Subject: Artists' Newsletter, August 17, 2017

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ARTISTS' NEWSLETTER
News and Opportunities for Artists of Fairfield County, CT
AUGUST 18, 2017
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 500 individuals and organizations. You can sign up here.
Quote of the Week
"It is inspiring to support those who both believe in and demonstrate the power of the arts to change communities for the better."
Jason Schupbach, NEA's departed director of design and creative placemaking
OUR NEWS
PLEASE HELP THE CAMPAIGN 
FOR OUR NEW  WEBSITE
This week we launched the campaign for our new website. To be released by the end of 2017, the new website will combine the current CulturalAlliancefc.org and FCBuzz.org sites and will include a host of exciting features, including improved FCBuzz functionality, a flexible platform for in-house updates, real-time news, calls to action, and events, a central location for member information and resources, improved analytics to track visitation data, and much more. Building on the generous initial support from an angel donor who provided the seed money to begin the project, we’re now turning to you - our friends and subscribers – to help us kick-off this fundraising campaign. Thank you to all who have already responded. If you have not, please consider making a contribution. Gifts OF ANY SIZE will be much appreciated. You can make your donation to our new website here! Thank you very much. 
NEXT ARTISTS TALK FRI. AUG. 25
The Cultural Alliance continues its ARTISTS TALK series Fri. Aug. 25, 6-8pm at 22 Haviland Street Gallery, Norwalk, at the closing reception for the show, INTERVAL, on Fri. Aug. 25, at 6pm. Come see the show, meet all six artists and hear them talk about their work. Participating artists are: Erin Dolan, Duvian Montoya, Aisha Nailah, Yolanda Petrocelli, Jahmane West, and Yves F. Wilson. They make up a diverse set of perspectives from decades of practice, grounded in multi-disciplined mediums that roadmap from graffiti culture to advertising. The videorecorded talks of our members will be available on our ARTISTS TALK Playlist. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. Free; register here.
ANNOUNCING ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS

The Cultural Alliance, responding to requests from individual artists and cultural nonprofits outside the boundaries of coastal Fairfield County, is establishing, on an experimental, trial basis, Associate Memberships. Associate Members, who do not live or work in Fairfield County, will pay a reduced fee, may create an FCBuzz.org profile, and have their news included in our newsletters, but may only post Fairfield County events that they are participating in, or presenting. Our first associate members are First Street Gallery, New York, and Tracy Hoffman. Tracy was one of the artists in the Westport Arts Center's SELECTS 2017 show, and you can see her artist's talk here - featured in our new ARTISTS TALK - Visiting Artists Playlist on our YouTube channel.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
GWEN HENDRIX

Gwen Hendrix is a fiber & mixed media artist from Oxford, CT, who is a full-time studio artist at The NEST Arts Factory. A former machinist and steel fabricator for Sikorsky Aircraft, Gwen left her work life of 33 years building helicopters to pursue a career in art. She has studied watercolor with Graziella Patrucco de Solodow, mixed-media collage and acrylics with Debi Pendell, textile painting with Elizabeth Busch, and surface design with Jane Dunnewold. She is a graduate of Dunnewold’s 2015 Art Cloth Mastery Program, a 2 year fiber intensive based in San Antonio, Texas. Her work is published in Creative Strength Training: Prompts, Exercises and Personal Stories for Encouraging Artistic Genius by Jane Dunnewold. Creating depth and transparency by using paint, mixed media elements, and surface design methods on fabric and paper, Gwen captures movement and flow that sing with vibrant color. Visual dimension is created through the creative process as forms and abstract imagery evolve and take shape. Gwen has been selected as a participant in the upcoming Elements of Design: Pattern show at City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport, opening September 7th. In November, her work will be shown in the special exhibit Nine Voices From One at the International Quilt Festival, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas.  See Gwen's website: 
CAROL SEPA MUELLER

