Editor's pick: Art opening

Forged metal and the quest for reality at The Art Mill

Sat., Aug. 20 through Thu., Sep. 26, at the Art Mill, 26 Mill Street, Jeffersonville, NY. Reception Sat., Aug. 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 845/482-3126.

One of the latest episodes in Jeffersonville’s ongoing cultural flowering has been the recent restoration of the old mill on Mill Street as an art gallery. Starting this Saturday it will be showing works by Brooklyn sculptor John Crawford and Swan Lake artist Cindy Smith.

Crawford works with forged metal and spent a significant amount of time in Italy learning the forging process in a blacksmith shop. His decision to take this utilitarian approach to his training comes from his interest in farm tool shapes as a departure point for sculpture. “I like the spare design of hand tools,” he says. “They are almost like natural structures because their design is driven by their use.” This spare approach is reflected in the simplicity and strength of his pieces.

Of her work artist Carol Smith says, “even though there are some ‘real’ images in the new paintings, I am still exploring the idea of what is real. I guess this is the question that keeps me painting.” Currently she is incorporating various materials into her works, expanding the horizons of the medium.

Art Mill proprietors Fred Price and Faye Chan plan to exhibit photography, painting and sculpture by nationally and internationally recognized artists.