Month: July 2012

Art is Timeless at the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Clock by Michael Johnson

Peter Lawrence Gallery is presenting a new exhibit, “Art is Timeless” that will feature functional art/clocks by Michael Johnston and oils, watercolors and ceramics by Jessie Novik.

The exhibit runs from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, September 2 with an opening reception on Sunday, August 5 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided by Johnny’s New Fairfield Food Center.

Michael Johnston of Norwalk, CT is a muralist and street artist. This art form drove Michael’s passion to understand the vast dimensions, styles and genres of art. He realized his own personal obsession with sharp edges, technical designs, futuristic concepts, mechanical images, and clocks could all be channeled into his art. Using recycled and discarded materials whenever possible, often times old electronics, Michael tries to convey movement, flow, and continuity in his art. He considers himself an abstract expressionist, frequently utilizing additive sculpture to intensify and bring to life thoughts and ideas.

Village by Jessie Novik

Jessie Novik has been inspired by the many places she’s traveled, including a hike up to Machu Picchu, exploring rice fields in Bali, camping with Bedouins in Sinai, and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. She is an artist and a craftswoman, and states, “No matter what is my vehicle, I will always make art, and I cannot wait to acquire new methods for birthing my overactive imagination.”

About the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Peter Lawrence Gallery is located at 703 Kent Road (Rt. 7), Gaylordsville, Connecticut, and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment. For more information please contact Peter at 203-746-5533 or by email at peterlawrencegallery@ymail.com or http://www.peterlawrencegallery.com. For area information visit http://www.litchfieldhills.com.

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Structural Perspectives: Greenwich Community Artists Series at Historical Society through September

Structural Perspectives, an exhibition featuring artists Michael Chait, Lily McCarthy and Heather Sandifer, will be on view through September 5, 2012, at the Greenwich Historical Society’s Storehouse Gallery Museum Shop.

Fruits and Shadows

The exhibition features works that examine intricate forms and explores how visual themes occur and repeat in both organic and manmade contexts. From recurring natural forms, to the relationship of natural and manmade objects in the framework of a still life, to the juxtaposition of angles in architecture, each artist interprets and explores structure from a unique perspective.

The Community Artists series was established to support and encourage contemporary local artists by offering a welcoming venue for the exhibition of their work in a historic setting. All works on display will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Greenwich Historical Society.

The show may be viewed at the Historical Society’s Storehouse Museum Shop, Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 4:00 pm. Admission to the Museum Shop is free. For more information and to read artists’ statements, visit www.greenwichhistory.org.

For Regional information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Explore the Shore and the Sound at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center

Bruce Museum Seaside Center

The Bruce Museum Seaside Center is an environmental and cultural facility located in the Innis Arden Cottage on Greenwich Point, one of the East Coast’s most scenic coastlines. During summer months, Seaside Center personnel encourage Point visitors to drop-in and explore the local shore and marine life.

Daily activities at the Seaside Center may include guided nature walks which incorporate the geology and ecology of Greenwich Point; study and identification of Greenwich Point flora and fauna; marine organism anatomy dissections; plankton viewing with microscopes; arts and crafts; and much more! Guests can also enjoy the Seaside Center’s facilities at their own leisurely pace viewing the dioramas, interactive exhibits, and live specimens in the marine-life touch tank and aquariums.

Open through September 2, with special events scheduled throughout the year, regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Beach passes are required for entrance into Greenwich Point. Fees for non-residents are $5 per person plus $20 for parking. For additional information call the Bruce Museum at 203 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org.

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Tri-Arts Theatre’s Patio Cabarets July 21-27

Fun at TriArts New Venue – Photo credit: Sean Bemand

TriArts Sharon Playhouse has announced a new venue for summer fun…Patio Cabarets! The entertainment will take place on the new covered patio attached to the Sharon Playhouse. Patio cabarets will feature the talented production cast members from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Altar Boyz. Cabarets will commence after the regular main stage performance on selected dates. The performers will be singing material of their own: Broadway, standards, pop, country…you’ll hear it all!

Tri-Arts is always looking for new ways to make the Sharon Playhouse a place that people can enjoy and with this new beautiful patio and bar area it is a winning combination. Patrons are encouraged to arrive at the Playhouse early for a bite to eat and then (on certain nights) stay late to enjoy the tremendous talents of the casts. As all theatre goers know, sometimes actors don’t have the ability to showcase their full talents in any given production role. The conviviality inspired by patio cabarets will both allow incredible performers to impress with their myriad skills, as well as continue to find ways for audiences and artists to mingle.”

Photo credit: Sean Bemand

The environment is casual and the bar will be open; stay for a few minutes or for the entire hour.

Patio Cabarets will take place on Saturday July 21st, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, July 25th; 26th and 27th. There is no charge and you will have the chance to meet the cast.

Upcoming Shows

The 2012 Summer Season at TriArts Sharon Playhouse continues with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Adinah Alexander, the award-winning musical Altar Boyz (July 20-29) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music (August 9-26).

