Subject: Artists Newsletter, April 26, 2019

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News and Opportunities for Artists of Fairfield County
April 26, 2019
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit service organization that supports its members through unified marketing, capacity building, professional development, and advocacy services. This newsletter is sent to all who request it - but we ask that, if you are not a member, you explore membership benefits and consider joining this community of more than 600 individuals and organizations. See member benefits here. Join here.
OUR NEWS
2019 ACE AWARDS ANNOUNCED
TICKETS FOR JUNE 5 AWARDS BREAKFAST AVAILABLE
Our fourth annual Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards have been announced. The ACE Awards Breakfast, celebrating the individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made significant contributions to the Fairfield County community through arts and culture, will be held Wed, June 5, 2019, 7:30-9am at the Shore & Country Club220 Gregory Boulevard, Norwalk. We hope you will join with us to celebrate the awardees and our thriving cultural life in Fairfield County. Order tickets here.
The 2019 ACE Awards recipients:
Artist - Jane Davila, printmaker, fiber and mixed media artist, textile designer, editor, author, and teacher, who also manages the NEST Arts Factory in Bridgeport.
Citizen - Nick Visconti, philanthropist, who resurrected Westport's Drew Friedman Community Arts Center that supports the arts through scholarships, and sponsors art activities and organizations including the Artists Collective of Westport, a Youth Artists Collective, and more.
Corporate - Cohen & Wolf, which, in addition to providing a wide arrange of legal services to Connecticut businesses, municipalities, charitable institutions, and more, has been a strong supporter of Fairfield County arts and culture for many years.
Educator - Gina Scarpa, Director of Education at Center Stage, Shelton, and founder of the highly successful Teen Musical Theatre Workshop, "Fall Cab," now in its 14th year.
Nonprofit - Intempo, whose founder and executive director Angelica Durrell, is an Ecuadorian-born violinist, educator and social entrepreneur.
MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE
Our new website has been live for six months and so far 394 (of our 600) members (including 190 artists) have created their profiles on the site. All members are asked to register as soon as possible. You will need a description of your work, and 3 images: a square headshot, a wide "hero" image (like the one above) and a smaller, wide "reference image" used in the Meet Our Members page. Complete the simple form and upload your images here. A new image app. makes it easy to upload your images. Contact us with any questions.
MEMBERSAdd Social Media Links to Your Profile.
Go to your "My Membership" page when you log in and at the bottom of the page are boxes for you to add the social media links you want people to see. Social media symbols will appear above the "Website" box on your main page just for the links you fill in. 
OUR WEBSITE IS NOW A RESOURCE
REGI GRANT INFO SESSION: MON. MAY 6: STAMFORD
ARTISTS CAN APPLY for the Regional Initiative Grants - and we are holding a second Information Session about them on Mon. May 6, 6pm at Harry Bennett Branch of the Ferguson Library, Stamford. These grants ($1,000-$4,000) are perfect for small, collaborative, local-community-based projects. Funded by CT Office of the Arts but administered in our region by CAFC. More information and to sign up, click here. 
NEXT SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE:
MON. MAY 13 - CYBELE MAYLONE: 
NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE ALDRICH 
The next in our Spotlight on Arts & Culture series of monthly live interview shows on WPKN 89.5 FM will be spent with Cybele Maylone, the dynamic new, young leader of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Get to know Cybele, and find out where The Aldrich might be heading under her new leadership. Save the Date: Mon. May 13 at Noon.
CURRENT ARTIST MEMBERS
Those artists who have posted their profiles onto our new website, that launched Nov. 2, have their names in green (to see their page, go to culturalalliancefc.org and the their name into the search box at the top of any page). Please join them!
Elizabeth AgrestaPainter
Valerie AhnemanMusician 
Peter Alexander, Landscape     Architect
Kristen AmbrosiPainter
Leslee AschCurator, Writer
Frances Ashforth, Painter/ 
   Printmaker
Judith BacalDesigner
Anna Badini, Painter
Louise Baranger, Musician
Patrice BarrettPainter
Jan Bassin, Writer
Nina BentleyMixed
   Media/Sculptor
Sue BentonPhotographer
Susanne BentonMixed
    Media.
Lisa BergerVisual Artist
Paul R. Berger
   Photographer
Karla Bernstein, 
   Photographer
Thomas Berntsen
   Photographer/Sculptor
Elise Black, Painter
Tara BlackwellPainter
Christina BlaisQuilter
Ziggy BoberSculptor 
Amy BockPainter
Andrea Bonfils, Mixed
   Media Artist
Dennis Bradbury, 
   Photographer
Carolyn Brady, 
   Photographer
Nancy Breakstone, 
   Photographer
Michael Brennecke, 
   Painter
Janine Brown,
   Multidisciplinary
Lucienne Buckner,
   Sculptor
Bevi BullwinkelPainter
Miggs BurroughsGraphic
   Artist 
Trace BurroughsNew
   Media
Louise CadouxPainter/
   Sculptor
Bob Callahan, Painter
Donna Callighan, 
   Photographer
Patricia CampbellDance
   Caller
Lynn CarlsonPainter 
Linn CassettaPrintmaker
Alan Chapell, Musician
Ann ChernowPainter/
   Printmaker 
Eric ChiangPainter
Frederic ChiuPianist
Yvonne ClavelouxPainter
Lauren Clayton, Painter
Gabi CoatsworthWriter
Alicia CobbPainter
Heidi Lewis Coleman
   Mixed Media
Linda CollettaPainter
Rosa ColònPainter, Mixed
   Media
Tom Comerford, 
   Photographer
Penrhyn Cook,  
   Photographer
Rod CookPhotographer
Margaret Stapor Costa,
   Filmmaker
Adger Cowans
   Photographer & Painter
Naomi Cruz, Painter
Dolly Curtis, Curator
Lisa Cuscuna, Painter
Dawn DahlPainter
Cris DamPainter/Muralist
Holly DangerVideo Artist
Betsy Davidson, Painter
Carlos Davila, Painter, 
   Sculptor