Carol Sepa Mueller is returning to her art career after spending many years teaching and raising a family. After her BA from Albany State University, Carol took her MA at Columbia University Teachers College in Printmaking and Art Education. She taught in Scarsdale, Rye, Pleasantville and Bronxville public schools in New York State, and at Bedford Middle School and with Westport Continuing Education. The daughter of a garment cutter, Carol says that her early appreciation of color, pattern and fabrics, as well as her interest in the historical significance and development of quilt making, has strongly influenced her as an artist. Currently, she is working on a series that equates artistic creation with storytelling through the use classic quilt block patterns, using various colors as a metaphor to communicate her feelings. She says that her goal is to honor our cultural heritage, as revealed in classical quilt blocks, and to express in paint a modern interpretation on canvas that continues the narrative. She also is interested in using the element of color to evoke emotion, and to sustain visual interest, through tension, sparkle, and surprise. Carol has exhibited widely in group shows throughout New York and Connecticut, as well as at the Royal College of Art in London. She has had solo shows in Greater New York (Yonkers Public Library, Columbus Avenue Gallery, Tuckahoe, Columbia University’s Macy Gallery) and at the Norwalk Hospital, in Connecticut. A member of Westport and Silvermine Arts Centers, Carol is a student of David Dunlop’s.
RICK REYES

Rick Reyes, the accomplished Bridgeport-based singer-songwriter and musician, is known for the way he interweaves Latin and Caribbean rhythms, rock guitars and world music influences. He has a much admired flair for blending classic American rock, salsa, merengue, latin jazz and reggae. As a solo musician and leader of both the enormously popular Cosmic Jibaros, and the Pasofino Social Club, his music takes listeners across all the borders of Latin music genres. Born in Bridgeport, Rick went with his family when they moved back to Puerto Rico when he was a young child. When he was 13, they moved back to the U.S. It was a tough time for him, and it was music that helped him through the transition: “I used to always write my thoughts and feelings as a little kid. My outlet became to write more. I picked up guitar. Things became songs.” These songs eventually turned into a music career, which in turn evolved into a dedication to spreading the sounds of Puerto Rico. He says: "Young Latinos today cross all cultural boundaries. They carry with them the history and the culture of where their parents came from, but at the same time have an open mind to what is happening now,” he says. "You can’t be a part of this world without being influenced by it as you go. Our music is very much a product of the evolution of Latinos in the United States." His most recent project has been assembling The Puerto Rican Songbook, in partnership with the Greater Bridgeport Latino Network, and assisted by a 2016 REGI grant (administered by the Cultural Alliance). The Songbook unfolded to be a kind of Puerto Rican musical travel guide, featuring songs from the 1920s to the ‘90s and highlighting the contributions of Puerto Rican composers. Performances and community workshops were immensely popular: "It’s had such an impact in the community, a community that needed to realize their roots. It’s a very healing show for folks." Rick is a member of The NEST Arts Factory. See him perform regularly at Barcelona, Stamford, The Bijou, The Acoustic, among other venues. See Rick’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.  This piece is indebted to Janey Reynolds, "Rick Reyes' Love Songs to Puerto Rico," Take Magazine, March 20, 2017. 
MEGAN SMITH-HARRIS

