New exhibit at Marti’s features prolific Niagara Falls painter

Two poetry readings scheduled for North Main St. site

Photos by Tom Rivers – Paintings by the late Polly King of Niagara Falls will be on display and for sale the next two months at the Marti’s on Main Art Gallery in Albion. King traveled to numerous countries and created thousands of paintings, many in vibrant colors. She painted portraits and abstracts, and did oil and watercolor paintings.

Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of the Marti’s on Main Art Gallery, holds a self portrait created by the late Polly King of Niagara Falls. Her work is featured at Marti’s, where there will be an opening reception Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

ALBION – There were works from many artists on exhibit, but Kim Martillotta Muscarella said one artist seemed to really stand out at a recent show at the Kenan Center in Lockport.

Polly King painted in vibrant colors, and had a wide selection of work, using different styles and themes.

“You would have thought it was eight different artists,” Muscarella said.

King was a prolific artist who travelled the world. She died in 1993 at age 91, but her work continues to live on.

Many of her paintings are on display at Marti’s on Main At Gallery at 229 North Main St. Muscarella started the gallery five years ago. She features many local artists, but also wants to include some from outside the county.

She reached out to a gallery run by King’s family in Niagara Falls, which agreed to show some of King’s work at Marti’s. Muscarella has paintings that King made from flowers in her house, her adopted city of Niagara Falls, the construction of the power plant in Lewiston, and numerous landscapes and portraits of places and people from around the world.

There will be an opening reception for King’s work this Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. King’s paintings will be on exhibit for about two months.

“She painted thousands of paintings from all over the world,” Muscarella said at Marti’s today. “She was always painting.”

King’s paintings are part of more than 250 private collections. Robert Kennedy and Mario Cuomo both had her art hanging in their offices. Muscarella said she is proud to showcase the artist.

Marti’s also features paintings and artwork from 16 members of The Art Circle, a group of artists from Orleans County.

Muscarella will have her gallery open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on most Fridays during the summer, except Aug. 6. She also will host two poetry readings. Albion native Peter Monacelli is featured 7 p.m. on July 16 and Muscarella’s sister Nicki McFarland will share her poetry 7 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Admission to the gallery is free, but donations are accepted.