Subject: Artists Newsletter September 4, 2017

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ARTISTS' NEWSLETTER News and Opportunities for Artists of Fairfield County, CT SEPTEMBER 4, 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. 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 THURS. SEPT. 7 Sign-up for the third in our continuing ARTISTS TALK  series this Thurs. Sept. 7, 8-9pm at City Lights Gallery, 265 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport. Celebrating both the Unveiling of Liz Squillace's Painted   Stairway  (at 5pm) next to the Gallery, and the opening of PATTERN, a show that explores the principle of pattern-making at work in large and small works, from fiber art to painting, to weaving, ARTISTS TALK will engage with four artists: world-renowned photographer and abstract expressionist Adger Cowans, Gwen Hendrix, Norma Schlager and Liz Squillace. The videorecorded talks of our members will be available on ARTISTS TALK YouTube Playlist. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. Please register here. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TRACY HOFFMAN An Associate Member Tracy Hoffman is a medium- and large-format fine art photographer currently living and working in Chappaqua, New York. She received her BFA in photography and printmaking from Purchase College where she studied with Jan Groover, Jed Devine, and Murray Zimiles. Her color and black and white photographs range from rhythmic landscapes to meticulously composed still-life arrangements influenced by 20th century painting, sculpture and collage. Her photographs have been awarded numerous honors and exhibited in many notable national and international exhibitions. Over the past decade Hoffman has been featured at the New Britain Museum of American Art, Westport Arts Center, Fowler-Kellogg Art Center and Strohl Art Center in Chautauqua, NY, The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO, Soho Photo Gallery, NY, Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, among many others. Her work has also been published in The Photo Review and Texas Photographic Society. At first glance, Tracy's medium appears to be pure photomontage. However, they are  based on "hand-built, table top constructions" in front of an 8x10 view camera with film, in a controlled studio environment. She has always been interested in the creative potential and visual experiences inherent in the way the camera optically translates and transforms three-dimensional objects and space into a two dimensional surface: "Transformation plays a big role in my work and I love to play and push the boundaries of photography." She says she first realized the transformative power of photography studying with Jan Groover at Purchase College: "She taught us that, we don't take photographs; we make photographs. And since that time, I continue to think of the view camera as a paintbrush and creative tool." See Tracy's website,  Instagram account and her ARTISTS TALK video. EMILY HAMILTON LAUX Emily Hamilton Laux uses photography and installation to address ideas about the human relationship with internal and external worlds. Born in Saigon, and raised in Cambodia, Paris and Washington, Laux has an MA from the American University School of International Service and a BA from Tulane University. Previously, she worked as a writer and editor in financial publishing in New York, London and Hong Kong. Between 2013 and 2015 she took post-graduate courses at the International Center of Photography. In Connecticut, she has worked as a photojournalist, gallery manager and arts publicist. Emily's 2015-16 Invasives: Beauty Versus Beauty (part I) addresses ideas about ecology, biodiversity, and individual notions of beauty in nature. She says the project is her personal exploration of the plants that grow in our backyards, along the edges of fields and parking lots, as well flora that are cultivated for their beauty. By portraying selected plant species in isolation or with one or two other species, she invites the viewer to question his/her own concepts of beauty and function in the landscape, and explore ideas about biodiversity through her observation of native, invasive, naturalized and cultivated species of plants. Her Invasives II is a year-long documentation of specific invasive plant species in several places near her Westport house. In 2017, Emily exhibited her work at the Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester, Mass, and at numerous galleries in the Northeast, including the Davis Orton Gallery, the Westport Arts Center, and the Ridgefield Artists Guild, among others. Emily maintains a studio at Firing Circuits Studios in Norwalk, and is member of the Westport Artists Collective and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. See her website and Instagram pages NATASHA KARPINSKAIA Natasha Karpinskaia is a Russian-born artist, art historian, and educator, who has had numerous solo and group shows both nationally and internationally. Her work is at root abstract. She says that abstract art entices her with its primary artistic elements: color, shape, line, and texture. "I like working in layers, printing and painting over previous surfaces many times. To me it is evocative of our daily experiences with numerous strata encompassing various aspects." Her works are in many private and some corporate collections in the U.S. and Europe and she was a recipient of an individual artist fellowship from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts in 2004. She has been teaching courses in abstract painting, mixed media, printmaking, and art history at the Silvermine Guild of Art, Pyramid Atlantic in Washington, D.C., and other art centers. She was a professor of art history at the New York Academy of Art. She had also worked as a curator at the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, the largest repository of Russian art in the world. Natasha received her PhD (ABD) in American Art from Columbia University, an M.A. from the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia, and an M.A. from the University of Linguistics, Moscow. About her work, Natasha writes: "I approach art as an intellectual endeavor and always start with a particular idea. At the same time, my work is equally immediate, emotional and spontaneous, and often has a strong spatial element, a concept that I explored in my doctoral thesis at Columbia University." She adds, however, that an essential part of her work is humor and whimsy: "I like my viewers to laugh and have a good time." See her website, and Facebook page. NORMA SCHLAGER Norma Schlager is now an art quilter, one who is always happiest when most creative. She started as a traditional quilter but speaks about the time when she "no longer wanted to follow a pattern." Today, all of her wall hangings are original compositions, mostly using her own hand-dyed fabrics. Her designs are intuitive; she says she draws her inspiration from many places, including the worlds of nature, travel, architecture, or just the pure love of color - her quilts are usually distinguished by their use of saturated hues and vivid contrast and she says she loves exploring different concentrations and combinations of color.  