By Sharlyn Gunderson-Izurieta
Local artist, Loretta Domaszewski, known for her nature inspired landscape
paintings and murals highlighting the Gallatin Valley, is the Bozeman Public
Library’s Exhibiting Artist in the Atrium Gallery for May and June, 2011.
The exhibit and accompanying workshops will emphasize waterscapes in the
Gallatin watershed.
“Poetic Water Reflections,” an exhibit of oil paintings and Haiku Poems is the
culmination of a partnership with the Greater Gallatin Watershed Council
(GGWC). Ms. Domaszewski has been working with the GGWC to learn
about streams, lakes, rivers, and the extensive ditch system in the Gallatin
watershed. This collaboration inspired her to paint a series highlighting the
water resources and the influence of how residents play, view and utilize
those resources.
Ms. Domaszewski’s artistic goal is to “enlighten the viewer, stop them in
their tracks, touch one or more of their senses, take them somewhere else for
a moment.” She is motivated by the fluid approach of movement in nature
and how it is applied in multiple layers of rich transparent colors and textures,
creating beautiful subtle transitions.
According to Julia Becker, Director/Professor at the University of Great
Falls, “Loretta is able to work with the paint to actually create light. She has
such a deep connection to the earth as a living body. They physicality of it,
the shape and curves, the way light travels through water, the arc of a valley,
the form and movement of the land, the patterns of a current. She speaks a
universal language.”
To compliment the Poetic Water Reflections Exhibit, Ms. Domaszewski is offering
a series of workshops and lectures for children and adults, in collaboration
with GGWC. These workshops are sponsored by the Bozeman Public
Library Foundation’s Artist-in- Residence Program, which will start April 30,
and continue throughout May and June.
The first workshops, one for children and one for
adults, are titled, “Water Runs Through It: Immerse
Yourself in Water Patterns, Streams and Rivers.”
Karin Boyd, GGWC Board of Director, and a Geomorphologist,
will provide information about river
formation and moving water patterns in riverscapes.
This will be a catalyst for painting watercolors inspired
by water patterns and sounds. Each river panel
will be part of a mural displayed at the library.
The second workshop will be a walking tour of the
creek at Bogert Park with Gary Weiner, Director of
the Rivers and Trails Program from the National Park
Service, and will cover information about the Bozeman
Creek Enhancement Project.
A third workshop will highlight rain gardens in the
Gallatin watershed. Sharlyn Izurieta, Coordinator for
the GGWC, will collaborate with Ms. Domaszewski
to provide the community with information about
rain gardens and the variety of native plants used
to improve water health in our local streams, rivers
and lakes. Students will create expressive watercolor
paintings of local rain gardens and native plants.
The public is invited to the opening reception,
sponsored by the Library foundation, May 6, 5:30-7
p.m. in the Atrium Gallery at the Bozeman Pubic
Library, 626 E. Main Street. Loretta Domaszewski will
highlight her oil painting process in the gallery and
at the library creek, during the May and June exhibition.
Each session will allow the public to explore the
subject of moving water through the artists’ personal
interpretation.
Ms. Domaszewski will donate a percentage of all
Poetic Water Reflections sales to the Bozeman Library
Foundation and the GGWC to help the non-profit
protect and enhance water resources in the Gallatin watershed.
A graduate of Tufts University, the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts, and
Brandeis University, Ms. Domaszewski formerly taught at Bozeman High
School, Nantucket Island School of Design and the Artsn and Beall Park Art
Center. Her work has been exhibited in Boston, Nantucket, New York City, San
Francisco, Connecticut, New Mexico and Montana. She is known locally for her
nature inspired oil paintings, murals, and artist in residencies in Montana public
schools. She teaches private weekly classes and workshops for children and
adults at her Loretta Fine Art Studio in the Emerson Cultural Center, the summer
HIKE. BIKE. ART. CAMP, at Bozeman Lodge and Hillcrest Assisted Senior
Living Facilities, the Bozeman Cancer Support Community, and at REACH for
the developmentally disabled community.
The Greater Gallatin Watershed Coalition’s mission is to “promote conservation
and enhancement of our water resources while supporting the traditions of community,
agriculture and recreation.” Sharlyn Gunderson-Izurieta is the Watershed
Coordinator.
lorettafineart.com