Megan Smith-Harris’s career encompasses documentary, television, film, theatre, radio, writing, magazine editing, blogging, and teaching - both in Canada and the United States. Currently, she is the editor of Wilton Magazine, one of six upscale lifestyle publications that are part of the TownVibe Media Group, with a combined circulation of 225,000. As a freelance writer, she has won six Connecticut Press Club Awards, as well as first and second place wins in the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) national journalism competition. Megan is also a filmmaker. Her most recent project, The Buddy System, is an award-winning documentary about the extraordinary impact of autism assistance dogs on the lives of children on the spectrum. Her feature documentary, Trial By Fire: Lives Re-Forged, qualified for Oscar® consideration and continues to air internationally and across the country on PBS and Create.  Recently, Megan has taken up playwriting. Her short play, The Play Date has been produced by Play With Your Food, as well as the Theatre Artists Workshop. Currently, she is developing Killing Mom, a full-length play dealing with end-of-life decisions in a humorous and poignant manner. Her play A Whole New World won first place in the 2016 Bijou Theatre One-Act Play competition, judged by renowned playwright Terrence McNally. Megan is also a speaker, frequent panelist, film festival judge. She has programmed and moderated the New Perspectives Documentary Series at the Wilton Library, for the past eight years, in Wilton, Connecticut where she lives with her husband and business partner, Bill Harris, and their son, Jack. For film clips and more information, please visit Megan's website.
CURRENT MEMBERS
❦ – See a List by Town of Artist Members: here
❦ – See a List by Town of all Organization and Creative Business Members: here
YOUR NEWS
ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS
GROUP SHOWS & OTHER NEWS
Erin Dolan, Duvian Montoya, and Jahmane are three of the six artists featured in INTERVAL at Dennis Bradbury's 22 Haviland Street Gallery in South Norwalk. The Cultural Alliance's ARTISTS TALK series will visit the show for its closing reception Fri. Aug. 25, 6-8pm. The other artists in the show are  Aisha Nailah, Yolanda Petrocelli, and Yves F. Wilson. Register here for the Talk.
The following members are participating in the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' Art Walk Ridgefield that kicks off Fri. Aug. 25, 5-8pm, with an artist opening reception in all the stores, continuing Sat. Aug. 26, 12-4pm with live music and demonstrations. Each artist has one piece in the Walk on Down exhibit at the Guild, Sat. Aug. 26, 4-6pm: Sue Benton (Nature’s Temptation); Heidi Lewis Coleman (The Frame Shop); Rhonda Gentry (Audrey Road); Ellen Gordon (Whip Salon); Ellen Gould (109 Wine); Sholeh Janati (Farmer’s Insurance); Chris Perry (Ridgefield Library); and Lisa Silberman (The Frame Barn).
Paul Berger, Karla Bernstein, Donna Callighan, Ken Delmar, Heide Follin, Danielle Goldstein, Ellen Gordon, Yuko Ike, Joanie Landau, Jane Lubin, Barbara Mathis, Carol Mueller, Donna Osterby-Brien, Judy Peknik, Chris Perry, and Barbara Ringer are among the artists selected for the Loft Artists Association's tri-state juried exhibition Visual Narratives. Open from Sat. Aug. 26, the opening reception and awards ceremony will take place Sat. Sept. 8, 6-8pm.
INDIVIDUAL NEWS
Karla Bernstein’s image One Night I Dreamed…Gratitude (2017, digital photography, archival paper and ink, framed 16 in. x16") was accepted for the Loft Artists Association exhibition Visual Narratives, running Aug. 26-Sept. 24. Karla writes: "Bad dreams often pierced my early childhood sleep. The themes of the nightmares often recurred but embedded within varied stories. My ‘One Night I Dreamed…’ series of composited digital images emerged as I looked back at these childhood nightmares from a wiser, more secure, and compassionate stage of life."
Miggs Burroughs is being given a Bravo & Thank You, Miggs! party by the Westport Library in thanks, and to mark the completion of his service as the Library's Artist-in-Residence. For this past year, Miggs acted as the Library's ambassador to the town and, among other things, conducted a series of artist-to-artist talks with others exhibiting in The Great Hall, and offered up monthly design challenges to the community at large. Now that his residency is ending and his own Great Hall exhibit, Signs of Compassion, is also wrapping up, the Library decided that it's time to celebrate Miggs with a party. It will take place Mon. Aug. 21, 6-8 pm in The Great Hall, and everyone is invited!
Heidi Lewis Coleman will be exhibiting several of her mixed media assemblage pieces at The Frame Shop during the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' upcoming Art Walk Ridgefield 2017. From Aug. 25 through Sep. 8, the Ridgefield business district will be transformed into a fabulous strolling gallery and there is an opening night steet party on Fri. Aug. 25, 5-8pm. At right is Heidi's Ocea (2017, mixed media assemblage on canvas, 30" square, click image for larger picture)
