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| | | | | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership 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. See member benefits here. Join here.. |
| All links in green connect to information on our website See previous issues of Artists Newsletter here. |
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| WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP WITH OUR CENSUS |
| We still have a disappointingly low number of respondents, especially among our members, helping us with our census. This simple survey is an important first step for us in providing a base for measuring our success in our efforts to reach out and engage more equitably with the rich diversity of residents and cultures across coastal Fairfield County.Please, if you haven't responded click here and take the survey. And Thank you! |
| | SPOTLIGHT: THEATRES COMING OUT OF COVID NOW AVAILABLE AS PODCAST |
| | | Our July edition of Spotlight on Arts & Culture, on WPKN 89.5FM, "Fairfield County Theatres: Coming Out of COVID," is now available as a podcast on Soundcloud - available here. On the show, we heard from the leaders of five theatres in Fairfield County as they emerge from 15 months of closure and deep uncertainty about their future. All five of these theaters have survived in quite different ways and are reassessing who they are, who their audiences are, and what the future looks like. Our guests were: Michael Barker, Managing Director of the Westport Country Playhouse; Hugh Hallinan, Executive Director and producer of Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport; Stephanie Hazard, Founder and Co-Artistic Director, with Andrea Lynn Green of the Greenwich Theatre Company; Kristin Huffman, Producing Artistic Director of the New Paradigm Theatre; and Lou Ursone, Executive Director and Producing Artistic Director of Curtain Call, in Stamford. Hear it here! |
| | | | ROBIN GILMORE JOPP
Robin Gilmore's MADE IN BRIDGEPORT jewelry collection is both creative and innovative, as she transforms everyday found objects into beautiful wearable works of art. Her imaginative work is developed from recycled, repurposed and broken parts and pieces from objects found on the street, at thrift stores, salvaged hardware shops, vintage jewelry finds and from years of collecting things that are meaningful and unusual. See Robin's Made in Bridgeport website, her Facebook and Instagram pages. |
| | GERALD MOORE
Gerald Moore is a teaching artist best know for his "The Game" that, using acrylic shapes, allows students to be creative and play, enabling them to not only explore their own creativity but many other curriculum subjects. Gerald earned his M.Ed from the University of Bridgeport and has been a teaching artist on the roster of Arts for Learning CT for many years. The Game has been featured at New Haven's International Festival of Arts & Ideas and many other venues, and has many applications. See Gerald's The Game website. |
| | DENISE SUSALKA
Denise Susalka had a long and successful career in finance and then turned to studying art and started learning her painting skills in 2000. She loves traveling and her landscapes are set in Tuscany, Provence, Puerto Rico as well as New England. She also paints still-lifes and abstracts and usually has many active canvases on the go at any one time. Denise was a founding member of Cannondale Studio and Gallery, has been a member of Firing Circuits and The NEST Arts Factory and is now a member of the brand new Metro Art Studios in Bridgeport. See Denise's website. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Painter, Eugenie Diserio once had a successful career in the music business with her band The Dance. She recently signed a deal with Nashville based, Sundazed Music to re-release all their songs in vinyl, CD and digital streaming. Eugenie says, “New York in the 80’s was such an incredibly creative time for art and music. It is exciting to have the work of The Dance now reach a new audience!” |
| | Three of Adair Wilson Heitmann's monotypes were selected for inclusion by the Fairfield County Arts Association to be showcased in the Norwalk Community Health Center. "Lighthouse View," "River Road," and "Web of the Sun," shown here. All 9.5 x 12." In addition, "Feather Light 2021" clay monotype (medium: printmaking), 18 x 24" was selected for the Connecticut Women Artists 2021 Annual National Open Juried Exhibition, Juror of Selection and awards: Susan Fisher, Executive Director of the Mystic Museum of Art. This Connecticut art exhibition is known for its presentation of works in various styles and media from women artists throughout the United States. Each year, CWA presents the exhibition at prestigious venues throughout the state of Connecticut. This year, Arts Center East will host CWA's 2021 Annual National Open Juried Exhibition in the galleries in Vernon, Connecticut. Aug. 21 – Sept. 19, 2021. |
