Melting Pot: Paintings by Roxcell Bartholomew

Brattleboro artist Roxcell Bartholomew explores the psychological impact of his personal and cultural history in his first solo gallery show Melting Pot. These recent paintings employ a technique of enhanced automatic painting where he allows the composition to develop freely without premeditation then refines the image into a colorful dreamscape that seems to have materialized as an architectural detail. Set gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays 3 to 6 pm Sundays 12-3 or by appointment: 802 258 7055

Roxcell Bartholomew was born in St Vincent, an island in the Caribbean that is home to Garifuna, an Afro/Caribbean community that developed from the intermingling of the indigenous people and escaped slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries. Roxcell lost touch with much of his personal and cultural roots when he moved to the US in his teens. 

After entering the US military at 21 his interest in drawing and painting helped him cope with a high stress environment and provided a safe place to reflect on his life path and connect with his cultural history. His current work is a response to the weight of life in the “melting pot” and the necessary task of mindfully reconnecting with his culture. “Painting has always been my way of introspecting and processing my experiences. Whenever I’m creating, there is no choice but to be present within the space called ‘me’ and that eventually always leads me back to my roots. I simply try my best to breathe life into the surreal colorscapes and feelings that arise within my stream of consciousness.”  

The opening reception will also feature outside poetry readings by esteemed local writers Shanta Lee Gander and Havana-born Pablo Medina at 6:30 pm. Shanta will be reading from her new book GHETTOCLAUSTROPHOBIA. Everyone’s Books will be selling books for signing at the event. Delicious mocktails will be sold outside to complement the event.

II8 ELLIOT is a modern gallery and environment for the creative arts, educational talks and community happenings, fully ADA accessible, well-ventilated and with a large outside area in the heart of downtown Brattleboro. Contact us at 118Elliot@gmail.com. 

Painter Roxcell Bartholomew’s “Melting Pot” exhibition opens at 118 Elliot at the Sept 3, 2021 Gallery Walk in Brattleboro.

II8 Elliot is a modern, multipurpose environment for the creative arts, educational talks, and personal events for up to 220 people. It is a fully ADA accessible space in the heart of downtown Brattleboro. This unique, flexible space has a 2,000 sq. ft. main room and a smaller conference room or backstage which allows for easy transitions between presentations to social events. A large outdoor area is also perfect for concerts, film and any kind of social gathering.