All around town, vintage-style poster art, large scale murals and paintings are gaining presence. Could we be missing the alpine spirit of the 50’s? And really short swing skirts? A few weeks ago as I browsed a local gift shop, a staffer commented that a Philadelphia couple had, upon seeing a replica of a national park poster on the wall, exclaimed to each other “That’s it!” The couple paid about $35 for the print, and the storekeeper was surprised, as she didn’t think the poster would be a big seller. She wondered out loud why the print would appeal, and I offered that it depicted a nostalgic vision of a wintry Greater Yellowstone region. It was a classic.
“In my art I try to capture the universal human spirit from a female’s point of view. Everyone should be able to achieve their hopes and dreams no matter their gender, race or religious background,” says artist Holly Manneck, whose work can now be found at Horizon Fine Art, on King Street.
People, says Manneck, all want and deserve the same things: a sense of belonging, security, the ability to make choices and realize dreams, to grow and act with compassion. Judging from her work, I believe there’s another spiritual element Manneck values: Joy.
Our dreams often merge what we wish for and what is with pure imagination. Manneck illustrates the elation of “ordinary” experiences—-bike riding, skiing, swimming, a walk, celebrity crushes—-by overlapping them with specific physical place, layering texture, her own photography, color and humor into each piece.
The world moves like greased lightning, technology has changed us as a society, and it’s a constant effort to keep up. Manneck hopes her art reflects simpler times, allows a moment to slow down, allows the luxury of reflection and sense of pure fun. No checking your messages, no texting from the car. Pas de “tweet.”
“Holly’s works are so perfect for our area and are such a different take on vintage images,” says Horizon Fine Art’s Mary Rossington. “They captured my interest immediately, and we are thrilled to welcome Holly as one of our artists.”
Manneck recreates these women in part to give them a greater voice than they may have had during their lifetimes…outside of sports, I’d say! Plenty of exceptional athletes here! She wishes to convey the strengths women openly enjoy and employ today…and will tomorrow. Go see them. www.horizonfineartgallery.co
Tammy Christel 