Her quilts are mostly composed of abstract forms, often using wiggly or "wonky piecing." She occasionally adds fused raw edge appliqué and extensive free motion machine quilting. Norma had a one-woman show, The Art of Stitch: An Exhibit of Contemporary Fiber Art by Norma Schlager in 2015 at the Brookfield Craft Center and her work was also featured in the 2014 exhibition, Let Me Quilt One More Day at the New Britain Museum for American Art. Norma regularly shows her work with the various groups of which she is a member: FANE (Fiber Artists of the North East), SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), a local FiberWorks group, and the Surface Design Association. She also has work in the collection of the Yale New Haven Medical Building. See Norma's weblog here. 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 Emily Laux, Jane Lubin, Susan Murray, Donna Osterby-Brien, Lynn Popat,and Renee Santhouse are five of the 15 artists in the latest Pop-Up Show organized by the Westport Artists Collective at the Westport Arts Center, Sept. 5-9 with an opening reception Weds. Sept 6, 6-8pm, and an Artist Talk, Sat. Sept. 9, 3-4:30pm. Adger Cowans, Gwen Hendrix, Norma Schlager, Liz Squillace and Jahmane West are five of the six artists featured in PATTERN, the first in a series of exhibits, at City Lights Gallery, exploring the principles and elements of design, co-curated by Jane Davila and Suzanne Kachmar. Artists are showing both large and small works that highlight the many facets of Pattern and Texture, rendered in a variety of media from fiber art to painting and weaving. Opening reception, Thurs. Sept. 7, 5:30-8:30pm 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. The opening reception and awards ceremony will take place Fri. Sept. 8, 6-8pm. Patrice Barrett, Carlos Davila, Jane Davila, Barbara Dierolf, David Laurence Flynn, Carolina Guimarey, Gwen Hendrix, Phyllis Lee, Kristin Merrill, Susan Taylor Murray, Joe Provey, Lauren Rago, Rick Shaefer, and Janice Sweetwater are among The NEST Arts Factory artists participating in an Open Studios afternoon Sat. Sept 9, 2-5pm. Barbara Loss, Jay Misencik, Judy Noel, Donna Osterby-Brien, Kazumasa Oda and Lee Walther are six of the 13 artists showing work at BRAG at The NEST exhibition, a selection of work of the members of the Black Rock Art Guild, opening at The NEST Arts Factory, Sat. Sept. 9, 2-5pm, in the Community Corridor. Susan Murray, and Donna Osterby-Brien will participate in the Westport Artists Collective's Pop-Up Artist Talks, Sat. Sept. 9, 3-4:30pm, at the Westport Art Center. Anna Badini, Nina Bentley, Paul Berger, Michael Brennecke, Lucienne Buckner, Bevi Bullwinkel, Miggs Burroughs, Trace Burroughs, Eric Chiang, Heidi Lewis Coleman, Eugenie Diserio, Erin Dolan, Amy Dolego, Heide Follin, Isadora Gacel, Joanie Landau, Susan Leggitt, Cynthia Mullins, Karen Neems, Judy Peknik,Chris Perry,Diane Pollack, Lynn Carlson Popat, Norm Siegel, Lisa Silberman, Phyllis Sinrich, and Jarvis Wilcox all have work in the Carriage Barn Arts Center's 40th Annual Members Show, opening Sun. Sept. 10, 3-5pm. INDIVIDUAL NEWS Paul Berger has work in three upcoming shows. In the Loft Artists Association's Visual Narratives. show he has an original black-and-white image, Laundromat Blues (2016, photograph, 22x28") taken with his medium-format film camera at Tacopa Springs, CA in April 2016. Then, Paul has Stars on the Edge (2017, color photograph, 22x38", at right) captured in Nantucket this July, in the Carriage Barn Arts Center's 40th Annual Members Show, and Gas Line (22 x 28") in the Stamford Art Association's Bits and Pieces show at the Ferguson Library, opening Sept. 14, 6-8pm.  Trace Burroughs has a work in the Carriage Barn Art Center’s 40th Annual Member Show running September 10 - October 7, 2017. Reception is Sept 10, from 3-5. The work is titled Sentiment (2017, digital art, 24x36”). Trace also has his La Dolce Vita (2017, digital art printed on metal, 36x24”) in Remix, at the Love Art Gallery,  opening Sept. 7th, 6-9pm. La Dolce Vita is one of many in a series inspired inspired by the films of the late 60’s Ann Chernow has 33 pieces of her NOIR series at ODETTA GALLERY in Brooklyn (229 Cook Street) - online and in the gallery. There will be a solo show next year. To the right is Bad Girl: Easy to Pickup (Etching and aquatint, 22 x 17”). Click for larger image. Adger Cowans, has two wall hangings, Frosty Morning (detail at right, click for complete image) and Black, Orange and Blue (both 2012, wool, 60x36”), derived from his water photographs (see example here), in PATTERN, opening at City Lights Gallery Thurs. Sept. 7, 5:30-8:30pm., exploring the principles and elements of design. Adger relates that at an exhibit of his water photographs, at the old H. P. Gallery at New York's Calumet Photo, in 2010, he spoke with Rafik Kathwari about transferring the images to another medium. Kathwari revealed that he owned a carpet company in Kashimar and offered to make them into wall hangings. You can see the result on Thursday. Heidi Lewis Coleman is currently exhibiting PAVILION (2017, acrylic and cut paper, 30x30," at right, click for larger image) in the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' show, Walk on Down, in conjunction with Art Walk Ridgefield 2017. that continues through Sept. 8. Pavilion is part of a series that reflects an ongoing exploration into the aesthetics of using language in art. This body of work includes mixed media pieces which incorporate Heidi's take on stylized abstract writing. Carlos