Opening Reception Tonight at Blue Mountain Gallery Highlights Five Emerging Artists in an Exhibition Running Through July 5

Andrew Dylan Campbell's The Motive for Metaphor, 72" x 44", Acrylic on Canvas, 2014

The Chelsea neighborhood of New York is notorious for, among other things, streets lined with art galleries beckoning passersby to come in, browse, and, hopefully, buy. Tonight, I'm particularly excited to attend the opening reception for an exhibition at one such gallery, Blue Mountain Gallery. Blue Mountain welcomes five emerging artists, who all have in common that they have recently completed an MFA program at Western Connecticut State University, but the versatility among these artists is anything but common. The "Thesis Exhibition," which represents the culmination of two years of intensive work for each of the artists, will run through July 5. Gallery hours are usually Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am-6pm, but tonight's opening reception will go from 5pm-8pm. View the exhibition catalog for more information. Highlighted pieces include paintings, sculpture and illustrations, across mixed media.

Several of the artists seem to draw inspiration from their surroundings and their life experiences. For example, the exhibited works of Andrew Dylan Campbell,* an American painter and the only one of the artists to also hold an MA in Visual Arts, reflect at first glance the beach as a familiar setting, as Campbell grew up on Long Island. However, Campbell holds that "the true content of his paintings is revealed slowly through the destruction and rebuilding of the figural and gestural elements involved, based on intuition and memories." 

Come down, peruse the pieces, and if you see something you like, let the artists know. 

*Campbell happens to be a personal friend, but don't let that overshadow his immense talent and passion for his work as a painter. See for yourself. Come to the exhibition.