Author: Marian Chamberlain

I am so very pleased! The results are in from Waverly House’s spring juried show “Over There,” are in; my silverpoint “The Glory of Trench Cake” won a Juror’s Choice Award and my pastel “The Tin Nose Factory – Art, Empathy, and Hope ” won Best of Show!

 

The Springfield Greene County Library and Waverly House have teamed up  in support of the show.  The book that inspired the theme is “The Care and Mamagement of Lies.” Goodreads describes the book, published to coincide with the centennial of the Great War as a  “…poignant picture of love and friendship strained by the pain of separation and the brutal chaos of battle .  Ultimately, it raises profound questions about conflict, believe, and love that echo in our own time.”

The opening reception is at Waverly House Gifts and Gallery, 2031 S. Waverly,  Springfield, Mo 65804 on April 7th, 5:00-7:30pm. The show exhibits from April 7-28, 2017. Hope to see you there!

“The Tin Nose Factory – Art, Empathy, and Hope,” pastel,  winner of “Best of Show.”

“The Glory of Trench Cake,” silverpoint, winner of “Juror’s Choice Award.”

Let’s be honest – I feel that I have spent much of my life trying to convince people that art is not just for museums. It is not something that is out of reach, something reserved for those who live on some ethereal, unattainable social strata. Art is not just for kings and queens and the elite. So please think of this as a public service announcement.

You too, can own art.

I am not talking about posters.

Look around your house. What is hanging on your walls? Maybe you have some family photos, maybe some photos of the kids – you know, the ones they take at school with the back drop of a forest. If you have a picture on the wall that does not include your family and is in a frame, chances are that it is a mass produced poster.

Why? Don’t you deserve something better? Don’t you deserve something that might actually go up in value, something that has a destiny better than a garage sale or the trash can?

Yes. You do deserve better.

You deserve something that is unique, something that no one else has, something that is not just a cheap facsimile of art. You deserve a piece of art that is actually composed of real-life art supplies. You know, paint, ink, or charcoal. Something that is on a paper that is soft to the touch, or maybe canvas. You deserve art that has been touched by a real life, living, breathing artist. You deserve something on your wall that was touched by, manipulated by, agonized over, loved by, and yes, at some point, even hated by a person who was driven to put a little part of him or herself on a surface in an attempt to share themselves, their perceptions, and their experiences with you.

Yes, you.

Believe me when I say that art is for everyone – it is for me, you, your parents, your children, that crazy relative that no one talks about, and your neighbor down the street who just can’t seem to keep his yard mowed and free of trash.

Art is what makes us human.

So think about adding a piece or two of art, of real art, to your home. Let’s be honest – you deserve a piece of art that makes you feel more. You deserve it, you human you.