Creativity and Craft at the Wayne Art Center

The “Expressions of Radnor” exhibit that is currently being shown at the is not a collection of Radnor-themed artwork as its name might suggest.

Rather, the focus of the exhibition is on the artists themselves–professional and novice, teens to senior citizens–who reside in Radnor Township.

The artworks are as diverse as their creators.

Few of the paintings have anything in common: medium is unrestricted, with oil paintings, watercolors, sculptures, photographs, clay, and more.

The subject matter is even more diverse. Art Fisher’s reusche enamel piece “When We Was Fab” highlights imagery from the life, songs and artwork of John Lennon. Not 20 feet away, Karen Bernstein’s photograph “Manhattan Mist” captures a familiar New York skyline.

One sculpture, by high school student Christina Steely, is constructed from a clementine and a faucet. There are images from Denmark, the Middle East, and Italy. But there are also representations of Radnor locations, like the Willows.

Radnor resident Natalie Solomon was surprised at the diversity of both the art and the artists.

“It’s not like Radnor’s a very art-nurturing community,” she said.

Solomon heard about the exhibit through word of mouth and decided to submit. Her painting “This Little Light of Mine…” is the first piece she has had on display.

Solomon’s painting, done in acrylics, is of a field of sunflowers. The sunflowers are highlighted with pieces of copper.

Solomon said she chose acrylics and copper to show that “There are ways to do interesting things without being provocative just to be provocative.”

For most amateur artists, opportunities for public viewings are far and few between. The exhibit’s opening saw about 125 visitors, and has continued to receive foot traffic over the past week.

“It’s a way that we work with the township to spotlight the amount of talent we have here,” said Patti Hallowell, who is the program coordinator at the Wayne Art Center. Hallowell’s oil painting “Tuscany Shack” won the Wayne Art Center Award this year.

About $1,000 in cash prizes was awarded to artists by various local establishments, including Margaret Kuo’s and the Radnor Hotel.

The exhibiting artists range in age from high school students to senior citizens. Some artists are members at the Wayne Art Center, but submission was open to anybody. Dan Shipley, a local artist who has worked at the Wayne Art Center, judged this year’s submissions.

Many of the works are for sale.

“It’s nice to see everyone proud of their personal hobby,” said Solomon. “It’s not a hobby for everyone, but they’re proud to show what they’ve done. It gives your art a purpose.”

Elisabeth Braun, whose photograph “Ablution: Phoenix Rising” won the Radnor Township Award, agreed.

The photo, taken in a mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is of a man’s feet and toes; “Ablution” is a reference to an Islamic cleansing tradition before prayer.

“It gives people who are not commercially active a way of showing their endeavors,” Braun said of the exhibit.

The Wayne Art Center’s sixth annual “Expressions of Radnor” exhibition runs through March 19 in the art center’s Davenport Gallery. The collaboration between Radnor Township and the Wayne Art Center features almost 90 local artists, all Radnor residents.

Admission is free, and the center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.