‘Wax, Hot & Cold’ group exhibition on view at Cove Street Arts

A new exhibit of encaustics called “Wax, Hot & Cold” is on view at Cove Street Arts in Portland.

Featured artists are Edith Beatty, Marcy Bergeron-Noa, Anne Bernard, Sandi Donnelly, Janet Hyland, Karen K. Kulberg, Mary McCann and Micki Whelan.

Prior to paper, writing was mark making on animal skin or stone. Akin to the process of working with molten wax and pigment, erasing a mark was achieved by scraping away. As layers were removed, a prior history was revealed. Layers and depth created structure, and meaning was deepened through the reveal of recurring themes, concerns and patterns.

This group of eight artists has diverse backgrounds but each person was drawn to wax for its luscious qualities of luminosity, depth and mystery. They apply, fuse, blend, dig, build and glaze their wax to illuminate their life chapters with authenticity, confidence and abstraction.

In this show, the artists use wax in a variety of ways, ranging from painting on layers of wax with a variety of tools, printing encaustic monotypes, photography, pouring hot molten wax over a substrate and dipping objects into wax to create a sculptural element.

The show, curated by Sandi Donnelly, runs through May 6 at Cove Street Arts, 71 Cove St., Portland. An opening reception was held in March. Call 207-808-8911, email [email protected], or go to www.covestreetarts.com for more information.