This month's exhibit will feature works done by local artist Paul Helgesen! Head to the Hoxie Gallery from 5-7 pm Wednesday, August 5th for an opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy light bites. Works can be viewed in the Hoxie Gallery August 5th-August 27th during library hours. 

About the exhibit:

The “My Westerly” exhibit is dedicated to my friend George Kent. Back in 2023, I lost my wife to a stroke and I became a lost soul. As I wandered about the northeast, I eventually stumbled across Westerly. I remembered George Kent from my boyhood so, one day, I walked into Christ Church, found George and we reconnected. George’s friendship and his mastery of choral music drew me to this town like a magnet and here I stayed.

About the artist:

I have been involved in the arts my entire life starting with Mom and Dad who raised me, both graduates of Rhode Island School of Design, both practicing artists. My professional resume includes many years as Design Director for the Pfaltzgraff Dinnerware Company.

People sometimes ask me about my style of art. If I had to choose just one word, I would describe it as childish. To me there is something magical about drawings and paintings done by preschoolers. They interpret the world around them in a way that is simple, honest and powerful with no concern for being architecturally or anatomically correct. Sometimes, I will labor over a composition if I feel that accurate details are important. Most of the time, I just bang out my ideas in water colors, pen and ink, copper, brass, bronze, steel, wood or junk I find on the beach.