Jane DavilaFiber Artist/ 
   Mixed Media 

Cortney Davis, Writer
John Deakins, Sculptor
Ken Delmar, Painter
Joseph Dermody, Painter/
   Sculptor/Furniture   
   Maker/Violist
Emily Derr, Illustrator/ 
   Designer
Joyce DiCamillo, Musician
Barbara Kunin Dierolf,
   Painter
Eugenie Diserio, Painter
Carol Nipomnich Dixon
   Mixed Media
Afsaneh Djabbari-Aslani
   Painter
Erin Dolan, Painter
Amy Dolego, Photography
Jennifer Drolet, Painter 
Ganga Duleep, Painter
David Dunlop, Painter
Philip Eliasoph, Writer
Jeanine Esposito, Mixed  
   Media 
Katherine Evans, Painter 
Susan Fehlinger, Painter
Louise Flax, Mixed Media
Sally Frank, Painter
David Laurence Flynn, 
   Lighting Designer
Heide FollinPainter
Christa Forrest, Painter
Rose-Marie Fox, Painter
Cecilia Moy Fradet,    
   Painter/Printmaker
Herm Freeman, Painter
Rebeca Fuchs, Painter
Rebecca Fretty (Pink 
   Imperfection) Fiber 
   Artist
Megan Garbe, Painter
Rhonda Gentry, Painter
Robin Jopp Gilmore, Mixed 
   Media and Upcycled 
   Jewelry
Joe Gitterman, Sculptor
Scott GlaserPainter
Lori Glavin, Visual Artist
Gayle Gleckler, Painter
Danielle Goldstein, 
   Photographer
Ellen GordonPainter; 
   Mixed-media
Sue Brown Gordon
   Painter/Jeweler
Ellen GouldPhotographer
Michele Gramesty, Jeweler
Joyce Grasso, Painter/
   Photographer
Kristen Graves, Musician 
Jen Greely, Painter/ 
   Printmaker
Carolina Guimarey, Multi-
   Media Artist
Barry Guthertz, 
   Photographer
Dorothy Hafner, Sculptor
Don Hamerman,      
   Photographer
Mary Harold, Photographer
Mike Harris, Photographer
Adair W. Heitmann, 
   Printmaker
Kate Henderson, Mixed    
   Media
MaryEllen Hendricks,
   Photographer
Gwen Hendrix, Fiber/ 
Mixed Media
Lenore Eggleston Herbst
   Dancer
Tracy Hoffman,
   Photographer &
   Printmaker
Veronica Hofstetter, 
   Painter
Sonya Huber, Writer
Yuko Ike, Painter
Jana IreijoPainter
Jahmane, MultiMedia
Sholeh Janati,
 Painter 
Vasken Kalayjian, Painter
Karen Kalkstein, Graphic 
   Artist 
Amy Kaplan, Painter 
Wayne Keeley, Writer, 
   Producer
Emily Kelting
  Photographer
Karen Kent, Painter
Susan Keown, Painter/  
   Mixed Media/Ceramicist
   Photographer
Niki KetchmanSculptor/
   Multimedia 
Jin Hi Kim, Musician
Lesley KoenigPainter
Moki Kokoris, Visual Artist
Richard Koleszar, Painter
Michael Kozlowski, Painter
Dawn KubiePhotographer
Joanie Landau, Jewelry 
   designer/Printmaker

Lydia Larson, Painter
Emily Hamilton Laux,
   Photographer
Katya LebrijaPainter
Eric Jiaju Lee, Visual 
Artist/Musician

Julie Leff, Painter
Liz LeggettPainter
Susan LeggittPainter
Henry Lepetit, Painter
Julia-Rose Liptack, Painter
Barbara Loss, Photographer
Shelley LowellPainter/ 
   Sculptor/Poet

Jane Lubin, Mixed Media
Laurie MacLean, 
   Choreographer, Dancer

Mark Macrides, Painter, 
   Collagist
Steve Magee, Painter
Jessica MakinPainter/ 
   Photographer

Jim Malloy, Painter
Connie Manna, Painter
Mary Manning, Painter/
   Printmaker

Elizabeth Marks, Painter
Joel Martin, "Jazzical" 
   Musician
Nadia MartinezMultiMedia
Sooo-z Mastropietro,
   Multimedia
Fruma Markowitz,    
   Photographer
Barbara Mathis, Painter
Megan Bonneau McCool,
   Choreographer
Grace S. McEnaney,    
   Painter
Ann McRae, Painter
Nancy McTague-Stock
   MixedMedia
Peter Mendelson,    
   Photographer
Kristin MerrillJeweler/    
   Sculptor
Toby Michaels, Painter
Annamari Mikkola,
   Photographer, Designer, 
   Curator

Jay MisencikPhotographer
Day MoorePainter
Nancy MoorePainter
Brechin MorganPainter
Lina MorielliMulti-Media
Meighan MorrisonPainter
Carol Mueller, 
   Painter/Printmaker

