The Art of Two Sharons on South Hanover



The art of Sharon McGinley will be on display at the MOCAIC Gallery starting July 4.

Blogger's Note: Thanks to fellow blogger and activist extraordinaire Sue Repko for this great news. (Hint: She's also the executive director of the Land Trust)

"Primary Colors" by Sharon Merkel

Are you an art enthusiast who is interested in supporting local artists?

Do you want to take part in Pottstown’s growing arts scene while helping to boost the local economy?

Then come and check out Pottstown’s very own MOSAIC Gallery.

Opening this 4th of July, MOSAIC presents Nurturing Hope, a show featuring area artists Sharon Merkel and Sharon McGinley.

You may know MOSAIC Community Land Trust for bringing Pottstown its first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, but MOSAIC also utilizes its office space at 10 S. Hanover Street as an art gallery.

This show highlights the beauty in nature and in urban spaces, much like a community garden.

Like a garden nestled into a congested city block, the spiritual paintings of Sharon McGinley contrast with the graphic urban photos of Sharon Merkel to embody the hope and vitality of an urban garden.

"Chaos" by Sharon Merkel

In her artist’s statement, photographer Sharon Merkel says of her work, “The images explore the place where man and nature meet. I am fascinated with this intersection, the place where each affects the other.”

Her photos of urban buildings and barns often feature intersections with a brilliant sky or a lone tree.

Sharon McGinley’s paintings include bright colors, whimsy, and nature on a biblical or essential level.

“I explore the inner-connectedness of all things, the impermanence of earthly life and the joys and sorrows we experience on our journeys,” she says.

MOSAIC receives a standard 30% commission on all art sales, so a purchase not only supports these local artists, but also the community garden, arts, and affordable housing mission of MOSAIC Community Land Trust.

An opening reception will be held Friday.

This show is being curated by MOSAIC summer interns Amanda Hoffman and Blake Wrigley, who spent their early years in Pottstown and graduated from Boyertown High School.

Blake is a recent graduate of Messiah College and Amanda is a senior art major there.

Nurturing Hope will run from July 4-July 28.

All are welcome to an opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7-9 p.m.; food and drinks are sponsored by LointerHOME, a company which is refurbishing older homes in Pottstown's central core with all the modern amenities. (Click here to see their most recent effort.)

The MOSAIC gallery, located at 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown, will be open from 10am-1 pm on July 4th during the Pottstown Homecoming Parade.

 (Rain date is July 5th.) Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 4-7 pm.