BEAR’S MILL EXHIBIT TO FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY AND WOOD SCULPTURE

“Art at the Mill” will feature the work of photographer Doug Taylor and sculptor Klaus Otten during the month of May. The exhibit at historic Bear’s Mill opens with a reception on Saturday, May 1 and continues through Sunday, May 23; hours for the reception are 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Bellbrook resident Doug Taylor says that he loves photography, printing, and visual arts, and that his enthusiasm for these subjects has only grown over the years. Most of the photographs included in this show are recently printed and stretched on canvas, thus eliminating a frame, glass and mat board. “All that remains is the image itself,” the photographer explains. According to Mill spokesperson Julie Clark, Doug enjoys sharing his photographs with as many people as possible. “He believes in the old cliche that says there are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer,” Ms. Clark stated.

Sculptor Klaus Otten has worked in a variety of three-dimensional media including plaster, ceramics, synthetic materials and metal. The artist grew up in Germany, where he earned a graduate degree in electronic engineering before emigrating to the United States. Otten says that sculptures stimulate thought, and when viewed from different perspectives engage the viewer into a dialogue.

Since 1989, Otten’s preferred medium has been wood. “As a living medium it adds life to abstract forms, and perhaps more than any other material can convey human emotions, feelings and relationships.,” said the sculptor. “The structure and life of the tree is an integral part of a wooden sculpture; the rings and imperfections offer stimulus to the artist in shaping the figures as well as giving the sculptures unique character which cannot be duplicated,” Otten concluded.

Paintings by Trish McKinney and metal sculpture by Douglas Benedict are currently on display at the Mill. “Art at the Mill” is on view during regular Mill store hours, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. Bear’s Mill is operated by The Friends of Bear’s Mill, a non-profit organization, and is located at 6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Road about 5 miles east of Greenville. For more information, contact Bear’s Mill at 937-548-5112 or on the web at www.bearsmill.com.