Artists of Western Maine at The Phoenix House and Well

NEWRY — The Phoenix House and Well is pleased to announce the opening of "Over the River and through the Woods: Maine Views at The Phoenix House and Well", a group exhibition of established and emerging artists connected to the Western Maine area. Paintings, prints and photographs are on display on the second level by Barbara Traficonte, Suzanne Hardy, Ron Hamilton, Irina Kahn and Veronica Cross, who also serves as curator for the show. The artists have been selected from the Western Maine Art Group, a collective that has been active for over 40 years. Each artist has an individual take on working from observation in nature; here are country fields, woodsy sanctuaries, sublime ski mountains and car graveyards, to name but a few. The exhibit opens December 18 and continues through February 28, 2011. An opening reception will be held Saturday, December 18 from 5-7 p.m.

Barbara Traficonte is an award-winning artist and educator proficient in both oil and pastel in her lush Maine landscapes and still lifes. She is also the proprietor of the 100 Aker Wood Frame Shop and Art Supply Store in Norway. Suzanne Hardy is familiar to ski enthusiasts and art-lovers for her light-filled watercolors, particularly the ones depicting ski resorts and mountains. Ron Hamilton, a retired Navy man and engineer, found painting later in life and creates complex and structured oil paintings. Painter Irina Kahn, a recent addition to Western Maine, is inspired by Maine's landscapes and is particularly focused on its flora. She is also the president of the Western Maine Art Group. Veronica Cross works in painting and photography and is currently developing Maine-centric narratives in her work.

This inaugurates the first of two group exhibits to be held upstairs at the Phoenix this season; works from various Maine artists are permanently on view and available for sale throughout the restaurant. The Phoenix House and Well is the area's premier location for the best in casual fine dining, headlining entertainment from across New England, gracious service and fun times at Apres Ski.

Artwork may be viewed during hours of operation or by appointment; The Phoenix is open seven days a week during the winter season - opening Monday through Friday at 2 p.m., Saturday at 12 p.m. and brunch on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Phoenix House and Well is located at 9 Timberline Drive in Newry. For more information, contact Veronica Cross, Curator, at 632-9008.