‘I want my paintings to bring joy’: Stenzel art reception lifts spirits, benefits HCT
A magical evening of art and conversation held sway at the 204 Cultural Arts Center recently, as community members gathered at a reception to celebrate the splendid paintings of artist Yvette Stenzel.
Beautiful Yvette Stenzel paintings were featured at a reception and sale to benefit Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT). Photo by Gerry Beetham
A soundtrack of smooth jazz set the tone as guests mingled among the spectacularly colorful artwork, and enjoyed delicious appetizers provided by the Family Table Collaborative. It was the place to be!
Stenzel, a part-time Harwich resident since 2013, generously donated her paintings, with all sale proceeds benefiting Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT).
“I love what HCT does,” said Stenzel, who was on hand to greet admirers and provide insight into her work. “I live near Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands, and whenever I need some inspiration, I drive there and it’s absolutely still. I love all the trails, and that’s how I recharge my batteries.”
Decades of inspiration
She said that the paintings at the HCT show were created over a span of 30 years, capturing moments when inspiration struck and she quickly sprang to action. “I don’t have filters,” said Stenzel. “I don’t plan or draw on the canvas. I take big brushes and a palette knife and I paint. My goal is just to do it at that moment with the emotion that I feel.”
Artist Yvette Stenzel (center) with Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) Board President Tom Evans (left) and HCT Executive Director Mike Lach. Photo by Gerry Beetham
Stenzel is inspired by the work of Vincent Van Gogh, and prefers to paint with oils, although she has experience with watercolors, charcoal and acrylics. The vibrant resonance of her palette across a range of still life canvases, majestic horse paintings and bracing seascapes, brought to mind one of Van Gogh’s most famous quotes: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
The art show was skillfully curated by HCT’s Director of Development Christy Laidlaw and her husband, the artist Thomas Winston Cooney, who has extensive experience mounting shows at New York City locations and museums, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
The pair, along with HCT’s Outreach & Administrative Coordinator Halley Steinmetz, spent many hours creating the perfect ambience in the gallery.
Bringing beauty home
“I’m pleased to see so many people enjoying such lovely art,” said longtime HCT supporter Marla Menzies, as she admired the paintings. “And it’s nice that everyone is here in support of the Trust, which I have loved ever since I’ve lived in Harwich.”
The intoxicating fizz of the evening had so many lovely ingredients: pleasant chat about the meaning of art and beauty, finding out why a person was drawn to a particular painting, and seeing happy patrons take home something they loved to benefit a land trust that they hold dear.
Homes in the Harwich area are going to be looking pretty spiffy this summer with a Yvette Stenzel painting hanging on the wall!
HCT is grateful to Yvette Stenzel for her amazing art donation and to everyone who made the reception a night to remember. The end result of the whole swell affair was perfectly summarized by the talented Stenzel. “I want my paintings to bring joy,” she said.
You can still purchase a Yvette Stenzel painting to benefit HCT. The show will be open on Monday, June 22nd and Tuesday 6/23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the 204 Cultural Arts Center (204 Sisson Rd., Harwich).
If you are interested in purchasing a painting, you can also send an email to info@harwichconservationtrust.org.
We will also be publishing photo galleries of Yvette Stenzel artworks that are still available, so stay tuned to your eNews or visit harwichconservationtrust.org/hct-news.
Photo gallery: HCT volunteer Gerry Beetham captured these great images from the Yvette Stenzel art reception:
—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.