Where painting and gardening meet - Artists' reception on May 3

Montgomery — What happens when two accomplished artists take up gardening? “Some Day in May” is an exhibition of regional gardens through the eyes of watercolorist Mary Evelyn Whitehill and American impressionist Dennis Fanton. Just as tulips are poking their heads up in gardens across Orange County, Fanton and Whitehill offer gardens in full bloom at the Wallkill River School, intersection of 17K and 211 in Montgomery, all during May. You can meet these two artist-gardeners at their reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and sample appetizers from Ward’s Bridge Inn and wines. “I’ve been exploring the wonder of watercolors for many years,” Whitehill said. “Flowers from my garden, scenes along the Hudson River, and historic architecture have provided me with my favorite subjects.” Whitehill is a living legend in the Orange County art world, an accomplished artist in her own right as well as the great-granddaughter of Hudson River School painter Thomas Pope. She won an award from Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and has taught watercolors for over 20 years at Barrett Art Center and Mount Saint Mary College of Continuing Education. Dennis Fanton tends his Middletown garden almost as often as he paints them. “Art is food for the soul,” says Fanton, whose paintings are also feasts for the eyes. His work is strongly influenced by French Impressionism (think Degas and Monet). He has developed a connection with the seasons and the landscape through gardening that translates well into his paintings. Fanton is a graduate of Ducret School of Art and the Newark School of Fine Arts, and a member of many arts organizations like the Middletown Art Group, Garret Society and Kent Art Association. Both Fanton and Whitehill are teaching artists with the Wallkill River School, and demonstrate their unique painting abilities in plein air workshops throughout Orange County. The Wallkill River School is a nonprofit artist’s cooperative that runs a gallery and a full art school in Montgomery. For more information e-mail info@WallkillRiverSchool.com or visit www.WallkillRiverSchool.com.