Side by Side

Posted by: Sally Tiska Rice

“Side by Side” – New Works by Artists Susan Himmel and Sally Tiska Rice

[PITTSFIELD, MA] NUarts Gallery is excited to showcase for the month of September new works by Susan Himmel and Sally Tiska Rice.

When the artists got together to discuss collaborating on “Side by Side”, the idea of donating a portion of their proceeds surfaced as an important part of their mission. Sally and Susan are both passionate about art and their community. As the artists feel strongly about the benefit of art in our children’s lives, they are donating 25% of all show sales to Berkshire Arts Association’s Fellowship Fund targeted for art field trips for high school students.

Susan is a watercolorist and mixed media painter who embraces bold colors and natural elements. Originally from upstate New York, Susan moved to the Berkshires in 2003. Here she finds daily inspiration from the mountains and her surroundings. Always an artist in one form or another, it was through painting that a huge personal transformation began. She states, “I have come to make sense of my world through painting. It's as if painting has become my looking glass and way of examining the world. I find myself enchanted by the symbolic, the surreal, and all of nature.” Susan’s paintings can be found in collections in the United States and abroad.

Sally Tiska Rice was born and raised in the beautiful Berkshires. Sally lives in a rural town with her husband, daughter and pets, where she is inspired by her surroundings. Sally employs many different techniques into her paintings, using acrylic, watercolors, oil paints, pastels, as well as mixed media. While focusing on blending and layering to achieve depth and dimension, Sally uses spontaneity to compose artwork as well as many beautiful commission art pieces for customers throughout the country. Her commission pieces are usually created from one or more images that the customer has chosen to blend together to form a one of a kind sentimental piece of art.

An opening reception, part of the citywide celebration First Fridays Artswalk, will be hosted by NUarts Gallery on, September 6, 2013 from 5-8pm.

The NUarts Gallery, located at the top of the Union Street entrance, next to Mary’s Carrot Cake and Gallery 25, will have new exhibits each month with openings in conjunction with Pittsfield’s First Fridays Artswalk. Many of these shows are solo exhibits, some duo shows, and a few times a year the entire group will display works to celebrate special occasions.