Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Bryan Bielefeldt '11

Getting ready to start a new chapter. Response Marketing in New Haven has invited me to join their team!! We are going to hit the ground running so check in at http://thepowertoprovoke.com/blog to see what we are up to!"

Edward Little, Adjunct Instructor Drawing & Art History

Ed writes, "Please check out these drawings by WCSU students. http://edlittleart.com/2011StudentWork2011.html         Comments are welcome!"


Monday, January 30, 2012

John Kane '76

John invites you to a NEPW Presentation:  "The Power of the Image and the Transition to Multimedia." INSTRUCTORS: Richard Falco  and  Les Stone of the Vision Project  www.visionproject.org
Richard Falco is the President of Vision Project. As a photographer, he has done assignments on four continents in over thirty-five countries and has worked for many major publications, including: Time, Life Magazine, Newsweek, Geo, New York Times, US News & World Report, to name a few. There are two published books of Mr. Falco’s work, Medics: A Documentation of Paramedics in the Harlem Community and To Bear Witness/ September 11. He has taught at a number of universities and schools; notably, The New School for Social Research; Sacred Heart University; several State Universities of New York, and the School of Visual Arts.

During the last several decades, critically acclaimed photographer Les Stone has chronicled the human cost of conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Liberia, Somalia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and many others. He is the winner of several World Press Photo Awards and Picture of the Year Awards. He has covered stories often ignored by the mainstream media. Stone’s
work straddles the worlds of photojournalism and fine art photography. His images are powerful not only because they bring to our attention important and often overlooked people and events, but
because they do so in a visually arresting way. Stone's work has been published throughout the world: including National Geographic, Time, Life, Stern, Fortune, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, Mother Jones, Witness Magazine to name a few. He is a staff member at Vision Project.

This was last presented at the New York Film Academy on December 3, 2011
When
Sun Feb 26 9:30am – 4:30pm Eastern Time
Where
SiIlver Sun Studio 7 Crossmon Rd New Milford, ct (map)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Elizabeth L. Popiel

Liz congratulates ALLof her design/tech students from WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY for putting displays of their work "on the line" for "response" at the American College Theatre Festival the past week.! It takes a lot of guts to get criticism and feedback and bare your souls! You all did great!! I am so proud. (Pictures to follow later today) of all of you and your displays!! To ALL SWEENEY TODD crew, ...way to go with the GOLDEN HAMMER AWARD!!!!! and special cudo's to Jessica Camarero for her Honorable Mention in the Costume category for her costume design for THE THREE SISTERS!!!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Friday, January 27, 2012

Wendi Cahill '95 at Molten Java wth Katie Bassett '08

"Local Works" Artist Opening Reception - Katie Bassett and Thomas Nackid featured for the inaugural exhibit from January 14 through February 18. A public artist's reception will be held on January 27 from 6:00 to 8:00PM., sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance (HVCA). The exhibit can be viewed during Molten Java's normal business hours.
Molten Java donated The Upstairs Gallery space (located across from recently opened Byrd's Books Store) where HVCA will coordinate art exhibits throughout the year. The project provides an opportunity for artists to show their work and to celebrate the arts within the community. "We're honored to partner with Molten Java", 213 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT 06801, owned by Wendi Cahill.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

ShawnaLee Kwashnak '96

ShanaLee has released her teaching schedule:
ShawnaLee is teaching Children's Winter & Spring Art lessons:
Art lessons will be on Wednesdays after school from 4:30 - 5:30pm per popular consensus.
Winter Arts
A long anticipated return of the joy of drawing & painting utilizing a variety of quality artists materials. Students will be guided through the artistic process according to each individual's needs & abilities. Classes will begin with an artists warm-up "quick-sketch" of a still life, and then transition into varied projects including a few seasonal "surprises".
January 25th until March 28th (10 weeks): Tuition is $100 + $20 materials
Spring Arts
Continuing young artists benefit from more advanced practice and study as we delve into a new set of projects and artists exercises while learning about varied media. This session will also have seasonal "surprise" keepsakes.
April 4,11,(no class 18th),25, May 2,9,16,23,30 (8 weeks): Tuition is $80 + $15 materials


She included a list of Upcoming shows & events:
• 3/10/12 DAWS 5th Annual Making a Difference Ball - Bid on my art! Will you recognize the subject?
• Middlebury Junior Woman's Club Dog Show TBA - Artists booth & sketching
• 10/2012 St. George's Church, Middlebury Ct., Blessing of the Animals - Artists Booth & sketching
• Upcoming Pet Sketch Fundraiser TBA

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Emile Waite '01

Emile writes via postcard, "I have chosen the Weather of 2011 as my end of the year theme." He adds a note about tsunami's wrath and how much nature's enormous potential can and does affect our lives. He writes, "As this 2011 year comes to an end and as we have had such a powerful dose of living in the present, I do sincerely wish that 2012 will be a period of moderate, benign weather....everywhere."

