William Benson
Retrospective

40 years of paintings and drawings

Opening reception: Saturday, May 4, 4:00- 7:00pm

Gallery Hours:
Sun, May 5, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Sat/Sun, May 11 – 12, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Sat/Sun, May 18 – 19, 12:00 – 5:00pm

Closing reception: Saturday, May 25, 12:00 – 5:00pm

Plus: a rare and fine bourbon tasting at the opening & closing receptions:

Mr. Benson has been collecting bourbon for over twenty five years – basically at the beginning of the “bourbon craze”. It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons bourbon has made such a comeback since the late ‘50s (was it the Woody Allan film “Play It Again, Sam”?) when it was deemed, basically, ‘what your parents drank.’  Today, bourbon is huge, and that is an understatement. When Bill began collecting, you could count the number of bourbons in your local liquor store on two hands. Now any well-stocked liquor store could have over a hundred, and that number continues to grow.

At the opening and closing receptions, Bill will be offering samples of some wonderful bourbons – not by far the most expensive (many of which are highly overrated) – but ones that are not easy to come by and/or highlight what he considers some of bourbon’s greatest attributes: an enticing nose, a full and soft mouth feel, a sweetness produced by age and charred oak, and a lingering finish. Each ½ oz taste will be served in small, one shot glasses in three ways: neat, with a bit of water or with an ice cube. Bourbon cocktails will not be offered.