Artists’ Gallery exhibits “Surroundings”

The Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville, N.J., presents “Surroundings,” featuring Bill Jersey and Claudia Fouse Fountaine, Aug. 8 through Sept. 1. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.

Their last exhibit together highlighted travels around the world and views of different countries; colorful as well as exotic.

“Surroundings” brings the focus closer to home, to what we see around us every day. It turns out it can be as inspirational as anything else if we take the time to look carefully.

At the age of 97, Jersey still explores life with what he calls a fresh eye. “If you think you’ve seen this before,” he says, “you’re not paying attention.”

“A country road invites an encounter with a new world. The leafless tree suggests a life well lived. We are surrounded by rich memories. I choose to preserve them with paint and brush.”

Fountaine is intrigued by the quirky and the mundane; a snowman in an icy backyard, with skeleton tree branches for arms. The shelves in a garage, overflowing with all manner of strange things. A dog relaxing on the patio in his bright blue e-collar. These are some of the “surroundings” Fountaine has chosen to depict.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

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