Bright colors pierce the November chill at Norfolk Library art show

The full breadth of New England’s seasons are on display at the Norfolk Library for this month’s art exhibit “Changing Colors”, showcasing the work of New Hartford based artist Jessica McGarry Bartlet.

The show debuted with a reception in the Library’s Great Hall on Sunday, Nov. 3. It features watercolors, oil on panel and oil on canvas paintings, depicting scenes ranging from vibrant, bursting summer landscapes to more austere depictions of craggy mountainsides in Iceland.

“I want my audience to live in the moment,” Bartlet said of her work. Many of her pieces portray scenes from her own backyard, and she hopes that those who see her work will understand the value of staying present and “being where you are,” in her words.

While there is a distinct wildness to the work – there are few traces of human influence in her landscapes – she wants her paintings to convey that the wonder of the natural world exists everywhere.

“You don’t have to travel to find the wilderness, it will come to you,” she said.

While several pieces feature the vast North Atlantic expanses of Iceland and Ireland, most are inspired by the woodlands and meadows of New England. Some pieces focus on tangible subjects such as individual trees or ponds, while others are more abstract explorations of natural shapes. They are united by a highly textured style that at times borders on impressionistic.

Bartlet was first introduced to the Library by a former student, Norfolk resident Janise Graham-Jones, who took a watercolor course that Bartlet runs through EdAdvance, a Litchfield based education non-profit. Bartlet’s work, which will be displayed through Dec. 5, follows a 50 year monthly tradition of showcasing fine art on the Library’s walls.

Approximately 25% of the proceeds from sold works will be allocated to the Norfolk Library Associates, the organization that provides funding for all of the Library’s programming. The Art Committee, which is a subcommittee of the Associates, organizes each month’s art exhibit.

Kristin Mudge, chair of the Committee, said that the shows are organized around a three-pronged mission: “supporting local artists, providing cultural experiences for the local population, and fundraising for the library.”