Carol Nipomnich Dixon has her Sunlit Leaves (2016, oil on canvas, 36” square) included in the 128th Annual Members Exhibition of the National Association of Women Artists at the Kim Art Gallery (417 lafayette St) New York, that opens with a reception Aug.31, 6-8pm
Heide Follin had her Prayer Flags in the Wind (2017, acrylic ink and paint on #300 watercolor paper, framed white wood, size is 36” x 27.5”) juried into the Loft Artists Association’s Visual Narratives exhibition by Katerina Lanfranco,  Chief Curator, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn. This piece has an open lyrical, Asian quality and is part of her Bhutan series. Opening reception is Sat. Sept. 8. Heide is also the featured artist in an Evening of Art, Wine & Jazz at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Sun. Aug. 20, where Chris Botti, Grammy Award winning trumpeter and composer is performing.
Jahmane is this month's artist leading the Artists on Artists (click on image) tour of the current exhibitions at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art  this Sat. Aug. 19, 3-4pm. Admission to the museum is free. The, come hear Jahmane talk about his own work at the Cultural Alliance's ARTISTS TALK at 22 Haviland Street Gallery, Norwalk, Fri. Aug. 25, 6-8pm (free, but please register). 
Ed Katz reports that for his next Katz Reviews feature on WICC600 AM, which airs every Tuesday at 6:50am, he will be reviewing the Westport Country Playhouse's new production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play, Appropriate. If you miss it on WICC, all Ed's reviews are available at www.KatzReviews.com.
Lesley Koenig has a solo show, Splishes, Drips and Splatters: Reflections on Spontaneous Interactions, at Rockwell Art & Framing, through Sept. 11. At right is a detail of Summer Memories. The show is about communicating the myriad layers of emotions connected with the process of creating. Lesley writes: "With the power of color and texture on a two-dimensional plane, I create a visual metaphor for life’s many dichotomies.
Sooo-z Mastropietro had four works selected for Interaction of Color, a show at Ann Street Gallery (104 Ann Street) in Newburgh, NY, where on Sat. Aug 19, Safe Harbors joins the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival for a lively artists reception. The show includes 40 works by 15 artists. All works chosen for their expressive and chromatic qualities, as well as, for being visually stimulating. Sooo-z's works are no exception: Mad Plaider (2016, sewn knit woven tubes of fabric, 14x13x4," at right), Baptism by Fiber, RipTied, and Thread Baron. Sooo-z is also facilitating a one-day Bass Camp at the Quick Center, Aug. 28! 
Amy Oestreicher just performed Gutless and Grateful at FireHouse Arts Center in Newburyport, MA. She also just published "Can Theatre Turn Humanity Into Heroes? Five Creators, Two TEDx Talks, One Universal Story" on Huffington Post, based on the two TEDx talks she has given this year, together with her interviews with artistic directors Rick Dildine (Alabama Shakespeare) Christopher Ashley (La Jolla) Blake Robison (Cincy Playhouse), Jim Petosa (New Rep) and Anne Hamburger (En Garde Arts) on their insights into theatre’s role in society today.
Compiled List of Artist Member Openings & Events
Click button to right to download events to your ICAL or Google Calendar
Sat. Aug. 19: Jahmane, Artists on Artists tour. Aldrich Museum, 3pm.
Sat. Aug. 19: Interaction of Color, Ann Street Gallery, 104 Ann Street, Newburgh, NY. Opening reception with jazz, 6:30-8:30pm (Sooo-z Mastropietro).
Sun. Aug. 20: Heidi Follin, featured artist. Evening of Art, Wine and Jazz. Ridgefield Playhouse, 7:15pm.
Mon. Aug. 21: Miggs Burroughs, Bravo! and Thank-You Party, Westport Library. 6-8pm.
Tues. Aug. 22: Ed Katz, Reviews Appropriate on WICC 600AM, 6:50am
Fri. Aug. 25: ARTISTS TALK at INTERVAL, 22 Haviland Street. Closing reception, 5-8pm (Erin Dolan, Duvian Montoya and Jahmane). 
Fri. Aug. 25: Art Walk Ridgefield. Opening events, 5-8pm (Sue Benton, Heidi Lewis Coleman , Rhonda Gentry, Ellen Gordon, Ellen Gould, Sholeh Janati, Chris Perry, and Lisa Silberman)
Sat. Aug. 26: Visual Narratives, Loft Artists Association. Opens (Paul Berger, Karla Bernstein, Donna Callighan, Ken Delmar, Heide Follin, Danielle Goldstein, Ellen Gordon, Yuko Ike, Joanie Landau, Jane Lubin, Barbara Mathis, Carol Mueller, Donna Osterby-Brien, Judy Peknik, Chris Perry, and Barbara Ringer).
Sat. Sept. 8: Visual Narratives, Loft Artists Association. Opening Reception, 6-8pm. (Paul Berger, Karla Bernstein, Donna Callighan, Ken Delmar, Heide Follin, Danielle Goldstein, Ellen Gordon, Yuko Ike, Joanie Landau, Jane Lubin, Barbara Mathis, Carol Mueller, Donna Osterby-Brien, Judy Peknik, Chris Perry, and Barbara Ringer).
Now that you have read our NEWS...
Check FCBuzz.org for listings of all EVENTS by our members!
CALLS FOR ENTRIES -Deadlines
RIDGEFIELD GUILD OF ARTISTS
40th ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION 
SEPT. 9-11

