Above Elite Studios Holiday Show Shines

The twinkling lights, cheering glasses, wafting lyrics of live music and glimpse of colorful montage from a distance, hastened my step in anticipation to see what creative story these four walls held. The annual event Good Tidings, Great Art! sponsored by Above Elite Studios was held this past weekend Dec. 10 and 11. 

Located on the Pawcatuck River in an old mill building above Elite Cleaners, the studio has undergone an evolution over the past 15 years and is now a collaborative effort of three creative forces, Laura Gaffke, Millie Donovan and Charles Estabrooks.

The event was an opportunity for studio artists along with over 10 guest artists of varying backgrounds, craft and media to share a collaborative holiday fusion with guests.

"The reason we put this event together is that we like to combine not only the visual artist but also vocalists like Kori Eryn," Donovan said.  "This event embraces all discussions." 

The entrance hallway featured a special exhibit by  students.  The work ranged from paper cuts and crayon on paper to brightly glazed ceramic and some quite stunning pastel on black paper created by grade four. 

The exhibit, filled with unique works, jewelry and everyday objects, was an eclectic mix of paint, print, mixed-media, sculpture and photography.  Styles ranged from modern and whimsical to realistic and traditional. 

I first turned to the works of Charles Estabrooks, seasoned commercial photographer who revels in diversity. His images ranged from haunting black and white portraiture to vibrant fields of flora. 

Artists such as Carol A. Watson and Sarah Martin produced mixed-media with an equine theme. Both had original works available and brought items such as cards, coasters, calendars and bags for those looking to take away a reasonable priced expression of art.

Donovan, resident studio artist and mixed media maven produces a soulful mix of abstract, figurative and landscape work in predominantly, but not limited to, watercolor and acrylic.  

"As an artist, I take moments around me and I try to capture those before I let them go.  My work is about moments in my life," Donovan said.

Donovan shares a space with artist Laura Gaffke, whose inspired full spectrum mixed-media dragonflies captured my heart.  Through individual and collaborative works, Gaffke creates sublime explosions of paintings, magnets and postcards using maps, buttons, book pages, vintage hand stamps and paint.  Her subjects including dragonflies, nature, flowers and wine bottle series, are a vehicle to carry her vivid message of joy.

"I use a lot mixed media techniques and I do combinations of things in a more playful way that's expressive with an underlying meaning,"  Gaffke said.

Nature seemed a common inspiration amongst exhibiting artist.  Watercolorist, Ian Newbury, inspired by Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper produced clean dreamy New England landscapes with a simple elegance while Sculptor Serena Bates, working in plaster, metal and resin, expressed her infinity for nature in animal form. 

Although nature seemed to be the most obvious common thread, guest artists were not invited to participate based on theme. This exhibit, according to resident artist Gaffke, "is about bringing together talented people with a good energy." 

Reiki master and photographer Julianne Eanniello was de-stressing the crowd one Reiki session at a time.

Elite Studios opens twice a year to the public.  If you didn't make Good Tidings, Great Art, the Spring Fling presents another opportunity to check out the local art scene packed with a good vibe and as they say "great art."