On Display at Harrington Gallery: “The Outsiders”

The Firehouse Arts Center’s Harrington Gallery will host a summer exhibit of Plein Air paintings, “The Outsiders,” July 20-August 27, 2011. 

A reception will take place on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  The reception is open to the public and admission is free. is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue.

On display will be the works of prominent out-of-doors artists Nikki’s Basch-Davis, Ray Jackson, Judy Molyneux, William Rushton, Randal Sexton, and Jerry Turner. Works by Pam Glover, who passed away recently, will also be displayed.

These artists continue the revival of a Bay Area tradition of painting outdoors, rooted in the work of a group of early twentieth century modernists known as the Society of Six. 

Although they interact and encourage each other, their styles differ and they stand out from other California Plein Air artists.  Rather than painting California's familiar coastal and mountain scenes, they often paint urban scenes populated by people and automobiles, historic locales, fields and foothills.

Artist Nikki Basch-Davis says, “Being a Plein Air painter has its difficulties, the changing light, the sudden wind, the scorching sun. However, the benefits far out way those obstacles. Beside the total merging with the outdoors the connection with other people is practically inevitable.

"The creative process brings us the gift of bridging over age, gender and race. Little toddlers barely reaching my pallet stand wide-eyed peering onto my canvas and pallet. Older folks share with nostalgia how painting was something they’d like to pursue. Youth slow down their skate boards at my site and stop to examine my painting. They depart with an appreciating remark: 'cool.'

I like connecting with people. I like my art being a means to do that."

Harrington Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday noon - 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., for one hour prior to each Firehouse Arts Center performance and during intermission. A donation of $2 is suggested. 

Call 925-931-4849 for more information or visit the Firehouse Arts Center website, www.firehousearts.org.