New Pond Farm will host it's third Invitational Art Show, FROM FARM TO CANVAS, showcasing the work of 50 artists inspired by idyllic New Pond Farm. Featuring two beautiful rooms of nature and agrarian themed artwork painted on location at New Pond Farm,Our invited artists are pleased to donate 30% of all sales from this show to benefit New Pond Foundation in support of it's mission of connecting people to the land.

*June 10 — Preview Party — A preview party from 6 to 8 p.m., will inaugurate the “From Farm to Canvas” show with a gala evening of art, music, food and drink for NPF members, artists and guests. $25 per person. Registration online or call 203-938-2117.
*June 11-25 — Gallery Hours — Gallery Hours 10-5 Mon-Sat., 12-5 Sun. Admission is free. Enjoy two rooms of beautiful artwork and portfolios, bid in a Silent Auction, enter a Raffle for a one year membership to New Pond Farm.
*June 11-25 — Paint and Picnic Days — Community Plein Air Event daily from 10-5. Everyone is welcome to bring their art supplies and picnics to the farm. Raffle for an artist’s easel. No Charge.
*June 11 – Painting Demonstration – Sat. 2 p.m. with award-winning watercolorist, Sally Aldrich.
*June 15 — President’s Tea and Art Lecture — Join us at 2 p.m. to learn what goes into a botanical drawing with artist, Sally Fine. Sample the President’s home-baked treats. Raffle and Door Prizes. No charge, but please make reservations by June 13.
*June 15 – Painting Demonstration – 9 a.m. multi-media artist & popular teacher, Adele Moros.
*June 22 – Painting Demonstration Rain Date
*June 25 — Painting Demonstration 3-5 p.m contemporary impressionist painter, Catherine M.Elliott.
*June 25 — Closing Night -- The Art Show closes with this event on Saturday night from 5-7 p.m.

Ginger Hanrahan MFA '07 and Derek Leka MFA '07

Hey All,
This Sunday, June 5th is the last day of my show in CT.

I'm giving an artist talk and would love to see you there!

It's this Sunday at Hunt Hill Farm, the Silo Gallery. New Milford CT at 2pm.
Donna Cleary

Kevin Dunn MFA'11

Kevin writes, "I'll be in the Prince St (4th National Juried Show: William Bailey: Juror; July 12 to July 30)and Bowery Gallery (Stanley Lewis: juror; August 2 to August 20)juried shows this summer."

I've asked him for details.

David Boyajian

David writes, " I just received a commission to do a 9 11 memorial for Westport CT at Sherwood Isle State Park. The dedication will be September."

Joel Spector Illustration MFA '05

Joel writes,n "I've been asked to create a portrait for. The National Arts Club has asked me to do a portrait of actress, Claire Bloom. It will presented to her on June 6th and it will be part of their Permanent Collection. As soon as I have an image to send you I'll pass it along to you. I'll also send you photos of the event."

Jamison Odone MFA'10

Jamison writes, "Hey Eileen. Keeping you in the loop. Just signed with a new publisher, Blue Apple Books. My debut title with them will be Mole Had Everything. A story about realizing just how little we need in life to be happy. It will release in the spring of 2012 and will be the first of three books with Blue Apple. It will be a 40 page picture book, fully illustrated.

Many thanks,"

P.s. Some images are on my blog: www.jamisonodone.wordpress.com

Call for Artists - Kent Art Association Member Show II

The Gallery at the Kent Art Association, in Kent, CT, is seeking entries for the 2011 Member Show II scheduled June 12 through July 17 at the Kent Art Association Gallery. The receiving date is Saturday, June 11 from 11 am - 2 pm at the KAA Gallery, Route 7, 21 South Main Street (just south of the traffic light), Kent, Connecticut. The judges will be Phyllis Behar, Pamela Reese, and Alfred Haywood. Oils, watercolors, pastels, graphics, acrylics, small sculpture, artistic collage, mixed media, and nonobjective (abstract) are acceptable in the Member Show. Please bring a recent copy of your bio for visitor reference. An entry fee of $20 will be charged and artists may become members at receiving. All works must be original, for sale and not previously shown at the KAA Gallery.