| | Fruma Markowitz has had two pieces juried in to the Rowayton Art Center’s Photography & Sculpture Juried Show 2021, Aug. 1-Aug 29. They are both made with the Lumen process where botanical material is laid on black-and-white darkroom paper and left to be exposed in direct sunlight outside. In A Cutting From Aaron’s Kousa Tree (detail at right), she used a small Kousa Dogwood cutting, and placed it on Arista paper. In Coming Up for Air Fruma placed a rather thick prickly pair cactus leaf on Kentmere Select paper and added vinegar spray with some table salt, covered it with a few layers of plastic wrap to keep the leaf from moving, and exposed it for several hours in sunlight. The salt gives the background the spotted texture and the plastic wrap left the golden glowing striations at the top of the image. |
| | Jennifer Moné Hill will be exhibiting her Cool Falls (acrylic on canvas, 40x20x1.5) in the Silvermine Guild Summer Salon through Aug. 20. Her Soulmates (acrylic on canvas, diptych, 48x48"; at right) can be seen at her booth at the Stamford Art Fair this weekend (July 24-25). About Soulmates, Jennifer commented: "When I set out to paint these two canvases, I knew I wanted them to be a pair that would go together. About halfway through painting the second, I knew they were inseparable. They're soulmates." |
| | | | Justin Perlman's work, Giant (bronze, 6.5" detail at right)) is being shown at the Silvermine Guild Summer Salon through Aug. 20. Justin also has two sculptures in handmade paper, Bedrock and Treebowl, in the online group exhibit, Paperworks 2021, hosted by B.J. Spoke Gallery, Huntington NY, juried by Sewon Kang of The Easton Foundation. There will be a Facebook Live reception August 7, 7-9pm. Justin also has Daeora in the Nesting group exhibit presented by Cultural Alliance of Western CT at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Newtown, through Sept. 9). |
| | Jay Petrow is exhibiting his Relentless (acrylic on canvas, 36x36) at the Silvermine Guild Summer Salon through Aug. 20. Jay comments: "Emerging from my energy creating this abstract painting, vigorous red figures appear to be battling the ocean in their relentless striving towards some unknown destiny." |
| | Alissa Siegal has been developing a public art and youth opportunity program this past year. She has been meeting weekly with two JM Wright Tech students to learn about concepts and approaches to mural making, as well as about place making, collaboration and communication, and hosting visits from working artists. The group has been working to design their own mural, which will be installed later this summer where it can be enjoyed by Stamford residents and visitors. The program, running with support from RiseUp for Arts, is running as a pilot, with the intention including more local working artists and underserved youth in the future. At right: detail from a working sketch of the mural design. |
| | Kathleen Telesco is exhibiting five works in the group exhibit, Staycation, at the Work_Space Manchester Gallery 901 at 903 Main St, Manchester, CT from August 1 through September. The five works are: Queen Elizabeth I (40x20, acrylic on canvas); Ancestor (40x20, acrylic and gouache on canvas); Owl Hunting (14x11, acrylic, acrylic pen and charcoal on mat board0; Then God Made a Strawberry and Said "Yum!" (10x8, acrylic, acrylic pen and charcoal on mat board); and Wilson's Magic Bullet (14x11, acrylic, acrylic pen and charcoal on mat board). |
| | Artist Lee Walther is curator for the Subway Series solo exhibit “Above and Below the Rails” by Fairfield photographer Barbara Loss, which is being shown in the Stairwell Gallery at Fairfield University Bookstore, Post Road, Fairfield for this month of July. Lee comments that of all the images taken by Bobbie over the years, she was always drawn to the intimate portraits of riders on subways and trains. The trains are moving quickly but the passengers are at rest…lost in thought or releasing and letting their minds move in concert with the rhythm and sounds of the rails… seeing but not really looking at the buildings flashing by. See article by Stephen Gaynes, In the Suburbs about the show, in Fairfield Citizen. |
| | Joan Wheeler is exhibiting two paintings at the Summer Salon at AHA FineArt in Brooklyn. The show runs through August 8. Bit by Bit and The Burden of Unwanted Gifts are both oil on birch, 11x14. Joan is also exhibiting fiber art work at Silvermine Galleries' Summer Guild Salon, running through August 20. Persephone (sewn and embroidered fabric, 34x46; detail at right). Joan also has Endangered Birds of the Panhandle (oil on wood, 12x24) in the Artists Collective of Westport group show, Community, at the Scheffer Gallery in The Westport Library through September 28. Joan comments that all of this work shows her close connection with the natural world. An avid gardener and hiker, she often uses the natural world in her work as a vehicle for expressing her thoughts and emotions. |
| | | | HOW THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLECTORS IS BUYING ART
When Artsy surveyed a large cohort of collectors in 2019, 64% of them said they had purchased at least one artwork online. The share of collectors buying online has grown by almost one-third since, with 83% of our 2021 survey respondents saying they’ve bought art online. That share was even larger among “Next-Gen Collectors,” a subset of buyers who started collecting in the last four years; 91% of them said they’ve bought art online. Next-Gen Collectors skew younger than the overall collector cohort surveyed and are more comfortable discovering and buying art directly from their phones. Read full article... |
