Cindy Bilbao and Tina Giaimo are Featured Artists at the Harbor Gallery in Cape May –

The Nature Center of Cape May is proud to present our featured artists, Cindy Bilbao and Tina Giaimo, at the Harbor Gallery’s August show which opens on Thursday August 1st. The public is invited to a meet “The Artists Reception” on First Friday, August 2nd from 4 to 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served. The Harbor Gallery is located at the Nature Center of Cape May at 1600 Delaware Avenue in Cape May. The exhibit will continue through to the end of the month. All artwork is for sale, with a portion supporting the Nature Center of Cape May. For more information call (609) 427-3045.

Artist Cindy Bilbao finds watery places as her inspiration for her show of acrylics on paper titled “Beachcomber’s View”. “The beach here in Cape May is my antidote to the stresses of life and it’s where I feel most content. I want viewers of my art to feel what I feel when I’m at the beach.” Cindy says “despite being land locked, when I go into my studio, I’m motivated to paint the scenery and moods of the coast because of the strong emotional connection I’ve always felt here. Nature is important to me and I believe very strongly that everyone benefits emotionally and physically from spending time outdoors.” Cindy is a published author and a semi-abstract artist who lives and paints in Mohnton, Pennsylvania.
She’s an avid beachcomber who’s always amazed by the beautiful scenery she sees when walking on the beach looking for treasures. This series is her interpretation of that process of beachcombing and witnessing nature at her best.
“I work mostly in acrylics using a variety of strokes that I might layer at times to create a strong sense of atmosphere so that viewers can feel the sensation of being in the midst of the salty air. I favor a more abstract approach because I feel that it allows me to be more expressive”. Cindy uses a variety of tools to achieve depth and texture to the water and sky. “Before I call a painting finished I’ll add details in soft pastel.” Each of these paintings are original and one of a kind. Several copies of her books will be available for purchase.

Tina Giaimo is an award-winning photographer in Cape May who is also a creative person enjoying other art forms such as stained glass, painting and jewelry making. She is an avid collector of pottery and returned to “playing with clay” after a 20-year hiatus. A nearby gallery and shop, “The Madd Potters Studio”, offered classes during Covid and Tina found a retreat and respite from the outside world and a new love for making her own pottery. “I tend to hand-build my pieces, starting with a slab roller and building fun and functional pieces from the bottom up. Sometimes the ideas are slow to form in my head, other times I have a clear vision of what I’m going for. Playing in clay helps me to ‘let things go’ and also reminds me of the impermanence of things.”
“There are so many possibilities with clay, from various design elements to carving or sculpting the shape and then deciding on the colors for the glaze and underglaze. Once you understand how it all works the possibilities are endless. It really is fun and making pieces for myself and others to use is just part of the joy it brings.” says Tina.
The Harbor Gallery features nature themed artists every month from May to October with an Opening Reception held on the First Friday of each month. Mark your calendar to meet our September artists, Janice Quiggle and Dale Watson, on September 6th. from 4-6 pm.