Cynthia MullinsPainter
Susan MurrayPainter
Tava Naiyin, Dancer
Dale Najarian, Painter
Erin Nazzaro, Painter
Karen Neems,
   Photographer/Mixed    
   Media
Susan NewboldPainter
Mary Newcomb, Painter
Jill NicholsPainter
Tim Nighswander
   Photographer
Eddie Niño, Painter
Julie O'Connor,    
   Photographer
Amy Oestreicher,
   Performing/Visual Artist
Melissa Orme, Painter
Rose Palmiero, Painter
Eileen PanepintoMixed 
   Media

Steve PartonPainter
Judy PeknikPainter
Justin PerlmanSculptor
Chris PerryBook Artist
Jay Petrow, Painter
Laura Pflug, Painter
Igor Pikayzen, Violinist
Diane PollackMixed Media
Karen Ponelli, Painter
Jennifer Prat,    
   Photographer
Penny Putnam, Painter
Elizabeth Quesada, 
   Painter
Ben QuesnelSculptor, 
   Videographer
Tim Reimer, Painter
Gwen North Reiss, Poet
Barbara Ringer
   Photographer
Mariya RiveraPainter
Dorothy Robertshaw
   Mixed Media
Lizzy Rockwell, Painter, 
   Illustrator, Author

Alyse Rosner, Painter/ 
   Mixed Media

Richard Sadlon, Musicians
Renee Santhouse, Graphic 
   Artist 
Anthony Santomauro,  
   Painter
Jill SarverPainter
Ellen SchiffmanFiber 
   Artist

Norma Schlager, Fiber 
   Artist

Marianne R. Schmidt, 
   Painter
Guy Sealey, Multimedia
Katie SettelPhotographer
Rick ShaeferVisual Artist
Rosalind Shaffer, Ceramist
Barbara Shea, Writer
Alissa SiegalPainter
Norm SiegelPainter
Lisa P. Silberman,   
   Photographer
Nomi Silverman
   Printmaker
Phyllis Sinrich,
   Photographer
Vicki French Smith, Painter
Megan Smith-Harris,
   Writer/Filmmaker
Cleo Sonneborn, Painter 
Rene Soto, Painter
Carole SouthallPainter
Liz Squillace, Painter/    
   Printmaker
Connie Stancell, Painter
Barbara Stewart, Painter
Pam StoddartPainter
Florence Suerig, Visual 
   Artist

Denise Susalka, Painter
Janice Sweetwater, Painter
Susan Tabachnick, Sculptor
Julliette TehraniPainter
Alicia Thompson, Actress/ 
Playwright

Dara Tomeo, Painter
Kris D. Toohey, Painter
Andrea Towey, Musician
Ruth Kalla Ungerer
   Printmaker

Vincent Verrillo, Painter
Karen Vogel, Painter
Lee Walther, Mixed Media 
Liz Ward, Multi-Media
Ann Weiner, Multi-Media, 
Painter

Peggy Weis, MultiMedia
Gregg Welz, Paper Artist
Cynthia Whalen, Painter
Joan B. WheelerPainter
Elizabeth White, 
   MultiMedia
Jarvis Wilcox, Painter
Bruce Williams, Painter
Jen Williams, Painter
Jonah WilnerPainter
Tammy Winser, Mixed 
Media

Sherri Wolfgang, Painter
Nancy Woodward
   Photographer/Mixed 
   Media
Dmitri Wright, Painter
Jeffrey Wyant, Visual 
   Artist

