Artwork by Cynthia Sobel. (Courtesy Photo: Artist)

East Hampton - "East End Illuminations," a show of landscapes, abstract watercolors, prints, mixed media works and photographs, will be on view at Ashawagh Hall this weekend. The exhibit is curated by Cynthia Sobel, and the participants are members of the Wednesday Group of plein air artists and the Crazy Monkey Gallery artists cooperative.

The following artists are taking part in this exhibit:

Sobel is showing a group of abstract watercolors and watercolor collages. Brushstrokes and images are derived from her landscape painting, while the collage frames are a subtle reference to a recent visit to the Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna, Italy.

Frank Sofo paints a variety of subjects including landscapes, beachscapes, figures. As well as being a visual artist, Frank has written and illustrated several children's books. Frank paints in an impressionist style, using fluid brushwork and strong color. He is the co-founder of The Wednesday Group.

Artwork by Jim Hayden. (Courtesy Photo: Artist)

Daniel Schoenheimer, assistant director of the Crazy Monkey Gallery, is a Montauk resident and has been shooting local scenes for the last 10 years. A self-taught photographer, his work focuses primarily on the natural beauty of the East End land and seascapes. His photographs capture the changing colors and moods of the ocean and the sky. He is also co-founder and co-publisher, with Sally Breen, of The Local Art Rag, a publication promoting East End Arts and Music.

Andrea McCafferty is the founder and director of the Crazy Monkey Gallery in Amagansett. She is also an artist who uses a mixture of mediums to express herself. Starting in 1992 as a Biology major she became interested in photography, which allowed her to explore her creative side, opposed to the rigid discipline of science. At this exhibit, she will present a series of photographs of classic Barbies.

Alyce Peifer's paintings include scenes from her travels and of the bays, the farm lands, and the ocean included in the beautiful environs of the magnificent Hamptons area. Alyce also studies and paints portraits and still life in order to continue and enhance her study of composition and light.

Artwork by Andrea McCafferty. (Courtesy Photo: Artist)

Anna Franklin's Italian heritage gave her a profound understanding of the evolution and the history of art. She spent over 30 years as a teacher of Romance Languages and Literature, while she took art courses. She started to paint in earnest in 2002, when she retired from teaching. Anna is a member of the Crazy Monkey Gallery. She will exhibit acrylic paintings of local landscapes and seascapes.

Deborah Palmer is a former graphic artist and commercial illustrator who now divides her year between Sag Harbor and Charleston, SC, devoting full time to plein air painting. Upon retirement in 2000, and a move to the Charleston area, Deborah returned to her art to pursue landscapes. She paints with the Wednesday Group plein air artists of the East End and continues to study with prominent artists in Charleston and New York to refine her skills and define her personal style.

Gene Samuelson's carefully observed renderings of beaches, homes and gardens remind us why the East End is so special to artists and viewers alike. He creates plein air landscapes as well as portraits of houses and gardens in watercolor, ink and pencil. His work varies from delicate and subdued to lush and vivacious. Gene is the co-founder of the Wednesday Group.


Lynn Martell is a visual artist who paints in oil and watercolor. She studied for many years at the Art Students League in New York City. She has exhibited at numerous venues including Ashawagh Hall and Guild Hall in East Hampton, Studio East Gallery in Greenport, and Barnes Gallery in Garden City.

Jim Hayden was born and raised in Rockaway Beach, where he was influenced since early childhood by nature, the ocean and the changing moods and textures of the beach. His art education includes the School of Visual Arts and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts Degrees. Jim is the current president of the Artists Alliance of East Hampton and a member of the Crazy Monkey Gallery. At this show, he will exhibit several abstract, mixed media works.

Jana Hayden is a native of Prague, Czech Republic. She studied photography in Prague, and fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania. Jana is a member of the Crazy Monkey Gallery and a Board member of the Artists Alliance of East Hampton. At this exhibit she will exhibit a group of photographs of water reflections and textures found in nature.

The exhibit will be on view at Ashawagh Hall, on Old Stone Highway in Springs, Friday, December 30, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 31, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, January 1, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Cocktail reception, open to public, will be held on Friday, December 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, contact Cynthia Sobel at csobel212@aol.com or Jana Hayden at haydenjj@optonline.net.