Tag: close to New York

Vijay Kumar: Etchings, A Retrospective at Center for Contemporary Printmaking

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The fall exhibition, featuring a splendid array of original prints by Vijay Kumar, at the The Center for Contemporary Printmaking (CCP), 299 West Ave., in Mathews Park, Norwalk runs through Sunday, November 3, 2013. The Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 12 to 5 pm; it is closed Columbus Day and Veterans Day and admission is free.

A narrative is apparent in all of Vijay Kumar’s artworks. When Vijay was a child, he and his family left their home, during the religious strife that troubled India as the country gained its independence from Britain. Traveling the world — from India to the Middle East, Europe and the United States — his artistic focus has centered on the geometry of urban spaces. In the fall exhibition, many pieces are untitled and are essentially architectural, linear jumbles such as stacked houses and buildings. The eighteen prints in the series “India Portfolio,” reflect the sorrow and loss of the refugee. In the background, a New York Times article from Dec 11, 1992, published the headline “Hatreds of India.” Abstracted figures set in conflict or in positions of mourning dominate the series.

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Born in Lehore (then part of India) and based in New York City, Vijay Kumar has had numerous solo exhibitions of his drawings, prints and paintings in the United States and abroad. Vijay is the curator for the Indo-American Arts Council’s annual Erasing Borders Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora. He has also curated print shows in New York and Ohio in the United States, and in India. Mr. Kumar teaches printmaking at several graphics centers in New York City, and at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, in Norwalk, Connecticut.

About the Center for Contemporary Printmaking

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking (CCP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art of the print: intaglio, lithography, monotype, silkscreen, woodblock printing, paperworks, book arts, and digital arts. Housed in a handsome 19th-century stone carriage house, this 5,000- square-foot historical landmark is located at 299 West Avenue in Mathews Park, in Norwalk Connecticut. CCP workshops, gallery, and offices are open Monday through Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm, and Sunday, 12 – 5 pm. The Grace Ross Shanley Gallery features acclaimed exhibitions throughout the year, and is handicapped accessible. Artists who participate in the Artist-in-Residence Program have the opportunity to live and work in the Helen Frankenthaler Printmaking Cottage, adjacent to the main building. Edition printing is offered by the CCP Master Printer and Associate Printer. For more information, please call 203-899-7999 or visit www.contemprints.org. The Center for Contemporary Printmaking is a member of the statewide Connecticut Art Trail, a partnership of seventeen world-class museums and historic sites.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Don’t miss the 36th annual Oyster Festival in Norwalk

Don’t miss the 36th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival that promises to be the biggest and bester ever!
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Fun for families and friends from nine to ninety, the 36th annual Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival will be held this year from Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8. This year’s entertainment highlights include music from nationally known-bands on all three days. Festival goers will enjoy a wide variety of rides, cooking competitions, arts and crafts and a diverse assortment of attractions and entertainment that promise unforgettable fun.

New this year the festival will feature the action packed Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show that will feature world champion lumberjacks demonstrating their log rolling, axe throwing, chopping, sawing, tree climbing and dragster chainsaw skills. This show will take place on all three days: Friday at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The New England Fishing Village with demonstrations, samples and displays as well as the International Food Court offering a diverse selection of dining choices add to the fun.

For the Kids

The festival’s Pirates Coast Adventure will wow children of all ages. Here, kids can meet real life pirates and look for booty in treasure hunts, hear storytelling and join in other fun-filled activities. The Kids’ Cove includes games, rides and entertainment. This interactive pirate encampment gives kids a taste of what seafaring was like during the golden age of piracy from 1650-1750. In addition, there will be an action-packed performance by Marvel Super Heroes.
Sunday is Family Day with special family and children’s packages for entrance, rides and meals. The perk of family day on Sunday is that one child under 12 gets in free with each adult paid admission and for a mere $15 can ride all the amusement rides free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To round out the family fun there will be live shows for kids on the festival’s main stage.

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For the Whole Family

The festival offers a wide array of attractions the whole family will enjoy, including continuous entertainment by local musicians and national acts. A multitude of fine artists and crafters display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets and ages. For on the water fun, head to the festival docks to tour historic vessels and to cruise the scenic and historic Norwalk Harbor.

