-one in a short series of articles about the art gallery movement in Honesdale.
Beside the languid whisper of the Lackawaxen River resides one of Honesdale’s newest gems.
Opening on the fourth of July, Willow River Gallery joins a suite of new art galleries christening Honesdale this year, perhaps a telling sign that more may be on the horizon.
“If you have one town with one gallery that’s meaningless,” said Trix Render, the proprietor of Willow River. “If you have six, it’s a destination.”
Make that three so far arriving here in 2009 alone, hopefully signaling that Honesdale is on its way to becoming an arts destination with the Hanson Gallery & Decorium and Philip Hone Gallery now in the fold.
“There is a real opportunity for the area to foster the arts and bring in green tourism,” said Tamara Murray, executive director of the Wayne County Arts Alliance.
“It could make a huge difference for the economy,” said Render. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone. A fabulous charming American town, let’s play on that.”
Willow River sits just outside of downtown Honesdale proper, a short skip across the river off Route 6, easily within walking distance.
Render, a native of South Africa who has been a Damascus resident since 2001, is also quite a painter - delicately melding natural flora and fauna elements with touches of surrealism.
Her art, along with other skilled artists, provides a well-rounded, talent-exuding collection at the gallery, attractively filling two floors. A range of mediums, sculptures and mixed media among other forms, are part of the revolving collection that contains works of artists of local, national and international acclaim.
“I want a certain quality. That’s how you build a reputation,” said Render. “It doesn’t have to be expensive or fabulous. It doesn’t have to be inaccessible.”
Gallery pieces also include the works of John Kascht, a caricature artist and Wayne County resident whose illustrations of American celebrities have made the pages of The New Yorker, Time, GQ, and Esquire.
“It’s nice to know in this sleepy little place we have really talented people,” she said.
The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
For further information or to submit a portfolio, call (570) 253-3013.
Willow River Gallery is located at 118 Willow Avenue, Honesdale, Pa.
