Vermont & Beyond exhibition showcases scenes from near and far

By Josh O’Gormann

WESTON — Artists’ impressions of the Vermont landscape will be on display and for sale at the Weston Playhouse this weekend.

“Vermont and Beyond,” now in its eighth year, displays art by Vermont painters of both local landscapes and those found overseas.

“We call it “Vermont and Beyond” because it not only shows Vermont but also landscapes from other countries,” said Perkinsville painter Robert J. O’Brien, who is one of seven artists with work in this year’s show.

O’Brien was a member of the now-defunct Chester Art Guild and in the past he and his fellow guild members have traveled together to paint landscapes in France.

O’Brien said there is some latitude in the way he and his fellow artists interpret the notion of painting landscapes.

“Some painters do close-ups of windows and doors. That’s what I do,” O’Brien said. “Other people paint cows, barns and other features of Vermont landscapes.”

At this weekend’s show, Weston painter Diane Bell, who said this is her first year in the show, will join O’Brien.

Bell moved to Weston a year and a half ago and has found a community of artists with whom she can share her work.

Bell meets twice a week at the Grange Hall in Andover to paint with other artists. After painting for several hours they break and critique each other’s work.

“You can not help but improve when you paint with other people,” Bell said.

Andover painter Robert Sydorowich will bring his watercolor landscapes to the show, O’Brien said. Sydorowich has been part of the art show for the past five years and “has a loose impressionistic way of painting,” O’Brien said.

Ann Cross, who hails from Langdon, N.H., has been part of the show from the very beginning, O’Brien said.

“She has painted over in France and I expect that she will have some of her European paintings,” O’Brien said.

Dorothy Riley of Chester brings a fresh take on landscape painting, O’Brien said.

“She does landscapes but they are unique,” O’Brien said. “She will paint a landscape, but it’s kind of like looking through a broken mirror.”

Killington painter Maurie Harrington will bring her landscape paintings, which include many images of skiers, O’Brien said, as well as images from abroad.

“She’s probably the most well-traveled of all of us,” O’Brien said. “She’s been all around the world.”

Marijke Westberg will bring her watercolor landscapes from Londonderry.

The art show is free and open to the public this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the art on display, folk band Pot Luck, led by Herrington’s husband, will be performing.

“Everything is for sale. We have a wide range of prices and something for everybody,” O’Brien said. “It’s a great way to buy art by local artists and a great way to keep money in the local economy.”

Contact Josh O’Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.