Davila’s Titanosaurus, a 16’ long, 12.5’ tall, 8’ wide sculpture made of marine-grade laminated wood and stainless steel, is installed in Suwanee, Georgia, as part of the SculpTour two-year juried exhibition. Images of Titanosaurus are now being included at the international art fair, Expo Chicago (September 13-17). Davila is a professional member of the International Sculpture Center. Eugenie Diserio'spainting You & Only You (2015, acrylic on canvas, 30x40”) was juried into the Carriage Barn Art Center’s 40th Annual Members Show opening Sun. Sept. 10. Then, her painting When Doves Cry (2015, acrylic on canvas, 30x40” detail at right, click for poster and complete image) was chosen to promote the Carriage Barn's upcoming juried show Art for Alz benefitting the Alzheimer's association. The theme of her painting is memories and reflection. Carol Nipomnich Dixon has a solo exhibit of her embroidered collages at M & T Bank, 100 East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob, from September 1 through October. The show is sponsored by the Art Society of Old Greenwich. Included is the mixed media embroidery Moonlit Leaves (2014, 13” square framed, at right), that captures autumnal colors lit up in the night. Amy Dolego has her photograph, Old Dominoes  in the Carriage Barn Arts Center's 40th Annual Members Show, opening Sun. Sept. 10, 3-5pm. This is one in a series of black-and-white still-life images that depict the ordinary toys and games of our youth in various stages of disrepair, dissolution, or in the process of transformation. Amy comments: "Due to the changing cultural norms of family life, the advent of technology, and the pursuit of individual pleasure at the expense of social interaction, these toys and games are quickly becoming nothing more than a distant memory of our collective past." Click for larger image. Mary Harold's What Are You Looking At? (2012, 11x14") is in the Ridgefield Guild of Artists' show, Walk on Down, in conjunction with Art Walk Ridgefield 2017. that continues through Sept. 8. The photo was taken at Muscoot Farm in Katonah. Gwen Hendrix, has 8 of her works featured in PATTERN, opening at City Lights Gallery Thurs. Sept. 7, 5:30-8:30pm. At right, her most recent work Descent (2017, textile pigment on Encaustiflex, mounted on wood panel board, 15” square, click for larger image), is just one example of the use of pattern in her multi-layered and multidimensional work. Jane Lubin has 5 pieces in the WAC Pop-Up Show, opening Sept. 6, including Journey I  (2017, acrylic, collage and glitter, 30x40," detail at right). She also had Journey II: Angry Sea (2017, acrylic, collage and glitter, 24x30") juried in to Visual Narratives, the exhibit at Loft Artists Association, juried by Katerina Lanfranco (Chief Curator, Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn and founder of Rhombus Space) opening Sept. 8, 6-8 pm in Stamford.   Susan Taylor Murray has several pieces in the Westport Artists Collective's Pop-Up Show at the Westport Arts Center, opening this Weds. Sept. 6. At right is a detail of one piece from her series Liquid Sunshine.  Susan will be participating in the Artists Talks at the Pop-Up show on Sat. Sept. 9, 3-4:30pm. Amy Oestreicher reports that a new four-part series is now available that chronicles her Gutless and Grateful performance from its very beginnings almost a decade ago to the latest iteration. Here's the Broadway World Series that Amy's performance was an early test for: BWW Cabaret's Putting It Together: Gutless & Grateful. This is a monthly series of narratives from artists putting together cabaret shows in New York. Each edition will be written (or told to BroadwayWorld) by the show's creator, and consists of three to four parts about the show's conception, creative process, and execution. Donna Osterby-Brien has work in the Loft Artists Association's Visual Narratives show (opening Fri. Sept 8, 6-8pm) and in the BRAG at the NEST exhibit (opening Sat. Sept. 9, 2-5pm) and has two of her collages in the Westport Artists Collective's Pop Up show, opening Weds. Sept 6th 6-8pm, Forest and Arches. At right, detail from the six (12” x 16”) panel piece Forest. Donna says these collages are an adventure in creativity and an opportunity for discovery for the viewer. Many figures can be found hidden in the foliage. Adelka Polak and her Sova Dance & Puppet Theater have now joined Arts For Learning Connecticut as teaching artists. Adelka's puppet theatre combines the moving body, puppetry, mask, video, dance, and artistic installations to celebrate humanity and the environment in ways that cannot be described in words. (Sova means “owl” in Slovak as well as an asteroid belt named by a Czech astronomer.) Adelka and Sova will be presenting The Art of Mask (Grades K-8) and Frogs Make Me Hoppy (Grades PK-3) Renee Santhouse's Weir Farm Walk (2017, acrylic on canvas) is on view through Sept. 30, 2017, at the G&B Cultural Center, Wilton, CT. She also has 3 monotypes at the Westport Art Collective's Pop-Up Show, opening Sept. 6 at the Westport Arts Center, including Painted Desert 1 (2017, monotype, 14X14" at right), and has curated the exhibition Anna Held Audette: Selections From the Artist's Portfolio, opening September 6, through October 28, 2017, at the New Haven Lawn Club. New member, Norma Schlager has three of her quilts in the PATTERN show at City Lights Gallery. At right is Configurations VI, Salsa City (2017, 52x50"), chosen as the background for the show's postacaqard. She writes in her blog that this has always been one of her favorites, and was originally made for a juried art quilt exhibit, Town and Country, that premiered in Houston and traveled for three years. The other two pieces are Configurations IV, Twilight City and Configurations VII City Lights. All are part of series inspired by the distorted reflections on mirrored skyscrapers of their neighboring buildings. Liz Squillace's Painted Stairway, a mural painted on the Broad Street Steps, Bridgeport (where Broad St. meets Elm St. and leads up to the Downtown Cabaret Theatre), will be unveiled this Thurs. Sept 7, 5-6pm. Funded by a Regional Initiative (REGI) Grant from the CT Office of the Arts, administered by the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, and generously matched by Spinnaker Real Estate and Trefz Corporation, the Stairway resulted from a partnership with Bridgeport