Tag: art show

Birds Eye View at Westport Arts Center

Alex MacLean, Tree Shadows in Snow, Middlebury, VT, 1990. Chromogenic print. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and the Yancey Richardson Gallery.
Alex MacLean, Tree Shadows in Snow, Middlebury, VT, 1990. Chromogenic print. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and the Yancey Richardson Gallery.

The Westport Arts Center (WAC) has launched its summer exhibition, “Bird’s-Eye View”. This show is curated by Director of Visual Arts, Helen Klisser During, and features major contemporary photographs, paintings, and drawings that depict intriguing aerial perspectives where people, roads, buildings, cities, and the countryside are deconstructed and abstracted. The exhibition will be on view through September 8.

Damian Loeb, Eminence Break, 2012. Oil on linen. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and Acquavella Gallery.
Damian Loeb, Eminence Break, 2012. Oil on linen. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and Acquavella Gallery.

The exhibition features works by Richard Artschwager, Olivo Barbieri, Edward Burtynsky, Christoph Draeger, Fred Herzog, Damian Loeb, Alex MacLean, David Maisel, Richard Misrach, Melanie Smith, Massimo Vitali, and Thomas Wrede.
A bird’s-eye view, or in other words, ‘the big picture’, explores the world seen from an aerial perspective.

Olivo Barbieri, Iquazu, Argentina/Brazil, 2007. Archival pigment print; edition 2/6. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and the Yancey Richardson Gallery.
Olivo Barbieri, Iquazu, Argentina/Brazil, 2007. Archival pigment print; edition 2/6. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and the Yancey Richardson Gallery.

This viewpoint has fascinated philosophers, writers, historians, and artists for centuries; however, it’s not until the invention of flight that humanity has had a bird’s-eye view. The Westport Arts Center is privileged to create an exhibition of 18 significant works from the internationally-renowned Hall Collection.

Massimo Vitali, Rosignano Donna Sola, 2004. C-print with Diasec face; edition of 6. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist.
Massimo Vitali, Rosignano Donna Sola, 2004. C-print with Diasec face; edition of 6. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist.

Other programs being hosted by the Westport Arts Center includes the Wednesday Summer Cafe, an interactive series of talks takes place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on June 26, July 10 & 24 and August 14. The Art Cafe takes place on Fridays from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Hosted by Helen Klisser During, ArtCafĂ© is a great way to meet other art enthusiasts and learn about exhibitions to visit in the greater community. Use The New York Times Friday Arts Section as a springboard to discuss the latest exhibitions.

On Thursdays, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on July 11, 18 and 25 the WAC will host Plein Air seascape painting classes. Participants will join local artist, author, and teacher Judith Orseck Katz on an adventure of plein air watercolor painting of various seascapes throughout picturesque Westport. Students will discover how painting from life helps us to see and observe the affects of light and atmosphere and learn to develop clean, colorful, and dynamic compositions. This three-part workshop is designed to offer individualized attention and foster a creative space to gain self-confidence and expand your creative potential. All levels welcome, ages 15+. The cost is $65/class or $165 for series Non-Members; $50/class or $135 for series WAC Members.

For more information contact Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org. The Westport Arts Center gallery is open seven days a week with summer hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition at Center for Contemporary Printmaking

Anne Desmet
Anne Desmet

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking schedules five major exhibitions per year, in the Grace Ross Shanley Gallery, including an Annual Members’ Exhibition, and 3 solo or group shows featuring prominent printmaking artists. The Biennial International Footprint Competition and Exhibition takes place on even-numbered years and the Biennial International Miniature Print Competition and Exhibition takes place on odd-numbered years.

On view through September 1 is the 9th Biennial Miniature Print Exhibition at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking located on 299 West Ave. in Norwalk. Visitors can view 225 tiny prints on the wall and 600 additional miniature prints in loose-leaf portfolios. View original miniature prints from 30 countries worldwide, including Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, England, Estonia, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Thailand, Germany, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden and the Ukraine.

S. Ragavan
S. Ragavan

A series of workshops are also being offered in July. To register for a workshop call 203-899-7999 or email info@contemprints.org.

