Southampton - The first artist collective exhibition at the Hampton Road Gallery in Southampton had its opening reception on Saturday, December 5. The evening proved that, indeed, artists will come together to support each other and their profession/vocation in a very difficult economy by devising creative and clever collaborations.

Curated by the talented and participating artist Karyn Mannix who managed to hang a show that included a number of diverse mediums in both a cohesive and appealing presentation, and who is to be commended for coordinating and organizing this initial cooperative arrangement with well-known and highly respected gallery owner Peter Marcelle. Both Marcelle and Mannix successfully achieved the sometimes difficult task of pleasing all of the exhibiting artists, and further advanced the concept of artists joining together to exhibit as a group within established galleries as an avenue to increase not only exhibition opportunities, larger viewing audiences, but hopefully sales as well.

The artists included Bobbie Braun, Sally Breen, Joe Eschenberg, Steve Haweeli, Eileen Hickey-Hulme, Michael Knigin, Mary Laspia, Mae Mougin, Michael McDowell, Maria Pessino, Stephanie Reit, Jerry Schwabe, Marilyn Stevenson, Joe Strand, Lewis Zacks, and Evan Zatti. Works included digital photographs, assemblages, sculptures, oil paintings, watercolors, and mixed media. Most artists exhibited up to three pieces each, and it was refreshing to observe many new, never before exhibited works from many of the artists, almost all of whom were in attendance at Saturday's reception.

Congratulations to both Mannix and Marcelle, as well as all the exhibiting artists for providing a gallery show that reminds us of the skills and talents of artists working here on the East End, and for exhibiting beautiful and affordable works.

The exhibition will be on view through January 3, 2010, and the gallery will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.