| | ARTIST, WRITER AND QUEER FEMINIST SCHOLAR JOINS GRANTMAKING ORGANIZATION
Creative Capital announced the appointment of Aliza Shvarts as its next Director of Artist Initiatives. The appointment comes after an extensive national search. In her new role, Aliza will lead the annual Creative Capital Awards cycles, oversee the development of educational programs and artist services, and advocate for the arts and arts funding. Aliza's artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues including Tate Modern in London; Centre for Contemporary Art FUTURA in Prague; Athens Biennale in Greece; the LOOP International Film Festival in Barcelona and she is a recipient of an Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant among numerous additional awards. Read full article... |
| | | | STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION 41st FABER BIRREN COLOR AWARD AUGUST 15
This year the Stamford Art Association celebrates its 41th year of the Faber Birren National Color Award Exhibit and due to COVID-19 it will be an ONLINE exhibit only. In 1980, Faber Birren, world renowned color consultant, author of 27 books on color, endowed the Faber Birren Color Award Exhibit with awards for original and creative expression of color. The Faber Birren Color Award Exhibit has grown from a regional exhibit to one of national scope, encouraging artists in all media. This competition is the only artistic event devoted exclusively to the use of color. Prizes: First prize is $500 with 2nd, 3rd, HM's as per the juror. Over $1200 in prize money. Winners will be asked to participate in a video presentation. Juror is Michael Neumeister, Assistant Curator at the American Federation of Arts, New York. Categories: Painting, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Photography, Drawing, Printmaking. Entry through Entrythingy |
| | RIDGEFIELD GUILD OF ARTISTS ANNUAL EXHIBITION CALL FOR ARTISTS AUGUST 21
The Ridgefield Guild of Artists is holding a Call For Entry for the 44th Annual Juried Exhibition. This is open to members and non-members alike and up to six works can be submitted. George Billis of the George Billis Gallery will juror the show. The Gallery features work by both national and international emerging and established artists. See prospectus here... |
| | MILFORD ARTS CENTER LIFTING RESTRICTIONS SEPTEMBER 10
The Milford Arts Center will be hosting 'Lifting Restrictions' the first in-person exhibition since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic began. Artists will be free to enter this open-themed exhibit with any type of recent two dimensional work. Submit work here... |
| | | | WALLACE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $53 MILLION INITIATIVE FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OF COLOR
The Wallace Foundation has launched a new initiative in the arts with an open call, aimed at fostering equitable improvements in the arts, the initiative begins with this guiding question: Facing strategic challenges, how do arts organizations of color leverage their experience and community orientation to sustain their relevance and increase their resilience? The focus is based on the Foundation's recognition that leaders of arts organizations of color report that their contributions to the field—high-quality work, rich histories and deep roots in their communities—are often overlooked and underfunded. To encourage as many organizations as possible to apply, Wallace has launched an open call for applications. The deadline for letters of intent is August 13, 2021. FAQs here... |
| | COA ARTISTS RESPOND GRANT JULY 28
The Artists Respond grant program provides direct funding to Connecticut artists to pursue community-based projects that use the arts to respond to social issues, current events, and community needs. Connecticut artists may apply for grant of either $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 to support artist fees associated with project activities. Projects must occur in CT and may address a range of social issues such as:
equity and racial justice; community development; empowerment of LGBTQ communities; COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; and other artist-centered initiatives that use the arts to inspire, empower, educate, and transform our Connecticut communities. The program provides two application rounds to support activities in the fall/winter and the spring/summer seasons. Review the full program details on the COA website to learn more about the program. |
| | ARTIST'S RESOURCE TRUST (A.R.T.) FUND GRANTS AUGUST 15
Artist’s Resource Trust was established in 1996 to provide support to the creative work of mid-career (aged 35 and older) visual artists who have demonstrated substantial commitment, development and quality in their work. A.R.T.'s focus is on visual artists who live in New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and in the towns in NY that are part of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's catchment area as of 2015. Grants range up to $10,000. Applications are due Aug. 15. Learn more here... |
| | FOUNDWORK ARTIST PRIZE OCTOBER 10
