It was a party tailor-made for dance and art enthusiasts. On Thursday night at The Danforth in Portland’s West End, photographer Arthur Fink hosted an opening reception for an exhibition of his dance images on view at the inn.

In addition to the chance to see Fink’s images, which deftly portray the motion, drama and athleticism of dance, guests were treated to a series of improvisational dance pieces by Karen Montanaro.

Additional Photos

Dancer Karen Montanaro and photographer Arthur Fink stand in front of two of Fink’s images, on view at The Danforth in Portland through the end of the month. The show is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Photos by Avery Yale Kamila

Rita Rubin-Long of Portland, Aaiyn Foster, who is Arthur Fink’s wife and owns Foster Wellness, and Judy Noonan of Portland.

Steve Quattrucci of Peaks Catering and artist Ted Haykal.

Al Bleau of Peaks Island and photographer Diane Hudson of Portland.

“Its phenomenal,” said Al Bleau of Peaks Island, when I asked him about Montanaro’s performances. “The variety of interpretations she’s doing, from country western to Spanish is impressive. You look at her and say, ‘how can she hold a pose so long?’ “

Bleau went on to add, “That to me was a gift of love, watching her dance. That’s something I’ll remember forever.”

For dancers and Windham High School students Kendra Mayberry and Erin Wright, who heard about the party by happenstance, the event was right up their alley.

“To walk in not knowing what to expect, it’s been great,” Mayberry said.

When I asked them what they thought of Montanaro’s work, Mayberry said, “She’s very good with movement.”

And Wright added, “And good with telling a story.”

Artist Lavendier Myers of Peaks Island agreed.

“She evokes so many different literary characters and mythological characters,” Myers said. “She’s an illustration to a William Blake poem.”

Montanaro explained her work by telling me that she’s “getting into a whole new thing with improvisation. I’m treating it like dreams. I start hearing sounds. I start seeing scenarios.”

She then translates these visions into movement.

Fink’s work also evoked praise from guests.

For instance, Charles Rotmil of Portland, told me he owns a print of Fink’s piece featuring a dancer kicking off of a graffiti-covered wall.

“He’s an excellent photographer,” Rotmil said. “He aims at the highest level. I have to give him credit for focusing on dance. It’s a risk.”

During the February First Friday Art Walk, which takes place Feb. 4, Fink plans to host a number of dancers who will perform at his photography studio on Newbury Street in Portland.

The work at The Danforth will remain on view through the end of the month, and the show is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dance and photography weren’t the only creative arts on display at the party. As a dedicated health food eater, I was thrilled to find that the appetizers at this event were crafted with both taste and nutrition in mind.

Steve Quattrucci of Peaks Catering served his signature rice bites, which look like sushi without the nori. They were offered in Thai eggplant, sweet potato, smoked salmon and sesame spinach varieties. In addition, Fink’s wife, Aaiyn Foster, who runs Foster Wellness, prepared her refined sugar free truffles, made with raw cacao, dates and figs, and her lettuce cups stuffed with a carrot and cashew mixture.

Guests raved about this tasty food, which differed so markedly from typical party fare.

With so much creativity on display, I’m sure like me, the other guests left the party filled with artistic inspiration.

For his part, Fink pronounced the party a success.

“I was thrilled with the way this came to life,” he said. 

Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:

akamila@pressherald.com

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