- April 17, 2024
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Ormond Beach Art Guild co-chairs Marilyn Dorinson and Maureen Bridger. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Marilyn Dorinson's painting, "Almost Heaven," depicts a part of her cousin's house in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Maureen Bridger was inspired by the recent war events in Ukraine to paint "Fleeing Kiev."
A total of 40 paintings by 14 artists are on display at The Casements now. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
What inspires you?
It's a question many of the artists part of the Ormond Beach Art Guild explored in their 2022 Spring Art Show, on display at The Casements through April 30. For co-chairs Marilyn Dorinson and Maureen Bridger, the theme of "Inspirations" best summed up the diversity found in the 40 works, painted by 14 different artists. The show is a chance for the community to see what the guild contributes to the local art community.
"It's good for people to see that, and not just this beautiful house that's such a part of history, but what we're doing now in the community too," Dorinson said.
The Guild's history dates back to 1983 when a small group of artists began to meet to paint together at the former Ormond Beach Senior Center located on North Nova Road. According to the guild, the members felt there was a need in the area for an art guild composed of seniors. Six years later in 1989, six of the original panters asked others to join them and eventually what is known today as the Ormond Beach Art Guild was formed.
The guild later moved their meetings to the current Ormond Beach Senior Center at 351 Andrews St., but when the pandemic forced the center to close, the guild began meeting at the Trails' clubhouse. They now meet to paint together there on Wednesday mornings.
The guild has been exhibiting at The Casements for the last 17 years.
"I think it's good for not only letting people know that there are some artists in the area, but it's something lovely to see, especially for tourists," Bridger said.
Bridger, a retired nurse, joined the guild about seven years ago. She used to paint when she was younger, but it was something that got pushed to the side once she went to college, got married and raised a family.
She didn't paint for about 40 years.
"It's funny because at least from my perspective, you think that you can just get right back on the horse and start painting," Bridger said.
While that didn't exactly ring true for her, she did learn to paint with a new medium — watercolor. And she loves it.
One of her paintings in the show is titled "Fleeing Kyiv," inspired by the recent war events in Ukraine. The news footage of mothers fleeing the city with their children stuck with her, and she decided to capture it on canvas.
Dorinson also has a love of watercolor. A former teacher, she also stopped painting for decades: About 30 years, in fact, despite having taken art classes all through her childhood and into college. When she retired, her love of art called back to her. It was the creativity of the craft.
"It adds another dimension to your life, I think," Dorinson said.
And life tends to creep into art as well. Her painting, "Almost Heaven," depicts a part of her cousin's house in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Her cousin and his wife loved it so much, she gifted the painting to them.
The guild is accepting new members. They encourage anyone who loves to paint or works in other art mediums to join. The group has two exhibits a year in The Casements, in spring and fall. For more information, contact Dorinson at [email protected] or Bridger at [email protected].
The galler at The Casements is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m to noon.