There is an awards reception on Saturday, June 18 from 2-4pm with the awards ceremony beginning at 3 pm. Refreshments will be provided by J. P. Gifford Market, Main Street, Kent, CT. This is your chance to meet the prize winning artists and discuss their work. The gallery is open Thursday - Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. The Gallery Will Be Open on Monday, July 4th. For information call 860.927.3989or visit www.kentart.org.

Thank You Dean Carol Hawkes

I would like to extend my thanks and best wishes to Carol Hawkes, a dear friend of the arts and to me.

I received the following message from James W. Schmotter, President, Western Connecticut State University, "I’m writing with news about the progress in our search for a new dean for our School of Visual and Performing Arts. A hard-working search committee chaired by Professor Pam McDaniel completed its work last week and submitted the names of three candidates to me. After careful consideration of the committee’s recommendations, an evaluation of the candidates’ references and consultation with Provost-elect Jane Gates (who also interviewed the three finalists), I have decided to offer the deanship to Dr. Dan Goble. I am happy to report that he has, with enthusiasm, accepted. I believe that Dr. Goble’s demonstrated commitment to WCSU, passion for the arts, and leadership skills make him the ideal individual to move both the school and university forward in the years ahead. Both Dr. Gates and I look forward to working with him. His appointment will be finalized when the hiring freeze to which all state agencies are currently subject is lifted.

I want also to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Carol Hawkes for the leadership she has provided as Founding Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. This venture would simply have not been possible without her efforts, and we owe her a great debt. We will all have an opportunity to thank her in person later in the summer for this and the many other ways in which she has enriched and advanced WCSU during her years here. Be on the lookout for an invitation.

In the meantime, thanks again to all who participated in this important process of leadership transition."

Alain Picard '97

Free Demonstration at Picard Studio in Southbury, CT on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 7:00-9:30pm

Using the live model, Alain will demonstrate a pastel portrait from start to finish. Throughout the process, Alain will explain his simple approach to portrait painting which emphasizes relationships of shapes, values, and edges. Along the way, Alain will share his insights on color and composition as well. Space is limited.

Summer lessons also begin.

Please email or call Picard Studio to reserve a seat or for information.

Photography contest Danbury CityCenter

http://hvculturalarts.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88%3Ahvca-creative-challenge&limitstart=1
Healthy Eating, Activity, Lifesyle can inform, suggest, be explicit, send a message, tell a story from homes, neighborhoods,imagine
JUROR: CLAUDIO BASSO
EXHIBITION & SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Selections for this exhibition and featured artist’s work will be on view outdoors along Kennedy Park Blvd for the general public.
After the event closes, selected works will be on permanent display at various HART administrative office locations in the Greater Danbury area. Artists are encouraged to attend the Artists’ opening reception to participate in artists’ talks. Juror’s Selection: feature on website; 2 year membership;advertisement opportunities. (More details provided to selected artist)
ELIGIBILITY:The exhibition is open to all photographers both amateur and professional. HVCA invites photographers of various styles and schools of thought to participate including work shot on film, shot digitally, unaltered shots, alternative process, and digital manipulations.
EXHIBIT(S) PRINTS:For Kennedy Park Blvd - all selected images will be enlarged to
3’x3’ for the outdoor installation on Kennedy Park Blvd. HVCA is responsible for the printing. Images will be printed in CMYK four (4) color press; Shoot at full size 72dpi and shrink to 720dpi
(10%); Bleed over image; Collages ~ Do not flatten; leave as layers
For HART adminstrative office locations –all selected images must be printed and framed or mounted professionally. Artists are responsible for printing and framing. Please no colored mats or frames; black or white unless approved prior to exhibition.
Questions? Email: Photoexhibit@hvculturalarts.org
Call: 203-798-0760
Important Dates:
Entries and Fees Due: June 17
Notification of acceptance: June 24
Exhibition: July 8 – Oct 28 Artists’ Reception: July 8
Entry Fee: HVCA membership required
$15 for up to four (4) images by June 10th, $20 after June 10th – July 17th

