Canal Side artists showcase diverse styles, subjects in Marion
Sep 5, 2019
Janet Smith-Flaherty depicts Ned’s Point, complete with its iconic tiger lillies. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
The daughter of one of the painters refinished this sailor, who has since become the group’s mascot of sorts, appearing at many shows. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Helen Johnson titled this charming piece “Stomping in Puddles.” Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Jane Egan depicts Tabor Academy’s Tabor Boy. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Rochester’s Betty Beaulieu titled this painting “Old Landing Seagull.” Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Cheryl Anzaldi, of Mattapoisett called this painting “Fishing Boat.” Photo by: Grace Ballenger
MARION — The Canal Side Artists got their name from moving up and down the canal to paint at different sites. Although they travel beyond the tri-town, their exhibit at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center includes some familiar views of Marion and Mattapoisett.
The Canal Side Artists focus primarily on watercolors, but besides that “we all paint different things in different ways,” said Helen Johnson, a Rochester resident and artist in the group that helped to organize the exhibit.
The group has an instructor, who will teach what Johnson called “the basics of how paint and water move,” and suggest something to paint.
But artists can also bring the projects they have been working on to group sessions.
The group has up to 15 artists, though the attendance is much lower at some sessions.
The group has also exhibited at the Rochester Council on Aging and the Marion Art Center in the past — “we kind of hang everywhere,” Johnson said. What’s more, some of the artists in the group enter and win art contests.
But when they are together, the group isn’t competitive.
“I always learn from everyone else. And we always welcome new people to join,” Johnson said.
The exhibit will be on display at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center until Oct. 30.