Generation Now, the local Bridgeport community and the City of Bridgeport. Liz comments that the project was designed to be "a celebration of the people of Bridgeport, our diversity, and how through collaborating and working together we can achieve unity and prosperity." See project drawings and related work by Liz in her participation in PATTERN at City Lights Gallery, right next to the Stairway. More... Connie Newton Stancell's painting, Floral Symphony, (2004, acrylic and permanent inks on paper, 24x32", detail at right, click for larger image) is being exhibited in the  128th Annual Members' Exhibition of the National Assoc. of Women Artists, at The Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Gallery, 417 Lafayette St, New York, through Sept. 14. Connie says her Floral Symphony was inspired by the natural world and her interest in exploring color and texture, with layers of paint applied over time, the rhythms of color masses and brush strokes reflecting musical favorites. The work is part of her journey to the recent completion of her 26 Canyon Rhythms paintings. Lee Walther has a diptych, Winter into Spring at the BRAG at the NEST exhibition, opening with The NEST Arts Factory Open Studios afternoon, Sat. Sept. 9, 2-5pm. The two works that comprise the diptych are Winter Womyn (2017, black-and-white photograph on aluminum panel, 20x16") a photograph of a collaged bust; and Womyn in Spring (2017, color photograph on aluminum panel, 20x16"). Joan Wheeler’s oil painting Racing with the Wind (oil on canvas, 16x20", detail at right, click for complete image) was chosen for exhibition for the Science Inspires Art: OCEAN exhibition at the New York Hall of Science. The show runs from Sept. 16 through Feb. 25, 2018 and the image was chosen to represent the exhibit on the museum’s website.  ArtSci’s mission was to choose “compelling, dynamic, and provocative images of original art by artists and scientists that will help create a new public perception of ocean by sharing creative visions of our deep connections to it, the health issues it faces and/or possible solutions, and feelings the ocean inspires in us".  Congratulations to Dmitri Wright for the 50-Year Survey of his work, An Artist For All Seasons, organized by the Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, running through Nov. 5, with an opening reception Sunday Sept. 10, 1-3pm. Merging the Impressionist focus on light with the post-Impressionistic interest in vibrant color, Dmitri's paintings celebrate the natural beauty and nuances of the landscape, both in the United States and abroad. The exhibition includes student work, art from his early years in New York City, scenes from his travels throughout New England, Europe and the West Indies, and paintings from both his more recent Provençal and Weir Farm plein air series. Dmitri is the Master Artist/Instructor at the Weir Farm National Historic Site which commemorates the life and work of American Impressionism. At right, a detail from his OpusTallis (2017, oil on canvas, 60x48," click for complete image). Compiled List of Artist Member Openings & Events iCal Click button to right to download events to your ICAL or Google Calendar iCal Wed. Sept. 6: Westport Artists Collective, Westport Arts Center: Fall Pop Up Show, Opening Reception, 6-8pm (Emily Laux, Susan Murray, Donna Osterby-Brien, Lynn Popat, and Renee Santhouse) Thurs. Sept 7: Liz Squillace, Painted Stairway, Unveiling, 5pm Thurs. Sept.7: PATTERN, City Lights Gallery, Opening Reception, 5:30-8:30pm and ARTISTS TALK, 8pm (Adger Cowans, Gwen Hendrix, Norma Schlager, Liz Squillace, Jahmane West) Fri. 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). Sat. Sept. 9: NEST Open Studios, 2-5pm (Patrice Barrett, Carlos Davila, Jane Davila, Barbara Dierolf, David Flynn, Carolina Guimarea, Gwen Hendrix, Phyllis Lee, Kristin Merrill, Susan Murray, Joe Provey, Lauren Rago, Rick Shaefer, Janice Sweetwater) Sat. Sept. 9: BRAG at The NEST. Opening reception, 2-5pm (Barbara Loss, Jay Misencik, Judy Noel, Donna Osterby-Brien, Kazumasa Oda and Lee Walther) Sat. Sept. 9: Westport Artists Collective, Westport Arts Center: Fall Pop Up Show, Artists Talk, 3-4:30pm (Susan Murray, Donna Osterby-Brien) Sun. Sept. 10: Carriage Barn Arts Center, 40th Annual Members Show. Opening Reception, 3-5pm (Anna Badini, Nina Bentley, Paul Berger, Michael Brennecke, Lucienne Buckner, Bevi Bullwinkel, Miggs Burroughs, Trace Burroughs, Eric Chiang, Heidi Lewis Coleman, Eugenie Diserio, Erin Dolan, Amy Dolego, Heide Follin, Isadora Gacel, Joanie Landau, Susan Leggitt, Cynthia Mullins, Karen Neems, Judy Peknik, Chris Perry, Diane Pollack, Lynn Carlson Popat, Norm Siegel, Lisa Silberman, Phyllis Sinrich, and Jarvis Wilcox). Sun. Sept. 10: Dmitri Wright, 50 Year Survey, Mattatuck Museum, Opening Reception, 1-3pm. Now that you have read our NEWS... Check FCBuzz.org for listings of all EVENTS by our members! CALLS FOR ENTRIES -Deadlines ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER EXHIBITING ARTISTS  SEPTEMBER 7 Want to be an Exhibiting Member at Rowayton Arts Center? The selection committee meets in September to select exhibiting members. Artists may become full exhibiting members in one of two ways:     1. Multiple Juried Exhibition Acceptances: An artist who has been juried into any three Rowayton Arts Center open Juried Exhibitions held at the Rowayton Arts Center during a two-year period is invited to become an exhibiting artist member. Open Juried Exhibitions are held in February, June and October. Visit rowaytonarts.org for upcoming exhibition prospectus. 2. By Artist Selection Committee: There is no submission fee. If selected, annual dues: $55. Bring in three works, gallery-ready in the following categories: Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, Photography, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Textiles. For Sculpture: bring just one work, along with photos of other sculptures. If sculptures are small, you can submit up to three. A brief biography and/or artist statement must accompany the work. Drop-off is Thursday, Sept. 7, 11am-5pm. Acceptance: You will receive a letter or an email letting you know of your status. If not accepted, we encourage you to reapply to another artist selection date or to enter an open juried show. Standards for Selection are 1. Skill: A level of competence and confidence evident in the chosen medium. For example, for drawing, painting, photography, a good understanding of design, values, composition, color harmony. 