"Spring Awakening": Flowers on Silk and Clay Exhibit Opens at the Peterborough Town Library

The Peterborough Town Library is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibit in its Community Art Gallery: "Spring Awakening: Flowers on Silk and Clay," featuring paintings and ceramics by local artist, James Cusmano. The exhibit will be on view Friday, March 6 through Thursday, April 23. Inspired by the natural world, "Spring Awakening" showcases Cusmano's vibrant silk paintings alongside his two- and three-dimensional ceramic works. Cusmano's silk paintings are created using transparent French dyes applied by hand to white China silk. "Each composition is entirely unique," says Cusmano. The silk is stretched on a rigid frame, and a variety of resist and control techniques are used to guide the flow of dye across the organic fabric. Once complete, the paintings are steamed to permanently set the colors, then re-stretched and framed for presentation. For his two-dimensional tile panels, slabs are rolled from block clay, retaining their natural edges. Full-size master patterns are drawn and transferred onto leather-hard clay, then incised and cut before drying. Once fully dried — known as "greenware" — the tiles are kiln-fired to the bisque stage, glazed and fired again. The finished tiles are mounted on wood panels and grouted for display. Cusmano's three-dimensional vessels — including vases, bowls and boxes — are hand-built using rolled clay slabs. Master patterns are transferred to the clay, cut, partially dried, assembled and refined before final drying. The pieces are then bisque-fired, glazed and refired to achieve their finished form. About the Artist: James Cusmano is a Monadnock Region artist working in pastels, oils, watercolor, printmaking, textiles, pottery and ceramic tile. His current focus is on vibrant nature-themed paintings using transparent liquid French dyes on white China silk. He has a degree in fine art and design from Pratt Institute in New York with specialty studies at School of Visual Arts in Manhattan and The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, N.J. He has taught silk painting at Visual Arts Center of New Jersey and at the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, N.J. Exhibitions include the Morris County Arts Workshop-Solo, Bernardsville Public Library-Solo, Wilton, Conn. Library, Washington Square Outdoor, Gracie Mansion Outdoor, Jaffery Civic Center Gala and Spring Shows, Monadnock Art Spring Show and the Pastel Society of New Hampshire. Jim opened his studio for the 2025 Monadnock Art Studios Tour in October 2025. Jim and his wife owned and operated a successful art and framing gallery for over 10 years. His work is included in numerous corporate and private collections ranging from 6" x 6" to 96" x 192". He currently lives in Peterborough with his wife Christine. About the PTL Community Art Gallery: The Peterborough Town Library Community Art Gallery is a regional public art space which provides exhibition opportunities for students, emerging artists and the community. The PTL Community Art Gallery Committee works to create positive experiences that promote learning and growth for artists and develop meaningful connections between the artist and the community. All are welcome to view the exhibition during regular library hours. Peterborough Town Library is located at 2 Concord Street in Peterborough and is open Monday through Saturday. For more information on this program or any of our services, please visit PeterboroughTownLibrary.org or call (603) 924-8040.