Community News

HOLICONG:  This exciting exhibit of new paintings by Joseph Barrett is currently showing at the Silverman Gallery in Buckingham Green. Please join the artist for his opening receptions, taking place on Saturday, May 2nd from 4 to 8 pm and Sunday May 3^rd from 1 to 4 pm. The exhibit runs through June 14^th, 2015.

 Barrett has lived and painted in the area since 1970, creating iconic images of Bucks County. A disciplined and prolific painter, he paints every day in his tiny Lahaska studio. He admits, “I am driven to paint. It is part of how I live. Once I have an idea, the urge is there to do what I have imagined.”

 The artist is also known for the signature frames that adorn his pieces, paying homage to early Bucks County frame makers such as Harer and Badura. Beautifully crafted, gilded and decorated they make his paintings truly stand apart.

 In early 2011, when Herman Silverman was planning to open his gallery in Buckingham Green, Barrett’s work was recommended as being exceptional, and he was chosen to be one of the original four artists represented. Barrett was known throughout the country, with paintings in both private and public collections, such as the Moravian College’s Payne Gallery and the Doylestown Hospital.

 Jane of New Hope, PA put things quite simply when asked to describe her attraction to Barrett’s vibrant and whimsical paintings: “Joe's work makes me happy, I smile every time I look at it!”

 Bob, from Philadelphia says, "I have been a fan and collector of Joe Barrett's paintings for over ten years. I find Joe's exuberant use of color and incorporation of native Pennsylvania themes both captivating and endearing. But more importantly, Joe's artwork creates a singular imaginative world - simultaneously familiar and strange, naive and sophisticated, simple and complex - which can't be found elsewhere.  Like all good art, Joe's work scratches an itch of its own creation."

 Another collector from the San Francisco area always keeps a lookout for new work by Barrett and has her purchases shipped from East coast to West. She was happy to find a painting available that she had been saving for since seeing it on the gallery's website last May, “I am so pleased that nobody purchased that lovely painting before I got a down payment for it!” She is one of many gallery customers that have taken advantage of paying for their painting over the course of a few months.

The circle of people that buy work from him is ever widening. Silverman director, Rhonda Garland has enjoyed going on-site to hang the larger of Barrett’s paintings in homes in several counties. “There is nothing so satisfying as seeing how an original oil painting lights up a room. A couple who had been looking for just the right piece for over their fireplace for years found a Barrett night scene that really looked extraordinary.”

 Please join the Silverman Gallery in celebrating this new body of work. The gallery is also proud to represent the work of local favorites, Jennifer Hansen Rolli, John Kane, David Stier, Christopher Willett, Anita Shrager, Desmond McRory and Jean Childs Buzgo. Opening receptions take place on Saturday, May 2nd, from 4-8 pm and Sunday, May 3rd, from 1-4 pm. For more information and to browse the paintings online, visit www.silvermangallery.com or call 215-794-4300.