Paintings by Bethlehem-based fine artist and instructor Sandra Corpora are featured in “Small Works: Landscape, Portrait, Still Life,” through May 12, Rotunda Gallery, Town Hall, Bethlehem.

Divided into one-thirds according to genre, the “small works” include teaching pieces, plein air pieces and study pieces.

Among the landscapes is Corpora’s “Laden Branches” (2023; oil on linen, 8 in. x 10 in.).

“In this case, it was actually a demonstration for the students in my class,” Corpora says.

The snowy landscape was painted from a photograph Corpora took of the Broad Street Bridge. The focus is on snow weighing down tree branches with Monocacy Creek and a concrete arch bridge in the background.

“One of the most helpful ways to teach is to show,” says Corpora. “A lot of these are paintings that are done with or for students to watch.” This method of instruction “makes the teacher rise to their best self,” she says.

“Laden Branches” was accepted in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society “Best of America Small Works 2023” exhibition in Boulder, Col.

The alla prima works in the exhibit measure 8 x 10 inches on a variety of surfaces, including wood, linen and aluminum composite panels. The Italian phrase “alla prima” translates as “at once.” The wet over-wet-oil paintings are completed, as Corpora explains, “All in one go.”

The landscapes are of the Lehigh Valley and Sicily, in the latter where Corpora and her husband visit family. The winter scenes are painted from photographs. Landscapes painted during warmer seasons are created plein air.

Corpora’s still life, “Joseph’s Coat Roses” (2022; oil on linen, 8 in. x 10 in.), is a close-up of three roses at the Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Gardens, Allentown. In an example of her “painterly realism” style, one blossom is in sharper focus than the others and the rose bush’s greenery is less defined. As with other works in the exhibit, the paint was applied in layers.

Other still life subjects include fresh fruit, a silver sugar bowl with spoon, and freshly-pulled beets still glistening from being washed, all exercises in the study of shapes, texture, light, shadow and reflections.

Rounding out the Rotunda exhibit are oil portraits Corpora created during online sessions. “This section is all two-hour portraits done from life,” she says.

As part of a Zoom group, the artist works online with models from New York, California and elsewhere who hold their poses while being sketched and painted by artists who are in their home studios. “This was started during COVID,” she says.

Corpora’s “Gazelle” (2023; oil on linen, 8 in. x 10 in.) is of a dark-skinned woman wearing a pearl necklace. “She just has this wonderful elegance about her,” Corpora says. It’s one of two portraits she spent more than two hours on “to bring them to a little higher level of finish.”

Corpora is a signature member of Oil Painters of America and American Women Artists, winning Awards of Excellence from each organization.

She’s an Artist Member of the Salmagundi Club New York and a member of The Portrait Society of America.

Corpora has been a Finalist in the Members Competition, as well as a Finalist in the ARC International Competition.

Corpora’s work is collected internationally.

With a BFA from Kutztown University, Corpora was a creative director at Rodale Press before devoting herself to oil painting.

Corpora honed her skills by attending workshops taught by artists whose work she admired.

“Sharing this makes me a better artist,” Corpora says of the exhibit and of teaching small groups at her home-studio.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

“Small Works: Landscapes, Portraits, Still Life,” through May 12, Rotunda Gallery, Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. Gallery hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday, Closed weekends and holidays. Information: https://bfac-lv.org/rotunda-gallery

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com