Gregg ZiebellPainter
 – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
 – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here
YOUR NEWS
GROUP SHOWS
Patrice Barrett, Tara Blackwell, Jahmane, Nancy Moore, and Jennifer Williams are among the artists featured in the art show that is part of the Colorblends Open House, Spring Gardens & Art Exhibit open this Sat. April 27, 10am-6pm at 893 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport. Design ideas and creative blends abound in this intimate garden, which is a collaboration between Bridgeport-based Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs and distinguished Dutch  garden designer, Jacqueline van der Kloet. Inside the newly renovated 1903 Colonial Revival mansion is a popup art gallery displaying the work of local artists.
Gayle Gleckler, Steve Magee, and Dorothy Robertshaw, are members of the St. Philip Artists' Guild (SPAG) that is celebrating Spring this Sat. April 27. 6-9pm with Awakening, an exhibit, open studios and raffle. The show presents new works by members of SPAG together with that from six guest artists, including Michael Brennecke, Susan Leggitt, and Jen Williams. Each artist has donated a work to be won in a Chinese Auction and Raffle. The drawing begins at 8:15pm and 24 lucky winners will leave with an original work of art. 
Kat Evans, Susan Fehlinger, Mary Harold, Darcy Hicks, Amy Kaplan, Fruma Markowitz, and Gregg Welz, are among the artists included in the Fifth Annual Westport Woman's Art Show. opening with a reception Sat. April 27, 5-8pm, and running Sun and Mon, 12-4pm. Curated by Miggs Burroughs, the artists in the show donate part of their art sales to fund the WWC’s community service grants to Fairfield County non-profits. Melissa Newman will be singing some of her favorite jazz standards at the opening reception. 
Julie Leff, Steve Parton, Guy Phillips, and Anthony Santamauro are among the 10 artists whose studios will be part of the May 4 Studio Tour organized by the Artists Collective of Westport. Opening Sun. April 28, 2-4pm is a reception for a weeklong Pop-up Preview (47 Main St., Westport; Mon.-Wed., 11-2; Thu.-Sat. 11-8; Sun. 11-5pm) of work by those artists on the tour. Included in the preview show are works by some 45 Collective members who helped with the Preview and the Studio tour, including: Nina Bentley, Michael Brennecke, Lucienne Buckner, Susan Fehlinger, Amy Kaplan, Jane Lubin, Sooo-z Mastropietro, Dale Najarian, Susan Newbold and more. The show is being hung salon style, floor to ceiling.
Darcy Hicks, Amy Kaplan, Liz Leggett, Barbara Ringer, and Tammy Winser are 5 of the 9 women artists who have curated and are featured in Uncovered–What She Hides, an exhibition that serves as a platform for women artists in Westport to show works that typically remain hidden: creative responses and expressions that are often kept at bay. This exhibition seeks to uncover this hidden work, and celebrate its power and meaning. The art and accompanying events will undoubtedly embolden viewers to converse and connect around shared stories, both serious and funny. Opening reception, Thurs. May 2, 6-8pm, 1 Main Street, Westport. The show runs April 27 - June 1, Weds-Sun, 12-5pm.
Elizabeth Hasegawa Agresta (Lynnens), Heidi Lewis Coleman (Eileen Fisher), Rosa Colon (SPLURGE), Joseph Dermody (Steinway & Sons), Carol Nipomnich Dixon (Richards), and Justin Perlman (Greenwich Window Treatments) are some of the artists participating in the Greenwich Arts Council's 22nd  celebration of Art to the Avenueopening with a grand party along Greenwich Avenue Thurs. May 2, 5:30 - 8pm. Our artists are showing their work in the stores indicated and the stores host receptions for their artists. Musicians and street performers fill the street entertaining strollers. The art selected by the retailers remains in place through Memorial Day.
INDIVIDUAL NEWS
Tom Berntsen has several sculptural maquettes in the three-person show, Form, opening at The Gallery at GFC (Green's Farms Church) in Westport this Sat. April. 27, 5-7pm. These pieces work as symbols, inspired by the archetypical labyrinth. They are working maquettes of a planned large scale project to draw attention to the act of meditative walking (see his Labyrinth and Pathway sculpture series). At right a detail of his Spiral Unraveling (wood, steel and paint, 59 x 30 x 12).
Frederic Chiu is this year's Westport Library's BOOKED for the evening honoree. BOOKED for the evening is the Library's signature fundraising event, where it honors an individual whose work reflects the purpose of the Library—to nurture the love of learning and to enhance our understanding of the world. Previous award winners are Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Arthur Mitchell, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Oscar Hijuelos, Adam Gopnik, Will Shortz, Patti Smith, Barry Levinson, Jon Meacham and Nile Rodgers. The event will be held in the Library on June 4, giving guests a glimpse of the newly transformed space ahead of the June 23 official opening.
Heidi Lewis Coleman will be exhibiting several pieces at Eileen Fisher during Greenwich's Art to the Avenueopening with a grand party along Greenwich Avenue Thurs. May 2, 5:30 - 8pm. At right one of Heidi's works on display: Beginnings (2019, acrylic on canvas, 36x36). This is part of Heidi's Dreamscape Series, reflecting an exploration of imaginary landscapes inspired by the ancient lands of mythology and cultural lore, whether historical, fictional or fantastical.
Carol Nipomnich Dixon will have 14 works displayed at Richards during Art to the Avenue, opening along Greenwich Avenue Thurs. May 2, 5:30 - 8pm. Among Carol's art being shown is Floral Burst (2019, oil on canvas, 30” square) — her homage to Spring flowering. Carol is also be exhibiting five art works in the “Spring Forward” Exhibit sponsored by the CT Branch of the National League of American Pen Women at the Gertrude White Gallery of the Greenwich YWCA, 259 E. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, May 3-29. The Opening Reception is Friday, May 3, 6:30-8:30. 
JAHMANE has written an important piece in the current FCBeat, "Art versus Violence" that sets the scene for the coming activity of Aim Higher Together Bridgeport, a broad coalition of artists, arts, social and community organizations, determined to "bring the conversation around gun violence to the streets of Bridgeport using art as a catalyst for positive change in the debate about guns in America." Reviewing previous efforts nationwide in which the arts can trigger conversation, Jahmane speaks to the power that murals have "to transform environments and create a visual tapestry from which ideas spring forth  Art above by Flahn Manly
into the public psyche." If all goes as planned, Jahmane writes, Aim Higher Together Bridgeport will have "murals popping up all over Bridgeport, emphasizing not only an end to gun violence, but also suggesting solutions and better ways to resolve conflicts."
Amy Kaplan has work in the Fifth Annual Westport Woman's Art Show, opening with a reception Sat. April 27, 5-8pm, and running Sun and Mon, 12-4pm. She also has work in the Pop-up Preview exhibit, for the May 4 Art Studio Tour, both organized by the Artists Collective of Westport, opening with a reception Sun. April 28, 2-4pm. Amy is also one of 9 women artists who have organized their own show, Uncovered–What She Hides,  opening Thurs. May 2, 6-8pm, 1 Main Street, Westport. At right is Amy's K(Not)/Nest (wire, hair, natural pearls, crystals, 6x12) "which represents the nests we each build for our selves. My nest has wire, both supportive and sharp, wrapped and cushioned by my own hair; it looks fragile but is strong.  "Uncovered" is the show I helped produce and curate to show work like this, which mostly remains hidden, but has a lot of stories to tell."
Joanie Landau is showing with her friend Sue Benton in the Loft Artists Association Bring Another Friend to the LAA, opening with a reception Sat. May 4, from 5-7 pm. “Building upon the success of last year’s inaugural exhibit, this show will give Loft Artist members another opportunity to invite non-member artist friends to exhibit alongside them as part of this collaborative show.”  While the show will have no overall common theme, each member/guest duo will develop their own theme and their work will be presented side by side.
New Cultural Alliance member Steve Magee will be displaying his work in public for the first time at Awakening, the St. Philip Artists' Guild (SPAG)'s celebration of Spring this Sat. April 27. 6-9pm.   Featured will be Sunrise Stream (oil on canvas, 30x24; click for larger image). Steve comments that he feels this work  captures the serenity of the area surrounding a remote portion of the Great Wall of China at sunrise.
Jim Malloy has a solo exhibition of his colorful abstract paintings at the Geary Gallery, Darien. Abstract Expressions runs May 1 - 31. Jim, a national award-winning author, songwriter and gold record recipient who now expresses his creative ideas with the medium of acrylic paint is known for the raw style, vibrant colors and bold, abstract nature of his work. At right, Flight of Fancy #3 (acrylic on paper, 16x20); click for larger, complete image.
Amy Oestreicher is performing and presenting her PASSAGEWAYS : Songs of Connection, Abnormal & Sublime at Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Place, New York, May 16, 7:30pm - free admission. Passageways is an original song cycle with live music, and artwork projections, all created by Amy. Music, humor and art, interweave with autobiographical narrative, as the creativity of the artist becomes an unexpected passageway through profound crisis. On passageways, there's no way in, no way out, only through. So why not laugh, dance and paint our way towards the light? Musical Direction and Arrangements by Bob Goldstone, and Direction by Shellen Lubin. 
Diane Pollack has a solo exhibition at Art/Place Gallery, May 1 - 26, with a reception Sun. May 5,  3-5pm. The show, Primordial Rituals Redux  is of works on paper with stitching, collage and markers. Joy and ritual celebration are continual themes of Diane's as is dance as ritual and celebration throughout history. At right, her Primordial Rituals redux 16 (collage and stitching on Rives BFK paper, 22x30; detail, click for complete image). 

