If you want to gauge the vitality of a community, one of the best metrics is its local library, which, especially in small towns, is a cornerstone of community life. From free resources, to programs, to classes, and groups for all ages, libraries continue to remain active and relevant, and the Ellicottville Memorial Library is always identifying opportunities to engage with the community.

Now through December 31, the library is featuring a collection of artwork from artists in the North Shore Arts Alliance, including paintings and drawings by eight member artists who come from Chautauqua County and the surrounding areas.

Marcia Merrins, president of the NSAA, is enthusiastic about the recent installation at the library, which was organized by NSAA member artist Susan Gutierrez in collaboration with Ellicottville artist Barbara Fox. The exhibit features work by Erin Borosky, Ann Brantingham, Barbara Del Monte, Susan Gutierrez, Katherine Kepner, Carrie Shank, Susan Simmons, and Dan Vanderzyden. While this particular exhibit features paintings and drawings, Merrins noted that the NSAA is comprised of approximately 75 artists who work in many different mediums, including pottery, photography, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, wood, mixed media and more.

Speaking of NSAA, Merrins explained, “We are a not-for-profit, and our goal is to support artists and, in turn, that supports the community. It keeps the community alive because a healthy community has artists that are producing works that refine a community and define a community.” Though not an artist when she moved to Chautauqua County, Merrins noted that her interest in the arts, including visual and performing arts, has remained a constant.

Later, she became a potter and recognized what an important role organizations like the NSAA can have in a community and in the lives of artists. “We are growing,” she said of the NSAA’s membership, which includes mostly artists, but also community members who have chosen to support the organization by way of the NSAA’s modest annual dues. “We are providing venues and pathways for aspiring artists to be part of an artist community and actually get mentored as they learn how to show their work, how to handle shows, and how to apply to shows as well.”

For artist Barbara Del Monte, this is her first time sharing her work at the Ellicottville Memorial Library, though she’s been a member of the NSAA for more than a dozen years and regularly participates in the NSAA’s art shows. Her piece, “Cornfield at Dusk,” is on display at the library and reflects her love of oil painting, which she says is her favorite medium.

Del Monte moved to Chautauqua County 30 years ago and was inspired by the beauty of the region. While she initially began to capture this through photography, she discovered that an even better way for her to do so was through oil painting.

The scene that is the subject of “Cornfield at Dusk” is an actual farm near Del Monte’s home in northern Chautauqua County. “It’s an area that I had taken photographs of and just could not capture really what I wanted to capture,” she recalled. “I took the photos a long time ago… and I had to take pictures because the colors were so beautiful, but then they didn’t come out in photographs. So that’s why I was frustrated with it and eventually had to try to paint it.”

*“Cornfield at Dusk” by Barbara Del Monte*

Visit the Ellicottville Memorial Library soon to enjoy this beautiful exhibit of local artwork. The library is open from 10:00am-5:00pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 10:00am-8:00pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Those inspired by the exhibit are invited to support upcoming NSAA shows and events. Merrins shared, “We will be having a winter exhibition in December at the Octagon Gallery in Westfield, and on December 5-6, we will be hosting a holiday artisan market at 21 Brix Winery. In the summer, we host the Art Trail throughout the area over Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, and in addition to that, we have a project called Artscape, which is a banner project in Fredonia that features artists’ work.” To learn more about the NSAA, including artist bios and opportunities for membership, visit www.nsaachautauqua.org.