2. Originality: This can be in reference to subject matter or to the use of materials in an unexpected way. We want to feel as excited as you are about your vision. What makes yours original? 3. Vision: An artwork resonates with the viewer when the artist has visually communicated with his or her voice clearly and honestly. We want to experience the personality or feeling of the artist present in the work. For complete prospectus, click here. CARRIAGE BARN  ARTS CENTER ART FOR ALZ SEPTEMBER 8 This Fall a special juried exhibit of art exploring the theme of Memories & Reflections, Art for Alz, will be held at the Carriage Barn Arts Center, October 13-20, with proceeds from the sale of all works benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of CT. Local artists are invited to provide artwork that represents their connection or feelings about Alzheimer’s and themes of memories and reflections. Artists will donate 50% or more of sales price to the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, 11” x 14” blank canvases will be provided to local elder care communities and invite artistic residents to create works of their art to be displayed. The exhibit is open a range of media including painting, illustration, collage, photography and sculpture. Every 67 seconds someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s. It is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 5 million Americans are living with it today. There is a good chance that a member of your family or a friend is dealing with Alzheimer’s. This year the Carriage Barn Arts Center in joining the effort to raise money for Alzheimer’s research, while sharing the work of local artists, some of whom are currently battling the disease or supporting someone who is. An opening reception for artists, collectors and supporters will take place on October 13, with other special events, workshops, educational talks and a concert taking place throughout the exhibit. Entry fee of $26 ($21 for Carriage Barn members). Click here for the complete prospectus. Click here to submit your entry through September 8. SPECTRUM GALLERY  ART SHOW SEPTEMBER 8 AUTUMN ARTS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 5 Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery Centerbrook announce a Call for Representational and Abstract Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, Photographers, Original Printmakers, Fabric Artists, Glass and Wood Artisans, Jewelry Designers and Crafters for the 2017 Madison Town Green Outdoor Autumn Arts Festival (Oct. 7-8). Open to visual artists working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, pencil and charcoal, paper, mixed media, fabric, glass, wood, stone and clay. Exhibit at the two-day Arts Festival and also submit work for consideration in the 6-week Spectrum Gallery Group Show at the Center’s Spectrum Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook. Only Outdoor Arts Festival participants are eligible to exhibit in the Spectrum Show. For the Festival, artists may exhibit under a large group tent provided by the Arts Center (availability permitting), or they can provide their own tent to exhibit. Maximum of 100 Exhibitors, limited by medium. Email three jpegs and short (300-word) bio here. $80, nonrefundable participation fee. Registration deadline: Oct. 5.  Spectrum Gallery invites fine artists and artisans to submit artwork for consideration in the 6-week 2017 Spectrum Gallery Group Show, only open to Arts Festival exhibitors. Deadline to apply for art show: Sept. 8. Complete prospectus available here. RIDGEFIELD GUILD OF ARTISTS 2-1-2 OCTOBER 1 The Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGOA) offers a special opportunity for a small group show: 2-1-2, to run April 21-May 6, 2018. Five artists, as selected by the juror, will share RGOA's entire downstairs gallery. Two artists will go in the front gallery, one in the middle and two in the third, thus the 2-1-2 title of the exhibition. The Juror, Judith Tolnick Champa is an independent contemporary art curator and an experienced critic for national publications, recently serving as editor-in-chief of Art New England. A member of ArtTable, she has served several terms on the board of the New England Museum Association and is currently collaboratively developing an ambitious program of art installations across the region, under the aegis of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art. For this show there are no restrictions on media type. We welcome any and all materials. It is our hope that this opportunity will inspire the entrants to reach beyond their ordinary submissions and help to create a truly incredible show. Your work must fit in the space allotted to you and your art and it must be properly framed and presented. Selections are made based on the examples of work submitted by an artist. Submissions will be made by emailing six images and an image list to rgoa.212@gmail.com through October 1. There is a flat non-refundable fee of $75 for submission to this 5-person group show. All work must be for sale. The Guild retains a 40% commission on all sales. For Prospectus click here. And Remember... Sept. 9-11: Ridgefield Guild of Artists: Annual Juried Exhibition Receiving Sept. 12: First Street Gallery, NY: On & Off The Wall Pop-Up Shows Submission Deadline Sept. 15: Pequot Library, The Story of Art. Submission Deadline Sept. 15: NEST Arts Factory, SPUN Fiber Exhibit, 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 AUDITIONS CONNECTICUT  CHAMBER CHOIR AUDITIONS SEPTEMBER 5 Constance Chase, Artistic Director, announces auditions for dedicated, experienced choral singers with good reading skills for a few select openings in its upcoming 40th Anniversary Season.  Auditions by appointment only on September 5th, St. Pius X Church, Fairfield, CT, 6:30 – 9 p.m. To schedule, please contact info@ctchamberchoir.org. Singers should be prepared to vocalize and sight read. No prepared piece required. Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:45 p.m., September 12, 2017 – May 1, 2018, Long Hill UMC, Trumbull. PERFORMANCES: January 14, 2018 4 p.m. St. Theresa Church, Trumbull Sacred Salzburg: Mozart and Johann Michael Haydn March 4, 2018 Premiere performance in collaboration with Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra of a newly-commissioned work on the theme “Citizen.” April 22, 2018 Lux Aeterna run-out concert, location TBA May 5, 2018 4 p.m. St. Theresa Church, Trumbull Lux Aeterna: Duruflé, Jonathan Dove, Morten Lauridsen, Jocelyn Hagen, Matthew Culloton, Shawn Kirchner MENDELSSOHN CHOIR OF CONNECTICUT AUDITIONS SEPTEMBER 5 For over 30 years The Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut has graced both domestic and international stages with performances of the world's most beautiful music. As we embark upon another season we are recruiting new members who share our passion for song. Please join us on Tuesday, Sept. 5th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at St. Luke Church, Long Lots Rd., Westport, Ct 06880 to audition. Auditions will be held Tues., September 5, 2017, 7:30-9:00 pm at St. Luke Church in Westport. Click here for instructions and advice about how to prepare for and request an audition. All are welcome. 2017 - 2018 Concert Season Sat., December 16, 2017, 5pm J S Bach Christmas Oratorio Part I BWV 248 with The Norwalk Symphony Norwalk Concert Hall Sun., January 28, 2018, 3:00 pm War Peace Protest Quick Center for the Arts Fairfield University Sat., March 3, 2018, 8:00 pm Faure Requiem with The Greater Bridgeport Symphony Klein Memorial Auditorium Sat., May 5, 2018, 8:00 pm Concert in the Key of "M" St. Pius X Church, Fairfield, CT NORWALK METROPOLITAN YOUTH BALLET NUTCRACKER SEPTEMBER 10 The Norwalk Metropolitan Youth Ballet is hosting Open Call Auditions for The Nutcracker on Sunday, September 10, 2017. Auditions will be held at NMYB, 36 Main Street, Norwalk, Connecticut and are open to all ballet dancers ages 5+ in Fairfield County. The performance will be held at The Wall Street Theater on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 6pm. This is your chance to perform The Nutcracker like a professional ballet dancer - accompanied by a live orchestra. NMYB has commissioned the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Jonathan Yates, to bring our dancers an extraordinary performing experience.  If you are en pointe, please come prepared with your pointe shoes. Dancers ages 10-12 should arrive prepared to be potentially asked stay late. There is no fee to audition. The performance fee is $150 per dancer. Rehearsals will be held on Sundays. Some dancers may be called to rehearsals on Friday and/or Saturday evenings. All dancers will be called to rehearsals at the studio and at the theater during Tech/Dress week, November 26-December 1. Register your dancer here for the audition. For more information about this production and other programs at Norwalk Metropolitan Youth Ballet, please visit www.nmyb.org or contact Christina Holms, info@nmyb.org. DARIEN ARTS CENTER SYLVIA SEPTEMBER 14 Auditions for the fall Darien Arts Center (DAC) Stage production of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney are being held on Thursday, September 14 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the DAC Weatherstone Studio at 2 Renshaw Road, Darien, CT 06820, behind Darien Town Hall. For more information, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. If callbacks are necessary they will be held on Sunday, September 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Four adults, ages 18 and older, need to be cast for the production, which will run on weekends Nov. 3-11.  Read the plot of Sylvia here. Those auditioning should perform a short comedic monologue or may read from the script, and provide a photo and resume. Preparing a monologue from the play is recommended. Script selections will be provided at the auditions. Call (203) 655-8683 for latest information OPPORTUNITIES MID ATLANTIC ARTS  USA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS SEPTEMBER 7 Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is accepting applications for USArtists International, which supports performances by U.S. artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. Committed to the presence of U.S. based artists on world stages, USArtists International provides grants to ensembles and individual performers in dance, music and theatre invited to perform at significant international festivals and performing arts markets. USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of U.S. artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange and enhancing the creative and professional development of U.S. based artists by providing connections with presenters, curators and artists around the world. USAI extends the reach and impact of professional touring artists and ensembles from the United States and is committed to expanded touring opportunities for continued sustainability of U.S. artists. USAI provides grants of up to $15,000 towards support of artist fees, travel, accommodations, per diem, shipping and visa preparation.  Deadline: September 7, 2017 for projects taking place between December 15, 2017 and December 14, 2018. Certification Sheets due by September 14, 2017. December 1, 2017 for projects taking place between March 15, 2018 and March 14, 2019. Certification Sheets and letters of invitation due by December 8, 2017. Guidelines available here. NALAC FUND FOR THE ARTS ARTISTS & ENSEMBLES GRANTS OCTOBER 5 National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) is committed to supporting the creation of new work by Latino artists and arts organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Applications are being accepted until October 5, 2017 for the NALAC Fund for the Arts including new categories, the Adán Medrano Legacy Award in Film ($10,000) for emerging artists and the Mentorship Artist Grant ($15,000). The 2017 NALAC Fund for the Arts cycle institutes a three-tiered strategy to effectively address the need for breadth of funding and depth of funding to Latinx artists and arts organizations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In terms of breadth, Tier 1 funding of $5,000 to $5,400 grants focus on working artists and small arts organizations (budgets under $250,000), representing the cutting edge of our field's work. In terms of depth, Tier 2 grants include $10,000 grants to mid-size and large organizations with budgets over ($250,000), and one award for an emerging filmmaker. Tier 3 provides substantial $15,000 grants for the Mentorship Artist Grant. Artist/Ensembles Awards are as follows: $5,000 NFA Artist/Ensemble $5,400 NFA San Antonio Artist/Ensemble $10,000 NFA Medrano Legacy Award in Film $15,000 NFA Mentorship Artist Grant This NFA Artist/Ensemble grant program is for U.S.