The Foundwork Artist Prize is an annual juried award that we inaugurated in 2019 to recognize outstanding practices by contemporary artists. Each year, two honorees receive unrestricted $10,000 grants and studio visits with this year’s distinguished jurors: Vanessa Carlos, Qu Chang, Bridget Donahue, Cédric Fauq, Thomas Lawson, Thiago de Paula Souza. As in past years, the honorees and three shortlisted artists will also be invited for interviews in Foundwork's Dialogues program to further public engagement with their work. Applications are now being accepted through October 10. Learn more here... |
| | YOUNG ARTIST GRANTS OCTOBER 15
For many young people, applying to YoungArts may be the first step in affirming “I am an artist.” YoungArts is one of the only organizations in the U.S. that supports artists across 10 disciplines at all stages of development, beginning with the critical moment when they decide to pursue a life in the arts, and continuing throughout their careers. Applications are now being accepted through October 15. Learn more here... |
| | Recommended Sources for Calls and for OpportunitiesCreative Ground (New England's Director of Creative Enterprises and Artists) |
| | | | HIRING THE PERFECT GALLERY INTERN
Finding a great intern can make a world of difference for your gallery, whether your staff is two people or twenty. Read ARTSY's new guide on finding and hiring gallery interns—including resources for interviews, insights from former interns who now work full-time with galleries, and more. Download here... |
| | CREATIVE EVOLUTIONS: ARTISTS' ROLES IN REIMAGINING THE SOCIAL JULY 29
In this cross-field live conversation, Kenneth Bailey of the Design Studio for Social Intervention discuss the "Ideas-Arrangements-Effects" methodology and how artists can lead the way in imagining more just and vibrant arrangements for everyday life. Artists Tiago Gualberto and Marina Zurkow, will share their artistic social justice projects, uncovering the overlaps of insight and impact that come about when these two fields meet. This live-stream conversation will include audience Q&A via YouTube chat. Register here...
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| | HOW TO CREATE MORE TIME FOR YOUR ART: A WORKSHEET
Between marketing, managing your inventory, accounting, grant applications, phone calls, emails, and events, it's difficult to make time for everything in your art career and personal life. While running the business side of things is essential to a thriving art career, we’re willing to bet the joy of handling invoices wasn’t really the reason you became an artist. Are you struggling to find time to create or just wish you had more of it? Artwork Archive has put together a little exercise in self-reflection that can help you figure out how to gain more time back for your art. Download here... |
| | | | MoCA WESTPORT GRAPHIC DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER + GALLERY ATTENDANT
MoCa Westport seeks a Graphic Designer and Manager of social media strategy, including (but not limited to) content creation, scheduling, advertising, and data analytics. This role will support MoCA Westport department heads (Marketing, Exhibitions, Education and Development) to create print and online visual assets, eg: Exhibition guides, Concert programs, Family activities, Outdoor banners, Online advertising. Skills required: Knowledge of Facebook and Instagram strategy/policies; Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign; Salary commensurate with experience. Please send resumé to Leslie LaSala at leslie@mocawestport.org. MoCA Westport is also seeking to hire a freelance gallery attendant for their ongoing exhibitions. The Gallery Attendant performs a variety of services in support of visitor services. This includes setting a positive tone and image to visitors, providing information and monitoring public activities in Museum galleries and other public areas. The Gallery Attendant plays a key role in the overall safety of visitors, staff, and museum assets.
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| | FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
FTC is nonprofit center for arts and culture located in downtown Fairfield, known locally and nationally as having two of the best live-music venues in the country – StageOne and The Warehouse. FTC produces more than 200 concerts a year, in addition to an active film program, comedy, an on-site art gallery, theatrical performances, children’s education programs, and cultural events. FTC is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Development to plan, execute, and maintain a comprehensive, multi-pronged fundraising strategy that includes major individual gifts, board giving, grants, annual campaign, donor receipting and correspondence, and events.Full description... |
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JOBS, FOR SALE, KIDS & TEENS, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS |
| | | | JULY July 20: ProBono Partners Legal Webinar
AUGUST: Aug. 21: Ridgefield Artists Guild 44th Annual Juried Exhibit Entry Deadline
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER:
ROLLING DEADLINES: Gottlieb Foundation: Emergency Grant Program (painters, printmakers, and sculptors) ioby/ArtPlace America: Artists Lead!: creative placemaking crowdfunding plus Stochastic Labs: Residencies for engineers, artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs |
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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: | | | |
