Old Deerfield Painting Group’s annual exhibit putting downtowns on display

A painting by Harry Ruddock III at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center.

A painting by Harry Ruddock III at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Member Susan Wall stands next to her artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center.

Member Susan Wall stands next to her artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

From left, members Annette Kilminster and Susan Wall stand next to their artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center.

From left, members Annette Kilminster and Susan Wall stand next to their artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Artwork for sale at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center.

Artwork for sale at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Member Annette Kilminster stands next to her artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center.

Member Annette Kilminster stands next to her artwork at the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s 33rd annual exhibit in the Deerfield Community Center. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

For the Recorder

Published: 08-22-2024 12:44 PM

Modified: 08-22-2024 6:12 PM


DEERFIELD — In the 33rd year of the Old Deerfield Painting Group’s art exhibit, local painters are putting downtowns on display.

The Old Deerfield Painting Group is a collective of artists of all skill levels. Each year, the group puts on an exhibit to showcase its members’ work, artist and Old Deerfield Painting Group member Thomas Williams explained.

The work is now on display at the Deerfield Community Center on Memorial Street. Artwork will be up until Aug. 25.

Officially, the theme is “Our Downtowns,” but artists were invited to create work interpreting the theme as they pleased.

Despite living in Conway, Elizabeth Morin, another participant, decided to depict downtown Northampton in her painting. The idea came to Morin when she was walking through the city.

“I noticed the sign [on Thornes Marketplace that] said, ‘Fighting sameness since 1978.’ So I started chuckling because I’ve been fighting sameness since 1970!” Morin exclaimed. “Although this is not my hometown, it certainly captures the hometown vibe. … The hometown feeling of creativity, inclusion and the freedom to be uniquely ourselves.”

Morin, who has only been in the Old Deerfield Painting Group for a year, shared that she was excited to sell the first painting of this year’s show.

Williams’ piece depicts Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield. He explained, “To me, the church is the center of my downtown.”

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Mediums include oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastels. Artwork can be viewed daily from noon to 5 p.m.

There is also a memorial exhibit of Barbara Trask Taylor’s work. Trask Taylor was a group participant and leader, described in an email from Janice James, another participant, as a “dear friend.”

“It’s just a good group of people with a mixed genre of paintings,” Morin said. “It’s just a wonderful sight to see.”