“FUCHSIA” FRESH AIR & ART

OPENING: SUNDAY, June 28th ~ 1-5 pm on view through September 20, 2020.

Cross MacKenzie Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “FUCHSIA”, a group show celebrating the power of color to lift our collective spirits. Following a brutal spring with the pandemic, crippling lockdown, economic crisis, shocking police brutality and righteous demonstrations – we need some relief!

We are hosting our second annual outdoor event in the country to view the show, visit with friends, picnic on the lawn and taste some of the wines from the many local vineyards. Come meet the artists and experience the mind and mood-altering effects of the palette of fuchsia – washed down with a little rosé.

The word “fuchsia” derived from the intensely hued, vivid purple/red flowering plant discovered by French botanist Charles Plumier who named it to honor the 16th century German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. Later, Linneaus, the father of modern taxonomy himself, memorialized Plumier with his own genus, “Plumeria” which includes the flamboyant frangipani – a just reward.

The colorful story doesn’t end there. In 1859, when Francois-Emmanuel Verguin patented the fuchsia dye, he patriotically changed the name to celebrate a French army victory in the Italian city, Magenta.

Our victory is a group show that includes 9 artists whose work employs shades of the magnificent color of fuchsia: Damon Arhos’ large sculptural installations, Ed Bisese’s whimsical fuchsia faces, Rob Hitzig’s geometric shaped canvases, Wendy Garner’s blooming pastels, Liza Kirwin’s exotic pink and purple plumed miniatures, Max MacKenzie’s abstract peony photography, Laney Oxman’s decorated ceramic figures, and the glazed coral-like ceramic wall pieces by Danielle Wood.

Observing social distancing, we will wear masks, allow 3 people at a time in the gallery and spread our guests over a four-hour period, for an informal, al-fresco picnic and wine-tasting afternoon.

We are located one hour from Georgetown. Before or after visiting us, guests are encouraged to hike the nearby Appalachian Trail, raft the Shenandoah River, explore Harper’s Ferry, or check out local vineyards. Also well worth a visit are beautiful Oatlands & Morven Park near Leesburg. There are numerous Civil War battlefields, and a walk through the streets of historic Waterford should not be missed.