Barbara Ringer is happy to have her piece Tuesday, (2019, photograph, 5x7: detail at right, click for complete image) included in the Art Party of the Year: 19th Annual Spring Gala and Auction at the New Britain Museum of American Art, taking place on May 4th this year. Artists were asked to provide an artwork that was 4x6 unframed. They will be auctioned off at the event.

Dorothy Robertshaw is opening her studios as part of the St. Philip Artists' Guild (SPAG)'s celebration of Spring this Sat. April 27. 6-9pm with Awakening - open studios, exhibition of new work and a raffle. At right, one of Dorothy's current series of re-interpreted mixed-media, shadowbox landscapes. This one is made of woven strips of canvas from previous works of hers, hickory maple, and a hemp rope weft. Click for larger image. Dorothy is also being featured for the next six months at Westport River Gallery. 
Alicia Thompson will be one of the participants at the upcoming TEDx event hosted by The Ferguson Library May 11. "An international thespian and writer who hails from the “land of wood and water” known as Jamaica, Alicia is the founder of (AIM) Artistry is Ministry, which provides edification through theatre.  She uses artistry to uplift and inspire youth, especially girls and young women to help deal with issues such as self-image and self-worth.  In a society where the standard of beauty is superficial, and modesty is not often celebrated, she is determined to use AIM as an initiative to help change the negative impact."  As a result she created theatre projects I Am My Hair and I Salute You Good Men." 
CALENDAR

Sat. April 27: Colorblends Spring Garden and Open House Pop Up Gallery. Colorblends, 893 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport. 10am-6pm (Patrice Barrett, Tara Blackwell, Jahmane, Nancy Moore, and Jennifer Williams)
Sat. April 27: Fifth Annual Arts Show, Westport Woman's Club. Opening reception 5-8pm (
Curated by Miggs Burroughs. Kat Evans, Susan Fehlinger, Mary Harold, Darcy Hicks, Amy Kaplan, Fruma Markowitz, and Gregg Welz)
Sat. April 27: Awakening. St. Philip Artists' Guild (SPAG). Opening Reception, Open Studios and Raffle, 6-9pm. (SPAG Members: Gayle Gleckler, Steve Magee, and Dorothy Robertshaw with guests - Michael Brennecke, Susan Leggitt, and Jen Williams)
Sun. April 28, Pop-Up Preview of Studio Tour. Opening Reception, 47 Main St., Westport, 2-4pm (Julie Leff, Steve Parton, Guy Phillips, and Anthony Santamauro, plus volunteers Nina Bentley, Michael Brennecke, Lucienne Buckner, Susan Fehlinger, Amy Kaplan, Jane Lubin, Sooo-z Mastropietro, Dale Najarian, Susan Newbold).
Thurs May 2: CT Academy of Fine Arts 108th Fine Arts Exhibition, Mystic Museum of Art. Opening Reception 5:30-7:30pm (Nancy Breakstone)

Thurs. May 2: Uncovered–What She Hides, 1 Main St, Westport. Opening Reception, 6-8pm (Darcy Hicks, Amy Kaplan, Liz Leggett, Barbara Ringer, and Tammy Winser)
Thurs. May 2: Greenwich Arts Council, Art to the Avenue. Opening Party, 5:30 - 8pm, Greenwich Avenue (Elizabeth Hasegawa Agresta, Heidi Lewis Coleman, Rosa Colon, Joseph Dermody, Carol Nipomnich Dixon, Joyce Grasso, and Justin Perlman)
Sat. May 4: Artists Collective of Westport Studio Tour, 10-6pm (Julie Leff, Steve Parton, Guy Phillips, and Anthony Santamauro)
Sat. May 4: Joanie Landau and Sue Benton in Loft Artists Association, Bring Another Friend to the LAA. Opening Reception, 5-7pm
Sun. May 5: Diane Pollack, Primordial Rituals, Art/Place Gallery. Opening Reception, 3-5pm
OTHER NEWS
RENÉ SOTO IS OUR REGIONAL ARTS HERO!

