09.25.2009

The Margret & H.A. Rey Center announces the opening reception of LOCAL VIEWS: A VALLEY OF ART on Sunday, October 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., featuring a slideshow by photographer highlighting his stunning polar bear photos at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will showcase seven local New Hampshire artists: Kirsten Carruth, Sarah Heidenis, Andrew Tyler, Mary Ellen Sakura, Willey Peckham, and James Schofield. The Margret and H.A. Rey Center is located on the second level of Waterville Valley Resort’s Town Square. Admission is free and appetizers will be served. Artists will be in attendance to answer questions about their work and artistic process. Kirsten Carruth uses a unique pallet of reclaimed wooden doors to create her illustrations of old fairy tales and children’s books, which appeal to groups of all ages. Kirsten is based out of Groton, New Hampshire and her inspiration comes from hiking in the White Mountains. Sarah Heidenis is a graduate of Plymouth State College in Art Education. Sarah speaks of her art as part of “a natural world that I feel a true connection with living in. The White Mountains of New Hampshire is a true inspiration I feel lucky to be part of this beautiful landscape and to be able to splash color on paper and feel complete.” Maryellen Sakura says of her pieces, “my work reflects a concern for and a love of nature.” Maryellen is an artist and printmaker who has lived and worked in Waterville Valley for the past ten years. James Schofield is a young, local artist who attends Plymouth State University and enjoys mixed media. James believes “art is an essential capacity within everyone, allowing us to cope with the extremes of our sometimes unbearable spectrum of emotions, regardless of culture or medium.” Roberta Britton, an art educator for 25 years enjoys using natural materials and is inspired by the local views for her paintings. Rounding out the group are Andrew Tyler and Willey Peckham. Andrew, a local photographer, enjoys the challenge of “trying to capture a subject that is ever changing with the seasons and the weather.” Andrew shares his love for macro photography as being, “by far my most favorite medium of photography. Finding a new view on many things often overlooked.” Willey Peckham travels around the world in search of capturing the true moments of living. Willey has been developing his photography since college in a variety of settings and locations. Willey will present a slideshow of his beautiful collection of Polar Bear photographs at 7:30 p.m. during the gallery’s opening reception. LOCAL VIEWS: A VALLEY OF ART will be on exhibit throughout the months of October and November. Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children’s books series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys’ legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. To register for this program or for more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at 603-236-3308.