The Bennington Arts Guild from time to time is fortunate to attract outstanding works by area artists not often seen in Bennington.

Currently on display is a work of outstanding beauty and elegance by one such artist - Havana-born painter Nestor Valdes of North Adams. Titled, "Memory of a Time of Innocence," this luminous oil on canvas is a fantasy composition that can transport the viewer to another time, another place.

Says Valdes about his work: "This painting is based on a memory of a different time and a different reality...a time of magic and beauty, with vibrant color all around. This was a place where magical creatures and humans lived together in peace. But news of a cataclysmic change was brought to the magical creatures, by a butterfly. This meant that the creatures would fade from the minds of humans, not to be seen again except by a few with clear sight and mind. This story was passed on from generation to generation, anticipating the fulfillment of the promise that one day -- just as the memory had once faded -- so it would return, on the wings of a butterfly. With that sign, the magical creatures will be visible again to humans, and peace will return to all men."

Originally trained as a classical ballet dancer in his native Cuba, Valdes migrated to the New York area where he continued his studies privately under master ballet instructors.  Equally interested in the visual arts, Valdes fully mined his theatrical experiences by painting backdrops for school productions and fully developed his interest in drawing the human figure while sitting on the sidelines during ballet classes.

By his late twenties, Valdes immersed himself in painting and drawing and founded a visual arts studio/gallery in Hoboken, NJ. Soon thereafter he began to enter artwork into science-fiction/fantasy art shows, exhibiting at sci-fi conventions such as the DragonCon in Atlanta, Arisia in Boston, Philcon in Philadelphia and Lunacon in Secaucus, NJ.

Currently, Nestor maintains his art studio in the historic Beaver Mill in North Adams, MA and will be co-directing the North Adams Artist Cooperative Gallery during the 2009 season.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to take a flight of fancy, and enjoy this masterful work, on display now at the Bennington Arts Guild.