CENTRE HALL — The cloudy grey skies didn’t dampen the afternoon for attendees to the 6th Annual Monet’s Picnic benefiting the Bellefonte Art Museum (BAM) for Centre County. On Oct. 9, a crowd strolled the grounds of Rhoneymead Arboretum and Sculpture Garden, where 13 talented artists had set up and painted en plein air.
The event was planned eagerly as a means of bringing artists and art lovers together after 19 months of COVID 19 had shut down art galleries and museums everywhere.
Alice Kelsey was the featured artist among those participating, and also included Paulette Berner, Melinda Harr Curley, James Farrah, Marianne Fyda, Anne Kenyon, Cinda Kostyak, Jeff Mathison, Tom Rosenow, Jennifer Shuey, Elody Gyekis and Wendy Snetsinger.
Despite the wind and chilly temperature, the artists completed their paintings, only to see them go to new homes following a raffle at the end of the event. The pictures were the results of the artist’s choice of medium for the day. There were works of oils, watercolors, chalks, and more.
The artists were spaced widely over the grassy park with various views to recreate. Elody Gyekis was lucky to be inside a building and out of the chilly air to do her charcoal portraits.
After admiring the art and chatting with the artists, most people paused for the picnic-style boxed lunches prepared by Bobbie’s Kitchen LLC. The boxes held an assortment of gourmet foods and desserts that could have graced formal dining rooms. Complimentary wine, lemonade and other beverages rounded out the refreshments, which visitors could enjoy at several seating areas.
White tablecloths and flowers adorned the tables. Helen Foxx & Company provided all the decorations.
The artists were eager to engage with spectators even as they painted, providing patrons with education and entertainment.
Alice Kelsey, the featured artist on this day, said, “I have been painting 15 years now after my retirement.”
Kelsey was a physician specializing in internal medicine. She commented on some similarities in the fields.
“Medicine is an art, as well as a science,” she said.
Cinda Kostyak, working in oils, said, “I have been in art all my life and majored in it in college.”
She stepped away from art for a few years and worked for PSU and said she was happy to have the time again to devote to her art.
Pat House, executive director of BAM for Centre County, said, “Yes, we have come a long way since I came to the area. I felt we needed to bring more art into the community and make it accessible to all.”
House has worked with museums all over the country, and she jumped in and began to work hard in Centre County. In the 12 years since remodeling and upgrading began, the Linn House at 133 N. Allegheny Street in Bellefonte has taken on a new stature and personality.
There are several galleries housed within its walls, which were erected in 1810. Art fans can expect one new show monthly or more.
House has shown art from Africa, Asia and South America and the local exhibits at the BAM.
One hundred sixty-five local juried artists regularly contribute their talents to the museum. One of those — Anne Kenyon — had an interesting explanation.
“I went back to get my master’s in social work in the late 80s,” said Kenyon. “I thought if I did that, I could learn to paint too.”
She said she begins much of her work with watercolor and then chalks over that.
Space does not permit the stories of all the artists who attended Monet’s Picnic, but as you visit the Bellefonte Art Museum, you will be able to learn about many of them as you view their works.
Some, like Jennifer Suhey, have had entire careers before painting. However, after obtaining a degree in landscape architecture, she turned to her other talents in 2004 and has enjoyed her art since then. Watch for her landscapes at BAM.
BAM is currently showing a collection of photographs taken by the Hubble telescope from the last 30 years. In another space, the R. Thomas Berner Photography Gallery is offering Pat Dolan’s “Our Feathered Companions.”
Finally, in the museum’s window display, Peter Frantz has created an evolving art exhibit that aims to inform communities about the extreme sexual violence in DR Congo and rouse people into action.
The Monet’s Picnic was sponsored in part by First National Bank. Honorary Chair was Mary Lou Bennett.
