West Milford-The West Milford Artists' Association Gallery announces a group exhibition of works by Beth Gargano, Philip Gebbia, and Janet Tideman. These member artists combine their revelations of environmental configuration through the eye and the lens, according to a spokesperson. The featured works transform the natural phenomenon of form and color into new sensibilities. "This exhibit is dedicated to those who perished in the 9-11 atrocity," according to a spokesperson. An opening reception is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the gallery, 1443 Union Valley Road here. The show runs through Oct. 6. Hours from Tuesdays through Fridays are 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. Philip Gebbia's work is described as solidifying the connection between light and form. In his current series of watercolor and pastels, entitled "Nudes and Other Landscapes", there is a subtle manipulation of reality causing the viewer to step into a welcome environment that evokes a much-deserved sense of calmness. Focusing on the landscape and human forms, Gebbia, a Hewitt resident, articulates a movement of ease. In "Candi 1", the interplay between light and reflection of color illustrates a connection between human form and geographic space. The piece "Wall" stretches towards the surreal in what he calls a " satori of color". Clay represents serenity to Beth Gargano of West Milford. Fire and glass represents the vehicle of her clay and glasswork. Her ceramic works to be exhibited include vessels silhouetted with leaf-like forms that provide the viewer with a sense of tranquility and peace. The wood firing effects of her work confirms the symbolic strength that a tree brings, and with it, the life giving leaf. "Ancient Tea" explores the unpredictable and predictable effects of raku firing. The vessel is brought from the serene into shock-and back, to quiet thought, much like nature itself. Combining the subtly of the color, crazing of the glaze and the intricate shaping of the form, the result of "Ancient Tea" brings the viewer a positive sense of self-accomplishment. Pursuing the sculptural possibilities of clay, she continually discovers the ever-evolving manipulation a form can take. The love and respect for nature is reflected in Gargano's work. Influenced by DeBorah Goletz, Gargano attributes her admiration and knowledge of ceramic application and technique, according to the spokesperson. Rockaway resident Janet Tideman's photographs describe the essence of natural beauty. Solitary or complex in content, she uses the camera to let the viewer know color and form that might have been overlooked. Tideman's dramatic contrast in color and light let's us feel the importance of the images she reveals. The sense of splendor and tranquility in the great outdoors is, in contrast, powerfully articulated through Tideman's photography. Technological advances in the field of image manipulation, has given Tideman the resource to make her photography unique and "original". Her works involve more that the naked eye has seen, said the spokesperson. In the photograph "Daisy", Tideman wanted to convey the feeling of "happiness" of which she believes is generated when looking at the flower on a sunny day. The composition of color and light in this photograph convey a warmth and brilliance suggesting joyful elation.