“It Was Once” is a dreamlike intersection of color, tone, materiality and visual effect. Curator Rita Baunok explains her thought process, “The title of the show was inspired by a painting on display, and reminds me of fairy tales from my youth.” The exhibition features paintings by Oscar Hammerstein and Greg St. John, and glass artwork by Moshe Bursuker.

Oscar Hammerstein, grandson of musical theatre impresario Oscar Hammerstein, has inherited the family affinity for rhythm, experimentation and breadth. Drawing from an interest in color theory and ocular neurology, he juxtaposes colors to modulate harmony and dissonance, and yield a stirring variety of visual vibrations. Hammerstein also references optical effects like sunspots. By arranging the dots in patterns across a plane, he conveys the progressive visual experience of a sunset into a singular composition.

Greg St. John’s career has been one of robust and diverse creative activity. During the Covid pandemic he created The Ethereal World, a series of paintings inspired by his emotional response to the landscape outside his window. Ranging from inspired moments to melancholic musings, his ever-changing personal reflections run the gamut from soft, light airiness to dark, breathless gravity.

A glass artist committed to both the aesthetic and scientific properties of his medium, Moshe Bursuker’s skill is evident. He honors the natural qualities of glass, and “strives for technical execution and mastery of material.” The artist explains that each shape is “carefully chosen and crafted with care and attention.” The resulting works are elegant, fluid and inspired. Gallery owner Rita Baunok says, “His work is magical; each piece is breathtaking!”