LOCAL GREEN:  ART EXHIBIT

The Local Green Group

OPENING RECEPTION

Sunday, October 16, 2-4 pm.  Rain or Shine.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists, 34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, CT

A Collaboration of Green Village Initiative (GVI), The Ridgefield Guild of Artists, and The Sculpture Barn.  Curated by Jean Linville, David Boyajian, and Justin Perlman.

The show will feature local professionals and student artists whose work addresses, interprets, or in some way shares GVI’s mission. A unique opportunity to view art in a farm setting, work will be exhibited at The Hickories, Ridgefield’s certified organic farm.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: LOCAL GREEN seeks artists whose work focuses on raising awareness and acting responsibly at our local level, whether through food/farming or other green activities. The show is designed to bring together the work of both local professional and high school artists whose work addresses these issues. The exhibit will take place at The Hickories in Ridgefield, CT.  This certified organic farm provides a fitting location for the theme of this gathering of artwork.

Click here for a Local Green Prospectus.  

Annual Juried Exhibition

Click here for the Juried Show program listing all works and winners.

Juror’s Statement

It was a privilege for me to review such a stunning array of media and genres of artwork – obviously, the Guild draws a talented and diverse group of artists to their center, and for this they should be quite proud. I firmly believe in the transformative power of art, both for the viewer and the one who engages in creative expression; and, further, how that wellspring of positive energy can reinvigorate one’s regional community.  It is clear that the Guild is an important contributor to this stream of positive energy, acting as a galvanizing center for artists of many diverse enterprises to come together and share in that spirit of creativity.                         –  Cynthia Reeves

Accepted Artists

Thank you to all who submitted entries to our 34^th Annual Juried Exhibition.   After a thorough review of the hundreds of images, Cynthia Reeves, our 2011 juror, selected the following works to be included in this year’s show:

Click here for a list of this year’s accepted artists.

Accepted artists are encouraged to send a one page biographical statement to mloconnell@sbcglobal.net by September 20.  Bios will be included in a notebook for visitors during the exhibition.  Also, if there are any corrrections to this list, please email them no later than September 20 to Mary Louise.  

Thank you.

The Guild is pleased to announce that noted New York City gallery owner and creative director Cynthia Reeves will be the juror for the 34th Annual Juried Show this year.

The Juried Show showcases artists in all media from the regional area and Ms.  Ms. Reeves will be on-site for jurying this important show.  We eagerly anticipate the entries for this exhibition, since there are so many wonderful artists in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey who bring their works to the Guild.

Receiving for the show starts September 8, and the show opens on September 24 and will run through October 28.   The Juried Show prospectus is available to members online – please click below for complete information and entry forms.

Click here to download 34th Annual Juried Show Prospectus.

Opening Reception:  Saturday, September 24, 2-4pm

Juror: Cynthia Reeves is owner of the Cynthia-Reeves gallery in Manhattan and creative director of the Great River Arts Institute, a nonprofit arts center in Bellows Falls, VT.

Awards: 2,000 in cash awards: Best in Show, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd

Media: All media accepted but must be fully set up for on-site jurying.  Any work previously exhibited in any exhibition at the Guild is not eligible for submission to this competition.  All wall-hung pieces must be submitted securely wired and/or ready to hang.  Sculpture must be fully assembled with its own secure, stable base; no component over 150 lbs.  The Guild reserves the right to reject any entry that does not comply with guidelines.

Entry/Fees: Open to all artists in Northeast U.S.  Up to 3 works per artist.  Fees: Guild members $20 per entry; nonmembers $25 per entry; seniors/students (65+ or under 22) $15 per entry, payable by cash, check, money order, Visa/MasterCard.  Fees are nonrefundable and payable to RGA.  Artists joining the Guild with entries pay the lower member’s fee.

Delivery: Hand deliver works for jurying to the Guild gallery barn: Thurs & Fri, Sept 8-9, 12-4pm; Sat & Sun, Sept 10-11, 12-5pm.

Accepted Work: Accepted artists will be posted on our website RGOA.ORG no later than 9pm, Fri., Sept. 16.   Please email a short artist statement/bio to rgoa@sbcglobal.net no later than Mon, Sept. 19 so that we can prepare and display a directory of accepted artists. All accepted work must remain in the show until Oct. 28.

Non-Accepted Work: Work not accepted work must be picked up Sat & Sun, Sept 17-18, 12-4pm.

