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Unique Art Show In Katonah Highlights Three Generations

KATONAH, N.Y. -- The artistry of three generations of Shearer men is being showcased at the Oak & Oil Gallery in Katonah through May 16. 

The Oak&Oil Gallery is showing  work from three generations of Shearer men, beginning with Ted Shearer, pictured.

The Oak&Oil Gallery is showing work from three generations of Shearer men, beginning with Ted Shearer, pictured.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The show opened on April 18, and a discussion with two of the artists will take place on Thursday, at 7 p.m. 

Ted Shearer, who is considered the root of the Shearer tree, was born in Jamaica and grew up in the poor but vibrant community of Harlem. He dreamed of being a cartoonist and by 16 sold his first cartoon to The New York Amsterdam News. He served in World War II and was the first African-American to work for Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper. Through King Features, Shearer launched the comic strip "Quincy," starring an African-American elementary-school boy being raised by his grandmother in Harlem. It debuted in 1970. He and his wife, Phyllis, lived in Pound Ridge, N.Y. He died in 1992.

His son, John Shearer, is a resident of Katonah. He has won national recognition by winning numerous awards in every category of the Scholastic photography competition. His pictures tell a story, that moves beyond the surface to capture the humanity, joys, and struggles of his subjects. He has won more than 150 national photography awards, including Photographer of the Year. His work has been shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney and the Aldrich Museum, among other cultural institutions. 

Will Shearer is John's son and Ted's grandson. He expresses himself through drawings, sculpture and wood cuts and printmaking. Like his father, he uses his artwork to represent the dreams, fantasies and nightmares of the unconscious, and like his grandfather, he brings a touch of humor and whimsy to his images. He won numerous awards in college, beginning as a freshman with the 'Best in show for raw creativity.' In addition, he twice won the Nancy Pierce Williams Award and the Tommy DePalo Award, along with an award for his work in sculpture. 

Oak & Oil is at 89 Katonah Ave. minutes from Interstate 684 and the Saw Mill Parkway and a short walk from the Katonah train station.

Private consultations can be arranged to view art and furnishings at the gallery. More information can be found at www.oakandoil.com or by calling (914)-232-8100.

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