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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Local artists such as Larry and Peggie Blizard put some of their finest work on display for the RiverArts studio tour this weekend, which gave them a chance to discuss it all with others.
“I’ve had a lot of people come in and tell me they love the work, which is kind of uplifting because for so long nothing had happened,” said Peggie Blizard. “Now I feel like a rock star.”
The studio tour, which is in its 19th year, was held on Saturday and Sunday throughout Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Hastings with more than 30 studios holding shows.
“We just sort of felt it was a friendly thing to do, it was to be part of the community and I think it’s good for the village,” said Peggie Blizard.
Larry Blizard featured his self-described “critter phase” pencil drawings alongside his wife’s paintings in downtown Dobbs Ferry on Sunday.
“My current phase I call critters because they’re based on backyard animals and they’re a metaphor for the human condition because they’re actually based on my own life experiences,” he said. “I have a feeling for the critters in the backyard because of their struggle to survive just as we as humans struggle to survive with everything we have to deal with.”
Other local artists such as Hastings’ Barbara King set up shop to showcase original work other than drawings and paintings. King’s work featured cutouts in the shape of ribbons with lighting to reflect the same shapes on the surrounding walls.
“I wanted to do some sort of symbolic gesture to the soldiers that were killed in Iraq,” said King of her mixed-media art. “I started playing with it and I started cutting it and I liked the way it looked and I thought I’m going to make an installation piece out of it.”
King said her art is open to interpretation by all those who view it, which is why she said so many people can relate to it.
“These ribbons are a way of communicating like on cars with the magnetic ribbon,” she said. “It’s just a form that people identify with to get their message out. I left it white like a blank canvas and people can project their own ideas on to that.”
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Comments (1)
great event - excellent organization and mother nature co-operated nicely too.
this is the river "towns" at its best. we met so many wonderful artists.. looking forward to next year.
lets hope our collective village leaders look to the riverarts community to add their ideas to enhance our physical environment and create beauty.