René Soto, artist, publisher, gallery director, and all-around nice guy, has been named by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) as ARTS HERO for our region of coastal Fairfield County. The COA created the Connecticut  Arts Hero Awards in 2016, to honor and celebrate individuals who are doing extra-ordinary things in, for, and through the arts. Nine awards are made, one from each of 9 regions represented by COA's nine regional service organizations, and will be presented May 1, 6-8pm, in Hartford. Come celebrate at the free celebration (details and register here)René Soto arrived in the U.S. from Guatemala eight years ago. After the death of his brothers and mother, he used painting as a way of releasing the pain and under-stood that if art could help him, then others could also benefit from the arts. Working multiple jobs, René always found the time to volunteer at many nonprofits, giving art lessons to the elderly, children, and families of cancer survivors. He has donated his work to organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Stamford Senior Center, Caring with Grace, Domestic Crisis Violence Center and others. In May 2018, he inaugurated the René Soto Gallery at 1 Wall Street, Norwalk and, in less than a year, the Gallery has become a home to local and international artists, poets, dancers, and many other nonprofits that had been looking for a place to express and share their love for the arts. Join with his friends and colleagues in congratulating René on this honor.
CELEBRATE CONNECTUCT ARTS DAY 2019
MAY 2 - NEW HAVEN 

Registration is open for the CT Office of the Arts' (COA) Connecticut Arts Day 2019This annual event, initiated in 2016 to celebrate the arts and the cultural vibrancy that the arts provide to communities across the state, includes performances, panel discussions, presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Connecticut Arts Hero Awards (this year held May 1 in Hartford) and the COA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Day opens at the College Street Music Hall, 238 College Street, New Haven, with breakfast, a performance by Drew Dollaz, a keynote discussion group on Arts Relevancy, and a performance by Asian Performing Arts. The program will then move to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, where highlights will include breakout discussions on Connecticut's Young Creative EntrepreneursEducation and the Arts (on how educators and arts organizations can  improve school climate and student achieve-ment); Arts Experiences for All AbilitiesCollaborative Artistic Practice (how artists, non-profits and community organizations can more successfully partner); Creative Leaders Activating Their Communities (how creatives in our state are fostering civic action through the arts; Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline (effective arts-based practices and programs positively impacting youth in this pipeline); and CT Office of Tourism's Marketing Programs. The day will conclude with performances by Connecticut State Troubadour Nekita Waller, and Jus cuz, and a cocktail reception. Registration ($25) includes lunch and reception. Information on performers and presenters here.
CALLS FOR ENTRY- Deadlines
CHECK OUR CLASSIFIEDS!
OPEN SUBMISSIONS FOR PUBLIC ART
RYAN PARK
NORWALK 
APRIL 29

The Washington Village/South Norwalk Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) was initiated in 2012 when the Norwalk Housing Authority received a $500,000 CNI Planning Grant to fully develop a strategy and Implementation teamThe South Norwalk neighborhood stands on the edge of significant change. The Washington Village/South Norwalk Transformation Plan is a roadmap for managing this change in a way that serves the residents of this important neighborhood, building a better future for those who live here now and welcoming new residents who will help bring new vitality to the area. There is a plan for a redesigned Ryan Park that includes public art. There is currently an open call to all artists with experience in creating public art (in any medium). Please submit your resume + 3 jpg samples to getinfo@norwalkcni.org for consideration for a Public Art Commission. From the submissions 10 artists will be selected to move on to a proposal stage (with stipend). From the proposals 5 will be selected for a Commission.
SAVOR CITY
ARTISTS & MUSICIANS
OPEN

SAVOR CITY is a monthly tour of Bridgeport restaurants, food, art and music, showcasing the cultural delights of Connecticut’s most diverse city. Organized by a coalition of organizations and agencies, including Rick Reyes Productions, Capital for Change, NEST Arts Factory, the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, and others, SavorCity features monthly visits to neighborhood restaurants where guests can experience the authentic local cuisine of Bridgeport’s many neighbor-hoods as well as local musicians and artists working in a variety of genres and media.
MUSICIANS: Would you like to make some money playing a fun gig in a local restaurant? Tell us a little about yourself! What genre of music do you play? Have you had experience playing in a restaurant setting before? Please provide a link to a website, SoundCloud or iTunes so we can hear your music. ARTISTS: If you would like to have a show
of your work at one of the upcoming SavorCity events, please tell us about yourself! What type of artwork you make? What is your website or social media address where we can see your art? Typically between 4-7 artworks are hung for the event. All sales are handled directly by the artist and there is no commission taken.
Artists and Musicians need to live or work in Bridgeport to be considered. Please see the application here  or email savorcitybpt@gmail.com 
INTERNATIONAL PRINT CENTER OF NEW YORK
NEW PRINTS 2019/SUMMER 
MAY 2

New Prints 2019/Summer will be the 60th presentation of IPCNY's New Prints Program. Established in 2000, the New Prints Program is a twice-annual, juried open call for prints and print-based work created in the preceding twelve months, in keeping with IPCNY's mission of supporting print artists and broadening access to the medium. The juror will be Alison Saar, who received the U.S. Artist Fellowship in 2012 and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. Saar has exhibited at many galleries and museums, including the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Application Details: Editioned prints, unique printed works, printed installations, artist’s books, print-based animations, and ephemeral formats are eligible. Not eligible are: photography or direct reproductions of other artworks, such as drawings or paintings. Prints must have been completed 12 months prior to the beginning of the open call, or after. (February 2018 and before are ineligible.). Up to 3 images may be submitted. For any questions, contact  megan@ipcny.org. There is no entry fee. Self-published artists, workshops, publishers, and galleries are welcome to submit print projects completed within the past twelve months. Artists selected for the exhibition will also be invited to apply for IPCNY's New Prints Artist Development Program. The program includes three opportunities to receive further training, guidance, and exposure for their printmaking practice: an artist residency program, artist mentorship program, and sponsored coursework.  
TOUCHSTONE GALLERY
WASHINGTON DC
AMERICA IS...
JUNE 10

