April 18, 2023
By Meagan Friberg
February often brings about a sense of love in the air and sparks thoughts of romance. For artists working alongside their romantic partners, does that romance extend to their works of art? That is one of the questions being explored this month at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles with the appropriately titled exhibit, “pARTners,” running through February 24.
“When we thought about programming in 2019, February was the logical month to hold this show,” Host Curator Stephanie Wilbanks said. “All of the artists involved with this show are not only romantic partners, but studio partners as well. Occasionally, the couples will collaborate, but most work in entirely different mediums.”
Opening night of the show is slated for Saturday, February 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. as part of Studio’s monthly Art After Dark event. Wine provided by Enfold Wines will be available for purchase and local singer-songwriters Bob and Wendy will perform. On February 9, Tess Wright, a local historian, will host Love and Work at 3 p.m. She will explore the unique challenges faced by artistic couples reconciling the rewards of love while developing individual mastery in creative pursuits.
The artists for “pARTners” include: Katherine Anderson and Steve Anderson, Rosemary Bauer and Mike Bauer, Nancy Becker and Len Chmiel, Margaret Bertrand and Robert Dodge, Lois Charles and Peter Charles, Charlotte D’Aigle and Carl Berney, Julie Dunn and Roger Combs, Abigail Gumbiner and Peter Holmes, Leslie Hannon and Mike Hannon, and Kelly Johnson and Leonard Johnson.
Additional artists are: Sheri Klein and Jim Tyler, Jean Obermeier and Wade Smith, Jami Ray and Josh Talbott, Barbara Rosenthal and Rosey Rosenthal, Editha Hayes Spencer and Harold Spencer, Mary Summers and Kerry Drager, Peggy Vrana and Michael Miller, and Stephanie Wilbanks and Ken Wilbanks.
With a variety of mediums to satisfy any taste, “pARTners” will showcase sculpture, wood, oil painting, photography, and more.
“The many different artists with different styles make the show stand alone, but the extra fun is for those who attend to be able to read the artist statements displayed alongside each other and see photos of the artists as a couple,” Wilbanks said. “It really adds another layer to viewing the art. There are quite a variety of stories of how people support each other.”
Studios on the Park, open daily, is located at 1130 Pine St. in Paso Robles. For more information, call 805-238-9800 or see studiosonthepark.org.
