Through June, work by Worcester County Arts Council artists Kathy Gibson and Becky Simonds—as well as pieces they collaborated on — will be on display in the second-floor gallery at the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library.
Worcester County artists Becky Simonds, left, and Kathy Gibson are pictured with works they will be displaying at the Berlin library through June.
Charlene Sharpe / Bayside Gazette
By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
A new display at the Berlin library highlights the work of two local artists.
Through June, work by Worcester County Arts Council artists Kathy Gibson and Becky Simonds—as well as pieces they collaborated on — will be on display in the second-floor gallery at the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library.
“It’s a unique presentation,” Simonds said.
Visitors to the latest display in the library will see art by Gibson on one wall, art by Simonds on another wall, as well as a wall featuring Simonds’ work on one side and Gibson’s work on another with a joint piece in between. The longtime friends initially started painting together when they realized how much they liked to experiment. Gibson was painting with oil and cold wax while Simonds was painting with acrylic and gel. Combinations create a layered, malleable effect that Gibson says lends itself to abstract work.
“We both have similar styles and we enjoy working together,” Gibson said.
“There’s a lot of laughing,” Simonds said.
This is the first time they’d displayed their work in a joint show. They believe visitors will be able to look at the collaborative work next to the singular work and see how the personalities of each artist are revealed. An art enthusiast who visited the gallery last week told the artists she was amazed that they’d been able to collaborate so easily.
“I find that amazing,” she said. “Art is so personal.”
Gibson said the key to working together was that neither artist took things too seriously.
“It’s play,” she said.
Simonds agreed.
“We like experimenting and playing with light and transparencies,” she said.
The artists are hopeful that the public will stop in and take the chance to appreciate a unique joint exhibit.
The gallery is on the second floor of the Berlin library. The Gibson and Simonds work will be on display until July 2.