Now in its 40th year, the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' Annual Juried Exhibition has become a September tradition for many, drawing artists and viewers from all over the Northeast. Providing an exhibition venue for both established and emerging artists, The Guild invites all regional artists 16 and older to participate. This year’s curator is Lisa Hayes Williams, Curatorial Assistant to the Director of The New Britain Museum of American Art. A Connecticut native, Ms. Williams joined the New Britain Museum in February 2016. She previously lived in New York City, working for the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and David Zwirner Gallery where she served as Exhibitions and Research Associate. All entrants are invited to submit up to 3 pieces of artwork in any media. Wall hung work is limited to 60 inches in any direction including multi-unit pieces. Wall hung multi-unit pieces (such as diptychs, triptychs) must be sold as one piece. Member fees are $20 for the first piece, $15 for the second and third. Non-member fees are $30 for the first and $20 for the second and third pieces. Artists joining the Guild with entry, pay the lower member fees. Three part entry forms will be available to fill out when you bring in your work for receiving.  Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place along with Honorable Mentions. Full Prospectus here. Receiving Sat. Sept. 9 and Sun. Sept. 10, 12-4 pm and Mon. Sept. 11, 2-6 pm
PEQUOT LIBRARY
THE STORY OF ART
SEPTEMBER 15

Calling all artists! Submit your work to Pequot Library’s 20th Annual Art Show, The Story of Art. Online submissions must be received by midnight on September 15, 2017 in order to be considered for entrance in this juried exhibition. The jurors are Adrienne Ruger Conzelman, a private art dealer and advisor, and the Director of ARC Fine Art in Fairfield, and Helen Klisser During, art advisor, curator, photojournalist, and Artistic Director Emeritus at Westport Arts Center. The jurors are looking for a variety of artistic mediums, focusing closely on the expression, either traditional or abstract, of the story presented to viewers. Submit your art directly here 
All entries must be for sale, no exceptions. Prizes will be given for first, second and third place. The entry fee is $25 per piece for up to five entries, and is non-refundable. The entry fee for young artists (age 22 and under) is $15 per piece. Entry fee includes one ticket to the Artists and Collectors Party on October 22, 2017. Pequot Library will notify all artists of the status of their submission by October 1, 2017. Only artwork selected for the exhibition should be dropped off to Pequot Library on October 7, 2017 and must be picked up Sunday, October 22, 2017. Accepted artworks will be on view from October 14 - 22, 2017 in Pequot Library’s historic auditorium, which provides an outstanding backdrop for the show.Visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution. All classes and programs are open to everyone. For information: (203) 259-0346 ext. 115. Follow Pequot Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Pequot Library Brings Culture to Life!
NEST ARTS FACTORY
SPUN 
FIBER EXHIBITION 
SEPT. 15

The NEST Arts Factory announces an open call for its second SPUN innovative fiber exhibit, a juried show, to be held again at NEST Arts Factory. The exhibit dates: October 14 - November 4, 2017, with an opening reception: Sat., Oct. 14, 2-5 pm. A full catalog of the exhibit will be printed. The SPUN exhibit accepts 2D and 3D art that challenge the definition of fiber, including, but not limited to, quilting, knitting, crochet, tatting, weaving, spinning, felting, etc., or with elements that reference fiber or fiber traditions. Notification of acceptance: Sept. 22; accepted art to arrive by Oct. 6. Submit here. Full details can be found on the prospectus: www.spunfiberexhibit.com
The SPUN 2017 juror is Jeffrey Mueller, Gallery Director at Silvermine Arts Center and adjunct professor of Art History at Western Connecticut State University.
ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER
EXPRESSIONS
SEPTEMBER 25/26

The Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) has an Open Call For Artists for Expressions that will run Oct. 1 through 29, 2017. This is one of the two open juried shows at RAC. Exhibit chairs are Milan Chilla and Linda Francis. The judge is award winning artist Rosemary Webber. It is open theme and open media. Artists may submit two pieces. Fees: RAC Exhibiting and Supporting Members: $20/1; $35/2; fees waived for Art Angels. Non-Members: $25/1; $45/2. No Giclees, other than for photography. Three-dimensional art may not exceed 3’ x 3’. The artist must provide an appropriate base and be available to assist with the installation. There is a $250 cash award (Mavis Fenner Memorial Award) for Best in Show. For more information, see prospectus here. Receiving Dates: Monday, Sept. 25, 4-7pm & Tuesday, Sept. 26, 11am-2pm. Names of accepted artists will be shown on  Opportunities for Artists, Expressions. Opening Reception: Sunday, October 1, 4-6pm
And Remember...
Aug. 18: Norwalk Public Library, The Way We Read Norwalk, Photo Contest Deadline
Aug. 18: Carriage Barn Arts Center: 40th Annual Member Show Submission Deadline
Aug. 20: Maritime Garage Gallery: Memories of Our Town - Deadline Extended
Aug. 25: Boston Printmakers: 2017 North American Print Biennial Submission Deadline

