April 2026 First Friday
"Aqua Flora"
featuring
Caroline Rowntree & Paul Rowntree
Opening Reception: Friday, April 3
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Arts on Main’s April's show, "Aqua Flora" features works by Caroline Rowntree and Paul Rowntree. Using oil painting and digital printing, these esteemed artists focus on landscapes, taking both intimate and large-scale views to explore surface patterns, forms, and explorations of color in space. Together, their works address the theme of nature in abundance and the many ways one can view and depict the natural world. Arts on Main is delighted to host these works in their Gloucester debut!
The opening of the show will take place at Arts on Main on Friday, April 3rd from 5:30 PM - 7:30. Live music will be performed by Hunter Owens. Light bites will be provided and beer + wine will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public. The show will be on display at Arts on Main until Saturday, April 30th. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday from 12-5PM.
Many Thanks to our Exhibit Sponsors, Theresa & Troy Stavens!
Live music will be provided by Hunter Owens during the First Friday opening reception.
Thank you to our Music Sponsors, The Foleck Center!
Hunter Owens is a country/folk singer-songwriter from Mathews, Virginia. Music has been part of his life for as long as he can remember—he started singing as a child and picked up his first guitar at the age of five. What began as simple strums has grown into a lifelong passion for creating and sharing music. Influenced by artists like John Denver, James Taylor, and Jim Croce, Hunter’s baritone voice and acoustic style reflect a love for honest, heartfelt songwriting. Over the years, he has performed everywhere from church services and community gatherings to larger stages such as Virginia's Li'l Ole Opry and The Old Dominion Barn Dance. In addition to his solo work, Hunter is the lead vocalist of Three Creeks Down, a folk, jazz, and country trio that blends guitar, piano, and drums. Whether playing in his hometown or reaching new audiences, Hunter’s goal remains the same: to bring us together in a time when we need it most.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
CAROLINE ROWNTREE
“After attending St. Martins School of Art in London, England, I spent my professional years working in many phases of the Advertising /Graphic Design field including book and magazine design, annual reports, development and fund raising. I have worked in Montreal, New York City and Columbus Ohio. I now reside, and work solely on my prints, in Richmond VA.
Because of my graphics background I am familiar with the creative programs on the computer and I am now using this exciting medium to produce my art work.
I use my original photographs of the landscape, intimate or large, as a starting point for my prints. The surface pattern and forms are a simple exploration of color in space. This is what interests me.
Each print is in an edition of 25 and is printed in archival inks on archival watercolor paper.”
PAUL ROWNTREE
Paul Rowntree studied painting at St Martins School of Art in London, England.
He worked in Montreal, New York City and New York's Hudson Valley as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer for over 45 years. His work has been used by many large corporation such as IBM, Whirlpool and Volkswagen.
Paul returned to painting some years ago using as his subjects the landscapes and vegetation of the Hudson Vally, Rhode Island, Texas, Florida and Ohio where he divides his time.
"I am interested in the traditional skills of painting and drawing but I try to see my subjects with a non-traditional eye. I become more focused on the intimate details of a landscape. What interests me is the reality of a small section of the landscape - the hidden world revealed.
Paul showed his work for the first time in Rhode Island in 2004. He continues to explore the imagery and mystery of close up observation of reed, grasses and more recently flowers. His work has been shown twice at the Salmagundi Club in New York and in galleries throughout Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Texas.