The Hicks Art Center Gallery breaks from traditional Bucks County impressionist roots in its newest exhibit “Bucks County Artists: A Cross Section,” which features paintings, photography and pottery from 6 local artists.

Since Bucks County was the center of American Impressionist movement of the first half of the 20th century local Bucks County artists have been typecast as impressionist painters.

Fran Orlando, Director of Artmobile and the Hicks Art Center Gallery for the past 28 years, hopes to break away from this stereotype with the new exhibit by showcasing the various styles, and mediums local artists have to offer.

“Each time we do the show we want a broad view of what’s going on [in Bucks County], not just Bucks impressionists,” said Orlando.

The 6 local artists whose works will be on display in the exhibit are painters Robert Beck, Derek Bernstein and Anna Bogatin, photographer and painter Diane Burko, photographer Emmet Gowin, and ceramic artist Deborah Tinsman.

“Every two to three years we reach out to local artists in the community that are not affiliated to the college as former students or faculty,” Orlando said.

A panel discussion with Robert Beck, Diane Burko and Anna Bogatin, whose works have been showcased in the Michener Art Museum, in Doylestown, will be held on Sept. 17 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 10 of the Music and Multimedia building across from the Hicks Art Center.

A reception will follow the panel discussion from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring a curator’s gallery talk at 6 p.m. with David Graham, the curator of the exhibit and internationally renowned photographer.

“It’s really nice bringing in the community and supporting local artists,” said Orlando.

The Hicks Art Center Gallery offers group tours for teachers and students that can be tailored towards whatever subject or class you are in. “[The exhibit] provides a model for our student to see artists who live locally and are successful.”

The “Bucks County Artists: A Cross Section,” exhibit will run from Aug. 27 thru Oct. 11. at the Bucks Newtown campus.

For those who can never get enough art, the “A Fine Line: Observation, Discovery & Expression in Drawing,” exhibit is currently being featured in the Artmobile. The Artmobile’s

current exhibition features 63 drawings by 22 accomplished artists, presenting finished drawings as well as sketches, doodles, and working drawings.

“The idea is for young students to learn as artists, by utilizing drawing to build observation skills and stimulate writing,” explained Orlando.

By including sketches, doodles, and working drawings in the “A Fine Line” exhibit, young students and aspiring artists can step into the mind of the artist by witnessing the artistic process first hand,“[slowing] down the process forcing you to really see it,” said Orlando.

“Artists use a sketchbook as a writer keeps a journal; a repository of ideas,” said Orlando.

The Artmobile, a “museum on wheels,” is a 48-foot semi-trailer, which travels to schools and classrooms from grades Pre-K through 12th in Bucks County, stated Orlando. It visits all 13 school districts and many public sites from September to June.

The Artmobile is more than just a “museum on wheels” it is also a classroom on wheels. The Artmobile features “video on iPads of the artists speaking in their own words talking about what inspires them or what it is they’re trying to do or convey,” described Orlando.

It is also equipped with teacher manuals that work in conjunction with the Artmobile exhibit to allow teachers to incorporate it into their classrooms.

From Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Artmobile will be open to the public free of charge.