Author: Janet

he Hitchcock Chair Co., Ltd., is once again celebrating the beginning of summer with their historic Barn Sale in Riverton CT. Owners Rick Swenson and Gary Hath are hosting this Barn Sale at the main barn at the Riverton Fairgrounds and in their retail store at 13 Riverton Road, Riverton, CT on May 28, 29, and 30 from 10:00 am through 5:00 pm each day.

In the barn, shoppers will find special savings on brand new chairs and tables, as well as scratch and dent pieces, factory seconds, fully restored items, and “gently used” furniture. This year’s sale will also feature a hundreds of restored and “as is” items from the historic Yankee Pedlar Inn, which recently closed. Visitors are also invited to go to the main retail store at 13 Riverton Road for sale prices on all in stock merchandise and to see special one-of-a-kind pieces.

For more information, visit our website at www.hitchcockchair.com, “like” us on Facebook, or contact the store at 860-738-9958.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com
About The Hitchcock Chair Co., Ltd. LLC
In 1818, Lambert Hitchcock founded an innovative chair company in the northwestern hills of Connecticut, where he produced his beautiful hand stenciled furniture.

In 2006, the famed Hitchcock Chair Company closed its doors. For four years, the name lay dormant. Those who recognized its unique quality and craftsmanship were able to find fully restored Hitchcock furniture through Still River Antiques, owned and operated by Rick Swenson.

In the spring of 2010, Rick and his business partner, Gary Hath, purchased the Hitchcock name, plans, and artwork. Their goal is to continue the Hitchcock legacy, bringing Hitchcock furniture into the 21st century while maintaining the quality and integrity of Lambert Hitchcock’s original dream.

The Westport Arts Center is presenting Two Steps Forward: Contemporary Cuban Art, an exhibition featuring a diverse and compelling range of works by emerging and established Cuban artists, on display through June 4.

Two Steps Forward: Contemporary Cuban Art features a significant collection of contemporary Cuban art from the private collection of Greenwich, Connecticut residents Terri and Steven Certilman. The Certilmans, who have sourced pieces directly from the artists during their travels to Cuba over the last decade, are dedicated to promoting the country’s artistic talent.

Steven Certilman offers the following insight into the Cuban art world, “The unique political, social and economic conditions in Cuba have combined to catalyze what may be the world’s highest concentration of artistic talent. Their works are as diverse as the country’s rich cultural heritage. It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Art is the window to the Cuban soul.”

The painting and sculpture in the show, curated by Certilman and guest curator Arianne Faber Kolb, explore Cuban identity, its diverse cultural heritage, and the political climate and its resulting geographical isolation and emigration. The works are expressions of the soul, beauty, and fortitude of the Cuban people, and how they have met and overcome the circumstances imposed upon their lives.

The Two Steps Forward title refers to the current political and artistic climate in Cuba and the thaw in relations with the United States. The lifting of travel and trade restrictions between the two countries has allowed artists to have access to more resources and to gain more exposure. However, change is slow and economic strains continue for much of the population. Thus, the title is designed to imply a reference to the adage, “two steps forward, one step back.”

The artists represented in the exhibition include established figures, such as Abel Barroso, Luis Enrique Camejo, Manuel Mendive, Juan Roberto Diago, Jose Roberto Fabelo, and Kcho. Barroso’s wooden sculptures and intricately constructed mixed media works made of pencil shavings are witty and humorous commentaries on the economic situation. Kcho’s images of precariously stacked rafts refer to the desire and the risks involved in fleeing from one’s circumstances. Fabelo’s monumental and iconic Mermaid’s Dream depicts a sleeping figure (Cuba) detached from reality and surrounded by drifting boats.

The young artists emerging on the art scene and making their mark include Joniel Leon, Harold Lopez, William Perez, and Mabel Poblet. While Leon and Lopez describe the desires of Cubans through their highly crafted drawings and paintings, Poblet and Perez make statements about the Cuban identity by employing a variety of materials in innovative ways.