Applicants signing up for membership must do so at the time they submit images. Membership forms and credit card payments are available online. Otherwise download & mail membership form with check payable to: HVCA, 39 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810

Ginger Hanrahan MFA and Derek Leka

I finally got the pictures up from the Silo opening April 30th.

Check them out:
http://wcsu.edu/artalumni/SiloExhibition42011.asp

Ed Little, Instructor Drawing & Art History

Ed writes, "Yesterday I had my Final Review at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. I have been awarded my MFA in Painting with a concentration in Representational Figurative Painting. The Director described my work as 'excellent' and 'outstanding'.

I would like to express my gratitude to friends and family and all those members of Faculty at WCSU who encouraged me on this endeavor and kept me at it.

Thank you"


Please visit my website at www.edlittleart.com!

Maryann Meken Silvestri '76

Reminder for this evening!

Maryann writes, "Tonight, May 20, between 4 & 6, I will be showing my work at 30 Bridge St. New Milford. The show co-ordinates with the recognition celebration of the designation of the building as a National Historic Site.

Would love to see you."

Terry Laslo '07 Wingcat Web Design

Terry designed the website for BUCK the film. Terry writes on her Facebook page, "Check out the new trailer recently posted on the website for BUCK the film. It's opening starts June 17th across the country. Locally at the Bethel Cinema on July 1st."

Interesting

http://www.365danbury.com/

Call for Artists, $5000 commission

To help connect local artists with the business community, Union Savings Bank officials plan to commission one or more artists to paint landscapes for their executive offices.

The bank is seeking artists who paint in oil -- the preferred medium -- or watercolors and have experience "capturing Connecticut's beauty through water- or lake-inspired scenery, recognizable town greens and streetscapes, and/or other landscapes that are quintessentially representative of Connecticut."

The bank is offering a total commission of $5,000, including framing costs, and will select up to three artists. If more than one artist is selected, the commission will be split.

Interested artists must email an application and four to 12 digital images of their work by May 31 to info@hvculturalarats.org in care of HVCA Creative Challenge: USB.

Laura McCormick '84

Laura writes that she was chosen to be the featured artist at the Regional Hospice Art of Caring on June 10th at BI corporation. Maryann Meken Silvestri '76 and Plonia Nixon, adjunct professor are also in the show

Vincent Baldassano

OPENING "New Small Paintings" June 4, 2011 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Marina Gallery
153 Main Street, Cold Spring , NY 10516
(845) 265 2204

The exhibition dates are: 6/4 to 6/26
Thursday/Sunday 11:00 to 5 PM

Katie Bassett '08

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Bassett-Sculpture/200968903273231

Katie asks that you visit her on Facebook.

Linda Rynkowski, MFA Painting (candidate 2012)

Linda Rynkowski, MFA Painting (candidate 2012) is exhibiting at the upcoming CCNS 49th Annual Art Show in Rowayton, CT from June 9-12th. The 49th Annual Art Show will include works by established and emerging artists. The French Salon style Art Show offers one of the biggest and most diverse selections of original art for sale in Fairfield County, bringing in close to two hundred thousand dollars in sales over a four day period.
Community Cooperative Nursery School (CCNS)
4 Trolley Place
PO Box 95
Rowayton, CT 06853

Housatonic Valley Cultural Creative Challenge

Unique project for Union Savings Bank: A commissioned art project of original paintings to be installed in the bank’s executive offices at 225 Main Street, Danbury. The total commission is $5,000 which includes framing and all expenses.

