitude as each square inch his paints becomes singular work of art.

            Watercolors are the medium he employs, but no dreamy soft scenes for his artist. “I’m a frustrated architect,” Hussey jokingly said. He has been painting for more than 20-years now and continues to discover not only the beauty that can be found in colors both natural and imagined, but also in techniques. 

            To give some of his works a brilliance that shines from within, Hussey has begun to use an ancient technique – egg tempera. Egg tempera painting was once a common method used by artists to give their works a sheen that illuminated them. Hussey’s tempera works, such as prisms resting on a desk, display not only the technique, but also his ability to use it with superior results.

            Hussey’s works are strong, vivid, pillar-like pieces where color and line combine and stimulate the imagination. Gendreau’s paintings are warm, glowing images of the natural world. Hussey leans towards bringing his viewers a piece of manmade structures seen in a close up, almost abstract perspective. Gendreau invites us to wander slowly and luxuriate in the beauty of nature where we can hear a rustling leaf or winsome bird song.

            Hussey and Gendreau’s works will also become part of the Marion Art Center’s Art In Bloom event planned for the evening of June 14. Local floral arrangers will bring their own brand of visual arts to the gallery spaces by pairing flora and fauna, and most likely structural pieces, into creations that re-image and compliment specific paintings.

            The center will also be holding a sidewalk sale earlier in the day on June 14. To learn more about upcoming events at the Marion Art Center visit www.marionartcenter.org. To see more about these artists works visit Hussey at www.peterhussey.us and Gendreau at www.southcoastartists.org.

By Marilou Newell

            The May 27 Memorial Day Observance held at Center School in Mattapoisett once again brought out a crowd. For decades, the Florence Eastman Post 280 of the American Legion has hosted this event. And while the local organization struggles to stay vital, the Legion has been supporting returning military personnel since 1919. It remains a place where veterans can come together sharing experiences while working together sponsoring programs that benefit all.

            As the four young members of the New Bedford High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps completed the posting of the colors, Commander Michael Lamoureux rose to begin the program. His mood was solemn.  He began by saying his comments would be different than in previous years.

            “I’m sickened by what happened in Dorchester,” he began.

            What Lamoureux was referring to was the recent desecration of military monuments in that city. He said that he wanted to thank everyone in Mattapoisett for supporting not only the event but the veterans.

            “Thank you to everyone in the community,” he said. “You are a morale booster to anyone in the military. Thank you for being here.” He noted that it was the people in Mattapoisett and their commitment to those serving the country that made this day possible. In Dorchester, the city rededicated the impacted monuments, which have been thoroughly cleaned.

            Chaplain Richard Langhoff gave a brief invocation remembering fallen service men and women around the globe as they performed their duties with “unselfish purpose.”

            State Representative William Straus was invited to say a few words to the audience. He paused a moment reflecting on what Lamoureux had said adding, “We need to keep memories alive. We are responsible to think of those we did not know, but whose sacrifice for us gives us our freedom.” Continuing, he said, “They understand a wider purpose.” Straus asked the assembled to try and imagine all those serving the country, people we may never know and thank them.

            Selectman Tyler Macallister also spoke sharing memories of his grandfathers, both having served in WWII with honor and both now at rest in the National Cemetery at Otis Air Force Base. He recalled visiting sites in Normandy and other locations where memorials rise out of the landscape to honor troops that freed the local people from the horror of Nazi occupation. He too implored all within hearing distance to remember, “It is our duty to keep their memory alive.”

            Longtime Legion member and Tri-Town Veterans Agent First Sargent Barry Denham said he was inspired when he considered that, throughout the country in cities and towns, similar observances were taking place to honor those who had given their lives in service to the country. 

            Old Rochester Regional Junior High School student Sakurako Linh Huynh-Aoyama, with a voice that was clear, full, and confident, recited the Gettysburg Address.

            The guest speaker for the event was Eric Dawicki, CEO of the Northeast Maritime Institute who is also a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve and a Merchant Marine.

            After thanking everyone for their attendance, Dawicki became momentarily overcome with emotion as he remembered not only those in military service who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also the Merchant Marines whose pledge to defend and support the United States was equal to uniformed personnel.

            “Please remember the non-uniformed mariners who bore true faith to their allegiance,” said Dawicki. He said he was touched by the responsibility to also acknowledge those patriots.

            Music was an important part of the overall event, setting a tone of youthful exuberance and poignancy as the Old Hammondtown Elementary School band played America, Grand Old Flag, and the Star Spangled Banner under the direction of Cara Kinney.

            After the retiring of the flags, the ceremony continued outside in the glorious sunshine that graced the afternoon. Boy Scouts, the Fire Department Color Guard, along with the New Bedford High School JROTC, and the townspeople marched to the library where flowers were laid at the at the plaque for Florence Eastman and the WWI and Civil War Monuments.

            The parade continued on to the Town Wharf where flowers were placed in the outgoing tide to honor those who were lost at sea.

By Marilou Newell