Founded in 1976, Touchstone Gallery is an artist owned and run space, located in a modern street-level space in downtown Washington, DC. Touchstone is seeking entries for America Is …, a national juried show scheduled for August 2 – 29, 2019. Artists are asked to submit artwork that will explore, ask and answer: what is America today? The jurors are  Rachel Adams, Chief Curator and Director of Programs, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts (Omaha, NE); Taylor Bythewood-Porter, Assistant History Curator, California African American Museum (CAAM); Jen Mergel, Independent Curator; Vice President, Programs, Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC); Founding Director, Curatorial Network Accelerator of Boston; and Jennifer M. Williams, Public Programs Manager, New Orleans Museum of Art. The show is open to all artists living and/or working in the United States, 18-years-old and older, who apply with original visual media that is the artist's own concept, design and work. Artwork must fit through a doorway: ​31"x93" amnd may weigh no more than 50 lbs. for wall-hanging and
100 lbs. for free-standing work. Accepted works must be priced for sale or marked POR (price on request). Awards: Four artworks will receive Juror's Best in Show Prize of $250. ​Fees: $50 for up to 3 entries/files; artists may submit up to 3 additional entries/files at a cost of $10 per additional entry. Full prospectus is available here. Questions, contact info@touchstonegallery.com. Apply here.
Jimmy James Greene, Fiery 'Fro (detail)
PICTURE THAT
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH 
UNITY MAGAZINE
JULY 5

Picture That, LLC and Thompson Hospitality invite African-American artists to submit artwork for the February 2020  African-American History Month edition of Unity magazine. Unity magazine is distributed on a complimentary basis to hundreds of corporate and university dining centers throughout the United States where Thompson Hospitality provides food services. This is a great opportunity to have your artwork viewed by thousands of consumers and possibly sold. Click here to view past editions of Unity Art Centerfolds. Picture That is interested in featuring unique paintings, drawings, jewelry, baskets, pottery, photography and sculpture. Media may include oil, acrylic, pen/ink, watercolor, pastel, collage, beadwork, glass, found objects and mixed media. Please format the subject of your email as follows:
AA_LastNameFirstName_City_State
E,g: AA_DoeJane_White Plains_New York
Required Materials:
1. Five hi-res jpegs of artwork 300 dpi or greater (3.5+" in size). Name the jpg files the same as artwork title
2. Artist Bio and/or Artist Statement (Word or text files). Provide detailed contact information, including phone number, city and state, and website address
3. Artist Photo as jpg file
4. Price of original art if available
5. Price of limited edition prints or open edition prints if available
If you would like your work considered for a feature in Unity magazine, please e-mail the required materials above by Friday, July 5, 2019 here. There is no fee to enter.
GALLERI HEIKE ARNDT DK
GALERIE KUCHLING
MINIMAXI PRINTS BERLIN
AUGUST 1

All professional artists are invited to participate in the Open Call Graphic Prints Berlin, established 2014. For the 5th anniversary of the exhibition, Galleri Heike Arndt DK will collaborate with Galerie Kuchling a gallery in the same neighbourhood and established with a similar goal  to create a greater and more diverse platform for international, contemporary artists. The collaboration makes it possible to expand the amount of works but also the sizes which will be accepted. What was MiniPrints Berline will now be “MiniMaxi Prints Berlin”.
You can apply for Mini and Maxi Prints exhibits but don't mix the sizes! 
MINI PRINTS (click for application form):
All multiple printmaking techniques are welcome
Size of the print (including signature): 30 cm x 30 cm (max)
Size of paper: 40 cm x 40 cm (max)
Each artist can submit 6 prints max
MAXI PRINTS (Click for application form)
All multiple printmaking techniques are welcome
Size of print (inc. signature): 60 x 80 (min)
Size of the paper: 70cm x 90 cm (min)
Size of paper: 200 x 300 cm (max)
Each artist can submit 6 prints max.
Techniques accepted:
We only accept multiples prints.
Lithograph, Screen Print, Woodcut, Etching, Drypoint, Linocut, and similar graphics techniques; No monoprints or inkjet prints, digital prints or photo-based images.
Only if you are accepted for the exhibition and have passed the 3 selection rounds and asked by our staff by mail to send us your work.