-based Latino artists, in all disciplines, working individually or as part of a Latino ensemble, arts collective, or community-based arts group. For information and guidelines, click here. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREATIVE CAPITAL WEBINARS STRATEGIC MARKETING SEPTEMBER 14 + WEBSITE, BLOG & EMAIL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER 18  Seven Elements of Strategic Marketing Thursday, September 14, 2017 7:00pm—8:30pm; $25 We need artists today more than ever to help subvert the traditional, mainstream narratives. Brian Tate has spent decades helping artists use marketing strategies to tell stories to specific audiences to drive a specific outcome. Learn his patented seven elements of strategic marketing to tell the story about your work that you want to tell. Website, Blog & Email Essentials Monday, September 18, 2017 7:00pm—8:30pm; $25 You're not alone if you wake up thinking "I need to update my website!" every morning. Sue Schaffner will give you the tools to present your best digital self by giving you web presence case studies, communications tools and the most up to date best practices. Don't send an email about your artwork without taking this webinar! CHERRY STREET ART BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS AS AN ARTIST FAIRFIELD LIBRARY SEPTEMBER 19 + NORWALK LIBRARY NOVEMBER 1   Artist and Fine Art Consultant Liz Tardif and Cherry Street Art, present a series of free presentations and discussions on Building Your Business As An Artist. This presentation is designed as an introduction to understanding the process and value of creating a business plan that will help visual artists succeed in building a collector base and earning an income from their art. To be discussed are the basics for organizing and operating the business of marketing and selling art and how to design a map for your own success. Submitting applications to galleries, the pros and cons of publishing, identifying a target market, business building resources and much more will be discussed. As a follow-up to this presentation, individual and group Business Planning Sessions will be offered to artists who are interested. For Fairfield Library session, Tues. Sept. 19, 7:00-8:30 pm, Memorial Room, 2nd Floor, register here.  For Norwalk Public Library session, Weds. Nov. 1, 6:30-8:00pm, 2nd Floor, 3/4 Auditorium, register here. or call 203 899-2780 x 15133. FOUNDATION CENTER WEBINAR FUND YOUR CREATIVE PROJECT SEPTEMBER 26 In Fund Your Creative Project: Grant Writing for Visual, Literary and Performing Artists, a webinar presented by Grantspace, a service of the Foundation Center, artists and writers learn to take a good idea and transform it into a compelling grant proposal. Discover how to research funding, decode application questions, and let the grant-writing process focus your career goals. In this workshop, based on Gigi Rosenberg’s book, The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing, Gigi demonstrates how to play the matchmaking game with potential funders, enlist a team to help craft a proposal and create a budget that will help make your application more enticing. Gigi Rosenberg is an author, artist coach and editor of the national magazine Professional Artist. She wrote The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing (Watson-Guptill) and coaches artists to help them find funding, blast through creative blocks and launch vibrant marketing plans. Her writing has been published by Psychology Today, Seal Press and Poets & Writers and she’s been a guest commentator on Oregon Public Radio. Register for this free webinar here. Tues., Sep 26, 2-3pm POETS & WRITERS GUIDE TO  MFA PROGRAMS In its latest Guide series, Poets & Writers now has an update Guide to help you think about whether to venture forth and work for an MFA in creative writing. The Guide to MFA Programs is an essential handbook, revised and updated for 2017, providing everything you need to know about deciding where and how to apply to the best graduate creative writing programs for you. ● What to consider before you apply. ● How to decide where to apply. ● Insider advice from an application reader. ● Identifying elements of unique MFA programs. ● What to expect out of workshop. ● Tips on becoming a teaching assistant. ● How to remain productive after the MFA. A collection of articles edited by the staff of Poets & Writers Magazine, this handy resource includes straightforward advice from professionals in the literary field, additional resources to help you choose the right program for you, and much more. This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Reader, available free from Adobe Systems, or other software capable of reading PDF files. $499. Buy and download here. JOBS DOWNTOWN CABARET DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Downtown Cabaret is expanding and has several positions to fill, including: A Digital Marketing Specialist who will report solely to the Executive Producer and will assist with the theatre’s Digital Marketing Campaigns in a variety of capacities. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: compile and implement all email and social marketing campaigns; monitor and maintain website content; proofread print & digital marketing products; coordinate photography at shows and other key moments; maintain a matrix for tracking and measuring the results of all digital marketing initiatives and generate weekly reports on results; and assist with special projects as necessary. Skills/ Qualifications: include a B.A. in Communications, Marketing, English or related field; 1+ years experience in marketing, preferably for a non-profit or arts organization; 1-2 years of professional experience handling social media accounts; a self starter; excellent attention to detail; excellent written and oral communication Familiarity with WordPress,Google Analytics, EMMA or similar programs a plus. Interest in theatre a plus! This is a full-time, seasonal position. Must have flexible schedule and be available some nights/weekends. All interested candidates can email their cover letter and resume to ashley@mycabaret.org with the subject line “Digital