Artist Christopher Willett (left) shows one of his paintings on display to Rep. Bernie O'Neill (right)
The artists will be formerly introduced on the House floor on Tuesday, March 9 by Representative O’Neill.
“Our state Capitol building is a great source of pride in Pennsylvania with its history and beauty, and I am proud that these wonderful artists are enhancing it with their work,” said O’Neill in a recent statement. “There are visitors from literally all over the world that come to see the Capitol building, and there are only a few times per year that artwork is displayed, so this is a great honor for our Bucks County artists. They also honor our heritage in Pennsylvania as many of the works feature Pennsylvania landscapes. Willett and Barrett are representatives of the great art talent that is prevalent throughout our area. My colleagues and I are proud of the Bucks County artistic contributions through our state Capitol.”
Hanging art in the East Wing Rotunda:(left to right) Village Artworks Gallery Director Russ Gaskill, artist Joseph Barrett, artist Christopher Willett, and Riverside Fine Art Gallery Director Vinnie Howe.
Willett is the owner of Village Artworks in Peddler’s Village, Bucks County, and Riverside Fine Art of Lambertville, New Jersey. His family connection to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is through his fourth great grandfather, Augustine Willett, who served from 1787-1792. Another Willett later served from 1873-1890. Also a descendent of artist Edwards Hicks (Peaceable Kingdom), Willett is a painter in the New Hope Impressionist style and frequently portrays landscapes and scenes of beauty from the southeastern region of Pennsylvania.
Barrett is the owner of his own gallery, which also serves as an antique shop and art studio in Lahaska, near Peddler’s Village. Barrett is the last of the painters with direct ties to the New Hope School of Impressionists, a group of distinguished artists with roots in the Pennsylvania Impressionist School.