For the Foodies

Food demonstrations and competitions, including the always-popular chowder and chili cook-offs will take place throughout the festival. A highlight of the Festival is the wide variety of great food from around the world that is available at the International Food Court. This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise vital funds for their charitable causes. At the Oyster Pavilion, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history while watching slurping and shucking contests.

The event is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Sunday is Family Day with special pricing on that day only — 1 child (age 5-12) free with each paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.seaport.org. Free Parking and Free Shuttle Bus service is provided from four (4) local parking lots, just follow the signs to Oyster Festival Parking.

Save on Metro-North Railroad/Norwalk Oyster Festival Tickets

Festival goers can save on admission and rail fare when they purchase the Metro-North Railroad/Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival discount package. Packages are available at all ticket offices and ticket machines (except South Norwalk Station). On sale starting July 15. Package price from GCT/Harlem-125th Street: Adults, $26.25; Seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals receiving Medicare, $20.50; Children 12, $21.25; Children 5-11, $4.50; Children under 5, free. – See more at: http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_oyster_fest.htm#sthash.O3xJx0M4.dpuf

Packages also run from other stations.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse and its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. For more information, visit www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

For more information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

JanetLeave a comment

Step Back to the Summer of 1863 at the Civil War Reenactment in Woodbury

Woodbury, well known as Connecticut’s antiques Capitol will host well over 350 Civil War reenactors from all over New England as well as from points south. The reenactors will be camping out in Strong Preserve Park off of Rte. 6 on Scratchville Road on August 24 and 25.

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Visitors are invited to step back in time to the summer of 1863 and immerse themselves in this tumultuous period of American history. Begin your walk through history by strolling through replicas of period military camps as well as the civilian town of Unity. Camp layouts are garrison in style with formal company streets and include all of the amenities that one would expect to find in a military camp such as wood, water and hay for horses.

There will examples of both Union and Confederate camps. Along the way, reenactors will engage you with the trials and tribulations of their day — you may even meet some well known personalities. Listen to period music and enjoy the tales of well versed speakers and authors that make this event come alive. For family fun, kids are invited to take part in a scavenger hunt that will teach them about the American Civil War. Don’t miss the 19th century goods for sale on Sutlers Row while enjoying a treat from one of the food vendors.

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The camp comes alive with many special demonstrations that include battlefield medicine and surgery as well as period toys and games. The highlight of the event includes the colorful drills that take place and the roar of cannons during the orchestrated battles that are scheduled. This reenactment features unique and elaborate battle scenarios that are not found at other events.

Special battles times have been scheduled for Saturday, August 24 at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 25 at 1:30 p.m.

The gates to the event open at 8:30 a.m. giving guests ample time to see the many chores and activities of the reenactors as they begin their day. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, $4 for children 5 to 10 and kids under 5 are free. There is free parking and shuttles to the event. For up to the minute information www.woodburybattle.com. For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

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Kissable Camels at Beardsley Zoo

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is known for offering special family programming during the summer months. In years past, the zoo has featured a free flight bird show, Rainforest Reptiles, and last year’s Galapagos tortoises were a huge hit with the public. This summer, two camels have called Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo home through Labor Day.

The camels, named Toby and Goliath, may be found on the greenhouse lawn and rides will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $5 per person, which includes photos. Visitors will be able to purchase ride tickets at the front gate, gift shop, carousel, and at the camel ride. While there are no age restrictions for riders, anyone five years old and younger requires an adult rider with them. The zoo also is offering a combo ticket for both a carousel and camel ride for $6.00.

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Fun camel facts, courtesy of Environmental Graffiti:

Bactrian camels have two humps while Dromedary camels have one hump. (Toby and Goliath are Dromedary camels.)
The name camel comes from Arabic, meaning “beauty.”
A camel’s hump stores fat – not water – as many believe.
Camels can drink up to 40 gallons at one time.
Camels can go for long periods of time without drinking because of the shape of their red blood cells, which are oval, and allows them to flow easily without clumping. They are the only mammals to have this kind of blood cell.
Camels can kick in all four directions with each leg.
Camels can eat anything without injuring their mouths – including thorny twigs.
Camels can close their nostrils against wind and sand when necessary.
Their coats reflect sunlight and insulate them from the desert heat.
“Spitting” is actually a way that camels defend themselves. They don’t actually spit but rather throw up a nasty smelling fluid when provoked.

