Harlequin
Watercolor on paper, 16 3/8 x 13 1/4.

The Studio of Ben Solowey announces a new exhibition, Leaving a Mark: Second Annual Works on Paper Exhibition, featuring drawings, paintings and prints by renown artist Ben Solowey from all different periods of his career. “Ben was an acknowledged master draughtsman, and whether it was a quick study, or finished masterpiece, he gave it his all, and the results are beautiful,” says David Leopold, Director of the Solowey Studio. “We have gone through our collection to choose great drawings and paintings, including more than twenty which have never been exhibited before.” Leaving a Mark will open to the public on Saturday October 8^th at the Solowey Studio in Ottsville, PA with a reception from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and remain open on Sunday at the same hours. “We are dong things a bit differently for this show,” explains Leopold, “the following two weekends we will have special events and then the exhibition will be open by appointment through December.”

Chinese Opera Sketch
Pencil on paper, 11 x 8 1/2.

Leaving a Mark is the second works on paper show at venerable Bucks County art institution in as many years. “The response to last years Paper Trails show was great, and we have a sizeable audience who love the spontaneity of a drawing, watercolor or etching. We are hanging the works Academy style to let visitors see more works on the wall than ever before. I have resisted this idea in the past, but after seeing how beautifully the Michener Art Museum did it with a gallery in their space, I was emboldened to give it a try.” The exhibition will include Solowey’s signature portraits of his wife Rae, landscapes, figurative works, still lifes, and several of his famous “Theater Portraits.”

Visitors to Leaving a Mark have the opportunity to see the work in the studio in which it was created. “There is nothing like the thrill of seeing these masterpieces where they were created, in Solowey’s spacious studio,” explains Leopold, “which maintains the atmosphere of the artist at work.”

“In honor of our opening on October 8^th, we will continue our tradition of serving homemade refreshments in the Solowey home, “ explains Leopold. “The two hundred-year old farmhouse was restored by Ben and is filled with museum quality furniture handcrafted by him. This will be the last time we open the house this year, so this truly is a special event.”

On October 15, Paul DuSold will give a portrait demonstration at 2 p.m. DuSold is one of the few accomplished portrait painters who not only can capture the personality of his sitter, but also speak intelligently to an audience while doing it. Six years ago, DuSold was the first artist to work in the Solowey Studio since Solowey’s death in 1978.

On October 22, a special showing of the classic silent film, Nosferatu in the Halloween season is sure to memorable, as it will have live musical accompaniment by the “boy wonder” of the theater organ, Brett Miller. Miller is an organ prodigy who has studied with the top organists in the country. Miller regularly plays at all four of Bucks County’s Renew Theaters and he is a staff organist at Loews Jersey City, one of the classic movie palaces from the 1920s. Analyzing the film, Miller has composed a score that is firmly rooted in the classic silent film tradition. “We have limited space for these events,” advises Leopold, “so in order to insure you get a ticket, we encourage visitors to make a reservation by contacting the studio.”

The Studio of Ben Solowey is located at 3551 Olde Bedminster Road in Ottsville, Pennsylvania. For more information on Leaving a Mark: Second Annual Works on Paper Exhibition or directions, contact The Studio of Ben Solowey at 215-795-0228, or visit www.solowey.com for more stories on the art in the exhibition.