About TriArts Sharon Playhouse

TriArts Sharon Playhouse (Alice Bemand, Executive Director; Michael Berkeley and John Simpkins, Artistic Directors) is a not-for-profit theatre, located in Litchfield Hills, Sharon, CT. In addition to producing mainstage musicals and many special events each summer season, TriArts also offers a summer youth theatre program, workshops and readings of new musicals, concerts, and special events throughout the year in its Bok Gallery. For more information on TriArts Sharon Playhouse, please visit http://www.triarts.net or call 860-364-SHOW (7469).

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Civil War Living History Encampment in Easton

Company F of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

The Historical Society of Easton is celebrating the 151st Anniversary of the Civil War on Saturday, July 21st from 10 AM to 3 PM with a Civil War Encampment Day at the Bradley-Hubbell House located at 535 Black Rock Turnpike, Easton. The Encampment will consist of soldiers and civilian re-enactors from Company F of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry that will portray the original 14th CVI’s daily life and activities.

Of all the regiments Connecticut sent to the Union armies in the Civil War, the most famous was the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The regiment marched and fought with Lincoln’s Army, the Army of the Potomac and participated in 34 battles and skirmishes. The 14th Connecticut lost more men killed in battle, in proportion to its size, and captured more prisoners, cannon and battle flags than any other Connecticut regiment.

The re-enactment will provide a glimpse into the daily life of the 14th CVI starting with a military drill and firing demonstrations, preparation for the noon meal on an open fire pit as well as a presentation of camp skills such as rifle loading, knapsack and blanket rolling. Civilian women will present how the home front helped the North win the war and demonstrate medical care and family life during the conflict. Additionally, period children’s games will run throughout the day.

Music of the period will be highlighted at 1 PM with vocal pieces led by Jen Eastman – Lawrence that depict the popular mood and sentiment of the antebellum, war-time and post- Civil War periods. Following the musical performance, a brief discussion by Jeff Lawrence about the origins of modern baseball will take place. “The Massachusetts Game”, one variant codified in 1858, will be demonstrated on the Bradley-Hubbell grounds and open to public participation!

A popular misconception of the Civil War is that exclusively white Anglo-Saxons fought it, but many ethnic groups took part in this great struggle. However, few people are aware that the Chinese were among them and the highest ranking of those, Joseph Pierce, fought with the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Irving Moy will present a program about Pierce’s Civil War experience along with Gary Horton, retired teacher and historian.

Company F is unique in offering both the military and civilian aspects of the Civil War Era. For more information about them visit their web site: www.cof14thcvi.com.

Admission to the daylong event is $5.00 per person.

About the Easton Historical Society

The program’s sponsor, The Historical Society of Easton manages two historic properties: the Adams Schoolhouse (c. 1850) and the Bradley-Hubbell House and Farmstead (c. 1816) listed on the National Register. For more information call the Society at (203) 261-2090. www.historicalsocietyofeastonct.org.

For area information www.visitwesternct.com

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65th Anniversary Promises Special House Tour in the Litchfield Hills July 14

Center of Litchfield (Jim McElholm photo)

New England’s oldest house tour, Open House Day in Litchfield, Connecticut, celebrates its 65th anniversary on Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the rare chance to visit five prize private properties in the early New England town that is famous for its grand and elegant homes. An impressive roster of homes with architectural and historical distinction is being assembled for this special year. Proceeds benefit Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR), an organization dedicated to helping troubled youths.

Tapping Reeve House and Law School

The Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, the first law school in America, will also be included in the admission price of the Tour. The History Museum is featuring a new exhibition, The Hour of Conflict; marking the anniversary of the Civil War by examining the ways the war im¬pacted the residents of Litchfield in the 1860s. The museum will also feature a juried art show sponsored by the Litchfield Visual Arts.

A Preview Tour will be offered Friday, July 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception in a private home.

Litchfield Aid of CJR, an organization founded in 1911 by 12 Litchfield women to help support the programs and facilities of the Connecticut Junior Republic, sponsors the annual tour.

HOUSE TOUR INFORMATION

The self-guided house tour begins at 10 a.m. on July 14 the Information Booth on the Litchfield Green, where tickets may be purchased for $35. Advance purchase tickets, $30, may be ordered by mail from Litchfield Aid of CJR, P.O. Box 214, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759. A stamped, self-addressed envelope should be included with credit card information (Mastercard or Visa only), check or money order, made payable to Litchfield Aid of CJR. Ticket information for the Preview Tour and Party may be obtained by calling the Connecticut Junior Republic, 869-567-9423.

For details of the 65th Annual Open House Tour and ticket information for the Preview Tour and Party, contact the Connecticut Junior Republic at (860) 567-9423, between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, or visit www.litchfieldct.com/cjr/tour.html.

For information about nearby events and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at http://www.litchfieldhills.com

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