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An artistic take on Cranbury

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
   CRANBURY — From a muted lake scene in Scotland to Cranbury’s burnt orange soy bean fields and rustic silos, three local artists have captured landscapes from around the globe to around the corner in the Gourgaud Gallery’s latest exhibit.
   The Varied Works exhibit, which features acrylic, oil and watercolor painting from three Cranbury residents, Amy Amico, Colleen Cahill and Lisa Walsh, opened Sunday.
   Artists described the exhibit as “cohesive,” some saying they were driven by the dedication of their fellow artists, all three of whom are working mothers.
   ”Being a mother and being a wife and working is who we are, but our art is our personal perspective,” said Ms. Amico, who serves as chairwoman of the Gourgaud Gallery. “We kind of fed off of each other. I really admire these two women and their talent very much.”
   Ms. Amico said that with Cranbury’s rural scenes sprawling in nearly every direction, it’s not hard to find inspiration for a show like this.
   ”I couldn’t get enough of the physical landscape of Cranbury,” Ms. Amico. “The town itself is an inspiration.”
   The show has been open for less than a week and already fans of the exhibit have bought nearly a third of the approximately 30 pieces on display, said Ms. Cahill, who is also a Gourgaud Gallery committee member.
   ”We all have similar romantic takes on landscapes,” she said of the exhibit. “But we all have our unique feel. The work hangs well, it all kind of complements each other.”
   A portion of the proceeds go to fund various programs run by the Cranbury Arts Council.
   The gallery, 23-A N. Main St., is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the first, third and last Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibit will run through Oct. 26.
   For more information on the gallery log on to www.cranbury.org.