Marketing Specialist”. BROOKFIELD CRAFT CENTER MANAGER OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING  The Brookfield Craft Center, a 501 (c)3 non-profit with a 65 year history of education and promotion of fine craftsmanship in America, is seeking to fill the part time position of Manager of Individual Giving. Flexible hours and location make this the perfect fit for someone reentering the workforce or looking for part time work from home. As Manager of Individual Giving, you report directly to the Executive Director. Your responsibilities will include: Meeting annual fundraising goals; working with Board and Development committee to help members make and fulfill fundraising commitments; establish and manage appropriate processes needed to effectively grow donation funds through individual solicitations; research new donors and cultivate and re-engage past donors whose support has lapsed; outreach and education about the Brookfield Craft Center and our mission to the general public and various civic organizations; and maintain and update donor database and follow-up with members and donors. Experience required will include; at least 1 year of experience in fundraising for other Not for profit organizations; must be a goal oriented self-starter with a proven track record of accomplishment in building a sustainable donor base; intermediate computer skills, able to build and maintain donor database. Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is commensurate with experience. Interested individuals should submit your application to director@brookfieldcraft.org. Please include “Job application” in the subject. INTAKE ORGANIZATION CHILDREN'S CHOIR DIRECTOR + CHILDREN'S VIOLIN/VIOLA INSTRUCTOR The INTAKE Organization is a youth development and arts education organization founded in 2011 in Stamford (20 Forest Street). INTAKE seeks a Children's Choir Director to lead a bilingual choir in an innovative youth development arts organization and a Children’s Violin/Viola Instructor to teach violin and/or viola. Both would teach Wednesdays, 4:30-7:30pm and both would be responsible for cross-cultural repertoire and programming for an October 29 symphonic concert and more. Education/Skills Required: For both a Bachelors of Music is a must, and graduate music students are encouraged to apply; Spanish and English fluency is a plus. Compensation: $45-$65 per hour (negotiable, based on experience). Interviews and auditions: For both positions: August 31 and/before September 7. Please send cover letter and resume to angie@intakemusic.org. INTAKE's mission is to improve the quality of life for underserved children, largely from immigrant families, by providing access to quality classical music education through the use of native instruments that represent the community's diverse cultural backgrounds. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY THEATRE FAIRFIELD INSTRUCTOR  VOCAL PERFORMANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE Theatre Fairfield, the production wing of Fairfield University's Theatre Program, seeks an instructor for a 1-credit, 10-week fall workshop devoted to Vocal Performance for Musical Theatre. Every fall semester, we offer a special intensive workshop in a given area of theatre performance, generally in tandem with an upcoming production. This fall's workshop will help prepare students for the Spring 2018 production of THE SPITFIRE GRILL. The instructor will be hired as Fairfield University adjunct faculty and the salary, at least $4500, will be in accordance with the highest degree held (MFA or PhD). The workshop will meet ten selected Friday afternoons between September and November 2017, from 5-7:30 PM. All interested parties should write to mlomonaco@fairfield.edu (Prof. Marti LoMonaco) and please attach your professional resume/CV to the e-mail. Please write in the subject line: Theatre Fairfield Vocal Performance Workshop.  Jobs Previously Listed and Still Available Aldrich Museum: Freelance Preparators/Art Handlers Creative Arts Workshop: Executive Director/Head of School The Discovery Museum: Exhibits Technician Fairfield Museum: Visitor Services Manager Mattatuck Museum: Executive Assistant to the Director  Suzuki Music Schools of Westport, Orange and Stamford: P/T Marketing & PR Professional Westport Country Playhouse: Box Office and Concessions Associate MEMBERS: Please post your Job Opportunities in FCBuzz Classifieds: http://fcbuzz.org/classified/jobs/ FOLLOW US! Follow the Cultural Alliance on Twitter,  Facebook,    YouTube + Instagram. Then, share this newsletter with your friends. Thanks! OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR SEPTEMBER Sept. c7: Rowayton Arts Center: Exhibiting Artists Opportunity Sept. c7: MidAtlantic Arts Foundation, USA International Travel Grants: Application Deadline for projects taking place Dec. 15, 2017 and Dec. 14, 2018. Sept. c8: Carriage Barn Arts Center: Arts for Alz, Submission Deadline Sept. c8: Spectrum Gallery Art Show Submission Deadline (but applicants have also to apply for the Madison Town Autumn Arts Festival, deadline Oct. 5) 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. 14: Creative Capitals Webinar: Seven Elements of Strategic Marketing. Sept. 15: Pequot Library, The Story of Art. Submission Deadlin Sept. 15: NEST Arts Factory, SPUN Fiber Exhibit, Submission Deadline Sept. 18: Creative Capitals Webinar: Website, Blog & Email Essentials. Sept. 18: A Blade of Grass: Art & Social Change Fellowships Application Deadline Sept. 19: Fairfield Library: Building Your Business As An Artist Sept. 25/26: Rowayton Arts Center, Expressions. Receiving Sept. 26: GrantSpace Webinar: Fund Your Creative Project, 2pm OCTOBER Oct. c1: Ridgefield Guild of Artists: 2-1-2  Group Show Submission Deadline Oct. c5: NALAC Fund for Artists and Ensembles, Submission Deadline  Oct. c8: Madison Town Autumn Arts Festival, application deadline NOVEMBER Nov. c1: New Canaan Library: Artist in Residence Program Application Deadline Nov. c1: Norwalk Library: Building Your Business As An Artist Nov. 17: Smithsonian.com: 15th Annual Photo Contest Submission Deadline DECEMBER Dec. c1: MidAtlantic Arts Foundation, USA International Travel Grants: Application Deadline for projects taking place March 15, 2018 and March 14, 2019. 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.
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