Art inspired by nature at the ARTery in July

The ARTery Gallery’s July exhibit, “Inspired by Nature,” brings together the works of watercolorist Yeoshin “Helen” Hwang and potter/crafter/maker Scott Helfand. These two different artists see themselves as aligned with nature, whether using nature’s products as a medium or as inspiration for their creations.

This show will include two of Yeoshin’s ink and watercolor paintings on rice paper: “Hoping for Peace,” featuring Ukraine’s national flower, the sunflower, and “Blessing Life,” her painting of plum blossoms. Helfand’s stoneware mugs, created with actual tree leaves thrown into the mug wall, will be on display as well as his rustic modern tables, with bases welded from steel and tops fashioned from raw edge wood.

Yeoshin (yuh-shin) is a Korean artist working with both traditional and modern Asian art materials and styles. She started her career over a decade ago under the tutelage of Lee Dong Il in Seoul, South Korea where her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions. Yeoshin illustrates her love of nature through the ten plant types that traditionally make up Korean art.

Scott Helfand, a retired educator, has an affinity for working with his hands. He creates functional works of art that highlight the aesthetics of pottery, steel and wood, the natural patina of oxidizing steel, and the radiance of glass. Scott especially enjoys using heat and fire to refine raw materials such as glass bottles that he repurposes into artwork.

The ARTery Gallery, located in the historic Forest Hall, is a cooperatively owned and operated fine art gallery, serving regional artists and art lovers since 1996. The gallery features traditional oil, watercolor, and photography, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, pottery, and collage.

Meet Yeoshin and Scott at their opening reception on Saturday, July 9, from 6-9 PM, which includes refreshments. Music will be provided by Karl Spicer, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, including Upright and Electric Bass, Guitar, Flute and Japanese Bamboo Shakuhachi Flute. He has performed with such notables as the Woody Herman Big Band, vocalist Ernestine Anderson, Buddy DeFranco, and Steve Cardenas. The ARTery welcomes the public to this free cultural event.