Ridgewood Art Institute features paintings by Arthur Maynard
February 27, 2015 Last updated: Friday, February 27, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Eileen La Forgia
STAFF WRITER |
The Ridgewood News
For 41 years, from shortly after the purchase of the old Cameron Barn until his death in 1991, Arthur Maynard was the most constant fixture of The Ridgewood Art Institute. An immensely talented artist and teacher, his influence has been an ongoing source of inspiration. He taught thousands of students, 30 winning awards at the national level, with more than 20 becoming instructors at R.A.I.
A new exhibit of his paintings is opening this coming Sunday. Composed mainly of portraits, the new acquisitions are a gift of Alison Baetzel, Maynard’s daughter. The highly autobiographical work exhibited in this collection, which spans a period from 1933 to 1990, reveals a great deal about the artist’s perspectives, generosity and life. The paintings include subject matter that the artist cared about deeply. Since many of the works were in progress, the paintings suggest experimentation, evolution, dialogue. They also offer a rare view of Maynard’s work as a student at the Art Students League under the direction of Frank Vincent DuMond.