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The promotion of local art and community engagement have always been central tenets of Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery. It is LPF’s core belief that the success of our business goes hand in hand with the wellbeing of our larger artistic community, and this includes the senior citizens who have paved the way for all of us. LPF is therefore immensely honored to announce the watercolor exhibition of Cornwall Manor artist, Ms. Carolyn Baker. All of the artists proceeds from the sale of this show will benefit the benevolent care for residents with limited or depleted resources at Cornwall Manor. Please open your hearts and extend your generosity for the artist’s reception, First Friday, April 7th from 5-8PM. Ms. Baker’s tranquil and lyrical collection of watercolors will be on view through the end of May during regular gallery hours.

Born to a pair of life-long missionaries in present-day Singapore, Ms. Baker had an unconventional childhood. After fleeing the Japanese invasion of British Malaya in 1942, her family went back to the Malaysian jungle following the end of WWII, where Ms. Baker and her sister began their elementary education with other missionary children. Afterwards, Ms. Baker attended an international boarding school in Mussoorie, India, in the Himalayan foothills, and then later completed her senior year of high school in California. Thanks to some talented teachers, art was an intrinsic part of her education. Through collecting botanical specimens, painting en plein air, and even sculpting clay dug by hand, her education abroad incorporated nature as well as an appreciation for nature through the expression of art. Art, music, and interactions with diverse cultures left an indelible imprint on the young mind of the artist. Ms. Baker went on to attend Albion College in Albion, Michigan and obtained a Master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. Perhaps inspired by those intrepid teachers in her youth, Ms. Baker became an educator herself, where she always incorporated art into her curriculum and instilled the passion for creativity in her children and grandchildren. She has taught middle school students, preschoolers, adults, and even incarcerated women in the Pike County Jail after her retirement. A distinguished educator in her field, she has been honored as Connecticut’s Home Economics State Teacher and nationally by the National Home Economics Association as one of the Top Ten Teachers of the Year in 2002.

In 2015, after retiring with her late husband to Cornwall Manor, Ms. Baker frequently made photo expeditions into the surrounding countryside and photographed rural scenery and farm life, which was the main source of inspiration in her paintings. Even though she is proficient in many mediums such as oil, pencil, pastel, and acrylic, her favorite remains plein air watercolor landscapes, which she presents in her latest exhibition. Ms. Baker has also held art classes for her fellow residents at the Cornwall Manor. “It was a real joy and honor to work with an active group of inspired campus residents,” remarked the artist, “We always glean something new by sharing with each other!”

Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery has been serving the regional artistic community since 1999. Aside from professional and quality archival custom framing, its gallery regularly features exhibitions of local artists, as well as unique handcrafted gift items such as jewelry, paintings, ceramics, sculptures and more.

If you would like more information, call Lebanon Picture Frame at 717.279.7725 or email at info@LebanonPictureFrame.com.