The Cape May Artists Cooperative Gallery is hosting Second Sunday on Sunday, February 10 from 1pm to 4pm. Featured artists Dennis Dowe, Diane Flanegan, Rich Flanegan and Mary Stewart will be on hand in the gallery at the West End Garage to speak about their work. Light refreshments will be served.
Dennis Dowe is the newest member of the Cooperative. He began making candles when he was 19 and apprenticed with a local candlemaker as a dipper. Dennis’ process starts with science – knowing what the right braid wick (size) and the melting point of the wax. He uses basic mold shapes, such as a pillar mold to start. Extra wick is left to create a handle for dipping the candles in hot wax, after many layers and at the right temperature the candle can be carved into a basic shape. Dennis is a painter as well and loves to paint oils and acrylics and enjoys experimenting with mixed media as well.
Diane Flanegan has done large custom windows for many Cape May and Wildwood area homes, as well as decorative boxes and sea glass jewelry. Diane’s eclectic style and artistic flair can provide a unique and personal piece of art. Her new passion is fused glass, which she uses to make jewelry, barrettes, vessels and sculptural pieces. For Second Sunday, Diane’s theme is “Remember Summer.” In her free time, Diane manages Art in the Park and several other shows for the Borough of West Cape May. She shares her home studio with her husband, painter Rich Flanegan.
Among the artists “living by the brush,” who have set up small studios in garages, attics or other spaces throughout Cape May is Rich Flanegan. Rich paints and draws in various media, offering paintings of such landmarks as the Cape May Lighthouse. Rich specializes in house portraits and can paint an ocean that makes you feel like you could just dive right in! An award winning artist and an outstanding teacher, he was commissioned to create a two panel mural depicting the historic aspects of West Cape May from gold beating to farming and the founding families. The mural is on display in West Cape May Borough Hall.
Mary Stewart is a fiber artist who has been sewing since she was ten years old. Mary “enjoys the challenge of taking two dimensional raw materials and creating three dimensional pieces. Sewing really is a sculptural art, but it’s also like painting to me. My fabric stash is my paint box. Each piece is unique and I work largely without patterns, letting the texture and hand of the fabric dictate what it will become.” Mary is now working on pieced and quilted fabric collages which will be in the Gallery for Second Sunday. Mary lives in Town Bank with her husband and two entertaining cats.
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 Mary Stewart believes the Cooperative has helped local artists raise awareness of their work and expand their horizons. “Having the opportunity to work in the gallery with one another has made each of us more aware of different art forms, techniques and inspirations and has caused all of us to stretch beyond our boundaries.” The Artists Cooperative Gallery is open Friday through Monday. Call 609-770-8261 for information.