Art Association's Food for Thought benefits those in need

Food for Thought, the subject of the Greater Fall River Art Association’s upcoming exhibit, will benefit those in need of food.

Curated by Carol Lynn Hall, the exhibit and art sale is a fundraiser for the local food pantry. "It’s important for everyone in the community to help each other. This is the GFRAA’s way of showing our support for the people who volunteer week after week. It makes us feel we are a part of the whole community," said Hall.

Featuring the work of about 18 artists, the array of media includes oils, acrylics, mixed media and ceramics. Biz Parris, a ceramic artist, will be displaying and selling her ceramic bowls. The slab-constructed vessels are shaped over a wooden bowl and then impressed with antique doilies before glazing and firing, said Parris.

The vessels are fired twice, making them suitable for use with food, as well, added Parris, who has sold and exhibited the pieces in Florida, Cape Cod and Rhode Island.

Joan L’Homme took a broader look at the sources of food in her pieces, "The Golden Rule," "It’s the Little Things" and "No Bees – No Food." “Now the bees are dying, and without bees, there would be no food,” she said.

In the spirit of fundraising for the local food pantry, L’Homme took an abstract expressionist view of giving in "The Golden Rule" and "It’s the Little Things." “’Do unto others as you would do unto yourself.’ Let’s help others… let’s give. The givers are the happiest people,” she said, citing The Golden Rule.

Tiny bowls intermingled with ceramic hearts and wire-coiled sea glass symbolize rebirth and renewal in "It's the Little Things," said L’Homme. “Rebirth and renewal is giving to other people …. The most important thing is to do for others, to give to others.”

Ripe tomatoes, bulbs of garlic, a bottle of vinegar and a red onion artfully arranged on a weathered blue table with a blue and white checkered tablecloth are depicted in Maureen Ohrtman’s piece, "The Blue Table." Ohrtman is also exhibiting a few other pieces, "Honey Dew" and "Getting Ready for the Fourth."

Suzanne Lewis took a sweeter look at food in her paintings, "French Tart," "Napoleon" and "Gift Box," all depicting a delectable pastry in a still life arrangement.

Apples are the motif in Claire Tremblay’s pieces, "Eve’s Delight," "Three = a Pair" and "Adam’s Apple."

And fruit is front and center in Sheila Oliveira’s untitled still life acrylic painting and in her painting student Maggie Fichna’s pieces.

Other artists whose work will be exhibited include Laurie Raposa’s "Bees," "Indoor Thought," "Outdoor Thought" and Nancy Chaput’s "Checkered Napkin," "Fall Harvest" and "Kitchen Bounty."

The Greater Fall River Art Association is located at 80 Belmont St. The opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held Saturday, May 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available and artwork will be available for purchase. The artwork will be on display through June.

Email Linda Murphy at lmurphy@heraldnews.com.