OPPORTUNITIES
RAYMOND CARVER 
SHORT STORY CONTEST 
MAY 15

Now in its 19th year, Carve magazine's  Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is one of the most renowned fiction contests in the world. Featuring prominent guest judges and offering $2500 across five prizes, the contest delivers exciting new fiction from writers all over the world.
2019 CONTEST GUIDELINES
● Deadline: May 15. 
● Winners announced August 1 and published in fall issue online and in print.
+Prizes: $1500 (1st), $500 (2nd), $250 (3rd), and two $125 (Editor's Choice).
● Winning stories read by three literary agents.
● Honorable mentions and semifinalists will be listed online for up to 6 months.
● Entry Fees: $17 online / $15 mailed, per story. No limit to number of stories.
● We accept entries from anywhere in the world, but the story must be in English.
● No genre fiction (romance, horror, sci-fi); literary fiction only.
● Story must be previously unpublished (including online).
● Max word count: 10,000.
● We consider all stories without any of the author’s identifying information.
● Submitting online: no cover page or author info in document.
● Submitting by mail: include $15 check or money order payable to Carve Magazine with cover page that includes story title, name, address, phone, email, and word count. Send to: Carve Magazine | Raymond Carver Contest | PO Box 701510 | Dallas, TX 75370.
● For additional questions about the contest, please email us at info@carvezine.com.
CREATIVE CAPITAL/ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION 
ARTS WRITERS GRANTS
MAY 20

The Arts Writers Grant supports both emerging and established writers who are writing about contemporary visual art. Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, these grants support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences, from scholarly studies to self-published blogs. The grant also supports art writing that engages criticism through interdisciplinary methods or experiments with literary styles.Writers who meet the program’s eligibility requirements are invited to apply in one of the following categories: Articles; Blogs; Books; or Short-Form Writing. Eligible applicants are: 
an individual; applying for a project about contemporary visual art; an art historian, artist, critic, curator, journalist, or a writer in an outside field who is strongly engaged with the contemporary visual arts; at least 25-years old; a published author (specific publication requirements vary depending on grant category). Projects on post-WWII work in adjacent fields—architecture, dance, film, media, music, performance, sound, etc.—will only be considered if they directly and significantly engage the discourses and concerns of contemporary visual art. Projects with a pre-WWII component will only be considered if the main focus is contemporary. See the Application Guide here. Apply here.

WATERMILL CENTER
ARTIST RESIDENCY
MAY 13

The Watermill Center’s Artist Residency Program began in 2006, when The Center officially opened as a year-round perform-ance-based facility. Founded in 1992 by avant-garde visionary and theater director Robert Wilson, The Watermill Center is an interdisciplinary laboratory for the arts and humanities situated on ten acres of Shinne-cock ancestral territory on Long Island’s East End. With an emphasis on creativity and collaboration, Watermill integrates perform-ing arts practice with resources from the humanities, research from the sciences and inspiration from the visual arts. The Center is unique within the global landscape of experimental artistic practice and regularly convenes the brightest minds from across disciplines to do, in Wilson’s words, “what no one else is doing.” The Artist Residency Program is process-based, without the expectation or promise of a final exhibition of the work. Watermill provides artists with time and space to focus on developing their practice in a communal environment that encourages experimentation. Artists-in-Residence share their creative process with the community through open rehearsals, workshops and artist talks. Artists-in-Residence receive access to an extensive collection of resources central to the Watermill experience: 20,000 square feet of rehearsal/design spaces and outdoor stages; a theater production archive (housed in New York City); The Watermill Center Study Library; The Watermill Collection; and The Center’s ten acre landscaped grounds and gardens. Applications are reviewed by a distinguished international committee composed of artists, academics, and cultural leaders across disciplines. To date, we have hosted over 200 residencies featuring artists from more than 65 nations. See the info packet here.
REGIONAL INITIATIVE (REGI) GRANTS
JUNE 1

ARTISTS CAN APPLY for the Regional Initiative GrantsThese grants ($1,000-$4,000) are perfect for small, collaborative, local-community-based projects. These grants are funded by CT Office of the Arts but administered in our region by the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Artists may apply themselves directly or with a fiscal agent. However partnership is key to this collaborative, community-based program so you need to work closely with other partners. REGI grants encourage and support small arts projects that are relevant to a community’s current society, culture and trends. REGI is a good fit for applicants that have a small arts-based project that targets a specific community matter, reflects on personal experience(s), and/or brings neighborhoods together. REGI grants range between $1,000 and $4,000; up to 10% can be for administrative expenses; grants require a 25% match (from cash and/or unkind contributions). Individual artists can apply as well as arts organizations, creative entrepreneurs, school districts or individual schools, curators/event planners, 501(c)(3) non-arts organizations, colleges, universities and departments, and libraries. Applications are made through Survey Monkey and should be completed first in a word-processing document and then uploaded (you have to begin and finish in one sitting). See Guidelinesand the budget form you have to separately download. Review the application questions here The Cultural Alliance is holding a second Information Session about the REGI grants on Mon. May 6, 6pm at Harry Bennett Branch of the Ferguson Library, Stamford. For more information and to sign up, click here. 
FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS
OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR
APRIL
April 27: Ridgefield Guild of Artists: Juried Member Show Submission Deadline
April 29: South Norwalk Choice Neighborhoods Initiative: Public Art Submissions Deadline
April 30: NEA Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge Application Deadline

MAY
May c1: Carriage Barn Arts Center: Art in the Windows Submission Deadline
May c2: International Print Center of New York: New Prints 2019/Summer Deadline
May 13: Watermill Center: Artist Residency Program: Application Deadline
May 15: Carve magazine: Raymond Carver Short Story Contest, Application Deadlines
May 20: I-Park General Residency Program Application Deadline
May 20: Creative Capital/Warhol Foundation: Arts Writers Grants Application Deadline
May 31: Moonlight International Film Festival (screenplays, stage plays, short stories, libretti, treatments, films, and more): Submission Deadline

JUNE
June c1: Regional Initiative Grants (REGI): Application Deadline
June 10: Touchstone Gallery, DC: America Is... Submission Deadline

JULY
July c5: Picture That: African-American History Month - Unity magazine Submission Deadline

AUGUST
Aug.c1:  Galleri Heike Arndt DK, Berlin: MiniMaxi Prints Berlin Submission Deadline   

OPEN
Savor City: Bridgeport Artists and Musicians Needed.
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