He adds, "And so let us share this toast: To Good Health, Good Weather, and Much Happiness." with a note to me thanking me for our updates. He then writes, "I still think visually and look forward to painting outdoors this year."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Doris Kaye MFA '06

Doris writes, "I have a watercolor in a juried show for the Stamford Art Association's "Faces and Figures," running through February 9,at their townhouse-gallery, Franklin Street in Stamford."
Hours: Thursdays & Fridays: 11:00am to 3:00pm ..... Saturdays & Sundays: Noon to 3:00pm

Monday, January 23, 2012

Perry Obee MFA '09

Tony Zatzick MFA '02

Tony writes, "Please put the word out that I released my third CD: "A Fearless Heart " by Harnam in Dec. to much critical acclaim and it is available on spiritvoyage.com

http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/yoga-music-review-a-fearless-heart-by-harnam-singh/

and will heading west as part of "The Whole Heart Tour" to support the new release. More details to follow soon.

David Boyajian

David writes, "I just wanted to let you know the public arts project for the Norwalk train station is finished and Installed it is a sculpture instillation created for the renovated train station the artist involved are David Boyajian and Matt Rink it is open to the public a celebration is scheduled for the spring 2012"

Sunday, January 22, 2012

MFA Visiting Artist Program resumes this Tuesday

John Arthur, the Painter will speak on Tuesday, January 24.
John Arthur has been acknowledged internationally as an authority on contemporary American realism and figurative painting. His books and museum catalogues include Richard Estes: The Urban Landscape (Boston Museum of Fine Arts & Little Brown), Realist Drawings and Watercolors (NYGS-Little Brown) Realism / Photorealism (Philbrook Art Museum & University of Missouri Press), Robert Cottingham: The Complete Prints (Springfield Art Museum & University of Washington Press), Realists at Work: Studio Interviews and Working Methods of Ten Contemporary Realists (Watson Guptill), Spirit of Place: Contemporary Landscape Painting & the American Tradition (Bulfinch-Little Brown), Richard Estes: Paintings and Prints (Pomegranate Artbooks), and Green Woods & Crystal Waters: The American Landscape Tradition (Philbrook Museum & University of Washington Press). He has recently completed Theophilus Brown: Paintings, Collages, & Prints (Chameleon Books), which is the first monograph on the well-known Bay Area figurative painter.

John Arthur has curated numerous exhibits, including America 1976, a Bicentennial project sponsored by the United States Department of the Interior. It opened at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, C.C. and toured major American museums for two years. He organized mid-career retrospectives of the paintings of Jack Beal (Boston University Art Gallery, Virginia Museum, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art), Richard Estes (Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Hirshhorn Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art) and Alfred Leslie (Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Hirshhorn Museum, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art).

He has served as an advisor to the national Endowment of the Arts, Department of the Interior, National Science Foundation, GSA Art and Architecture Program, and the Department of State. Since 1975 he has advised private collectors, galleries, and museums in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

Mr. Arthur will discuss the landscape tradition in American painting and his perspective on contemporary images of nature. (This lecture was rescheduled from September, 2011)

you can see the remainder of the scedule on our calendar at www.wcsu.edu/artalumni/calendar.asp

Friday, January 20, 2012

ShawnaLee Kwashnak '96

ShawnaLee writes, "A huge Thank you to all for your wonderful support of my art for the Danbury Animal Welfare Society throughout the Greeting Room Mural project and for the Incredible Fall Sketch Promotion. Throughout this process, I have worked with many amazing people and the extraordinary pets that have changed their lives!

Please visit my artists FB page to view a sampling of the sketches that were done!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portraits-by-ShawnaLee/159213700845031?sk=wall

I am donating art for the DAWS Fifth Annual Making a Difference Ball on March 10th - Will you recognize my subjects?