See other deadlines below in Opportunities Calendar
Resources:
  • Cafe.org CallforEntry.org: Run by WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) this is a registry of opportunities, as well as an application management system. Registration required.
  • ArtSake: Archive of Calls for Artists, run by the Massachusetts Arts Council
  • ArtDeadline.com "the art world's first and most accessed resource of its kind"
  • The ArtGuide.com: Calls for Artists (can be indexed by state and deadline)
  • Scoop.It: Public Art RFPs and RFQs
  • NYFA Opportunities: Calls, Residencies and other opportunities. Can be indexed by date, location and type
  • No Film School recently released a list of opportunities available from mid-June to September for documentary, narrative, screenwriting, and new media projects

OPPORTUNITIES
A BLADE OF GRASS
ART & SOCIAL CHANGE FELLOWSHIP
SEPTEMBER 18

A Blade of Grass (ABOG) Artists Fellowships not only awards fellowships of $20,000 of unrestricted funds to artists (individuals and groups) to work on socially-engaged projects, but they also work with the artists to examine and analyze how the projects work. ABOG looks at how alliances are formed and maintained, the way disparate stakeholder groups are coordinated, how power dynamics are navigated, and how bridges are built between many different types of people in a socially engaged art project. A primary goal of ABOG is to make the “invisible” parts of socially engaged art visible, and they do this through documentary films and field research that are artist-led, and are grounded in the perspective of project participants, as well as publications, web content, and public programming. Individual artists or artist collectives are eligible. To ensure fit, you must be prepared to collaborate with ABOG’s documentary crew and a field researcher to generate creative content about my project, to be able to talk about your work through storytelling and articulate what the transformation, or problem is that is being solved by the project? More information here; apply here.
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
NOVEMBER 1

New Canaan Library is pleased to announce that its second Artist in Residence program will begin on April 9, 2018. The bi annual Artist in Residence program debuted in May 2016, and is unique in being one of only a few of its kind in the country, aligning the elements of an artist's residency with the Library's mission to inspire lifelong learning through innovation and discovery. This spring's program aims to foster a connection between the community and art; sparking new ways of thinking about art, as well as the process of creating it, via hands-on exploration. Over the course of the program (April 9 - May 2, 2018) the artist will, in addition to exhibiting his or her art in the Library's Curtis Gallery, hold numerous interactive, hands on sessions where individuals can learn about and experience the process under the guidance of the artist.
The Library's "call for artists" is open now through November 1, 2017. Those interested in applying for the artist in residence position can find all related information, guidelines and forms here. Questions may also be directed to Emily Oumano, Programming Librarian at eoumano@newcanaanlibrary.org.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GOAL-SETTING TIPS (+FORMS) FROM GYST

A reminder from GYST-Ink ("an artist-run company providing resources, technology and solutions created by artists for artists") that now is a good time for planning and goal-setting:  Setting realistic goals can get you organized, motivated, and on track. Writing down your short- and long-term goals makes your aspirations more concrete. A flexible plan of action can also help you deal with the challenges of the present and visualize what you want in the future. Flexible is key, since circumstances change so fast, both for artists and the way the world works. ¶ Goal setting keeps you motivated because when you accomplish a goal, even if it’s starting your mailing list with just one contact, you can see progress and improvement. It’s a good reminder about what priorities you have chosen, and gives you a good way to check back and see how you are doing. The key to setting goals is to be realistic, flexible, and diligent. It’s helpful to remember that you won’t get everything done in a day, a month, or maybe even a year. Start small and work up to the big stuff. Get organized first, and things will fall into place more easily. ¶ Plan ahead. If you keep accurate records of your work, and have a list of all your past exhibitions, artist statements, résumés, and an inventory of where your work is and who has purchased it, when you have that retrospective or mid-career survey, you will know what you have made, when you made it and what you were thinking about while you were making it. The curators organizing and writing about your work will be thrilled to be more knowledge-able about your ideas, and finding old work from collectors will be so much easier. ¶ Schedule a short business meeting with yourself once a week. Use this time to reflect on what you accomplished during the last week and what needs to get done this week, and then adjust your goals. ¶ Art practice is never finished. You always have to update your mailing list, archive your work, apply for exhibitions, and revisit your goals. Therefore, keep in mind that planning is a fluid process. Plans are made, and plans are changed. Shift your plans according to your good or bad fortune. See helpful goal setting forms here (at bottom of page).
ARTIST-BUILT ENVIRONMENTS:
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED CONFERENCE
SHEBOYGAN SEPT 27-29 

