SECRETS: NEW WORKS

This exhibit will feature 28 of Sholeh Janati’s abstract paintings from February 15 - March 14th.  An open-house style reception will be held on Sunday, February 28 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. with a talk by the artist at 2 p.m.

Sholeh Janati is an accomplished artist whose works are found in Europe, Middle East and North America . Her work is characterized by strong brush strokes, rich textures and vibrant colors, and her creative, spontaneous and affectionate personality shines through her paintings, which unite past, present and future and represents a great strength of cultural identity.

Born in Tehran, she adopted the US as her home in 1988. While her talents were originally recognized by Persian traditionalists, she has since concentrated on still life, nudes, portraits and abstract paintings, which has brought her praise from a broad spectrum of American and European enthusiasts. The vibrancy of her colors and her ability to express real life through her work is the defining characteristic of her creativity. Her recent works have focused on abstract paintings, through which she expresses her vision through a myriad of colors and shapes.

Sholeh’s paintings typically evoke a unique response. Collectors of Sholeh’s work have commented that her paintings provide a constant interaction with the viewer — as if taken on a journey to a new place and time. Repeated viewings of her work reveal something that hadn’t seen before ~ a constant interaction with the individual, as if the painting changes dynamically time after time. In this sense, the individual finds each of Sholeh’s works as an expression of their own artistic vision.

Sholeh maintains her studio in Westport , Connecticut . In the last twelve months, some of her most recent award-winning works have been on display at the Bowery Gallery in New York City (curated by Paul Resika); the Viridian Artists Gallery in New York City; Andrews Art Museum in Andrews, NC; FABRIKA in Paterson, NJ; and Westport Arts Center in Westport, CT.

The Member Small Works exhibit is being shown in the Upstairs Gallery. All works are under $500, and the exhibit opens for the duration of Festive Home.

Extended Gallery Hours: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday – Sundays.
Closed Mondays & Wednesdays 11/25 & Thursday 11/26.

Sunday January 31, 2010
Hours: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Ridgefield Library
Contact: Laurie McGavin Bachmann 438-2282 x. 1010 lmbachmann@ridgefieldlibrary.org

Flow and creativity have a great deal in common. Both are experiences that open one’s self up to enhanced attention and engagement with what we are doing. Creative flow is a mindset that pervades many different disciplines and enriches our everyday lives.

Flow is a mental state in which a person is fully immersed and absorbed in what he or she is doing while feeling an energized focus and full involvement in an activity at hand. In a flow state, an awareness of time disappears as one focuses and concentrates on a flow activity. This slide-illustrated talk will be supplemented with creative exercises. Bring a journal or sketchbook. Artist and art historian Laurie McGavin Bachmann will lead this workshop.

Registration is not required, however space is limited.

ART IN INTERIORS

with interior designer Olga Adler

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Ridgefield Library

2pm

Slide-illustrated talk with Olga Adler, Principal of Olga Adler Interiors, whose work has been featured in numerous publications and on Connecticut Style, ABC CT News. Channel 8.

“To me, an interior is not complete without works of art. They bring back memories, help you focus or remind you of what you aspire to. Art works bring color and texture–they set the tone.”  -Olga Adler.

No registration.  Free admission.  For more information about ARTalk contact Laurie McGavin Bachmann 20.438.2282 x. 1010, lmbachmann@ridgefieldlibrary.org or The Guild at 203.438.8863.

The ARTalk series is cosponsored by the Ridgefield Library & Ridgefield Guild of Artists

ARTalk:  How Connecticut’s Rich Artistic & Historic Heritage Enhances Tourism

presented by the CT Commission on Art & Tourism

Sunday, March 21

2:00 pm, Ridgefield Library

Three Women and Arches by Lester Johnson

This ARTalk and Panel Discussion will focus on Cultural Tourism: Connecticut’s rich artistic and historic heritage and how it can help local and regional economies thrive.

ARTalk panelists from the Connecticut Commission on Art and Tourism include:  Randy Fiveash, Tourism Division Director; John Cusano, Community Development Coordinator for the Commission’s Arts Division; and  Mary Donohue, Survey and Grants Director for the Historic Preservation and Museum Division of the CCT.