Alain Picard '97

Alain announces his winter classes, including a workshop with the Pastel Society of America.
Painting the Portrait in Pastel
One-Day Portrait Workshop, Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
A) February 18, 2012 (snow date February 25)
B) June 16, 2012
Location: Rorick Studio, Southbury CT Cost: $125

Working from the live model, Alain will demonstrate a painterly approach to pastel. Students will then work from the model with individual instruction at their easels throughout the afternoon.This workshop will promote a simple approach to portrait painting using the principles of shape, value, edge, color, and composition. All levels, beginner to advanced, are welcome. Medium: Oil and Pastels

Still Life Class
Four Week Studio Class, Fridays 9:30am - 12:00pm
March 9, 16, 23, 30 (snow date April 13)
Location: Picard Studio, Southbury CT Cost: $200
Still life provides the artist with an ideal learning environment for the study of shapes, values, and edges. Working from direct observation of the still life, students will learn to see and record the primary light and shadow pattern falling upon the scene. Special emphasis given to the simplification of values and manipulation of lost and found edges, with further instruction on interpreting color and composing the painting.
Personalized instruction at the easel will be provided to each student as they develop their paintings.
All levels, beginner to advanced, are welcome. This class is limited to six students. Medium: Oil and Pastels

The Painterly Pastel - PSA Workshop
One-Day Workshop, Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm March 18,2012
Location: Pastel Society of America, NYC Cost: $100
Picard will begin the workshop with a full-color pastel demonstration of a painterly approach to pastel by massing in shapes loosely at the start and refining toward the finish. Students will then work from their own photographic references with individual instruction at their easels. There will be discussions on the principles of shape, value, edge, color and design. All levels are welcome.
To register for this workshop, please fill out a PSA registration form found on their website.
12 Hillside Road | Southbury CT 06488 | 203.297.1399
www.picardstudio.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Call to Artists - Richter Arts

Next fall Richter Association for the Arts will host a show “Four Seasons at Richter.” It will consists of any artwork that shows any part of Richter Park during the year.

Since we are already into the winter I would like to invite you to think of sites in the park during this winter season that you might want to use as your canvas. The Richter newsletter will be coming out within the next month or so with additional details, but now is the time to begin creating.

The Visual Arts Committee will run the show from mid-October until the end of the Richter season. It will be non-juried and everything must be for sale. Entrants must be members of the Richter Association for the Arts. We will accept most any medium and portfolios will be accepted. 20% of any sale price will go to Richter Arts.

Call for Artists

Art-for-All! Now accepting submissions.

The Art-for-All is an art event to the power of three: three venues, weekends, judges and prizes. A portion of the proceeds from all art sales will be donated to the Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury.

A $500 prize will be awarded for the best in show at each venue, to be determined by an outside juror. Submissions are open to all.

The Mercurial Gallery
Submission deadline: 3/2/12
Opening reception: Saturday, 3/10/12 4-7pm
Juror: David Gesualdi, sculptor

Check out www.TheMercurialGallery.com for information on the other venues!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Connecticut Sea Grant Award

Deadline: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 4:30pm

The Connecticut Sea Grant Arts Funding Program awards up to $1000 to an artist through this competitive funding program. The winning submission will be selected on the basis of its aesthetic quality, relevance to coastal and marine environments and Connecticut Sea Grant themes, as well as its potential impact on non-traditional "audiences".

Eligibility: Artists who live in Connecticut, or whose work is Connecticut-or Long Island Sound-based.

Visit: http://web2.uconn.edu/ seagrant/funding/fundpdfs/ artsrfp.pdf for complete guidelines
or contact Dr. Syma A. Ebbin, Research Coordinator, Connecticut Sea Grant, at 860 405-9278

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Linda Rynkowski MFA '12

Linda writes, "Happy New Year! Currently I am finishing a two week session at Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT.
I have been painting with oils from the figure each day, as well as painting "en plein air.
Cheers,"

Friday, January 13, 2012

Robert Crawford

Bob writes, "Proud to now be an adjunct professor of Illustration at Western Connecticut State University!"
http://www.rcrawford.com/Congratulations Bob!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Vanessa David '95

Cooking for Two. Whether you're a young couple just starting out or a couple of empty nesters, you know how hard it is to cook for just two people. Learn how to plan your meals for the week, how to properly utilize leftovers and how to cook with love for the one you love. Dates: 2/6/2012 to 2/6/2012
Mondays7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Trumbull High School Room A-6
Instructor: Vanessa David
Fees: $25.00 Class Fee)

Dinner parties made easy Dinner parties are a great way to entertain and reconnect with your friends and loved ones. The good news is you don’t have to be a chef to pull it off; you just need a plan. Learn how to create one-of-a-kind menus that people will be talking about for years to come! 2/27/2012 to 3/5/2012
Mondays 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location:Trumbull High School Room A-6
Instructor:Vanessa David
Fees:$35.00 (Class Fee)

Katie Bassett '08

HVCA announcement:
Local artist, Katie Bassett from Bethel, CT will exhibit artworks at CityCenter Danbury part of the 2012 Accessible Art Project sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance (HVCA). This is her first Solo Show, The work is a collection of mixed media charcoal drawings and paintings exploring the dark anima of identity and can be viewed at CityCenter Danbury, 186 Main Street during normal business hours 9:30am-5:30pm from January 9 through February 16, 2012. Artist Reception: Thursday February, 2nd 5:30pm-7:30pm Join us for Refreshments, H'ors deurves & Art!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Carmen Lund MFA '06

Carmen invites you to take
Your Audacious LEAP! a key to making an enormous difference in the life you choose to create and live in the new year. Reserve your spot!

Retreat dates: January 21 and 22 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 329 Greene Street, New Haven, CT. 06511

Questions: carmen.lund@gmail.com or call 203-745-4808
Investment: $240 (a yummy lunch included)

Bridget Grady MFA '04

Bridget writes, "Tracy O'Shaunessey wrote a feature on me in the Waterbury Republican. Cover of the "Women" Section."

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Bridget Grady MFA '04

Bridget writes, The Blue Horse Arts Studio winter schedule is out with special January offerings."
Saturday, January 21st from 1 PM to 3 Pm JFosterMusic will be offering a Free Blogging Workshop on. This workshop is for artists, musicians, small business owners, or anyone who is interested in getting started in blogging. Blogging is an easy and economical alternative to having a website. It is also an important component to an already existing site. Jay Foster will demonstrate how to set up a free blog to promote the participants creative endeavors. The workshop will cover how to choose and set up templates, prepare images, and explore the world of gadgets and widgets! Some laptops will be available but participants are encouraged to bring their own. More information will be available by visiting instructor Jay Foster’s website JFostermusic.com

Saturday, January 21st from 1 PM to 3 Pm Blue Horse Arts Studio will be holding a “Paint Out or IN at Hemingway Pond!” Landscape artists are invited to paint the winter wetlands outside the studios or stay warmly inside and paint through the large window views. Working with a winter palette is a great way to expand ones painting skills. The “Paint Out or In” is open to anyone interested in landscape painting, whether they are a beginner or a experienced painter looking for new vistas. Blue Horse Arts Instructor, Bridget Grady, an award winning artist both nationally and internationally, will be on hand to give beginners a hand or a hot chocolate! Participants should bring their own paints and easels. There will be a limited number of easels available for use at the studio.

January 25th from 10 AM to 1 PM begins a Wednesday 4 - Week Course in Figure Drawing.

January 26th from 10 AM to 1 PM begins a Thursdays, 4 - Week Course in Landscape Painting

Saturday, January 28th at 1 PM, Guest Artist Sam D’ Ambruoso will give a free portrait demonstration at Blue Horse Arts Studio. D’ Ambruoso, an international workshop artist, will provide pointers in the Alla Prima technique of portrait painting. For additional information, contact the artist at www.dambruosostudios.com or visit the Blue Horse Arts website www.bluehorsearts.com.

Sunday, January 29th from 1 PM to 4 PM, a one day workshop on Pet Portraits with Bridget Grady.

Bridget adds, "Please visit the websites for more information on our winter course offerings, guest artists, and upcoming workshops and exhibitions. JFosterMusic and Blue Horse Arts Studios are located on 250 Porter Street, Watertown CT. The contact number is 860-417-3243."

Monday, January 9, 2012

Reminder

Eileen wants to include pictures from all openings, receptions, exhibitions or celebrations. We want to hear from everyone! Send pictures to coladarci@snet.net or coladarcie@wcsu.edu for inclusion on calendar and blog.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Kevin Dunn MFA'11

Kevin's work was well received at the WAA Young Talent reception 1/7/2012. Margaret Grimes talks to Kevin about his work.

Pictures from the opening reception were added to wcsu.edu/artalumni/calendar on 1/9/2012.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Katie Bassett '08

HVCA write-up for Katie's exhibition:
Deeper Than Dark

Local artist, Katie Bassett from Bethel, CT will exhibit artworks at CityCenter Danbury part of the 2012 Accessible Art Project sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance (HVCA). The work is a collection of mixed media charcoal drawings and paintings exploring the dark anima of identity and can be viewed at CityCenter Danbury, 186 Main Street during normal business hours from January 9 through February 16, 2012.

