NEWFANE — During the month of November, the Crowell Art Gallery will present “The Back of Beyond,” an exhibit of paintings by Carrie Gelfan. The public is invited to a reception for the artist on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Gelfan is primarily a figurative and portrait painter who says she draws much of her inspiration from her family and friends. The starting point for many of her paintings are photos, and drawing is always a major element in her work.
The series of eight paintings were the artist's attempt to deal with her sorrow and to honor her son-in-law who died a tragic and untimely death in 2016. In addition to this series, there will be a few recent works by Gelfan.
Gelfan studied art at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio; Cabrillo College in Soquel, California; and at the Art Students League in New York City. In New York, she studied with portrait artist William Draper and with Will Barnett. She has shown her work in numerous New England venues and is currently a member of Oxbow Gallery in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
Gelfan is a longtime resident of Westminster, and this is her second Crowell gallery show.
The Crowell Art Gallery is located in the Moore Free Library at 23 West Street. Gallery hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “The Back of Beyond” show will be up through Nov. 29.