The Road Less Traveled Conference is the result of a partnership between the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPT), Kohler Foundation, Inc. and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Scholars, artists, preservationists, educators, activists, art historians, collectors and devotees will delve into the complex subject of artist-built environments during a three-day conference, September 27-29, 2017, at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. Through a variety of performances, panels, and workshops, attendees will share new ideas and broaden the collective knowledge and appreciation of this unique style of art making that is the focus of a yearlong series of exhibitions at the Arts Center. Featuring luminaries from the field as well as emerging creative professionals, this dynamic conference spans disciplines and perspectives relevant to the understanding of environments both in-situ and no longer in place. Topics will include the curation of site components, current research and conservation methods, artists’ responses to various sites, issues in community engagement and historic designation, and site stewardship. Among the highlights are a live podcast from Benjamen Walker’s Theory of Everything reflecting on a road trip to artist-built sites in Wisconsin, artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe’s performance of a sound piece specific to Emery Blagdon’s Healing Machine, and a think tank discussion of the future of Eddie Owens Martin’s magnificent site, Pasaquan, now that conservation of the artist environment is complete.  See detailed schedules for each day: 27, 28, 29.
JOBS
ALDRICH MUSEUM
PREPARATOR/ART HANDLERS

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum seeks experienced Preparator/Art Handlers for part-time biannual month-long show changes and occasional small installation and deinstallation jobs. Occasional weekend work maybe needed, dependent on exhibition. Candidate will be organized, reliable, professional, and have a minimum of two years experience in art handling, packing, and exhibition installation. Must be experienced with power and hand tools. Carpentry/Fabrication skills and media installation experience are a plus. Must be able to commute to Ridgefield, CT via personal vehicle.  Responsibilities include working in conjunction with curators, artists, registrar, head preparator/facilities manager and facilities/exhibitions coordinator. The job entails safely unpacking/packing artwork, completing packing forms, and art handling and installation within ten separate galleries. General gallery maintenance such as painting, patching, etc. may be required. Competitive hourly pay rate is based on experience. Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and cover letter in PDF formats with the subject line "Freelance Art Handler" to cmanning@aldrichart.org and rcooke@aldrichart.org. Qualified candidates only. No calls please.
SUZUKI SCHOOLS OF WESTPORT 
MARKETING PROFESSIONAL

The Suzuki Music Schools of Westport  Orange and Stamford seeks a part-time Marketing & PR professional to join its small and dedicated administrative team. Suzuki Music Schools is a mission-driven non-profit music school devoted to children and families. It is known for its high quality of teaching, and the reputation of its students. It runs a variety of family musical events throughout the academic year. Many of these events are open to the public, others are community service events. Goals for the position include: a) general brand promotion within the local and regional communities of our two schools (Fairfield County and New Haven County); and b) event-specific marketing. Duties include:
a) writing copy - articles, ads and event listings; b) maintaining newspaper, magazine and online event listings; c) designing and executing event specific marketing and promotion campaigns with our event staff; d) helping identify community partnerships for promotion of our brand; e) maintaining our marketing publications and designs. This part-time position would be ideal for a professional looking for event-specific work with flexible hours. A background in classical music and a love of children and families would be useful but is not necessary. Send cover letter and resume to andrew.s@suzukischools.org
FAIRFIELD MUSEUM
VISITOR SERVICES MANAGER