Sales & Indemnity: Works must be for sale.  The Guild retains a 40% commission on all sales.  The Guild will take the greatest possible care of all submitted works but will not be responsible for any damage to or loss of work submitted, exhibited or left unclaimed.

Tribute

Paintings by Maria Poosikian

mariapoosikian.com

Exhibit:  January 15 – February 14, 2011

Artist’s Reception

Saturday, January 29, 2011, 2 – 4 pm

This series of paintings was inspired by the life and subsequent passing of my mother. The series began as I grappled with the tangibility of life and loss.  It was not my intent to represent the darkness of loss but rather leave behind images that were beautiful and spiritual in an effort to translate the powerful connection between mother and daughter while using metaphorical images relating to her life.

Pathways to Landscape

March  5 — 26, 2011

Curated by Dean Fisher

Opening Reception

Sat, March 5

2:00-4:00 pm

(Snowdate: Sun, March 6, 2-4 pm)

RGA member Dean Fisher–winner of September’s Annual Juried Show and curator of Pathways to Landscape has put together a survey of contemporary landscapes that represent some of the highest level of work being done today.

Exhibition includes works by … Robert Bauer, Frank Bruckmann, Hollis Dunlap, Nicholas Evans Cato, Eileen Eder, Dean Fisher, Josh Gaetjen, Christopher Gallego, Israel Hershberg, Diana Horowitz, Alex Kanevsky, Constance LaPalombara, Claire Maury-Curran, William Meddick, Lawrence Morelli, Artie Mihalopolous, Lenny Moskowitz, William Nathans, Josephine S. Robinson, Stuart Shils, E.M Saniga, Jesus Villarreal, Justin Weist, Brian Wendler and, Jordan Wolfson.

East Clinton and Moran by Jordan Wolfson (Oil on linen, 18”x22”)

- Courtesy DFN Gallery, NYC

New Pastels

by Suzanne Ashley

February 15 – Mach 14, 2011

ARTISTS RECEPTION

Saturday, March 12, 2011, 2-4 pm

The New Pastels exhibit presented by Artist-Curator – Fine Arts Appraiser Suzanne Bohrer Ashley incorporates traditional landscape and still life subject matter with a contemporary flair.   Monhegan Island, Maine figures largely in the work of the artist along with familiar local venues and striking still life compositions.  The works, whether landscape or still life, depict a strong emotional connection to the positive aspects of solitude.

OPTIMISM IN A LONELY WORLD

March 15- April 14, 2011

Found Object Assemblage by Jean Tock

Opening Reception

Saturday, April 2, 2011, 6 – 8 pm

“Jean Tock brings imagination and humor to the found objects she uses to create highly original artworks.” Putnam County Courier

Tock’s pieces are three-dimensional assemblages; much of the work in this show reflects the artist’s contemplations on war, politics, and even terrorism. In each piece she tries to show that all is not over, that there still exists the power to overcome darkness and to heal.

For more information visit www.jeantock.com.

3RD ANNUAL

Bedlam

Exhibit: April 2 – 16, 2011

Congratulations! to Guild member Beverly Wallace.  Her work, Isolation was chosen to represent the Bedlam show this year and will appear on all upcoming exhibit publicity and outreach.

REMINDERS

Receiving for the BEDLAM show will be on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 from 12-4pm.  Members will hang their own art during the two days of receiving.  The Guild reduces their traditional 40% commission down to 20% for this show, and it is a good opportunity to reflect that reduction in your artwork prices.  Hanging fees for work measuring (horizontally or vertically including frame) under 36″ is $10 per piece; anything over 36″ is $20 per piece. Up to three works may be brought in.  Please Note: The Bedlam show is not themed!  All types and themes of artwork are welcome.

OPENING RECEPTION

A member/opening party will take place the final day of hanging on Saturday, April 2 from 6-8pm.  This show will run through April 16.  Pick up will be from 4-5pm on Saturday, April 16 and 12-4pm on Sunday, April 17.

For more information, please call the Guild at 203.438.8863 or email rgoa@sbcglobal.net.

Bedlam Co-Chairs:  Sally Aldrich & Michelle Brewster

About the Exhibition

CameraWorks is designed as an exploration of all the photographic arts from the most traditional to the least conventional.  We welcome all formats – b/w or color, film or digital, photo collage, montage and videos.

Click here for a list of Accepted Artists!

