The art of encaustic painting is more than 2500 years old and, although it has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years, many are still unfamiliar with this ancient medium. The term encaustic is derived from Greek meaning "to burn in" which refers to the process of using heat to fuse the beeswax based paint. DeBlois Gallery's current show demonstrates the versatility of this medium in its contemporary applications. The exhibit, entitled "Hot Wax", features the work of prominent Newport artist Virginia Purviance along with that of twelve other local artists. These twelve, each accomplished in a variety of other mediums, have chosen to study the art of encaustic painting under the tutelage of Felicia Touhey who has taught for many years throughout the area. These other exhibitors include: Kathleen Armor, Diana Bardorf, Judy Chaves, Helen Hadley, Suzanne Hauerstein, Susan Kieronski, Kathleen Morton, Sandi O'Brien, Valorie Sheehan, Felicia Touhey and Helen Woodhouse. Members of the group continue to meet on a frequent basis to explore the endless possibilities that encaustic painting offers.

The resulting show, although unified by its common medium, is amazingly diverse in both technique and artistic style. Purviance, who often incorporates found objects into her work, explains "Encaustics are the perfect medium for me. Painting, layering, incising, scraping back, dipping into luscious pigment and molten wax combines my love of collage with the senses of touch, sight and smell...". Similar feelings are echoed by several of the other exhibitors including Susan Kieronski who states, "Recently, though, I've had the occasion to explore the medium of encaustic. The lush layering, the incorporation of found objects and images, and the act of manipulating a melting medium have been a new and inspiring way to continue to explore my natural subject matter."