Fairfield Museum and History Center seeks a full-time Visitor Services Manager, responsible for managing the visitor experience at the Fairfield Museum, including reception, answering phones, and assisting visitors, as well as routine administrative and clerical duties. Oversees Museum Shop operations and merchandising
9-5, Monday through Friday, with occasional additional morning, afternoon and weekend hours. Duties include: Reception: As primary reception staff, answer phones, greet visitors and provide informed, welcoming, professional and courteous customer service; supervise weekend visitor service staff, coordinate their scheduling, assign tasks and oversee their duties as needed; ensure that the Museum is well represented to all visitors. Administration: use automated point-of-sale system; assist with Museum marketing; gather and log visitor emails, update online calendars, assist with social media; manage program and room rental reservations, including scheduling, coordination with renters, room set up and associated billing; maintain organizational calendar, phone message, social media and web site as needed; work with the Museum’s Office Manager to produce income reports; prepare records and regular reports on attendance and other audience data as required; assist with set up and staffing of special event; provide general administrative support as needed. Museum Shop: Oversee merchandising and design of Museum Shop; schedule and coordinate Museum Shop volunteers; oversee inventory control, buying and reordering; manage the development of custom products for Museum Shop; work with Marketing Manager to promote Museum Shop sales. Experience: Professional, gracious, outgoing and helpful demeanor; excellent verbal and written communication skill; high level of initiative as well as personal and professional integrity; retail sales and merchandising experience highly desired; proficiency using MS Word, Excel, Facebook, Twitter, and Point-of-Sale systems (Shopkeep); excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize, manage several simultaneous tasks. High School Diploma, BA preferred. For full job description, click here. E-mail letter of interest and detailed resume by September 1 to: VM Search, lreilly@fairfieldhs.org.
MARLENE SIFF
PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Westport-based artist seeks a personal assistant to work directly with artist in home studio. Assist with details for home, studio, and day-to-day personal and business items to enable artist to spend more time in her studio. Strong command of the English language and multi-tasking necessary
Duties include: Mac Computer (required); responding to e-mails (personal and business); sending letters; filing; ordering supplies for house and studio as directed; using Word, Excel, Photoshop and Graphics Software; finding and entering art competitions; overseeing entries for exhibition opportunities; wrapping and mailing Catalogue Raisonnés and sending to galleries and museums; making phone calls and connections to art galleries; working with website designer to update artist's website; writing/editing Artist Statements; updating Artist Price Lists and Resumé; corresponding with private collectors and museum curators; contacting members of the press about upcoming exhibitions and projects; managing multiple email and mailing lists; maintaining Artist Image Database and Print Reproduction Library. The candidate MUST be familiar with the Mac Operating System, Photoshop and Graphics Software. Candidate MUST have a background in Arts Management, Art History, Studio Art, or have a background in a fine arts-related discipline. Candidate MUST live in Fairfield County, within 30 minutes of Westport. Skills/Qualifications include: Mac Computer Savvy, Administrative Writing Skills, Strong Typing and Spelling Skills, Good Photoshop and Graphics Skills, Excellent Verbal Communication, Good Telephone Voice, Organization, Multi-Tasking, Detail Oriented, Follow-up a must! Problem Solving, Supply Management, Interest in Art, Reliability, Responsibility, Positive/Helpful Attitude. References required. Email cover letter, resume and references to   marlene@marlenesiff.com
 Jobs Previously Listed and Still Available
Creative Arts Workshop: Executive Director/Head of School
The Discovery Museum: Exhibits Technician
Greenwich Land Trust: Communications Manager
Neighborhood Music School: P/T Dance faculty for Fall Classes
Westport Country Playhouse: Box Office and Concessions Associate
MEMBERS: Please post your Job Opportunities in FCBuzz Classifieds: http://fcbuzz.org/classified/jobs/

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OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR
AUGUST
Aug. 18: Norwalk Public Library, The Way We Read Norwalk, Photo Contest Deadline
Aug. 18: Carriage Barn Arts Center: 40th Annual Member Show Submission Deadline
Aug. 20: Maritime Garage Gallery: Memories of Our Town Submission Deadline -Deadline Extended
Aug. 25: Boston Printmakers: 2017 North American Print Biennial Submission Deadline
Aug. 31: Main Street Arts (Clifton Springs, NY): Artist Residency Application Deadline
Aug. 31: Corning Museum of Glass: Glass Research Residency Application Deadline

SEPTEMBER
Sept. c1: New American Paintings, Northeast Competition: Submission Deadline
Sept. c1: Gulf Coast Journal, Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing Application Deadline
Sept. 9-11: Ridgefield Guild of Artists: Annual Juried Exhibition Submission Deadline
Sept. 12: First Street Gallery, NY: On & Off The Wall 3-Day Pop-Up Shows Submission Deadline
Sept. 15: Pequot Library, The Story of Art. Submission Deadlin
Sept. 15: NEST Arts Factory, SPUN Fiber Exhibit, Submission Deadline
Sept. 18: A Blade of Grass: Art & Social Change Fellowships Application Deadline
Sept. 25/26: Rowayton Arts Center, Expressions. Receiving

NOVEMBER
Nov. c1: New Canaan Library: Artist in Residence Program Application Deadline
Nov. 17: Smithsonian.com: 15th Annual Photo Contest Submission Deadline
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are very grateful for the support of our individual and organization members, our individual donors and the following organizations.
Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850, United States
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