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Juror’s Statement

What struck me most about the entries was the concentration on abstraction and the quality of light; this guided my choices and to me represents what photography today can most aptly describe. Capturing the fleeting moment of how light describes a space, how it illuminates and obscures, is what makes a photograph simultaneously transcendent and descriptive. This approach reveals what the unaided eye cannot, or simply does not take the time to see.

I was very impressed with the range of expression and the choices the photographers made in rendering the image, be it monochrome or enhanced color.  It proves the point that photography today goes beyond traditional bounds and shows the influence of other visual mediums. In the end, the photographs here allow us to contemplate the world around us in repose and within a quiet space that allow us to create our own narrative of what’s within the photographer’s chosen frame.  George Schaub

George Schaub is the editorial director of Shutterbug Magazine and Petersen’s Photographic Magazine and web sites. He is an Associate Professor in the Visual and Performing Arts department at the New School in New York City.  His photography has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Men’s Journal and American Photo Magazine. He has written 22 books on photography and teaches digital photography and black and white printing at various workshops and schools around the country.  Visit his websites to see more of his work at www.georgeschaub.com and also at  www.georgeschaubprints.com.

Click here for CameraWorks prospectus.

IMPORTANT DATES

Submissions Due to Guild: Saturday, April 30, 2011

Artist Notification: Sunday, May 15, 2011 (Check website at www.rgoa.org.)

Delivery of Accepted Work for Installation: Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5, 2011, 12-4 pm

Exhibition Opening/Reception: Saturday, June 11, 2011, 2 – 4 pm

All accepted work must be ready to hang or install by delivery dates.

CONTINUUM: GENDER IDENTITIES

APRIL 30 – JUNE 3, 2011

GALLERY HOURS:  TUESDAY – SUNDAY 12-4PM

UPCOMING

CONTINUUM EVENTS

- Designer Vintage Clothing Trunk Sale -

Thursday, May 19, 5:00 – 9:00 pm

- ARTIST WALK & TALKS -

Saturday, May 21, 3-4 PM

with Don Arsenault, Suzanne Benton, Regina Moss, Elizabeth Back & Ellen Schiffman

Saturday, May 28, 3-4 PM

with Claire Watson Garcia, Michael Elsden, Nina Bentley & Antonio Munoz

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CURATOR’S STATEMENT

The idea for this show came to me a year ago while reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way for the fifth time. As the mother of a transgender son, I was searching for a voice, a way to “come out” in the town I am so proud to live in. I approached the Ridgefield Guild of Artists about doing a show on gender, and they embraced it enthusiastically. Together, we resolved to have a “big conversation in a small town.” The idea that art can create a safe space in which to explore timely and significant topics is a critical component of RGA’s mission.

Continuum: Gender Identities takes its name from the concept that each of us exists somewhere on the continuum between male and female. For some of us, that space is clearly defined; for others, it is more fluid. Some of us move about freely in the world in our given skins; others shed that skin and create a new one. This subject is important in a variety of ways, given the bombardment of gendered messages women, men, boys, and girls receive through the mass media each day; American society’s uneasy quest to define marriage; our embattled don’t-ask-don’t-tell military policy; our acceptance or non-acceptance of celebrities who have “come out”; and the very intimate struggle of individuals, young and old, who are questioning their own place on the gender spectrum.

I invited 52 artists—straight, gay, and in between–to depict gender: from traditional images of masculine and feminine, to work that bends or questions gender roles. They were invited to display their depictions of gender in any of its manifestations: in nature, in the human family, in a political context, as an abstract concept, or as a personal statement.

Works by Stamford Artist Karen Kalkstein

Some of the artists you see here have exhibited widely and to great acclaim; others have never shown their art before. Thus, the continuum extends in many directions, including media. You will see painting, sculpture, comic art, glass, photography, ceramics, jewelry, cyanotype, fiber art, digital art, woodcut, encaustic, and video art, created by artists from Holland, Korea, New Zealand, Ecuador, Canada, and Seattle, San Francisco, New Jersey, Vermont, Portland OR, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York, Santa Fe, Philadelphia, and Connecticut.

I truly believe that with information comes understanding. That is why I invited the artists to write statements about their art and their lives as they relate to the subject of the continuum, mounted next to their artwork. It’s why there is a gender bookshelf at the entrance to the show (and a bibliography at the back of the exhibition catalogue). It’s why adolescents were invited to write their thoughts and display their art in the upstairs gallery. When the world becomes a safer place for my son and everyone else who falls at various places on either end of the gender spectrum, it becomes a better place for us all.

'Ambiguous' by Jody Silver