FFor more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070 or www.westportartscenter.org. The Westport Arts Center gallery is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT. For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Recent research has noted that asparagus is one of the world’s healthiest foods and that it is being heralded as an anti-inflammatory food because of its nutrients. Among these anti-inflammatory nutrients are asparagus saponins, including asparanin A, sarsasapogenin, protodioscin, and diosgenin. It is also rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin E, and the minerals zinc, manganese, and selenium.

What better way to celebrate this vegetable, that has been considered a delicacy since ancient times than to go to the 9th Annual Asparagus Festival at White Silo Farm and Winery located on 32 Route 37 E in Sherman on May 21 and 22.

White Silo has planned to serve six scrumptious dishes prepared from their freshly picked asparagus that they grow on the farm. The menu includes: asparagus BLT’s, asparagus gelato, asparagus flatbreads, asparagus frittata, asparagus carpaccio and grilled asparagus with White Silo Quince mustard. Food items are $5 – $6.

To add to the fun, there will also be tours of the winery and farm as well as live entertainment on both days. On Saturday, Guy Tino will perform and on Sunday Martin Meyer will provide the entertainment. This is a child friendly event. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

For more area information http://www.litchfieldhills.com

The businesses in the charming riverside village of New Preston located at the foot of scenic Lake Waramaug have planned several exciting events, sales and art exhibits for the month of May and in early June.

J. Seitz and Co., for example, a fine furniture, accessories and apparel store is celebrating the work of Michael Quadland, currently artist-in-residence at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden in Palm Beach, on Saturday, May 14th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Inspired by the WPA and Ashcan schools of American art, where artists found beauty in unadorned industrial landscapes, artist Michael Quadland uses acrylic paints to create layered, textured abstractions.

For those of you that love to arrange flowers, be sure not to miss the flower arranging class at Dawn Hill Antiques on May 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This workshop will feature two fantastic talents in the world of flowers and design: Nicolette Camille of The Little Flower School, and Frances Palmer of Frances Palmer Pottery. Nicolette will do a demonstration, followed by a class in which each participant can create an arrangement in their own limited edition vase created by Frances Palmer especially for the class. Tickets to the class are $350, which includes a limited edition Frances Palmer vase, and all flowers. For reservations all 860.868.0066 or 917.767.6384.

On May 28, the Smithy will have an artist’s reception for Ella Crampton-Knox whose artwork will hang in the gallery through July 10. Ella paints stunningly beautiful, light-filled paintings of our breathtaking Connecticut countryside and shoreline. The work of Emily Kennedy will also be on display. With a unique artistic eye, Emily shoots photos of her surroundings that continue to inspire her, including the nature and landscapes right outside her back door.

On June 1, the Private House has organized its annual Backyard Sale at the George Platt Field in New Preston located on 16 Church Hill Road. This event held under a big tent features the wares of many antique dealers displaying all manner of treasures at affordable prices. The tent is just up at the top of the hill, behind the New Preston shops.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is holding a “Paint the Farm” Artist Challenge, a timed event for artists to create works of art during the popular Flanders Farm Day event on May 21st. This non-juried event is open to all plein air artists working in all media and includes a “Wet Paint” exhibition/sale from 3-4 at the hay wagon main stage. Visitors and art buyers can place bids in the silent auction or “buy it now” to take home newly created artwork. Flanders commission is 30% from Wet Paint Sales. Plein air artists are required to arrive by 11AM and must finish a painting by 2 PM to participate in the judging and wet paint sale.

Both the Farm Day event and the Artist Challenge will be held at the Van Vleck Sanctuary located on Flanders Road in Woodbury. The surrounding areas of the Van Vleck farm offer a wide range of subjects, including historic barns, water views, gardens, antique machinery and farm animals.

Musicians, period correct costumed Colonial and Native American demonstrations, happy families enjoying the fun filled day of farming experiences and many other colorful outdoor views will inspire paintings.

Monetary prizes will be awarded including a Popular Choice award where farm day visitors will vote for their favorite art. There will also be a Natalie Van Vleck Best in Show Award named after the founder of Flanders who was a well-recognized artist. Artist participation is limited to the first 50 entrants, so please register soon. An entry fee of $10 is required at time of registration. Those interested may register online at www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call 203-263-3711, ext. 10, for more information.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com and don’t forget to check out our Facebook page!