Hull Artists’ exhibitions currently feature work from four local artists, on view through November 3 at Hull Town Hall and November 4 at the Hull Public Library. Works can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
The current installation in the front entry vestibule of the municipal building houses the work of photographer Craig Bradley and painter/illustrator Tricia Tkaczuk Griffin, curated by Marianne F. Buckley Curran.
Children’s book (“Beach Day”) illustrator, artist, and curator for HA, Curran first became a member of Hull Artists in 1997, when she and her family moved to Hull. During that time, she’s also been running her business, Locale Color, which started more than 30 years ago in Canton, to “exhibit local artists’ work, manage [artwork] rotations, and create opportunities for artists,” including hosting sales, shows, events, and classes for a variety of ages. She has since served on the HA board for two years, taught classes with HA, and curated town hall shows for roughly three years. You can find her work displayed at Front Street Gallery.
When previous curator Sheila Connor resigned, Curran stepped up.
“Sheila was the inspiration and catalyst for this display, I just filled the slot for a bit.” Curran said. “What I liked best about the site is the amount of visibility it gets from residents. There is always traffic in and out, paying taxes… early voting, and day to day… I have had a lot of feedback from residents that they had seen my work at the town hall. People always comment positively when we are hanging pieces so it is appreciated.”
As for members of Hull Artists, town hall “offers the artist a free spot to display work, no fee or commission, thus making this a community service component for both the artist and the visitor. It is also open to any member without being juried.” The current town hall installation marked a changing of the guard, as Curran created her last exhibit there and passed the reins on to new curator and current exhibitor, Craig Bradley.
A new member of Hull Artists and a South Shore-based fine art photographer, Bradley has already shown work at several Hull venues, including the Nantasket Beach Resort, Gallery Nantasket (Hull Artists’ primary sales venue, located across the street from Nantasket Beach), and town hall. His photography showcases a combination of florals, seas, and artful scenes, covering a broad range “from detailed, representational images to more interpretive work using movement, color, and abstraction.” Several shots of various flora and coastal scenes are featured in his town hall display, including hydrangeas, sailboats, rowboats, and close-up studies of marine rope.
On the wall opposite Bradley’s display, co-exhibitor and South Shore native Tricia Tkaczuk Griffin has a collection of watercolor paintings (six original watercolors and one giclée print of watercolor) depicting striking land and seascapes., Her works span multiple seasons, incorporating autumn’s changing leaves by a lake in one piece and snow-capped rocks in another. Griffin works primarily in watercolor, but also draws in graphite and charcoal. She says that she is a “forever student,” continuing to study with the many wonderful instructors on the South Shore. You can find her work through the New England Watercolor Society, Plymouth Center for the Arts, the North River Art Association, the South Shore Art Center, and at town hall.
Over at the Hull Public Library, patrons can find HA’s most recent display featuring artists Desiree April Connolly and John Marshall Dyke, in the non-fiction section on the second floor. This space is also host to a multitude of other activities.
“[It] is a multi use space. We have lectures, tai chi classes, yoga, book club meetings, and many other events in that area of the building, [Which] ensures the talented work of Hull Artists is enjoyed by a large and diverse collection of library patrons,” said Library Director Brian DeFelice.
South Shore residents will recognize several local spots in these artists’ works.
“Though both the poetry and art done for the recent collaborative ‘Poetic Canvas’ exhibit will always stand out as one of my personal favorite shows, I am blown away by the talent of our current exhibitors,” DeFelice said. “Desiree April’s masterful photography captures the natural and striking beauty of the Town of Hull, while John Marshall Dyke’s colorful and expressive oil and acrylic paintings of the Paragon Carousel expertly capture the fun and whimsy of one of Hull’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. This is a must-see exhibit!”
As with many artists who have visited the South Shore, Connolly fell in love with Hull and never left.
“I have spent most of my summers in Hull since childhood and always felt sad when summer was over. Now I live in Hull full-time with my husband, it is a beautiful and unique place to live,” she said.
Connolly’s photography has been featured in several spots around Hull and beyond. Since joining Hull Artists in 2022, her work has been on display many times at the Nantasket Beach Resort and the Hull Public Library. When asked about her inspiration, Connolly said: “I love to capture the beauty of the ocean, the flowers, trees, the hummingbirds, sunrises, and sunsets, God’s beauty and His creation … My photographs, my artwork, are what make me feel connected to life, to nature, and to God.”
Similar to Connolly’s work, Dyke’s 11-work series of the Paragon Carousel in oil, acrylic, and watercolor reflects his longtime residence in Hull and his love for the town. In the early-mid-’90s, a group of artists began to open their homes to each other and the community to share their work and passion for art. While it would appear there’s some disagreement surrounding the (un)official beginning of what would later become Hull Artists, one thing is for certain: J. Marshall Dyke has been there from the start, “and participating in the HA Open Studios since!” HA was formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1998 after several years as an informal artists’ organization.
Dyke noted that “the library space is perfect for small exhibits,” and discussed how HA “has given me more opportunities to paint, [participate in a] plein air group, and exhibit at the [Nantasket Beach Resort].” When asked about his artistic process, he said: “l enjoy experimenting with new acrylic products. My inspiration is the challenge of a new subject, curiosity!”
Hull Artists would like to express our gratitude toward those at Hull Town Hall, the Hull Public Library, and the members of the community who have made these exhibits possible over the years. Thank you for your continued support that allows us to make the arts accessible and enjoyable to everyone. These displays will be up through November 3 at town hall and November 4 at the library. They are open and free to the public, subject to the location’s regular hours of operation.
See more from Hull Artists at the Nantasket Beach Resort and Gallery Nantasket. For more information, or to volunteer with us, please email Info@HullArtists.com or visit HullArtists.com.
