Exhibit showcases seasons of New England.

Byline: Sandy Meindersma

COLUMN: WACHUSETT WATCH

I ducked into the Beaman Library in West Boylston last week to escape the heat wave and find a light summer read for my upcoming vacation. What I found instead was more refreshing than what I had come in for.

Two wintry scenes, one of the "Rail Trail in February" and the other called "Wachusett Ice Storm," both by Robert Duffy, instantly transported me to the cold days I wished away as I looked forward to the summer heat.

The paintings are part of the Wachusett Greenways third annual Art Exhibition. The exhibition features 79 works of 34 local artists depicting the four seasons of the region, with many of the works showcasing the beauty along the trails managed by Wachusett Greenways.

I experienced all four of New England's seasons as I gazed at the exhibit, consisting primarily of paintings and photographs but also containing pieces of mixed media and a piece of glasswork.

I felt the cold of winter on my cheeks and ears as I looked at John Kennedy's watercolor "Wachusett Skiing" and Evelyn Abaciano's photograph of the snow on Sterling Brook.

Barbara Kimball's "Spring Snow" captured the mixed-up weather of a New England spring with a scene of picnic tables with snow on the ground as the trees are beginning to bud.

I chuckled at Therese Bresolin's "Fishing Line #2" as I recalled the day the Cub Scouts stocked the pond at Trout Brook and our own fishing lines got tangled in the trees.

Frank Puffer's photograph of the Quinapoxet River shows the clear blue sky of fall reflected in the water and the beauty of the fall colors.

A bit of history is also on display in Robert W. Smith's photograph of the Thomas Basin; the dual image shows the basin during the Wachusett Reservoir construction in 1903 as well as in 2007.

Wachusett Greenways President Colleen Abrams said the exhibit is intended to be inclusive, showcasing recognized artists as well as newer ones.

"The mission of the exhibit is to share the incredible art done locally and inspire people to get out and see the local nature," she said. "Some people submit one favorite photo or painting and they want to show it, while others submit many, and we choose the best ones."

Like the rest of the Wachusett Greenways' work, the exhibit has been compiled by volunteers who are interested in showcasing the region's beauty.

The exhibit is on its second stop of three. After its opening at the Wachusett Greenways annual meeting on April 8, the exhibit was on display at the Rutland Free Public Library.

The exhibit arrived at the Beaman Memorial Library May 28 and will remain there through July 21. It will then travel to Holden, where it will be housed at the Gale Free Library and the Holden Senior Center until the show closes Sept. 3.

Many of the works are for sale by contacting the artist. The exhibition guide lists the artists, their works and pricing.

It's definitely worth checking out, if only for the reminder that winter will be knocking on the door much sooner than expected.