Month: May 2017

With the arrival of spring, ramps begin to emerge from cool hillsides. Ramps are wild leeks (Allium tricoccum), with a garlicky, onion-like flavor, foraged from shaded, woody areas across the eastern United States, used by Native Americans. Also known as spring onions, ramson, wood leek and wild garlic, ramps could be used in Colonial cooking in place of scallions or onions , and prized during their brief season, which is only a few weeks long. At the Wilton Historical Society on Saturday, May 20 from 11:00 – 12:30, the Colonial Cookery and Customs for Kids session will feature the preparation of a cheese soufflé with ramps. Museum Educator Lola Chen will be talking with the children about ramps, foraging for food, and how to master a soufflé.

The Colonial Cookery and Customs for Kids workshop at the Wilton Historical Society teaches kids a “reciept” (recipe) used in the Connecticut region. While the food is prepared, they hear about Colonial manners, morals and way of life. The monthly workshops feature relatively simple dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, adapted for modern kitchens. All participants will sample their own cooking and take home recipe cards – as well as any leftovers!

The children will learn how a Colonial kitchen would have operated, in order to appreciate the modern conveniences we take for granted. Previous sessions have made bannock cakes, pease porridge, pickles, an amulet of green peas, apple tansey, fairy butter, pumpkin bread, cranberry shortbread, New Year’s “cakes”, and New England chowder. Suggested for ages 6 – 12.

The cost for this event for Members is $10; the cost for Non-members is $15. Space is limited so please register by contacting info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257. The Wilton Historical Society is located on 224 Danbury Road/Rt. 7, Wilton, CT

Did You Know?
Antonin Carâme’s invention of the classic soufflé in the early 1820s was made possible by new ovens, which were heated by air drafts instead of by coal. This new technology provided the more even cooking temperature needed for a soufflé to rise properly and stay risen. Initially, Carême made his soufflés in stiff pastry casings that were not eaten. Their straight sides were the inspiration for our current soufflé dishes. Splendid Table

he Bruce Museum on One Museum Dr.in Greenwich and the Hôtel de Caumont Centre d’Art in Aix-en-Provence, France, are mounting a major monographic exhibition of the art of the French Impressionist Alfred Sisley (1839 – 1899). The first retrospective in the United States in over twenty years of this purest of all the major Impressionists, the show is comprised of about 50 of Sisley’s paintings from private collections and major museums in Europe and North America. The Bruce Museum will premiere the exhibition and be the only venue in the United States. This show will run through May 21, 2017.

A friend of Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Sisley initially worked in the naturalistic landscape tradition of the Barbizon School but increasingly adopted a proto-Impressionistic style, creating a body of work that has an impressive internal consistency and cumulative authority.

Throughout his career, Sisley adhered to the style of divided light and color, momentary effects of illumination, and an acute responsiveness to atmosphere that are the signature attributes of Impressionism. He dutifully painted en plein air in all manner of weather, recording his favorite sites in the environs of Paris – Bougival, Louveciennes, Marly-le-Roi, Saint-Mammès – in exhaustive detail, in all seasons, and under ever-changing skies. Born in Paris to British parents, Sisley studied the landscape paintings of Constable and Turner before enrolling in Charles Gleyre’s studio where he met Monet and Renoir.

Little biographical information about his life has survived so his art must speak for itself, and does so with haunting beauty. The magic with which he was able to capture light sparkling on water, winter sun on snow, and trees rustled by a breeze create some of the most memorable Impressionist images.

Events Connected to this event:

Monday, February 27, 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Monday Morning Lecture Series. Laura Dickey Corey, PhD candidate at the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, will speak about Mary Cassatt’s continuing ties to the US, in her art, life, and art advising, even while taking up permanent residence in France. Free and open to the public.
Monday, March 6, 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Monday Morning Lecture Series. Heidi Hirschl, Curatorial Assistant, MoMA, will speak about Degas: Impressions, which will consider Degas’s engagement in printmaking through the creation of Impressionist landscape monotypes. Free and open to the public.. Free and open to the public.
Graduate Student Symposium and Young Scholar Day

March 5, 1:00 – 4:00 PM. “Framing Nature” Graduate Student Symposium. MA/PhD students will present interdisciplinary papers that engage the multifaceted ways that artists and architects frame nature in their work. Advance registration through Eventbrite suggested: Free for Bruce members, and students and educators with ID, $10 for non-members. At the door: $10 Bruce members, and students and educators with ID, $20 non-members.