On July 17 there will be a workshop on the figure and the monotype with Monitor Nomi Silverman from 6 to 9 pm and is open to 6 participants. Participants in this class will work from the model, using printing inks and working in much the same way as Degas. The work is printed with the assistance of artist/printmaker Nomi Silverman. Subsequent reworked impressions can also be pulled to achieve depth of color. Or as Degas frequently did, a second paler or ghost impression can also be printed and used as a ground for later pastel additions.

A two day weekend workshop on painterly solarplate prints will take place from July 20-July 21 with Kate McGloughlin. Participants will create a suite of painterly prints using solar plates and monoprinting techniques to realize their imagery. Workshop participants are invited to bring existing solar plates, or create new ones, using wet and dry media to discover the rich visual vocabulary achieved by various inking and wiping techniques.

A four-day workshop will take place from July 26- July 29 on the painterly print with Julio Valdez. his intensive workshop combines two of the most exciting and safe contemporary printmaking techniques: “silk aquatint” and “monotype”. Participants use waterbased inks and a silk aquatint (silk collagraph) plate, a non-acid alternative to etching, to create a series of prints and related works on paper.

For more information visit http://www.contemprints.org. For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

JanetLeave a comment

Celebrate Art at The Norwalk Arts Festival

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Norwalk
Lockwood Mathews Mansion Norwalk

An exciting new festival is happening this year in Norwalk — the 2013 Norwalk Arts Festival. This event is slated to take place on June 29 and 3o at Mathews Park conveniently located on West Ave. off exit 15S and 14N on I-95. Even better, this event is free and open to the public both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 518-852-6478 or visit www.gordonfinearts.org or norwalkartfestival.org.

This juried fine art and craft festival, will bring over 75 of the country’s top artists and craftspeople to Fairfield County along with several outstanding performing artists. A children’s art project and a creative arts area rounds out the event with fun for the entire family.

The Norwalk Art Festival provides the perfect opportunity to find an original painting for the empty corner of a family room, the perfect birthday or wedding gift as well as the chance to just get to know the artist before you bring your newly found treasure home.

Center for Contemporary Printmaking
Center for Contemporary Printmaking

In addition to the artwork featured at the festival, don’t miss the opportunity to visit three museums that call the park home. The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, http://www.contemprints.org, located in a 19th c. stone carriage house offers quality original artwork and printmaking. The Lockwood Mathews Museum, http://www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, a National Historic Landmark built in the Second Empire Style has a special exhibit that focus’s on the “futuristic” discoveries of the Victorian Era that are still relevant today. The award winning and recently expanded Stepping Stones Museum for Children, http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org, is featuring the Dinosaur Revolution in their traveling exhibit section that let’s kids become junior paleontologists through the discovery of fossils and facts about these magnificent beasts among their many fascinating exhibits for kids.

Gourmet food trucks and vendors have food at the ready so don’t forget your blanket and lawn chairs.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

JanetLeave a comment

Open Your Eyes Studio Tour & Showcase in Litchfield Hills

L. Petrocine - Wetlands
L. Petrocine – Wetlands

Artists in the Litchfield Hills are opening their doors to the public this summer on June 22 and 23 free of charge. In the Open your eyes Studio Tour sponsored by the Northwest CT Arts Council, twenty-nine artists and eight performers in New Milford and Kent will open their studios to the public.

Artists will open their creative spaces to the public on Saturday and Sunday along the tour route to show their work and discuss their creative processes. The artists’ media represented on the tour include painting, printmaking, sculpting, photography, metal sculpture, woodworking, wool spinning, dying & weaving, installation work, bookmaking, digital art, drawing, ceramics, and jewelry. The artists are Terri Tibbatts, Bill Merklein, Silver Sun Studio, Michael Everett, Linda Petrocine, Peter Kirkiles, Alison Palmer, Peter Kukresh, Lauri Zarin, Scott Bricher, Naya Bricher, Mary Terrizzi, Ed Martinez, Deborah Chabrian, Jill Scholsohn, Richard Stalter, Susan Grisell, Barbara Dull, Stephen Dull, Elizabeth Mullins, Susan Millins, Kathleen L’Hommedieu, Peter Catchpole, Patrick Purcell, Chris Osborne, Joel Spector, Anda Styler, Lynn WEllings, and Diane Dubreuil.

Tibbatts
Tibbatts

Performers for the Showcase on Saturday, June 22 from 5 – 9 pm on the New Milford Green will include TheatreWorks New Milford, musician Tom Hooker Hanford, Artists in Motion (dance), composer/pianist Sharon Ruchman, Larry Hunt from Masque Theatre, Buzz Turner on acoustic guitar, Rebecca Moore Dance, and True Jensen who perform rock and R & B cover music.

