Savage Godfrey Gallery Marks Its First Year with Weathered Beauty
The Savage Godfrey Gallery in Norwell is turning one—and it’s celebrating the milestone with its fifth exhibition that feels like a love letter to nature. Weathered Beauty, which runs through November 14, brings together paintings by Christine Bodnar and Suzette Lebenzon alongside driftwood sculptures by Ken Shannon. The result is a colorful, textured mix that captures the ways art can help us slow down, breathe, and connect with the world around us.
A Joyful First Year
For Gallery Director Christina Godfrey, opening a physical space has been both exciting and eye-opening.
“This first year has been an adjustment, but a rewarding one,” she said. “I love being in the gallery and welcoming visitors. The community has been so supportive. The positive feedback from neighbors, designers, artists, and collectors has really meant the world.”
Godfrey sees each exhibition as a chance to showcase just how much creativity is happening locally. “Every show introduces something new, with artists working in different materials and styles. It’s been wonderful to see people walk in and discover the range of art being made right here on the South Shore.”
Why This Show Matters
Curating Weathered Beauty was a personal process for Godfrey. “From the very first time I saw Suzette’s use of color, Christine’s brushwork, and Ken’s imagination, I knew they would complement each other,” she said. “The most exciting part for me is watching their work interact—that’s the magic of curation.”
The artists themselves bring deeply personal perspectives to the show:
Suzette Lebenzon, who grew up in Scituate, describes her painting Moon at Cedar Swamp as a “playful depiction” of one of her favorite Wellfleet landscapes. “The swamp woods there are magical,” she said. “The reflective surfaces in the water are nature’s masterpieces.”
Ken Shannon of Cohasset builds sculptures from found driftwood, letting the natural character of each piece guide him. “By giving new life to these materials, I want viewers to see the art in nature’s transformations,” he explained.
Christine Bodnar, of Marshfield who works out of her Rockland studio, said her lifelong fascination with color drives her painting. Recently retired, she now balances teaching at the South Shore Art Center with diving deeper into her own work.
A Place for Art, Right Here
Godfrey believes that having a gallery like Savage Godfrey in Norwell matters. “Growing up, art was always around me—it was natural. That isn’t everyone’s experience. A gallery like this is a welcoming place to see and learn about art. It’s a place to appreciate, to connect, and maybe even to start a collection.”
Looking Ahead
As the gallery heads into its second year, Godfrey has her sights set on growth. “I’d love to see more walk-in traffic, both first-time visitors and familiar faces. My hope is that we become a true hub for art on the South Shore. Our exhibitions are engaging and diverse. I’d encourage anyone—whether you’re an art collector, a neighbor, or just curious—to come in and see for yourself.”
The opening reception for Weathered Beauty will be held on Thursday, September 11, from 6–8 p.m. at Savage Godfrey Gallery, 693 Main Street, Norwell.