The Richard B. Talkin Collection

Howard County's distinguished patron of the arts, Richard B. Talkin, has a portion of his private collection on exhibit in the Rouse Company Foundation Art Gallery at Howard Community College (to 9/27). Consisting of over 50 works from area artists, the exhibition features a visually pleasing array of oils, watercolors, pastels, and charcoal drawings characterized by both their simplicity and formal elegance. Mr. Talkin has a most discerning eye when it comes to color; and the scope of the representation in terms style, content, and quality make it a must see for all arts lovers and aspiring collectors. A supporter of Howard County artists for decades, he has included the work of about a dozen artists in his show, whose art he acquired over the last four years.

Featured are many arresting works by Joan Bevelaqua, Linda Press, Henry Niese, and Jerzy Kajetanski. Ms. Bevelaqua's mysterious dresses (as well as her still lifes) are captured in a haunting manner suggesting presence where only absence prevails, while the whimsical and perspectival urban architecture of Linda Press are expressive delights. Mr. Niese has several showstoppers - works of surface, spirit, and space - one of which graces the front of the gallery; you can almost feel the woodwork breathing. The late Mr. Kajetanski's dappled brushstrokes and curvy people are reminiscent of Maurice Pendergast in his public scenes while the figures in his abstract compositions demonstrate his range of styles.

There is a unified look to the collection formed by multiple works - large and small - from the aforementioned artists as well as works by other artists (Mary Jo Tydlacka, Jim Adkins, Nancy Linden, Neil Lang, et al) employing varied modes of composition. The impressive element of the show is not necessarily the strength of the individual works displayed - it is that for certain - but the way the art complements each other and reflects the vision of the collector himself. Meet Mr. Talkin at a reception September 13 (3-5 PM). Gallery hours are 10 AM - 8 PM Monday - Friday; 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday. Admission is free.