New exhibit at Marti’s features Rochester sculptor

Two local artists also highlighted in Albion gallery

The late Charles Werberig, who created metal sculptures in an avant garde style, is featured at Marti’s on Main in Albion.

ALBION – Charles Werberig of Rochester was a prolific artist, as well as a professor of photography and film at Rochester Institute of Technology.

He created sculptures from metal, wood and also two-dimensional sculptures on walls. He created more than 1,000 pieces of artwork with many in an avant garde style.

Werberig died in 2004 and his family has been keeping his collection. Tonight it was featured in a gallery for the first time since his death. Kim Muscarella, owner of Marti’s on Main, met Werberig’s son David through a mutual artist friend, Peter Monacelli, a former Albion resident.

Muscarella saw some of Charles Werberig’s pieces and wanted to bring them to Albion. The artwork is very unusual and it stopped me when I visited the gallery at 229 North Main St.

Tonight was an opening reception at Marti’s and it seemed most of the Orleans County artist community was there. David Werberig also attended. He said his father created most of the work during the 1960s and 1970s. David also has collages and digital artwork on display in Albion.

Chris VerSteeg created this image as well as several others at Marti’s on Main.

Two local artists, Chris VerSteeg and Laurie Groth, both have artwork in the upstairs exhibit area. Muscarella said she welcomes people to stop by the gallery for a tour. For more information, give her a call at 589-6715.

Laurie Groth painted this cobblestone building. She has other paintings at the Albion gallery.