D’Alessio Gallery in Bar Harbor will host an art opening on August 2 celebrating 50 years of art by local artist Russell D’Alessio. The opening will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at D’Alessio Gallery, 12 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor and will include a reunion of the “The Anderson Brothers,” a local Bar Harbor band in the 70’s, champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

The event kicks off the exhibition Eden: A Retrospective, documenting five decades of artistic evolution for the colorful painter, beginning with his art school days. D’Alessio’s journey as a Maine artist began when he was inspired by his first visit to Bar Harbor while still a student in 1969. Enchanted by the beauty of the area, he and wife Linda D’Alessio relocated to Mount Desert Island in 1974.

In ‘88 the couple settled into their new home and studio in Dedham Maine.  The view from their perch on Button hill was over the setting moon. This inspired the new studio’s name, Over the Moon Studios.

 

Over the Moon Studios opened its first store in Bar Harbor in 1989, 30 years ago.  The following year the gallery was renamed Pretty Marsh Gallery featuring and featured Over the Moon Studio products and Russ’s fine art including paintings, carvings, and graphics.

Linda says, “it has been an amazing journey for the both of us.” Ten years ago, the artistic journey continued with a move to Mt. Desert Street and a name change to D’Alessio Gallery. Today, D’Alessio is known for his paintings, frequently of women, featuring playfully bold fields of color and spontaneous brushstrokes. His works—often whimsical, sometimes more serious and political—have enchanted decades of gallery visitors and collectors. Reflecting on the connections he creates through his art, D’Alessio says, “I am creating a world, an expression of myself, that extends to other people. Collectors first see the color, which brings a smile to their faces; then they realize there is content to it and they connect. It becomes part of them.”

The opening and exhibition celebration of 50 years of continuous evolution that includes not only paintings but also mixed media, collage, sculpture, and prints. “Like any true artist,” Linda D’Alessio says, Russell D’Alessiois “always creating, always moving forward. It will be exciting to see what the next 50 years will bring!”

Show runs through August 5th in the gallery – online through August 31st – www.rdalessioart.com

About D’Alessio Gallery: D’Alessio Gallery, owned by local artist Russell D’Alessio connects visitors and collectors to the colorful expressionist paintings of this Bar Harbor artist. The gallery features revolving shows of his works and those of guest artists and is open daily from mid-May to mid-October and online at russelldalessioart.com.