WAYNE PAIGE and Four Mini-Shows at Middle St. Gallery April 4 - May 11, 2014

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, April 12, 3-5 PM
Press Release written by member Gary Anthes:Clothespins, rocks and war artifacts at Middle Street From April 4 through May 11 the Middle Street Gallery in Sperryville will show a series of “introspective pen and ink drawings that represent a surreal view of nature,” by member artist Wayne Paige. The enigmatic inhabitants of Paige's world, which resemble clothespins, “observe unnamed events and populate imaginary landscapes of mountains, waterways and forests,” he says.
 The figures in the drawings, “with their featureless faces, are engaged and communicating, trying to determine what is going on,” Paige says. “At other times, they are startled by the events that surround them. All takes place under a moonlit sky with a celestial version of the inhabitants saturating the heavens.” In “Floating bi”, the only painting in the exhibition, a silhouetted figure occupies a desolate, sun-drenched landscape. The gallery will hold an opening reception for the artists and the public from 3pm until 5pm on Sat., April 12. Ann Curry will show five works--in acrylic paint, ink and encaustic medium--that show “multiple layers of visual interest.” Four of her pieces are line drawings that are bold, concise and incisive. “The fifth work is a gentle drawing in colored pencil on a watercolor monoprint background,” she says. Phyllis Magrab will present “Five Easy Pieces,” which she calls “a collection of transparently layered acrylics on large sheets reflecting my ongoing study of color, light, and abstraction.” Meanwhile Phyllis Northup is showing watercolors that are “pure celebration of rocks and the beauty and rich variety of their colors, textures, shapes and sizes.” Says Northup, “I am an admitted rock addict and am fascinated by the many different colors and forms as well as the geology behind their creation.” Finally, photographer Susan Raines offers photographs of  Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West, Fla.  The fort's 19^th Century brick walls are five feet thick and “the vaulted ceilings are an architectural wonder,” Raines says.  “The fort houses the largest collection of Civil War artifacts in America; much of the armament was buried, forgotten, and only recently rediscovered during major archeological excavations.”
 Located at Rappahannock Central at 3 River lane in Sperryville, the gallery is open Fri., Sat. and Sun. from 10 AM until 5 PM. For more information, please visit http://www.middlestreetgallery.org/ or call 540-987-9330. Submitted by Gary Anthesanthesgary@gmail.com703-534-9196 MORE ON WAYNE PAIGE'S SHOW:
“I create art that represents a surreal view of nature where the inhabitants observe unnamed events.”….Wayne Paige

Wayne Paige has been exhibiting his art since 1972. The artist grew up in Chicago and currently shares his time between Middleburg, Virginia and Washington, D.C. With 21 one-person art shows to his credit, Paige has exhibited his artwork in galleries and museums locally and nationally (The Corcoran Museum, The Anderson Gallery, American University Art Museum at The Katzen Arts Center...). His art received recognition by local and national publications (Art in America, The Washington Post...) and is included in numerous public and private collections. The artist also recently received recognition by having one of his works included in the "Washington Art Matters II: 1940s - 1980s” exhibition at the American University Museum.  Paige also received several awards including First Prize in The Fairfax Art Council awards, First Prize in The George Washington University Alumni Competition and a Special Recognition award from The Virginia Commission of the Arts.

Quotes about Wayne Paige's art:
Thomas Spande, Rappahannock News:“Wayne Paige’s amazing pen and ink drawings at the Middle Street Gallery present an idiosyncratic vision so compelling rendered that a skeptical viewer can become engrossed in no time at all”
Claudia Rousseau, Montgomery Gazette:
“drawings..technically brilliant… they look more like etchings than pen drawings… where the concentration of flowing lines holds the viewer more completely in its thrall”
Steven Kenny, Rappahannock News:
“Paige’s choice of a black and white palette is brilliant.  This is a world of sharp edges, abrupt contrasts and no choices…….[Paige] is a master at creating suspense.."
London Art News, Jan. 2007:“….along comes something fresh and striking…[his] oil painting is a unique vision.."
Jo Ann Lewis, Washington Post:
“.. Social surrealism- social comment inspired by some of fearsome aspect of contemporary life… can be most provocative and rewarding."
Maggie Wolf-Peterson, Elan:“Within his own oeuvre, Wayne explores art that is both silly and somber, explosive and contained….[his art has] gone through the transformation from super-realism to surrealism to outright fantasy, with a little twist of social commentary.”