For more information about Connecticut’s only zoo visit www.beardsleyzoo.org. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Summer Photography Exhibit at Greenwich Historical Society

Town Hall from Greenwich Avenue by Mary Waldron
Town Hall from Greenwich Avenue by Mary Waldron

“The Perspective of Time” is a collaboration between the Greenwich Historical Society and the Stamford Photography Club. The show of juried images is the result of an invitation by the Greenwich Historical Society to members of the Photography Club to submit photographs that portray aspects of Greenwich history through the eye of the lens. The images will be on display at the Historical Society’s Storehouse Gallery through September 1, 2013.

Table Shuffleboard at Bruce Park Grill by Mike Harris
Table Shuffleboard at Bruce Park Grill by Mike Harris

The varied and fascinating images represent a visual commentary on the ever-changing face of the community–its structures, landscape and institutions–and how aspects of the town as they are today may not survive the next generation. Since its invention, photography has been an invaluable medium for chronicling historical events. But photography can also raise the understanding of history to another level by evoking a sense of time and place on a more visceral level. This exhibition
exemplifies this.

Glenville Bridge by Jean-Marc Bara
Glenville Bridge by Jean-Marc Bara

The Greenwich Historical Society is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm. Admission is free to members and children under six. $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and students. Admission is free to all the first Wednesday of every month. For more information call 203-869-6899 or www.greenwichhistory.org. FOr area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Bruce Museum features Durer, Rembrandt and Whistler

Joachim and the Angel ca. 1504 Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528) Joachim and the Angel, ca. 1504 Woodcut From The Life of the Virgin Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly
Joachim and the Angel ca. 1504
Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528) Joachim and the Angel, ca. 1504 Woodcut From The Life of the Virgin Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly

Located in Fairfield County Connecticut, the Bruce Museum located on One Museum Dr. in Greenwich is featuring prints of old masters and works from the 19th century through August 18th. This is one of the most distinguished local collections of prints that have been painstakingly assembled by Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly. The works include prints of Durer, Rembrandt and Whistler among other notable artists.

While Dr. Kelly’s collection has been comprised primarily of American 20th-century prints and prints by John James Audubon, in recent years he has also collected Old Master and 19th-century works extensively.

The Triumph of Mordecai Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669) The Triumph of Mordecai, ca. 1641 Etching and drypoint Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly
The Triumph of Mordecai
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669) The Triumph of Mordecai, ca. 1641 Etching and drypoint Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly

These encompass splendid sheets by the great German printmaker Albrecht Dürer, including a rare etching, woodcuts, and engravings of such iconic images as his Nemesis of 1502.

Dr. Kelly’s Dutch prints include several of the rare engravings after the influential Adam Elsheimer by Hendrik Goudt and no less than 28 images by the highly experimental printmaker Rembrandt van Rijn, ranging from early works of the 1630s to mature impressions from the 1650s.

Limehouse James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903) Limehouse, 1859 Etching, printed in black on laid paper From “The Thames Set” Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly
Limehouse
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903) Limehouse, 1859 Etching, printed in black on laid paper From “The Thames Set” Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly

Dr. Kelly’s 18th-century holdings include sheets by the great Italian artists Canaletto and Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo and several fine sheets from Los Caprichos by the renowned Spanish artist Francisco de Goya y Lucientes.

Completing the collection is a group of etched cityscapes and figure studies by the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Together the collection attests to the quality of some of the greatest printmakers in Western Art.

The exhibition – on view through August 18, 2013 and is accompanied by a scholarly catalog and a series of educational and public programs.

The Bruce Museum is grateful to Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly for sharing this extraordinary collection with the public.

About the Bruce Museum: Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students up to 22 years, $6 for seniors and free for members and children under 5 years. Individual admission is free on Tuesday. Free on-site parking is available and the Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For additional information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org. For area information on Fairfield County www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

JanetLeave a comment