Jill Scholsohn
Jill Scholsohn

For more information about Open Your Eyes Studio Tour & Showcase go to OpenYourEyesTour.org or contact the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council at (860) 618-0075 or mcartsnwct@gmail.com.

JanetLeave a comment

Impressions of Light at Weir Farm in Litchfield Hills

Black Birds Over Weir Farm
Black Birds Over Weir Farm

Weir Farm National Historic Site located in Wilton and Ridgefield is hosting an art show through July 7 called Impressions of Light that features the work of modern-day American Impressionist Dmitri Wright of Greenwich, CT.

This exhibition, Impressions of Light, includes paintings inspired by Weir Farm and by Wright’s plein air experiences. Wright has a long history with Weir Farm National Historic Site, having led the park’s Impressionist Painting Workshops since 2009 as Master Artist/Instructor. Continuing in the vein of Weir Farm’s first American Impressionists, Mr. Wright’s pieces for this exhibit were drawn “full-scale on location” in order express what is happening…behind nature.

In this show, Wright tries to communicate his visual experiences of how light changes the way matter appears and how refracted light affects color. As Master Artist and Instructor at Weir Farm, Wright seeks to help others fulfill their unique gifts through the creative process, by helping them connect with their natural ability and the technical knowledge of their chosen school or schools of art.

There will be a gallery talk on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m. when Wright will discuss the challenges and rewards of plein air painting. He will use Weir Farm National Historic Site’s unique setting to discuss the history behind, and future of, American Impressionism. Participation in these gallery talks is free, but space is limited and registration is required. To register or for more information, please call (203) 834-1896 ext. 28.

The exhibit can be viewed in the Burlingham House Visitor Center Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

About Weir Farm National Historic Site
Weir Farm National Historic Site, the only National Park Service site dedicated to American painting, was home to three generations of American artists including Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and the development of American Impressionism. Today, the 60-acre park, which includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond, is one of the nation’s finest remaining landscapes of American art. For more information about Weir Farm National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/wefa or call (203) 834-1896.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

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Annual Spring Show of the Kent Art Association in Litchfield Hills

The Kent Art Association was founded in 1923 by nine well established artists who knew each other when they lived in New York before moving to Kent: Rex Brasher, Elliot Clark, Floyd Clymer, Williard Dryden Paddock, F. Luis Mora, George Laurence Nelson, Spencer Nichols, Robert Nisbet and Frederick Waugh. Six of these artists were National Academicians.

Daskam Dock and Dory
Daskam Dock and Dory

When the Kent Art Association was first founded, these nine artists held an annual show in which only their work was exhibited. Later, more artists were accepted into the Association and others were invited to be associates. Today the Kent Art Association invites emerging and established artists to display their artwork to a wide audience in their gallery’s several times a year.

Inside this well lite and spacious gallery, located on Rte. 7 (Main Street) in Kent about 100 yards south of the intersection of Rte. 7 and Rte. 341, you will find two stories of exhibition rooms. In addition to the works exhibited on the walls, all of which are for sale, there is a Portfolio Gallery offering unframed work by members of the Association.

To kick off spring in the beautiful Litchfield Hills, the Kent Art Association is holding its first juried show of the season that runs Sunday, April 21 through Monday, May 27. The Gallery is open April- May 17, Friday – Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and May 21 – Oct. 18, Thursday – Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Awards Reception is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 from 2 to 4 pm with awards presented at 3 pm. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend.

Visitors will also enjoy the work of Juror Rick Daskam, chairman for Oils at the Hudson Valley Art Association and a a graduate of Paier College of Art in Connecticut where he studied with Rudolf Zallinger and Ken Davies. Daskam was honored with the “Most Outstanding Illustrator Award in addition to the Dumond Award from the Hudson Valley Art Association, Collectors Award from the Butler Art Institute, and the Larry Newquist Award for Excellence at SCAN.

The Judges for this exhibition are Marc Chabot, Diane Dubreuil, and Rick Daskam and $1000 in prizes will be awarded. All work must be original and for sale. A copy of the prospectus can be found at www.kentart.org. For more information call the Gallery at 860.927.3989. For area information visit www.litchifeldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment