| | | News and Opportunities for Artists of Fairfield County February 25, 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.
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| | | | | MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE |
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Our new website has been live for 13 weeks and so far 357 (of our 600) members (including 152 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.
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| | NEW ARTISTS TALK VIDEOS AVAILABLE |
| | | REGISTER FOR RESIDENCIES PANEL FEB. 28 |
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| Join us for a free panel discussion and networking party at Silvermine Arts Center, Thursday Feb. 28, 5:30-7:30pm. Hear Felicity Hogan (Director of NYFA Learning) talk about the range of residencies available. Felicity has run a residency, has experienced several and has advised many hundreds of artists about them. Then hear from colleagues Liz Leggett, who has enjoyed many residencies both abroad and locally (including most recently a second stay at Weir Farm), Susan Newbold, who has benefited from 7 residencies (4 in France and 1 in New Zealand), and Jay Petrow, who just returned from a residency at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Please Register Here. |
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MEMBERS: WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
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We have just added SERVICES as a new category in our increasingly popular CLASSIFIEDS section of our new website, under "Resources". In addition to Calls for Artists, Auditions, Jobs, For Sale, For Rent, and Volunteers, the new category offers services by our members. Take advantage of this new place to advertise your services to the public - for free!
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LIZ LEGGETT
Liz Leggett is a Westport based painter. Her undergraduate degree was from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, where she majored in Studio Art. Not long after, she completed her Masters in Fine Art at the Maine College of Art in Portland. Painting has run through her whole life. She has always been interested in expressive work that is vigorously abstract while also bearing figurative references. The figurative side mostly predominated in her earlier work but now the balance has shifted somewhat. Her goal is finding that appropriate balance between the two, leaving an open space for the viewer: what she calls "the space in-between." "I like the viewer to see what they want to see. I don’t like to dictate my thoughts to a viewer. I always welcome the viewer bringing their own thoughts and vision to a piece," she said. "I never get offended — I always get inspired." She says that her painting and drawing is very process-oriented: "my canvases serve as an arena for speed, tension, destruction, rebuilding and grappling with expectations of conformity and control. Surface accidents and spontaneous forms are encouraged as I often apply the materials aggressively and haphazardly. I then may refine areas to establish structure and suggest imagery." Above all it's important for Liz in her work to keep the dynamic going: "I continuously play with abstraction and ambiguity so the work remains open for interpretation, meaning and overall visceral response. Ultimately, I strive to relay a feeling of exaltation, joy and hope." Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and she has particularly enjoyed participating in artist-in-residence programs in Israel, Spain, The Pyrenees, Nova Scotia, Saratoga Springs and most recently, for the second time, at Weir Farm in Wilton. Liz is a member of the Silvermine Guild of Artists as well as the Artists Collective of Westport and is the Exhibition Manager for the Westport Arts Center. She recently had a solo show at Newton Roux Gallery and currently is in a group show at the National Arts Club in New York (see Your News below for details). See her website and Instagram page. Thanks to Stephanie Kim's article in The Hour. |
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| TIM NIGHSWANDER
Tim Nighswander's first experience with a 'serious' camera was when he borrowed his father's Argus for a trip to New York City in 1967. He never looked back. His first 35mm SLR became his constant companion as he worked on a degree in photo-journalism at Kent State University. The student protests there, including the shootings of May 4, 1970 (of which his own photographs became part of the published documentation, exhibited in a 25-year-anniversary show at the Cooper Union) made a big impact on his view of the world. After three years in the Peace Corps, he photographed his way through Europe, returned to graduate school at Kent State and was hired as the photographer for a design and advertising firm in Cincinnati. Moving to New Haven, Tim became a partner in a photography/graphic design studio where he worked on corporate projects as well as for The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. He became an early adopter of digital technologies, and designed and created the digital documentation of the Albers Foundation's collection. Recognizing a need for high resolution digital photography tailored to groups that could not afford an in-house department, he formed Imaging4Art, dedicated to working with foundations, institutions, galleries, collectors and individual artists. He has photographed major collections and contributed to important projects for museums and galleries and continuing to work with the Albers Foundation, the Willem de Kooning Foundation and others. The opportunity to have unprecedented access to the art work of the world's greatest artists and to work beside curators, art historians, conservators and collectors has been an immeasurable art education. Exposure to this art and body of knowledge has allowed him to see themes and through-lines that have been a consistent part of his personal imagery, coalescing into new avenues to explore. Now he is actively pursuing showing his own images. Tim is currently showing his work in Migrating Colors at the Maritime Garage Gallery and has recently shown in Select 3, at the Garvey|Simon Gallery, New York, and in Leonardo Challenge, at the Eli Whitney Museum, New Haven. See Tim's website. |
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| | | Those artists who have posted their profiles onto our new website, that launched Nov. 2, have their names in green with links to their profile. Please join them!
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| Elizabeth Agresta, Painter
Valerie Ahneman, Musician
Peter Alexander, Landscape ArchitectLeslee Asch, Curator, Writer
Frances Ashforth, Painter/
Media ArtistDennis Bradbury, Photographer Carolyn Brady, Photographer Nancy Breakstone, Photographer Michael Brennecke, Sculptor
Mixed Media Tom Comerford, PhotographerPenrhyn Cook, PhotographerRod Cook, PhotographerMargaret Stapor Costa, Filmmaker Adger Cowans, Photographer & PainterNaomi Cruz, PainterDolly Curtis, CuratorLisa Cuscuna, PainterDawn Dahl, PainterCris Dam, Painter/Muralist |
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| Joseph Dermody, Painter/
Sculptor/Furniture Maker/Violist Designer
Joyce DiCamillo, Musician
Barbara Kunin Dierolf, PainterErin Dolan, PainterAmy Dolego, PhotographyJennifer Drolet, Painter Ganga Duleep, PainterDavid Dunlop, PainterPhilip Eliasoph, WriterJeanine Esposito, Mixed
Media
Mixed-media
Sue Brown Gordon, Painter/Jeweler Ellen Gould, PhotographerJoyce Grasso, Painter/
PhotographerKristen Graves, Musician Jen Greely, Painter/
PrintmakerCarolina Guimarey, Multi-
Media ArtistBarry Guthertz, PhotographerDorothy Hafner, SculptorDon Hamerman, Media Dancer Tracy Hoffman, Photographer & Painter
Wayne Keeley, Writer, Producer
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| Susan Keown, Painter/
Mixed Media/Ceramicist
PhotographerNiki Ketchman, Sculptor/
Multimedia Jin Hi Kim, Musician Lesley Koenig, PainterMoki Kokoris, Visual ArtistRichard Koleszar, PainterMichael Kozlowski, PainterDawn Kubie, PhotographerJoanie Landau, Jewelry
designer/PrintmakerLydia Larson, PainterEmily Hamilton Laux, PhotographerKatya Lebrija, PainterEric Jiaju Lee, Visual
Artist/MusicianJulie Leff, PainterLiz Leggett, PainterSusan Leggitt, PainterHenry Lepetit, PainterJulia-Rose Liptack, PainterBarbara Loss, PhotographerShelley Lowell, Painter/
Sculptor/PoetJane Lubin, Mixed Media Laurie MacLean,
Choreographer, DancerMark Macrides, Painter,
CollagistJessica Makin, Painter/
PhotographerConnie Manna, PainterMary Manning, Painter/
PrintmakerElizabeth Marks, PainterNadia Martinez, MultiMediaSooo-z Mastropietro, Photographer
Barbara Mathis, Painter
Megan Bonneau McCool, Choreographer
Grace S. McEnaney, Photographer, Designer,
Curator
Jay Misencik, PhotographerDay Moore, PainterNancy Moore, PainterBrechin Morgan, PainterLina Morielli, Multi-MediaMeighan Morrison, PainterCarol Mueller,
Painter/PrintmakerCynthia Mullins, PainterSusan Murray, PainterTava Naiyin, Dancer Dale Najarian, Painter Erin Nazzaro, Painter Karen Neems, Photographer/Mixed Photographer Eddie Niño, Painter
Julie O'Connor, Performing/Visual ArtistMelissa Orme, Painter Rose Palmiero, Painter Eileen Panepinto, Mixed
MediaSteve Parton, PainterJudy Peknik, PainterJustin Perlman, SculptorChris Perry, Book ArtistJay Petrow, Painter Laura Pflug, Painter Igor Pikayzen, Violinist |
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| Diane Pollack, Mixed Media
Karen Ponelli, Painter
Jennifer Prat, PhotographerElizabeth Quesada, PainterBen Quesnel, Sculptor,
Videographer
PhotographerMariya Rivera, PainterDorothy Robertshaw, Mixed MediaLizzy Rockwell, Painter,
Illustrator, AuthorAlyse Rosner, Painter/
Mixed MediaRichard Sadlon, MusiciansRenee Santhouse, Graphic Artist Anthony Santomauro, PainterJill Sarver, PainterEllen Schiffman, Fiber
ArtistNorma Schlager, Fiber
ArtistMarianne R. Schmidt, PainterGuy Sealey, MultimediaKatie Settel, PhotographerRick Shaefer, Visual ArtistRosalind Shaffer, CeramistBarbara Shea, WriterAlissa Siegal, PainterNorm Siegel, PainterLisa P. Silberman, Printmaker
Phyllis Sinrich, PrintmakerConnie Stancell, PainterBarbara Stewart, PainterPam Stoddart, PainterFlorence Suerig, Visual
ArtistDenise Susalka, PainterJanice Sweetwater, PainterSusan Tabachnick, SculptorJuliette Tehrani, PainterAlicia Thompson, Actress/
PlaywrightDara Tomeo, PainterKris D. Toohey, PainterAndrea Towey, MusicianRuth Kalla Ungerer,
PrintmakerVincent Verrillo, PainterKaren Vogel, PainterLee Walther, Mixed Media Liz Ward, Multi-MediaAnn Weiner, Multi-Media,
PainterPeggy Weis, MultiMediaGregg Welz, Paper ArtistJahmane West, MultiMediaCynthia Whalen, PainterJoan B. Wheeler, PainterElizabeth White, MultiMediaJarvis Wilcox, PainterBruce Williams, PainterJen Williams, PainterJonah Wilner, PainterTammy Winser, Mixed
MediaNancy Woodward,
Photographer/Mixed
Media
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| | ❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here |
| | | | | | Nancy Breakstone, Miggs Burroughs and Ellen Gould are among the artists juried into the Fairfield Museum and History Center's IMAGES 2019 photography exhibition, opening with a reception Thurs. Feb. 28, 6-8pm. At the reception, every submission to the 2019 contest will be featured in a slideshow, and the jury will announce the “Best in Show” photographs in both the Professional/Serious Amateur and Student categories. They will also award honorable mentions. |
| | Lisa Berger, Paul Berger, Nancy Breakstone, Janine Brown, Miggs Burroughs, Ellen Gould, Mary Harold, Barbara Ringer, Lisa Silberman and Lee Walther were juried into CameraWorks, the 2019 photography show at Ridgefield Guild of Artists, opening with a reception, Sat. March 2, 4-6pm. The show was juried by Joe McNally, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer, one of the top, technically excellent photographers of his generation, whose prolific career includes assignments in nearly 70 countries. |
| | Tom Berntsen, Lou Buckner, Trace Burroughs, Louise Cadoux, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito, and Jana Ireijo were among the 28 artists who had work accepted into the Tête-À-Tête: Reinventing the Conversation Bench, opening with a reception at the Westport Arts Center March 8, 6-8pm. In partnership with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, this juried design competition asked artists to reinvent the concept of a Victorian-era conversation bench. Jurists were John Edelman (Design Within Reach), Patricia Kane (Yale University Art Gallery), and Paul Goldberger (Pulitzer Prize winning critic of architecture and design). |
| | | | | Lisa Berger has her color photograph Malfunction Junction (24x32), a close-up image of an old rusted car near Ogunquit, ME, selected for the Ridgefield Guild of Artists CameraWorks exhibition, opening Sat. March 2, 4-6pm. She will also be showing two works in the Wilton Arts Council's Focus '19 photography show, running March 2 through March 29 at the Wilton Library, with a reception and awards ceremony on Fri. March 8, 6-7:30pm. Her two photographs are Rise and Shine (24x32), of a wine bottle wall at China Ranch Date Farm, Tecopa, CA, and her color photograph, Off the Rails (24x32, at right; click for complete image), a colorful abstract image of rail plates at Essex Steam Train, Essex, CT. |
| | Thomas Berntsen had his competition submission "Becoming Aware Bench" accepted into the Tête-à-Tête: Reinventing the Conversation Bench exhibition at the Westport Arts Center, that opens with a reception Fri. March 8, 6-8pm. Tom's comment: "A passage around and through a labyrinth of dichroic glass walls, walking inward on a reflective floor. They reach the center. An amorphous bench awaits. Around them, an environment both transparent and reflective invites them to be the same."
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| | Nancy Breakstone’s photograph titled Just Golden-In The Sand (digital, 20x16; click detail at right for complete image) was juried into the Fairfield Museum and History Center's IMAGES 2019 photography exhibition, Feb. 28 - April 28, opening with a reception Feb. 28, 6-8pm. Other photographs are being shown in the Ridgefield Guild of Artists CameraWorks exhibit, opening Sat. Mar. 2, 4-6pm, and at the Wilton Arts Council's Focus '19 photography show, Mar. 2-Mar. 29, with an awards reception Fri. March 8, 6-7:30pm, at the Wilton Library.
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| | Lucienne Buckner's entry for the Tête-à-Tête: Reinventing the Conversation Bench exhibition at the Westport Arts Center, that opens with a reception Fri. March 8, 6-8pm, depicts a pair of fighting bulls forming the backrest of a Victorian seat. It is a photograph of a small bronze sculpture she made at the Silvermine Arts Center in 2011 entitled Tête-à-Tête. But she now calls it the "Bull Seat" (12x6x5). Click for larger image. Visitors to the NEST Arts Factory's Open Studios, Sat. March 9, 2-6pm, will be able to view the original sculpture in Lu's studio there.
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| | Trace Burroughs' concept was accepted into the Tête-à-Tête exhibition, opening with a reception at the Westport Arts Center March 8, 6-8pm. Pictured at right is one of three views, 36" wide. The prototype is made from plastic. It's titled Scoop-à-Scoop and is a mid-century modernistic approach like the egg shaped chairs of the late 60's. Those using it would lay in it like you would in a hammock using either end for your head. So with the other person could lay head to head or head to feet.
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| | and learn to cooperate and compromise. Two benches face each other , each has a table. let's work out our differences!" At right, an aerial view of her design.
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| | | | | Adger Cowans has a new book out. Following the success of his amazing compendium, Personal Vision: Photographs, that captured the range of work of this extraordinary and groundbreaking photographer (and human being), Adger writes his own account of his life in this autobiography, Art in the Moment: Life and Times of Adger Cowans (Noah's Ark Publishing). As Joan Eisenberg writes, this book is "a nonstop read reflecting the societal changes he experienced growing up as a black man and artist in 20th-centruy America. We accompany Cowans on illustrative and delightfully humorous adventures across continents, revealing surprising new artistic endeavors that are not even close to completion in the 21st century." |
| | Musician, artist and designer Joseph Dermody has many exciting musical events ahead. In the next week or so he is playing viola with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of West Side Story, Sat. Feb. 23, 8pm at the Norwalk Concert Hall. Then the following week, on Sun. March 3 at 4pm, he is playing with his Scape Trio a concert of music by Haydn, Dvorak, Kodaly, Enesco, and Dohnanyi at the First Congregational Church of Old Greenwich. In the wings for Joseph is Bizet's opera Carmen, in Chappaqua, NY, and a family concert with the Norwalk Symphony on March 17, that includes Prokofiev's Peter & The Wolf. |
| | Mary Harold has had her photograph Gingerbread Doll (30x20, at right; click for larger image) selected by juror Joe McNally into the Ridgefield Guild of Artists CameraWorks exhibition, opening Sat. March 2, 4-6pm and running through March 24. This piece is one in a series of photographs by Mary of New York windows with interesting backdrops, fronted by the shadows of New York characters strolling by. |
| | Veronica Hofstetter has a solo show at The Gallery at Pearl, opening with a reception Wed. Feb. 27, 5-7pm. A native Westport resident and lifelong artist, whose familial Swedish and Argentinian roots provided a deep curiosity and strong gravitation towards art, nature, culture, travel, design history, Veronica possesses a desire to work with her hands to discover, express, create and communicate in a visual language. As a mixed media abstract expressionist artist, she is equally inspired by elements that are light, beautiful and peaceful as by elements that are dark, gritty, bold and graphic. The interplay between both is the channel to her observations on composition, color, shape and texture and are symbolic to her sense of visual healing, freedom and spirit. |
| | Jana Ireijo's design, accepted by the judges of the Tête-à-Tête: Reinventing the Conversation Bench competition, to be seen at the Westport Arts Center, opening with a reception Fri. March 8, 6-8pm, is a pair of swans. Jana says: "these are a common sight on the Saugatuck River." This is a collaboration between Jana and Jason Farrell, a builder/sculptor from Australia (where the black swan is native). This chair, she says, represents our frequent conversations attempting to bridge our cultural divide. |
| | Photographer Dawn Kubie has several of her floral "color negative" works in a group show at the Rogal Art Gallery, New Paltz, New York, along with classically-trained artist Robert Rogal, ink artist Thomas Denaro, abstract painter Charles Jackson, Jr., and charcoal artist Heyley Wescott. |
| | Joanie Landau has four pieces in the Loft Artists Group Show, The LAA at the Wilton Library through Feb. 28, including Ravello 1 (2017 digital colla-graph, 30x30, printed on archival ink jet paper, face mounted to 1/4" Plexiglass; at right). The piece, Joanie says, was inspired by a quote from the Brave Girls Club, “If you can’t find any roses to stop and smell, then paint some, sew some, dream some up…there is always a way to find what we are seeking.” Joanie also has work in the LAA's show, Lock Works through Feb. 28, inspired by antique locks and keys from the Stamford Museum. |
| | Liz Leggett had her oil painting The Big Hype included in Highlight: Gramercy, an exhibition of eight contemporary artists based in Athens, Vienna, New York City, Connecticut, and Los Angeles, at the National Arts Club, New York, curated by Paul Efstathiou and Eleanor Flatow. The Big Hype (oil on canvas, 64x50; detail at right, click for complete image) is a good example of Liz's vigorous application of vibrant colors "empowering the spontaneity of the medium and process." The exhibit runs through March 2. |
| | | Nancy Moore has a solo show, Emerging Women, at the New Canaan Library, opening with a reception Thurs. March 7, 6-8pm, and running through April 21. Nancy will speak about her work at 6:30pm at the reception. Nancy comments that the women in these images are all emerging from her Unconventional Women series, begun seven years ago "and still pouring out of my heart, through my hand, and onto the paper." They all incorporate wax crayon, watercolor, gouache, graphite, metallic paint, and colored pencil on archival handmade paper. At right, Moon Dance (watercolor/graphite, ink, colored pencil, wax crayon, 33x28; click for complete image) |
| | Amy Oestreicher has just published a review in Broadway World, of Edward Einhorn's new play The Neurology of the Soul produced at A.R.T./New York's Jeffrey And Paula Gural Theatre. Amy is also gearing up for the premiere of her original song-cycle performance, Passageways: Songs of Connection, Abnormal & Sublime, at Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd St, New York, March 16th at 7 and March 31st at 3pm |
| | Barbara Ringer had her Windows (2018, metal photo in recycled wood frame, 23x27) juried into the Ridgefield Guild of Artists photography show, CameraWorks, juried by Joe McNally, and opening Sat. March 2, with a reception 4-6pm. Barbara also has her portrait of a housewife, I Got This (2019, 16x24; detail at right) in a lobby exhibition, through March 10, at Ridgefield's ACT Theatre, accompanying Stephen Schwartz's musical Working - based on Studs Terkel's 1974 best-selling book of interviews with American workers from all walks of life, including a school teacher, housewife, fireman, millworker, and waitress. |
| | Mariya Rivera, a member of the Art Society of Old Greenwich, has a solo show at Greenwich Bank & Trust, 1103 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside 06878, through March 30. At right her Sunlit Patio at Cafette, (2016, oil on canvas, 28x22). Mariya comments: "It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This collection of paintings covers many adventures and magical moments, all of which lend themselves to intriguing images.” |
| | Alissa Siegal will have ten paintings in the Artists of Astor event: Saturday March 9th, 8pm to midnight at 2 Astor Place, NYC. Event includes film screening, live djs, and art for sale. $20 door ticket gets you 2 drinks and a chance to take home a piece of art. Buy tickets here. One of Alissa's is at right: Red Shoes with Birds (oil on linen, 26x36; click detail for larger image). Alissa is also excited for a Weir Farm residency she will be starting in September. |
| | Lee Walther's photograph Seen/Unseen was juried into the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' Camera Works, by Joe McNally, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer. The show opens Sat. March 2, with a reception 4-6pm. About this work, Lee comments: "I am very conscious of what is seen and unseen…..for example the faces and “Tree Spirits” I photograph, which some viewers may still not see. I am reminded of Georgia O'Keefe's words: "Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven’t time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” |
| | Jonathan Wilner has a solo show, Mindscapes: A Journey into the Unconscious at the Da Silva Gallery, 897-899 Whalley Ave., New Haven, opening with a reception, Sat. March 2, 6-8pm. Inspired by the possibilities introduced to the arts by André Breton’s Surrealist manifesto, the conflation of dreaming and wakeful consciousness, this exhibit explores the alchemy produced when one reaches into the unconscious while awake. At right, detail of Metamorphosis (oil on canvas, 40x30). |
| | CALENDAR
Wed. Feb. 27: Veronica Hofstetter, solo show, Gallery @Pearl. Opening Reception, 5-7pm.Thurs. Feb. 28: IMAGES 2019 photography exhibition, Fairfield Museum. Opening Reception, 6-8pm. (Nancy Breakstone, Miggs Burroughs and Ellen Gould)
Sat. March 2: CameraWorks, Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Opening Reception, 4-6pm (Lisa Berger, Paul Berger, Nancy Breakstone, Janine Brown, Miggs Burroughs, Ellen Gould, Mary Harold, Barbara Ringer, Lisa Silberman and Lee Walther)
Thurs. March 7: Nancy Moore, Emerging Women, New Canaan Library. Opening Reception, 6-8pm. Nancy speaks about her work at 6:30pm |
| | | | | | Grace Weaver, Undercover. 2018 |
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| | | Photo in artsy by Christian Fregnan on Unsplash. |
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| SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AND ARTISTS' WORK
From artsy. Casey Lesser writes in a Feb. 14, 2019 artsy article, about the experience of New York artist Juno Shen, who in 2015 started experiencing mood swings: she felt irritable and couldn’t motivate herself to leave her apartment, let alone make art. She was later diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression commonly known to surge in colder months. Determined to get to the root of her problems, she learned that SAD "is triggered by inconsistencies in one’s exposure to sunlight, which cause your body’s circadian rhythm to become desynchronized,” she explained. She struggled for years, from September to May, until she found ways to effectively treat it—including maximizing her natural light intake, meditating, and seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist. Shen is hardly alone: It’s estimated that as much as 13-23% of the U.S. population may experience some form of SAD, which has symptoms ranging from long periods of depression, lethargy, and a lack of motivation, to sleeping issues, feelings of hopelessness, agitation, and difficulty concentrating. Artists who experience SAD, like Shen, find their productivity and practices change according to the seasons. Psychiatrist Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who pioneered light therapy treatments for it, has studied the link between SAD and creativity. "You often find artists who come alive during the spring and summer, like Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, and Vincent van Gogh, who all recognized how the changing light affected their moods, and how that influenced their productivity” and what they created. If a person is experiencing SAD, they should seek treatment, such as light therapy, which involves regular exposure to a special light that imitates natural light in order to lift mood. However, going for a walk outdoors is another strong option. Rosenthal suggested making one room in the house or studio very bright by painting it in a cheerful color. Shen herself started sculpting with neon, and found it helped: "When I was first learning to bend neon, I spent over six hours a day forming hot glass in a bright blue flame. I didn’t realize it at first, but neon bending was the perfect combination of meditation and light therapy." Her boxes that hold glowing neon symbols are not therapeutic devices, she said, “but there is no doubt that they were forged in the flames of severe mental anguish. The experience was very frightening for me, and I’m very thankful that I was able to emerge from the flames a stronger person.” Read complete article here. |
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| 85% OF ARTISTS IN U.S. MUSEUM COLLECTIONS ARE WHITE 87% ARE MALES
Artnet news and artsy report on a study showing that the permanent collections of America’s museums are disproportionately male and overwhelmingly white. The study published by the Public Library of Science is based on online data from 18 major U.S. museums—including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston—had at its disposal more than 40,000 works by over 10,000 artists. Analysis of gender, age, race, and ethnicity showed that 85% of artists in these museum collections are white, and 87% are men; the general U.S. population is 60.7% white non-hispanic and 50.8% female, according to recent census data. The study also highlights museums that significantly under- or over-performed in certain demographic categories. For instance, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta is the only institution among the 18 featured museums that showed a significantly higher percentage of black and African American artists in its collection, while the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles showed significantly more Hispanic and Latinx artists than the other institutions. With regard to women artists, researchers found that the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Met, and MFA Boston have "a significantly lower proportion of women"—all below 8%. Leaders in the sample were LA MOCA (which had 24.9%), SFMOMA (18.1%), and the Whitney (22%). While acknowledging the technical limitations of their study, which relies on data from online collections that are neither exhaustive nor standardized across institutions, the study’s authors conclude: “Our demographic estimates provide museums with a benchmark for diversity in their collections, and could be used to make decisions impacting collection development.” Last weekend, New York City’s Morgan Library & Museum became the focus of an online petition after it revealed a 2019 exhibitions program featuring exclusively white male artists. |
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| | CALLS FOR ENTRY- Deadlines
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| | | | | | | LIMNER GALLERY HUDSON, NY ARTE NATURA FEBRUARY 28
SlowArt Productions presents the group thematic exhibition, Arte Natura. This exhibition will focus on art inspired by the natural world and will be held at the Limner Gallery (Hudson, NY), May 9 – June 1, 2019. Eligible are all art forms relating to, or gaining inspiration from, the world of nature. Landscapes, skyscapes, flowers, vegetables, fruits and animals are all eligible. All artist interpretations of the natural world from the realist to the abstract and conceptual will be reviewed and considered. The competition is open to all artists, national and international, working in all media. All forms of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, graphics, digital and installation art, video, collage, digital collage, etc. are eligible. Maximum 72" high, 96" wide for wall mounted works; sculpture must fit through a standard height, 36" wide entry door. All works must be for sale. The gallery will take a 35% commission on all sales. Sale price is determined by the artist. Entry fee: $35 for one to four artworks entered, presentation is by digital image files. Guidelines and entry forms here. |
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| FIREHOUSE GALLERY MILFORD LIVING COLOR MARCH 8 - 9
The Firehouse Gallery, Milford, is calling for submissions to its Living Color exhibit, March 21 – April 14, 2019. Show your interpretation of “Living Color” in the natural world. If you pay attention, you will notice the splendid colors in nature – the plumage of birds, the lichens and moss on rock, the blue sky reflected on lakes and rivers. Show us your interpretation of the colors found in nature in the work you create. Juror: Robin Gilmore Jopp, artist and proprietor of Made In Bridgeport. She is a teaching artist for City Lights Gallery and Arts for Learning and many community based programs in Fairfield County. Work must be recent (up to five years old) and NOT previously exhibited at the MAC Firehouse Gallery. 2-d works must be framed and wired for hanging. No exceptions. Maximum artwork size: 24x36. Fees: $35 for one entry ($45 for two); fees include a non-refundable $10 jury fee per artist. All submissions must be be brought to the Firehouse Gallery: Fri. March 8, 12-4pm, or Sat. March 9, 9am- 12pm. Artists are encouraged to submit their work on the online registration page. Submissions can be brought to the Firehouse Gallery to be approved by the jury: Fri. March 8, 12-4pm, or Sat. March 9, 9am-12pm. Cash awards for first, second and third place winners. |
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| SPECTRUM GALLERY ESSEX LOTS OF LAUGHS! MARCH 17-22
Spectrum Gallery is calling for artists working in all mediums to submit art for the next exhibit, Lots of Laughs, March 29-May 19, 2019. Art can make us laugh and show humorous aspects of life. So let’s welcome the change of season with a few laughs and not take ourselves too seriously. Receiving is March 17-22 except Wed. March 20. Receiving hours are 12:30-6pm. Gallery Director always knows ahead of receiving which pieces have been accepted both in the gallery and the store so please submit early. Artists have the additional option to add work to the Spectrum Anytime online store for optimum exposure. Send 3-4 high resolution jpegs of your work with titles, medium, dimensions and date created directly to this email: Barbara@spectrumartgallery.org |
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| CT HUMANITIES
AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
2019 CT BOOK AWARDS
APRIL 19Connecticut Center for the Book at Connecticut Humanities is now accepting submissions for the 2019 Connecticut Book Awards! These awards recognize the best books of 2018 by authors and illustrators who reside in Connecticut. Categories include: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Young Readers (Picture Books, Fiction, and Nonfiction). This year the awards will include the Bruce Fraser ‘Spirit of Connecticut’ Award, in memory of long-time director Bruce Fraser and celebrating Connecticut’s sense of place .Entry fee starts at $40 for a 2,000 copy or less print run. Submissions will be accepted through April 19, 2019. For guidelines and to submit, please visit https://ctcenterforthebook.org. |
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| | STAMFORD LOFT ARTISTS SEEKS ARTISTS |
| The Loft Artists Association is seeking artists of all mediums to join a dynamic group of accomplished artists occupying a building in Stamford’s historic South End. Two state-of-the-art galleries and fourteen studios provide ample opportunity for collaboration and professional growth. Apply at loftartists.org or contact loftartistassociation@gmail.com
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| | | OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE |
| | NEA MUSICAL THEATER SONGWRITING CHALLENGE APRIL 30
The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts partnering with the American Theatre Wing and in collaboration with Disney Theatrical Productions and Samuel French, a division of Concord Records. The Songwriting Challenge is a national competition for high school students who have a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theater production and the wide range of musical styles represented in contemporary musical theater including hip-hop, rock, R&B, country, jazz, and more. Finalists for the Songwriting Challenge will be selected from six regions across the country and paired with mentors working professionally in musical theatre to develop their songs into Broadway-stage-ready compositions, via both video chats and in person working sessions. Finalists’ songs will be professionally recorded by Broadway artists in New York City. The songs will included on a CD and broadcast on national radio, as well as published in a songbook by Samuel French. Click here to start your application for the 2019 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge! Applications will be accepted through April 30th, 2019 at 11:59PM EST. For more information about the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, click here. |
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| LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM
YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION JUNE 7
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (LMMM) is launching its sixth annual writing competition entitled, A Victorian Era Mystery: "Whodunit" at the Mansion, ending June 7, 2019, with an awards presentation on Sun., Nov. 17. Detective novels became popular during the Victorian era. The LMMM 2019 Young Writers’ Competition, whose themes are inspired by the great mystery genre trending in the mid-19th century, and still widely read today, aims to inspire and challenge all participants. The competition is open to all students, third through eighth grade. Their characters will be drawn from 19th-century members of the Lockwood or Mathews families, by reading their history on the LMMM website, under the tab, “History,” and by talking to the museum’s educators, if needed. Young writers may introduce fictional friends that might have visited the Lockwoods or the Mathews at the Mansion for a special occasion, as well as a fictional detective from the City of Norwalk. All descriptions must be in keeping with the historical period selected. Writers will have to learn about the Mansion’s Period Rooms, as they will serve as the backdrop for their story. The objective is to create a short historical and partly fictionalized account that will include at least three facts woven into the fictional story. All stories must have non-violent content. No murders, please! The stories will be picked up from contestants and their teachers on Friday, June 7th and competition winners will be notified by mid-September. Competition winners and their families will be Guests of Honor at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, 2-4 p.m. Requirements for the competition will be tailored to third-eighth graders and posted on the Museum’s website and on flyers. Email Iliana Begetis or call (203-838-9799, x113) |
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| | | | MILLAY COLONY RESIDENCIES FOR ARTISTS, WRITERS, COMPOSERS MARCH 1
The Millay Colony is an artists residency program in Upstate New York that welcomes 6-7 visual artists, writers and composers each month between April and November. Millay offers several flexible residency formats, all including a private bedroom and studio as well as all meals. Artists of all ages, from all cultures and communities, and in all stages of their career are welcomed. Millay offers ample time to work in a gorgeous atmosphere, organizing everything an artist needs for maximum productivity. The seven-acre Upstate New York campus is adjacent to the former home and gardens of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and the exquisite Harvey Mountain State Forest. Residents and guests have access to trails for hiking and bicycles, as well as meadows for picnics, and creeks and streams for cooling off. The Millay Colony Barn has four bedrooms and four studios with meadow and mountain views. The Main Building contains two residency suites and studios as well as common areas open to all residents. Applications to our artists residency program must be submitted online or postmarked by one of our deadlines, either October 1st or March 1st. All residents are judged anonymously by a panel of artists in their field. Millay aims to make the jury process as transparent and “fair” as possible. You can read about past juries on the Juries page. Apply here. For more information, call or email Managing Director Calliope Nicholas at 518-392-3103 or residency@millaycolony.org. |
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| LOWER EAST SIDE PRINTSHOP NEW YORK KEYHOLDER RESIDENCIES MARCH 1
The Lower East Side Printshop (founded in 1968, and now a premier not-for-profit printmaking studio in New York City that helps contemporary artists create new artwork and advance their careers) awards eight residencies to emerging artists working in various mediums, providing free 24-hour keyholder access, a $1,000 stipend, and basic access to printmaking resources and studio space in the Lower East Side. All disciplines are eligible to apply. Residencies are free and one year long, starting on April 1st and October 1st each year, and they take place in the shared Artists’ Studio, including the solvent/etching area and the darkroom.Keyholders work independently, in a productive atmosphere alongside other contemporary artists. Artists from all disciplines are eligible to apply; print-making skills are not required, but some familiarity with the medium is recommended. Basic instruction in printmaking techniques is available for new Keyholders. Technical assistance is not included in the program, but is available at additional cost. Participation is competitive. Applications are evaluated by a rotating committee of artists, critics, curators, and art professionals based on the quality of submitted artwork. A total of 8 artists are awarded the residency annually. Artists based in the New York City area and without access to a studio space are encouraged to apply. Electronic applications only. Guidelines here; application form here. |
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| | | | | CT OFFICE OF THE ARTS FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR CT ARTISTS MERIDEN MARCH 25 & 26
The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), working with the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF), is presenting a two-part free workshop on Financial Fundamentals for Artists. The workshops take place Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26, 4-6:30pm, at the CEFD offices, 965 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. The workshops are free, but registration is required. This two-part introduction lays the groundwork for understanding small business financial fundamentals so you can temper decisions with a balanced eye toward the long term. Whether you are a visual artist, performer or educator hoping to make your passion pay the bills, you need the same knowledge as the owner of any small business. Lessons to be learned in the course include: Why financial management is important for all artists; why some businesses succeed and others fail; who does the work of bookkeeping, accounting and tax preparation; accounting basics (more than you think you might want); the two most common small business mousetraps; why financial reports are necessary tools for measuring success; how an income statement and a balance sheet are structured; what "cash flow" is all about and more. The instructor is Frederick Welk, a CEDF business advisor, serving as director of education and communications, who has spent 30+ years in specialty retailing and franchise development, operating his own company for 23 years. Register today here. |
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| | CREATIVE CAPITAL WEBINARS |
| Values-Based Goal Setting
Thurs. Feb. 28
7pm—8:30pm $25 Since 1995, Susan Koblin Schear has helped artists with compre-hensive, process-oriented planning and business development to expand their practices. In this online workshop, she will help artists set goals that align with their core values. Register. |
| | Website, Blog and Email Essentials
Mon.March 4
7pm—8:30pm $25
Take website and email communi-cations to the next level! Artist Sue Schaffner presents case studies, and the most up-to-date best practices for using digital communications tools to promote artistic work and engage new audiencess. Register. |
| | Unlocking Europe: Commissions & Festivals
Wed. March 13
7pm—8:30pm $25Europe pays $30 million in commission fees to artists every year, and artist Kurt Perschke has defined his career by receiving commissions from festivals and venues across the continent. In this online workshop, he will discuss how to research cultural presenters and festivals, identify opportunities, and how to pitch during commissioning season. Register. |
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| | | | | | INTEMPO FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
INTEMPO, a Stamford-based non-profit arts education and youth-development organization, seeks a Fundraising and Development Associate, who will work collaboratively with the executive director and grants manager to create and implement fundraising and development strategies to support increased growth and scalability. They will expand INTEMPO’s fundraising capacity, raising its visibility and positioning it as a leader among music education and youth development groups serving low income children of Fairfield County. Responsibilities include: work with ED and Board to create and implement annual fundraising strategy and plan for achieving fundraising goals; perform regular correspondence and outreach to current and prospective donors; research potential new funding sources, develop relationships and create new funding streams, including major gifts; lead design and implementation of annual appeal, summer program appeal, and crowd-funding campaigns; develop and manage donor database, tracking contributions, correspondence, and history; assist with planning and implementing high-profile events featuring key donors and stakeholders; work with grants manager to sustain current and seek new grants by assisting with grant preparation, review, management and/or oversight of grant proposals, submissions, and reporting; perform ongoing management, reporting, and stewardship of existing donors. Successful candidates will have: strong written and oral presentation skills; a commitment to INTEMPO’s mission; a professional demeanor and ability to speak with community members and families, high-level donors, and public officials; 2-3 years of experience in fundraising and/or development (or college experience equivalent); computer, Internet, and social media literacy, and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs; ability to travel to sites throughout Fairfield County; a Bachelor’s degree. To Apply: with "2019 Fundraising and Development Associate" in the subject line, email resume and cover letter detailing availability to angie@intempo.org. Resumes accepted immediately until March 30. |
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| MARKS PROJECT TECHNOLOGY INTERN The Marks Project, Inc. (TMP), a not-for-profit research hub of post-war American Ceramics seeks a paid Technology Intern to assist Database and Work Flow Manager. Intern will learn website quality control, become familiar with material and artists docu-mented, research tools and approach, workflow tracking, the mission and ethics of TMP.
TMP is a tight-knit team dedicated to documenting post-war American studio and contemporary ceramists, their work and marks. The right applicant will have the ability to grow into research assistant position, adapt to different research project responsibilities from analyzing, organizing and dispersing incoming data to ultimately publishing content on our website. TMP is dedicated to young scholars and developing talent, it is looking for an applicant who is enthusiastic and interested in building the skill set needed to create solutions to daily challenges. Successful applicant will enter a 6 week internship training period.
Requirements for Internship:
• Minimum 4 year degree ceramics, art history, library science.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, social media, cloud storage.
• Ability to develop research technology resources.
• Delights in details, tracking project and data.
• Proven ability to work in team.
• Must be self-directed, adaptable, organized, and professional.
• Experience troubleshooting technology.
• Applicant should have general knowledge of ceramics
• Work from home within 90-minute drive of Riverside, CT or Springfield, MA.
• Work remotely. Attend regular in-person meetings.
• Applicant must provide own high-speed internet access.
Position: Post-Internship position is Research Associate and reports directly to Research Coordinator. This paid position (minimum of #13/hour) continues training for up to 4 months of increasing responsibility. Send a cover letter, your resume including 2 recent references to: info@themarksproject.org. |
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| | MENDOLA ARTISTS SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB CONTENT COORDINATOR
Mendola Artists, am established artists’ agency in South Norwalk, CT looking for an innovative and creative thinker to join our team. The ideal candidate must be computer savvy with strong writing and communications skills. Responsibilities: Develop and assist in the creation of social media posts and email blasts to maximize agency outreach. Analyze current effectiveness of social media posts and identify improvements. Analyze artist/illustrator portfolios to provide technical, keyword and aesthetic assistance to our artists to ensure the most productive use of imagery. Office duties include invoicing, collections and monthly sales reports with Quickbooks and Excel. Send resume and cover letter to Tim Mendola, 212-986-5680 |
| | Jobs Previously Listed and Still Available
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| | FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS |
| | | | | Feb. 28: Limner Gallery, Hudson: Arte Natura Submission Deadline
MARCH Mar. 8-9: Firehouse Gallery, Milford: Living Color Receiving
April 30: NEA Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge Application Deadline
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| | | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) cultural nonprofit membership organization. We are grateful to our members and our donors whose support enables us to do our work. Donations are always very welcome and may be made here. In particular, we are grateful for support from: |
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