No Place Like Home
On view July 27 - September 13, 2024
Sat 7/27, 4-6 pm: Opening reception
Sat 8/17, 4-6 pm: Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - a conversation with the artists
Sat 9/7, 4-6 pm: At Home with Cyrus Dallin - exploring Arlington's architectural history with Cyrus Dallin Art Museum Director and Curator Heather Leavell and Director of Outreach and Engagement Nancy Blanton
13FOREST Gallery is pleased to present No Place Like Home, an exhibition featuring new paintings by Paul Beckingham, Bonita LeFlore and Kayla Myers.
13FOREST started out on Forest Street in Medford Square, but for the last 16 years we have been proud to call Arlington our home. Getting to know our neighbors - the people and small businesses that make the Boston suburb of Arlington unique - has given us a deep sense of pride and appreciation for the community that has greeted us so warmly. To celebrate our vibrant town, we asked three artists to create paintings of recognizable locations in Arlington, from local landmarks like the Capitol Theater to distinctive storefronts like Wood & Strings Music Center. It can be easy for anyone to take familiar sights for granted. Through the characteristic styles of Beckingham, LeFlore and Myers, however, everyday buildings and locations take on new vitality. No Place Like Home invites you to appreciate, and perhaps notice for the first time, the beauty and character of Arlington.
About the Artists
Paul Beckingham is a contemporary realism oil painter based in New England. Beckingham's work reflects a blend of nostalgic and everyday subjects, natural and man-made, framed in dramatic light. He finds that capturing the effects of light in an ordinary scene elevates it to a compelling narrative. His continuous study of the rich and deep craft of painting allows him to apply a broad range of skills to his compositions. Beckingham’s preferred subject matter is often reminiscent of the past, drawing upon life, memory and historical photographs. He seeks to create beautiful compositions from overlooked sources of interest that encourage a closer look.
Bonita LeFlore is a New England artist best known for her large paintings referencing the architecture of forgotten places. She studied at the Art Students League in New York, graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting, and attended Pratt Institute's Masters program for painting. Her work is in many private collections across the United States and internationally. Influenced by the color field paintings of Helen Frankenthaler and the vivid palette of Joan Mitchell, LeFlore finds working with acrylic paint on unprimed canvas a medium that lends itself to a transparency that gives her subject matter life.
Kayla Myers is a painter based in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied visual arts at North Carolina Central University. Through her expressive painting, Myers embraces documenting and preserving cultural heritage. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the stories and traditions embedded in significant landmarks, Myers strives to create art that not only reflects the beauty of these sites but also serves as a reminder of their importance. She hopes to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding our legacy for future generations and inspire others to appreciate and protect the richness and diversity of our shared heritage.