Home by Julia Fosson

Sunday, December 6, 2009
Hours: 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: Ridgefield Library, Dayton Program Room
No registration.

Internationally known mask-maker, storyteller (and Ridgefield resident), Suzanne Benton discusses her life’s work using masks and performance to give voice to persons of all ages and backgrounds. Benton will perform two short mask tales and screen a portion of her exciting 2009 Brooklyn Museum of Art performance.

Widely exhibited with over 250 solo shows and representation in museum and private collections worldwide, Suzanne Benton is a noted sculptor, mask maker, performance artist, feminist, painter, printmaker, lecturer and workshop leader who has shared her multi-cultural performances and art for over 30 years in 29 countries from Calcutta to Cambridge.

A Fulbright Scholar, Benton has received numerous grants and artist residencies worldwide. In addition, she is the author of, The Art of Welded Sculpture, The Journey Letter of a Traveling Artist and numerous articles.

Of her inspiration, Benton says that she is “drawn to diverse themes steeped in myth, ritual and archetype.” Her masks, sculpture, paintings and prints are infused with a strong sense of storytelling which has been deeply developed by Benton’s extensive travels.

The ARTalk series is co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Guild of Artists.

Alan Shulik's "Into Cypresses"

FRESH PICS is curated by Camilla Cook (http://www.camillacook.com)

Show dates: January 23 – February 20, 2010
Artwork drop off: Wednesday, January 20, 12-4pm
Installation: Thursday, January 21, 12-4pm; Friday, January 22, 12-4pm
Opening reception: Saturday, January 23, 2-4pm (snowdate Sunday, January 24)
Curator-led walkthrough: Saturday, January 23, 2pm (snowdate Sunday, January 24)
Resources & Opportunities for Artists Panel Discussion: Saturday, February 6, 2pm (snowdate Sunday, February 7)
Artwork Pick up: Monday, February 22, 12-4pm

Artists in the Exhibition

Christine Aaron (Larchmont, NY), June Ahrens (New Canaan, CT), Corina S. Alvarezdelugo (Branford, CT), Cynthia Atwood (New Marlborough, MA), Donald Axleroad (Stamford, CT), Karin Bartimole (New Rochelle, NY), Binnie Birstein (Weston, CT),  Irwin Block (Norwalk, CT), Jennifer Contini Enderby (New York, NY), Christopher Curnan (Ridgefield, CT), Roxanne Faber-Savage (Fairfield, CT), Alanna Fagan (Milford, CT), Jim Felice (Ridgefield, CT), Cecilia Fradet (Weston, CT), Antonio Frascon (Norwalk CT), Ernest Garthwaite (Old Greenwich, CT), Lori Glavin (Darien, CT), Rima Grad (Larchmont, NY), John Harris (Norwalk, CT), Paul Harvey (Westport, CT), Lou Hicks (Greenwich, CT), Ann Hodgdon-Cyr (Windsor, CT), Jane Ingram (Ridgefield, CT), Nancy Jaffee (Weston, CT), Stephanie Joyce (New Canaan, CT), Paul Kaiser (Easton, CT), Marty Kremer (Pound Ridge, NY), Nancy Lasar (Washington Depot, CT), Cate Leach (Darien, CT), Connie Manna (Stratford, CT), Michael Manning (Montclair, NJ), Susan Manspeizer (Pound Ridge, NY), Nancy McTague-Stock (Wilton, CT), George Megrue (New Canaan, CT), Liana Moonie (Greenwich, CT), Susan Newbold (Fairfield, CT), Carey Parks Schwarz (Stamford, CT), Steven P. Perkins (Rye Brook, NY), DeAnn Prosia (Newtown, CT), Nancy Reinker (Weston, CT), Gay Schemmp (Winsted, CT), Alan Shulik (Guilford, CT), Nomi Silverman (Glenville, CT), Janet Slom (Westport, CT), Karen Sorensen (Woodbury, CT), Judith Steinberg (Stamford, CT), Jodiann Strmiska (Bridgeport, CT), Florence Suerig (Greenwich, CT), Jane Sutherland (Fairfield, CT), Jo Ubogy (Cos Cob, CT), Derek Uhlman (Norwalk, CT), Peggy Weis (Fairfield, CT), Torrance York (New Canaan, CT)

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

Five Galleries.
Hundreds of works of art.