Film Series. The Great Artists: Their Lives, Times and Works – The Impressionists
Wednesdays from 10:30-11:45 AM. Free and open to the public. No reservations required. This film series chronicles the life, times and works of each featured artist and explores their stylistic trademarks. The programs also place each artist in historical context, highlighting the events that inspired his work and providing a clearer understanding of the creative process. The five programs in this collection provide an in-depth look into the fascinating world of the Impressionists and their art.
April 5: Manet
April 12: Pissarro
April 19: Monet
April 26: Degas
May 3: Renoir

The Glass House located on 199 Elm Street in New Canaan proudly presents Julian Schnabel: “Paintings that I hope Philip and David would like,” an intimate survey showcasing Julian Schnabel’s prolific painting career. Over the course of the exhibition period, the Painting Gallery panels will rotate three times to present paintings selected by the artist. Each rotation will feature six works from different periods of the artist’s career.

Wax Paintings from the 1970s will be on view from May 1st to June 5th. Gathered from private collections, this rotation offers a glimpse into Schnabel’s early investigations into painting. The six works on display at the Glass House were all created before his first solo exhibition in New York City at Mary Boone Gallery in 1979. These works reveal themes that permeate throughout the artist’s oeuvre. Upon close examination, the pearlescent layers of wax and modeling paste reveal the hand of the artist, who was building up the surface to accept his own version of a new painted language. Schnabel also notched into the surface of his paintings and built out of the surface to further illustrate the notion of time passing as it does. The titles of several of these early works – Accattone, Procession (for Jean Vigo), Shoeshine (for Vittorio de Sica) indicate a strong interest in European cinema, hinting at the artist’s future development as a filmmaker.

The second rotation, Paintings after 2000, on view from June 8th to July 10th, feature works from the artist’s collection from different series: Nothing Paintings, Weather Paintings and Landscape Paintings. The Nothing Paintings were made on images printed on polyester. The Landscape Paintings were made on found materials bought in Mexico. Reminiscent of aerial photography, the Weather Paintings are mysterious images photographically printed as an aerial view of the land, creating a disorienting sense of sight so that the viewer feels suspended above rather than being on the ground.

The third and last rotation, Paintings from the 1980s and 1990s, feature works from the Glass House’s Permanent Collection. Collected by both Philip Johnson and David Whitney, these works are on view from July 13th to August 14th.
Julian Schnabel: “Paintings I hope Philip and David would like” was organized by Irene Shum, Curator and Collections Manager. Shum states, “After Frank Stella, Julian Schnabel is the most represented artist in the collection, so it was important for the Glass House to present Julian’s work more fully. Putting the works in the Glass House Collection within the context of his career allows the public to develop a deeper appreciation of both the artist and the collection. The artist’s creative process is revealed.” Paintings were installed by the Artist.

The fun at the White Silo Farm and Winery​ located on 32 Rte. 37 East in the cute town of Sherman kicks off on Saturday May 6 to celebrate Cinco De Mayo from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. They will be serving chicken tacos,vegetarian quesadillas, black been soup, guacamole, salsa, mini beef taco salad, fruit salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips, and Mexican hot chocolate.​ White Silo Sangria is perfect for our Cinco De Mayo menu. Reservations are not required and admission is free. Charge for wine and food.

On May 14, in honor of Mother’s Day, guests are invited to bring your mom to the Vineyard for a free wine tasting and chocolates. The Vineyard will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The 10th annual Asparagus Festival takes place on May 20-21 and promises to be one of the best festivals to date because of all the recent rainfall! There will be food aplenty including: asparagus BLT’s, asparagus cherry tomato feta couscous salad, roasted asparagus with an organic poached egg, asparagus soup, and asparagus gelato as well as other items on the menu. To round out the fun there will be live music and tours all day. Best of all, admission is free and food plates are $5-6.

