GALLERY 50 OPENS NEW ART EXHIBITION AND “ANYTHING GOES”
By The Daily Boro Staff
Gallery 50 unveiled an impressive ensemble of locally created artworks on November 7. Sponsored by the Waynesboro Arts Alliance, the gallery hosted an artist reception that featured live music and spirited interaction between the 11 featured artists and art lovers. The exhibition will run through the holiday season and until January 31, 2026.
Marti Yeager, an accomplished painter, curated the collection. She conceived the show’s theme, “Anything Goes,” because her daughter performed in a 1930s-era Cole Porter musical with that title, and this art show was going to exhibit a variety of artistic styles. “I thought it was a good title for this show,” Yeager said.
Several artists made their Gallery 50 debuts, showing a variety of mediums. Lina Ferrara’s oil paintings were notable additions to the gallery’s repertoire. Several of Ferrara’s works stood out, including “Chiacherando,” “Story Time with Dahlia’s,” and “Winter Haven,” a lovely scene that features a red-colored farm nestled in a snowy landscape.
Maura Satchell also made an impressive debut with works such as “Rembert’s Jewel,” a lovely mixed-media work. Satchell expresses beauty and light through her work, and this carries the viewer to a peaceful state of mind.
Rick Gottleib exhibited several memorable paintings. His journey in the art world dates back to an education at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and he later worked in art galleries and custom-framed artwork. Gottleib’s “Texas Oriole” presents a handsome portrait, and “Street in Italy” shows a mini car positioned between two decorated windows.
Robb Helfrick also exhibited his photography at the gallery for the first time, showing both local scenes and works from his time living in the south. “Bygone Christmas” shows a nostalgic Waynesboro scene, when the town’s Christmas tree was stationed in the middle of the square.
Art patrons familiar with Gallery 50 recognized the quality work of two talented artists who frequently show their paintings. Leslie McEntire’s “Quiet Creek” portrays a soothing winter scene along a western stream, the landscape adorned with fresh snow and contrasted by vivid evergreens.
Marti Yeager showed “Deep Forest,” a striking work that transports the viewer into a glade of verdant trees. Her husband, Garnet Yeager, presented his life-like wood carvings, and “Hermit Thrush” stood out with the subject bird lifting its head toward the sky.
Deborah Slocum’s works were distinctive, utilizing alcohol inks and other paints to create flow pieces such as “I’m So Blue” and “Bubbly.” Artist Cindy Baker showed a classic still-life oil painting titled “Pottery and Stone,” and Ophelia Chambliss presented “Vased Red,” a mixed media piece with vibrant leaves. Kirby Heltebridle made a big impression with a miniature piece titled “Imagine 76.”
Artist Jean Fry showed a beautiful landscape, “One Perfect Summer Day,” which pictures a bucolic scene that captures the local atmosphere of a Franklin County farm. Fry enjoys painting en plein air and relishes the challenges of changing light and weather while working outside.
Pottery and ceramics were also well-represented in the Anything Goes exhibition. Annamarie Poole creates lovely floral pottery, Anne Aden showed a handsome mustard-colored pitcher, and Mary Ashe-Mahr presented Christmas tree mugs that are not only attractive but have practical uses for a hot cup of holiday coffee.
To complete the show’s creative variety, Tracey Hearron exhibited attractive wire jewelry, which included the piece “Blue Funk.”
The show featured a grouping of small to medium-sized works, which were hung expertly to accentuate similar subjects and colors. Gallery 50 is an ideal space to view art. This collection of Anything Goes artists presents another high-quality show that upholds the Art Alliance’s commitment to showcase local artistic talent.
Music Makers, a connected sister space to the gallery, presents live music every Friday night from 5:30 to 8 pm. These musical performances provide people with weekly opportunities to enjoy a combination of music and art in the same evening, all in a relaxing atmosphere.