Dear Friend & Art Lover,

Please help us raise $1 million and support heART For Haiti!

WHAT IS heART FOR HAITI?
A fundraiser fueled by the generosity of artists and art patrons who want to make a difference in the lives of the people of Haiti. Help us reach our goal of raising $1 million by visiting the galleries and purchasing art on Friday, January 29, 6 to 9 pm & Saturday, January 30, 12 to 3 pm at these select galleries in Fairfield County. All proceeds from the sale of these artist donations will benefit Save the Children.
Ridgefield Hosting Gallery: Galleria D’Arte (203/431-7728)

Visit our website for more information: heartforhaitict.tumblr.com

I’M AN ARTIST! HOW CAN I HELP?
Donate a piece of artwork. Please visit the Artist page for information on how to donate artwork to heART for Haiti.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!

I’M AN ART LOVER! HOW CAN I HELP?
Visit the galleries, tell your friends, and purchase art during the Artwork Sale + Reception: Friday, January 29, 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, January 30, 12 to 3 pm

INFORMATION: http://heartforhaitict.tumblr.com

SPREAD THE WORD
1. Share this email to your friends and family.
2. Post your facebook or twitter status: Calling all Artists and art lovers! Support heART For Haiti. Visit heartforhaitict.tumblr.com for more info.

Want to Do More?
Volunteers for Receiving and Reception Needed
email rvolpone22@comcast.net or call the Galleria D’Arte 203/431-7728

Thank you in advance for your support, and please help us spread the word!

My Friend Visits by Sharon Nakazato

STUDIOMATES

Paintings by Sharon Nakazato & Christopher Staples

March 19 – May 14, 2010

Reception:  Sunday, March 21, 2-4 pm

Mixed-media artists Sharon Nakazato and Christopher Staples, artists who share a studio in Carmel, N. Y., present works that combine symbolic and literal imagery with vibrant color and diverse cultural references in a showing of their art at the Ridgefield Artists Guild.

“Working across the table from an active, innovative, highly creative individual actually strengthens my awareness of what is uniquely me and my own,” says Nakazato, a licensed teacher of Japanese calligraphy, whose years working as an artist in Japan are subtly reflected in her current offerings.  Having a studiomate, she says, also reinforces her determination to make art a priority in her life.

Musing I by Christopher Staples

Staples, an award-winning artist and workshop leader, renovated a barn on her property to serve as a studio in 2005.  She initially sought a studiomate to help defray expenses, but soon found that having a fellow artist in residence also provided mutual psychic benefits.

“Sharon and I often share creativity-enhancing, self-searching exercises that we have developed or found to provide fresh well-springs for our art-making,” says Staples.  “While our work is very different, we are fellow travelers on the same path.”

One creative practice shared by the studiomates is that of creating “mandalas” — circular drawings filled with subconscious symbols that stimulate and inform their other creative works.  Many of these will be included in in the show at the recently renovated Upstairs Gallery which is open from 12 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

BEDLAM —  a themeless member show

LEV GOGISH WINS BEDLAM CONTEST!
Thank you to all the members who submitted artwork for the Bedlam 2010 contest – seeking art/images evoking ‘bedlam’ for the event’s promotion!   The entries were ALL outstanding.  After careful consideration, the committee selected the work of new Guild member Lev Gogish‘s, Global Warming?, digital art. Lev’s name and art will be used in all promotional pieces for the upcoming BEDLAM event. Congratulations Lev!

BEDLAM – Receiving

Come HANG with us!  Bring your favorite piece of artwork and for just $10 a nail – hang it yourself – anywhere in the Gallery!  Come join the fun!

Receiving for the BEDLAM show will be on Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10, 12-4pm.  Members will hang their own art during the two days of receiving.  The Guild reduces their traditional 40% commission down to 10% 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 $15 per piece. Up to three works may be brought in.

CELEBRATION

A member/opening party will take place the final day of hanging on Saturday, April 10 from 6-8pm.   We are asking for a $1.00 entry fee that will also include a raffle ticket for a door prize.  This show will run through April 24.

EXHIBIT  Saturday, April 10 – Saturday, April 24

Gallery Hours:  Wed – Sun, 12 – 4pm

For more information, please call the Guild at 203.438.8863.