The Yeaple Family
Prints and Paintings
by Beverly Bennett
March 3-April 28
About the Artist:
A lifelong Stone Ridge resident with more than twenty five years teaching high school art, Beverly Bennett holds degrees in Graphic Arts/Advertising, Printmaking and Education. Her focus since her retirement in 2019 has predominantly been on further developing her artistic style while exhibiting in member and juried shows. In addition to her solo show, In the Shadow of Mohonk, Beverly has had her work exhibited at the Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock Artist Association, ASK Gallery, Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, Olive Free Library and CoWork. Currently, Beverly is researching her ancestry while actively creating images using printmaking and painting methods that express her connection with the Yeaple family and their long history in Marbletown.
Artist Statement:
The work displayed in this show are selections from my solo exhibit at the Ulster County Historical Society in 2024 titled, In the Shadow of Mohonk. My inspiration for these woodcuts and paintings came from the many objects, letters and photographs that have been passed down to me from previous generations. I value these things for the stories they tell. These mementos have kept me connected to the people I’ve known and loved yet curious about others who are new to me. Over the past few years, I’ve looked through a lot of boxes, which, in turn motivated me to produce quite a bit of art. Through it all, there have been a few tears, a good deal of laughter, and a great number of questions. Not only did this undertaking cause me to look more closely into my ancestry but also more deeply into myself. I came away with a greater connection to my past and to my kindred; the tenderhearted, hard-working people known as Yeaple who have occupied these beautiful Shawangunk Mountains since 1771.
Along the way, I fell in love once again with the art of printmaking, particularly woodcut for its bold, straightforward textural qualities. I discovered the fluidity and brilliance of encaustic painting, an ancient technique in which pigments are mixed with melted wax and resin. Both methods have been very fitting ways to express my family’s story. Through my work, I hope you are inspired to look into your own heritage, to explore and reveal your story, and to think more about your role in preserving the past. In doing so, you may be amazed at what you learn.
Many thanks to the Stone Ridge Library for exhibiting my recent work!