Katie produce's art that represents a woman's struggle through industrialized representations of clothing. The main concern is creating art that reflects the issues that effect today's women and exploring these fundamental issues that our society is facing through her art. Katie comes from a background of abuse and rejection and because of this it is crucial to her to produce work that brings this to light. She make's work that can be interpreted anywhere on the spectrum of beautiful to grotesque.

Her primary interest is sculpture which she creates out of various recycled materials using many techniques including painting and sewing. The paintings, like her sculptures, push the limits of what the materials will allow using bleach, dyes, acrylics; later tearing the canvas and sewing it back together. All of her work expresses the need to rebuild what has been destroyed by breaking preconceived rules of art, expression and materials. Typically all of her pieces are reflections of herself and her own inner turmoil. Essentially all of the pieces are unquestionably non-traditional self portraits; intensely personal and express an undying need to repair.

Katie Bassett was selected by a panel of representatives from the local community to display her work at CityCenter Danbury, one of four locations. HVCA has partnered with Danbury City Hall, City Center Danbury, Danbury Museum & Historical Society and FrameWorks in Newtown as part of the initiative. The project provides an opportunity for local artists to show their work in a variety of spaces that are accessible to the general public and to celebrate culture and art within the community.

Katie writes, "I talked about an opening and it is the artists decision. I believe I will be doing one at the end of january but haven't finalized the date yet. Ill let you know asap. Thanks!"

Friday, January 6, 2012

Kevin Dunn MFA'11

Kevin will exhibit at WAA in the Young Talent Exhibition beginning Jan 7 through Jan 28 at the
washington art association, bryan memorial plaza in washington depot, ct 06794 • 860.868.2878     
Join me at the opening on Saturday, January 7 from 4 - 6 pm. The artists will be in attendance and glad to chat with you about their artistic vision. Let's support Kevin!

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm.
 

Also showing in January:
Katie Bassett '08 as part of the Accessible Art Project 2012 will display her work at Visual Spaces, CityCenter Danbury from January 9 - February 16

Jan 20 - 30
Joan Kelly MFA '05 opens with with one painting at the Roma Biennale D'Arte until Jan 30

Katie Bassett '08

Katie writes, "Thought you might want to share this in your newsletter!
The Mercurial
Attention artists! The Brigadoon Cafe on Ives Street is looking for local artists to show their work. brigadooncafe@yahoo.com.

Vanessa David '95

Vanessa writes via The Headbanging Hostess, "Page 15, information on my classes - please share"
http://www.trumbullconted.org/CourseCatalog/images/customer-images/CatalogPDFs/SPRING2012.pdf
www.trumbullconted.org

Art on the Net

http://www.art.net/about/who.html

is this something of interest?

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Heidi Furse '98

Heidi writes, "We are looking to hire a senior multimedia designer at the Boston fed. If you know anyone who might be interested.http://www.bos.frb.org/about/employment/apply.htm"

KALA Art Institute

http://www.kala.org/air/air_desc.html

KALA residency program

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Phyllis Boger MFA '02

Phyllis writes. "Memphis Botanic Garden's exciting new art exhibit, Incognito,begins January 5 and is running until January 31st. The show will feature 80 Mid-South artists in a collection of original, unsigned works, open and free to the public and available during regular hours in the Visitors Center Gallery. The exhibition will culminate in a dual Gala and Silent Auction on January 20th, which will give admirers and buyers the opportunity to meet with the artists, on hand to sign their work for winning bidders. Tickets to the gala event are $25 for members and $35 for non-members, benefiting the Botanic Garden's educational and outreach programs, carried out over its 96 acres with 23 specialty gardens including My Big Backyard Children's Garden, the first nationally certified Nature Explore Classroom in Tennessee. Please call 636-4131 for tickets or further information."

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Ron Lawlor '93

Ron writes, "Another Place Mat Offer for the New Year!

Orem's Diner on Route 7 in Wilton.

40,000 place-mats. Two 2" x 4" spaces available for only $290

First come - first IN!

Rick and Ron
R.E. LAWLOR Graphics & Printing
Design • Print • Direct Mail • Marketing • Advertising
Bethel/Danbury, Connecticut
Phone: 203-748-4144
Fax: 203-748-1522

A Family Business Since 1988

USA Fellows

http://www.usafellows.org/

Each year, United States Artists honors 50 of America's finest artists with individual fellowship awards of $50,000 each.

Click here to learn about the selection process

Monday, January 2, 2012

Eric Holzman

Eric was elected to the National Academy at the same time as Margaret Grimes. Eric was an adjunct art professor of painting for us.