Artists Cooperative Announces October Artists

CAPE MAY – The Cape May Artists Cooperative will feature the work of members Lisa Bernstein, Phil Dietz and Christine Peck in its gallery at the West End Garage from Oct. 7 through Nov. 6, 2011.
In the 24 years that fiber artist, Lisa Bernstein, has lived in West Cape she has fallen in love, raised a family and started business ventures, including a kite store and a kayak rental. She declares West Cape May as, “a place that nurtures community, love of the outdoors, and general quirkiness.” Lisa balances her love of creating beautiful things with responsibility for using resources wisely. She is inspired by the Native American wisdom that tells us we don’t own our world and its precious treasures, we borrow them from our children, and we need to think not only of them, but seven generations beyond. She looks for ways to work towards sustainability in her life and art; reducing, reusing, refusing, and recycling where I can. Taking old, unwanted sweaters Lisa Bernstein turns them into new, useful objects such as hats, pillows and messenger bags. Along with solid craftsmanship there is a sense of whimsy in her work.
Phil Dietz has been a West Cape May resident since receiving a MFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in the 1970’s. Phil is a metal-smith jeweler, working in sterling and 14K gold-filled metal. One of his life-long passions has been pearls. He treasures pearls that were collected by his grandfather in the Philippines during the Spanish American War and given to him by his mother. That little vial of pearls started Phil collecting these organic gems himself. For several years, Phil has had some of his pearls traveling the world in a show, Pearls by the Museum of Natural History in New York, and featured in the book Pearls: A Natural History, which was written to accompany the show. Phil’s newest pearl infatuation is with keshi pearls. He designs necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins using many types of pearls and lectures on pearls.
Christine Peck was first exposed to photography in high school and went on to study fine arts at Glassboro State College. She has continued to hone her craft with many professionals in workshops and classes. Chris enjoys looking at the world through a camera lens. She says, “Capturing images of the world around me is a constant challenge to me. I like photography more than any other medium because of the technology that can be used with photographs.” Chris likes traveling, and recording those travels with her photography. This month she is introducing work shot in California in featuring interesting pop-art motifs. She will also have views from the Griffith Observatory and Big Sur. Working with the photographs on the computer gives her great pleasure. She produces every piece herself, from the printing to the framing. Chris and Bob, her husband of 25 years, have two sons, RJ and Matthew. Chris lives in Cape May Court House.
The Second Sunday Reception will be held on Sun., Oct. 9 and the featured artists will be on hand to discuss their works. The Second Sunday Reception is part of the city-wide Second Sunday Gallery Walk, a partnership of the Artists Co-op, Gail Pierson Gallery, Splash, Soma Gallery, Spiritcatcher Gallery and Mad Batter Restaurant. The event runs from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. It’s easiest to start your gallery walk at the Artists Co-op in the West End Garage, 484 West Perry Street, Cape May, where there is plenty of free parking, and spend your afternoon enjoying the beautiful and unique work each gallery offers. Light refreshments will be served at each gallery.
The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is a group of local artists who have joined together to showcase and sell their work as well as educate the public about their art forms. Co-op president Diane Cutshall is delighted that Second Sundays are now a city-wide celebration of local art. “We began Second Sundays so the community could meet our artists and learn about their work. Now the opportunities for artists are so much greater with the wonderful gallery scene that has grown in Cape May.” The Artists Cooperative Gallery is open daily. Call 609-770-8261 for information.
Photo Captions:
Phil Dietz (photo by Scott Whittle)
Lisa Bernstein’s Up-cycled Hats
Photograph by Christine Peck