The Henle Studio Fine Art Gallery at No. 55 Company St. in Christiansted will celebrate its 20th anniversary from 5:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11 and from 5-8 p.m. on Art Thursday, Jan. 17. The exhibit will feature paintings and prints by Maria Henle, and photographs by Fritz and Tina Henle.
The studio was originally opened in 1993 by Maria Henle, who was known for her multiple imagery etchings and paintings. Raised on St. Croix and the daughter of photographer Fritz Henle, she began her artistic pursuits as a teenager and furthered them in Florence, Italy and New York. She returned in 1992 and resided on St. Croix until her death in 2007. Maria was an avid environmentalist, and her work portrayed various depictions of landscape.
Fritz Henle arrived on St. Croix in 1947, and resided here until his death in 1993. A world-renowned, freelance photographer, he was known for his square format imagery using the Rollleiflex camera. His work ranged from travel to fashion to portraiture and was guided by an incessant search for beauty. His photographs of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean have been a unique documentation and contribution.
Tina Henle, who now runs the studio with her brother Martin Henle, has been a freelance photographer for over 25 years. Also raised on St. Croix and the daughter of Fritz Henle, Tina further pursued her education in art and anthropology at the University of New Mexico and returned to St. Croix in 1993, where she has resided since. Her work ranges from travel to
portraiture to wedding photography. Her creative work on exhibit features both local imagery as well as from her varied travels throughout the years.
A silent auction will be held on select pieces by Maria and Fritz, and there will be a raffle on a work by Maria. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) of which Maria was an active supporter and the Henle family continues in that tradition.
Much of Maria and Fritz’s work depicts the beauty and natural areas of St. Croix worthy of conservation and protected in part due to the efforts of SEA. SEA operates ongoing programs in environmental advocacy, conservation, education and outreach that benefits youth and adults and has been in existence since 1986.
In addition to the Henle art, the studio continues to feature other local and off- island artists hosting exhibits throughout the year.
For further information, phone 718-0372, or visit MariaHenleStudio.com