Cuba Circulating Library Art Gallery

In 2007, art gallery space was added to the Community Room of the Cuba Circulating Library.  This was made possible by gifts from Jim and Delores Cross, and from Dean Behman in honor of his grandchildren, Jack and Claire Benham.  This space is used to highlight the works of local artists.

 

          The artwork on display in the Cuba Circulating Library this month has been crafted and provided by Tom and Bonnie Stolberg and two of their children, Sarah and Grace.
          Tom and Bonnie are both graduates of the Cuba Central School (1975 and 1980 respectively) and both received virtually all of their artistic training from well-known art teacher and renowned local artist, the late Chester Swier.  Chester was also Tom’s uncle.
          Perhaps because of Chet’s influences, but also due to their personal preferences and philosophical views of art and its meanings, Tom and Bonnie both prefer artwork that reflects realism, although both have experimented with abstraction in their paintings.  Capturing the worldview with its true colors, shapes, dimension, focus and light has been the focus for both artists.  Tom and Bonnie both prefer watercolors, although both have also done pieces in oils and acrylics.  Tom has worked more recently on the development of a monochromatic style of painting, using only various shades and textures of a color known as Van Dyke brown.  The goal of this approach is to render paintings that resemble early photographs.  Bonnie grew up in the country and this fact is reflected in her favorite subject matter, which is nature and all of the wonder that it offers
          Both Sarah, 13, and Grace, 10, have revealed their own artistic tendencies at an early age.  The “creativity gene” has definitely been passed on to these two as evidenced by their shared talents not only in the creation of art, but also in music and crafts.
          Tom and Bonnie share the feeling that it is almost a “duty” as human beings to create…whether you create a painting, a song, a recipe, or even a beautiful memory, creating is a uniquely human endeavor that honors our own Creator.