By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times
This weeks’ column starts on a more somber note. Fred Carspecken, co-founder and owner of Carspecken-Scott Gallery in Wilmington, passed suddenly in his home last week after struggling with an illness over the last few years.
Carspecken held a reputation as a successful art dealer – expanding on his early talents and marketing art to the professional community in Wilmington such as the banks and law firms. His gallery focused on representing regional artists with a flair for the contemporary. Carspecken quipped that he had visioned positioning the gallery as the “Guggenheim of Delaware”. Carspecken-Scott was endorsed by Delaware Today and named “Best Gallery” in the magazine’s Best of Delaware series.
I met Fred Carspecken for the first and only time last year at one of his art openings. He was warm, witty and his deep care for the gallery and art within was evident through the fondness with which the gallery staff and artists spoke of him. A true community tastemaker and kind soul, the Wilmington art community has lost a force, but he has left an indelible imprint.
Wayne Art Center is currently featuring Philadelphia Watercolor Society: 118th
Anniversary International Exhibitions of Works on Paper. The event was juried by Alan Wylie and Alvero Castagnet. This exhibition takes up most of the galleries in Wayne Art Center and will run through November 19th. Participate in workshops by Alvaro Castagnet October 12-14, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Stop by for the opening reception on Sunday, October 21, 3:00 – 5:00 pm Wayne Art Center will host a Juror Demo on Sunday, October 14, 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
Continuing on with the watercolor theme, Delaware Art Museum will debut it’s upcoming exhibit of watercolors by Barbara Bodichon in their upcoming exhibition – Politics and Paint: Barbara Bodichon and The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Bodichon was a women’s rights campaigner as well as an early contributor to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The exhibition is primarily drawn from from the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection at the University of Delaware and recent acquisitions in the Museum’s permanent collection. On display through February 3rd.
A work by Terri Fridkin
Moving towards the more contemporary, Main Line Arts Center is currently hosting works by Terri Fridkin in their Welcome Gallery. A Philadelphia based artist and member of Mainline, Fridkin is known for her mixed media/collage abstract prints. Seismic Shift will be on display through November 25th.
This Friday, Pop Up Art KSQ hosts it’s Fall Fundraiser at Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery. Stop by from 5 – 8pm for light refreshments, live music, art auction, and membership sign up. Take the opportunity to bid on work by contributing artists: Lele Galer, Frances Roosevelt, Caroline Lathan-Steifel, Agathe Bouton, Alessandra Manzotti, Sus Iserbyt, Becky Brakeall, Caroline Roosevelt and Caitlin Kelley. Support local arts while taking home some beautiful art.
As always, tune in to Art Watch Radio on WCHE 1520AM from 1-1:30 every Wednesday. Next week, Rebecca Moore, of Somerville Manning hosts – artist Michael Doyle. Until next time!