May concludes with the Jami Ray (aka CongaJ) interactive drumming circle on May 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jami brings the drums and maracas and will show everyone how to get in the drumming groove. Charge is $10 per person (%100 to Jami), including a glass of wine. This is a family friendly event​ that promises to be fun as well as entertaining for all.

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk located on 10 North Water St. is offering a series of lighthouse cruises in central and western Long Island Sound this May in their new boat Spirit of the Sound. Revolutionary in design, this new catamaran is the only research vessel in North America with hybrid-electric propulsion. She runs virtually silently on electric power for thier cruises on Long Island Sound. This vessel also has a climate controlled cabin. It is advised that you make advance reservations for these very special cruises.

On May 6 the Aquarium is offering a cruise to western Long Island Sound. This seven hour cruise departs at 9 a.m. from the dock outside the Aquarium. Participants will venture out for a rare close-up look at eight historic lighthouses on Long Island Sound! Participants aboard R/V Spirit of the Sound will make passes by these lighthouses: Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Stamford Harbor (or Harbor Ledge), Great Captain Island, Execution Rocks, Stepping Stones, Sands Point and Eatons Neck. Tickets are $75 ($65 for Aquarium members). Advance purchase is required.

On May 20, the Aquarium is offering a five hour cruise of central Long Island Sound that departs from the Aquarium’s dock at 10 a.m. Guests will get a rare close-up look at five historic lighthouses on Long Island Sound! Participants aboard R/V Spirit of the Sound will make passes by five century-old beacons: Peck Ledge, Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island lighthouses in Norwalk, Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Fairfield and Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light. All the lighthouses are on the National Register of Historic Places. Tickets are $70 ($60 for Aquarium members). Advance purchase is required.

On both cruises Aquarium educators will share history and anecdotes about the lighthouses, and also point out the Sound’s waterfowl. Binoculars are provided. Lighthouse Cruises are a special photo opportunity for both lighthouse buffs and bird-watchers, so bring your camera! Water will be provided but food is not available for purchase on the boat. You may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited.

NEW FOR 2017! The Maritime Aquarium is now participating in the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Lighthouse Passport program, a fun way to officially log your lighthouse adventures. Bring along your Passport, or buy one aboard the R/V Spirit of the Sound. We’ll stamp your Passport for every lighthouse we see during your Aquarium Lighthouse Cruise. Also, members of the U.S. Lighthouse Society now receive 10% discounts on the Aquarium’s Lighthouse Cruises.

How sweet it is this year at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury Connecticut. The park has just announced that they will open a new candy shop for the 2017 season which, like much of the landmark property, will have a mix of old and new to offer guests.

The highlight inside the new store will be a taffy-making operation complete with historic machinery restored specifically for the park. They have researched the way to recreate the nostalgia of candy-making from yesteryear – that time when you could stroll the boardwalk and see the taffy being pulled the old-fashioned way on a machine and bring it to the park as a delicious attraction. Quassy has been in touch with Ron’s Candy Equipment from Wildwood New Jersey that owned two refurbished machines for taffy making that are making their debut at the park this year!

The taffy cutter and packaging machine, date back to the 1920s, and was built by Package Machinery Co., of Springfield, Mass. The puller, which had to fully rebuilt, was from the same era but its original manufacturer was unknown. This year, guests at Quassy can watch how taffy is made as well as purchase some of this delectable confection to try. Quassy will be making taffy daily in season in a variety of flavors. If you can’t get to the park this year, not to worry, Quassy is expecting to offer their taffy online.

The taffy operation will be housed in a new 1,200 square foot store that will not only feature taffy, but also favorites such as cotton candy, popcorn in a variety of flavors, candy apples, chocolate and hard candy. In addition, the shop will offer nachos and giant pretzels. Beverages will include soda, fresh-squeezed lemonade, slush and other bottled soft drinks. The new building will also house a pizzeria, where homemade pizza with a variety of toppings will be offered by the slice or whole pie. Beer and wine will be sold on the pizzeria side of the building as well.

For more information about what to see and do and travel tips in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.litchfieldhills.com