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Entertainment

'Glimpses of Reality' sums up new art exhibit

A reception tonight ushers in a show at the New Port Richey Main Street gallery.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published October 7, 2005

Art lovers who prefer at least some representational realism in their art will appreciate the October exhibit at the Greater New Port Richey Main Street and Progress Energy Art Gallery, "Glimpses of Reality."

The four artists use a variety of media - oil, charcoal, pen and ink, pencil and acrylic - to create woodland scenes, still life, vases of intensely color flowers and, in at least one case, representational-like abstracts.

The artists, all members of the gallery, are Maureen Bethke, Heinz Boeckmen, Bill Clark and Sean Keith.

Bethke's work centers on what she describes as places of tranquil serenity, the places she enjoys the most. She works primarily in oils, using dark, intense colors in some paintings and soft pastels in others. One work in this show, of two hibiscus flowers, combines dark and light colors.

Bethke also teaches art in Holiday.

Boeckmen, a native of Germany, is a lifelong freelance artist. He was educated at the Staedel Academy of Fine Arts in Frankfurt and was later awarded the title of Grand Master.

His varied painting style includes oils in the the tradition of the Old Masters, as well as dreamy Impressionists, modernists and abstracts. He has chosen to exhibit his latest series of abstracts in this show.

Keith's works combine the realistic with the fantastic. His black and white drawing of a tree is realistic enough to be considered representational, but the trunk is so thick that it looks like a threatening fantasy. In the background are sharp, pyramid-shaped mountains that seem as whimsical as they do genuine.

The show opens today with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring entertainment by guitarist Dave Eichenberger. As a treat, Boeckmen will draw and give away 10 quickly drawn "motion on paper" sketches that have been sold in the past for up to $50 each. Each person who attends will be given a ticket, and drawings will be held throughout the reception to choose the winners.

WHAT: "Glimpses of Reality"

WHERE: Greater New Port Richey Main Street and Progress Energy Art Gallery, 6231 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey

WHEN: Today through Oct. 29; reception is 5 to 7 p.m. today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; also by appointment.

TICKETS: Admission is free

[Last modified October 7, 2005, 01:50:23]