The Artists

Gary C. Eckhart

Gary is a Vermont artist who grew up in the picturesque Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. While attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania he studied drawing and oil painting as part of his Bachelors Degree. At that time he developed an interest in watercolor but is mostly self-taught. Upon completion of his degree, he moved to the Catskill Mountains in New York to teach public school and continue watercolor painting.

During this time he also developed an interest in stage design and scenic painting. This eventually led to three years of study at the Yale University School of Drama where he earned an MFA in Production Design. In 1974 he became professor (now emeritus) of stage design at the State University College at Fredonia, NY and began designing for regional theatre and opera companies. He continued to develop his watercolor skills by teaching rendering and painting techniques to the design students.

Gary now resides in Warren, VT where he is co-owner of Moosewalk Studios and Gallery. His work is represented by the Parade Gallery in Warren, VT, the Vermont Fine Art Gallery in Stowe, VT and the Donovan Gallery in Tiverton Corners, RI. Gary is a signature member of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society and the Vermont Watercolor Society. His work has been shown in national watercolor shows and is in collections in North and South America and in Europe.

Gary is currently serving on the board of the Vermont Watercolor Society and as president of the Mad River Valley Arts Foundation, the parent organization of the month-long Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Roarke M. Sharlow

Roarke is a Vermont photographer whose love for photography began in first grade when his grandmother gave him an Instamatic camera as a gift. He has been an avid photographer since 1984. While attending the State University College at Buffalo, NY, he studied photography as part of his requirements for the B.S. in Art Education. Working under the direction of Les Krims he developed the skills of photographic printing and imaging. Upon graduation he took a position teaching art and photography in Chautauqua County in western New York. He taught high school photography in the public school system for fifteen years until recently settling in Warren, VT to work full-time on his fine art photography.

His continuing pursuit of photography led to his participation in a number of workshops with Brian Lav — a distinguished, contemporary photographer. Refining technical skills made him more aware that strong technique requires equally strong creative vision. Working with Jane Tuckerman, nationally recognized for her alternative photographic techniques, stimulated his interest in many of these unusual and creative approaches to producing the image.

He completed his M. S. Degree in Art Education and continues to refine his techniques in image making. Currently he is further exploring the materials, techniques and imaging of the alternative photographic processes and digital image making.

Originally from Rome, NY, Roarke now resides in Warren, VT. He has had several solo and group exhibitions and is a yearly participant in the Vermont Photography Show at the Green Mountain Cultural Center. Roarke also has photographs in private collections. His photographic work is represented by the Surroundings Gallery in Westfield, NY, Timepieces in Fredonia, NY, Medusas in Fredonia, NY, Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Stowe, VT, and the Parade Gallery in Warren, VT.