Union Savings Bank -Established in 1866 and headquartered in Danbury, Union Savings Bank is a $2.5 billion mutual bank dedicated to being the bank of choice in western Connecticut. As a full-service financial institution, Union Savings Bank provides banking, mortgage, investment, trust and insurance products throughout western Connecticut with 28 offices in Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Canton,Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, Goshen, Litchfield, Marble Dale, New Milford,Newtown, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sharon, Southbury, Torrington and Washington Depot. The bank provides financial services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit
organizations and government entities through its commercial, residential and consumer lending, corporate services, retail banking and wealth management divisions.
HOW IT WORKS
■ Eligible applicants will submit samples of their work for review by Union Savings Bank
■ No more than three (3) artist participants will be selected from the pool of eligible applicants and all applicants will be notified
■ Selected applicant(s) convene for a site visit, where they will be briefed on all aspects of the project and given further details needed to complete the project.
Then the creativity begins!
TIMETABLE
■ Application Deadline (application click on deadline): Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Announcement of Selected Participants: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
■ Completion of Artwork Deadline: September 30, 2011
ELIGIBILITY | GUIDELINES
■ Applicants are on a first come, first served basis
Open to artists residing in the HVCA service areas and where USB does business,including Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Canton, Danbury, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Marble Dale, Monroe, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Sharon, Sherman, Southbury, Torrington and Washington.
■ Must be an HVCA member. For membership information, please see the
attached or go to www.hvculturalarts.org and click on “membership” on the
top menu
■ Deadline for entries is Tuesday, May 31st at 11:59 PM
Electronic submissions only

Pat Barkman '72

Carmen Lund MFA '05

The Big Brush Workshop™ with Carmen Lund
Play with Paint and Free up your Creativity!
Sunday, May 22, 2011

Playing with Paint for Adults and Children of all Ages
Course Code: CLUNDSUN1030AM052211
Spring 2011
Sunday, 05/22/2011, 10:30am - 1:30pm
One Day Event
Fee: $125 for two participants ($65 for each additional participant
This is an opportunity to bring family members and friends together to let go and be creative! Big Brush painting will satisfy the needs of parents, grandparents, children and friends (you don’t need to be related and can come with or without a child). The inspiration of children in this workshop will empower the rest of us to follow the natural ability of the young to be free and to create effortlessly and fearlessly. All ages are welcome to experience the joy of discovering the secrets of uncovering your creativity. The school will provide all materials.

RSVP:(203)966-6668 x2 (register now or By May 16)
Questions: carmen.lund@gmail.com

ShawnaLee Kwashnak '96

ShawnaLee writes, "Hello everyone, The Greeting Room Mural, painted by ShawnaLee, at DAWS is still in progress, but is nearing completion. Stop on in and see if you can notice the subtle changes!"

Maryann Meken Silvestri '76

New Milford’s 30 Bridge Street building (formerly known as the Merritt Beach & Son Building) is now listed in the National Registry of Historic Places!

To commemorate this official designation, Maryann Meken-Silvestri, will display her art work at an “Open House” on Friday, May 20th from 4-6pm hosted by Jack & John Farley, Farley Properties, the current owners who restored the building in 2004. Refreshments will be served.

Special honored guest in attendance will be the great grandson of Merritt Beach, local resident Charlie Barlow. They also expect there will be a multitude of town dignitaries in attendance. So, don’t miss this opportunity to share in one more chapter of New Milford’s heritage and great art

“A Visual Dialogue” featuring

Ginger Hanrahan, with narrative symbolic abstractions in oil and acrylic; Derek Leka with his colorful layered rectilinear acrylic compositions and Donna Cleary’s charcoal figurative drawings.

The show reception on April 30 was well attended and it and continues through June 5, 2011. There will be an Artists talk June 5 from 2 – 4 pm.

Admission is free at all times and the public is encouraged to visit the gallery.

For more information visit the web site at http://www.hunthillfarmtrust.org or call the Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm at 860.355.0300 during Gallery hours Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 pm and Sunday 12 - 5 .m. The Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm is located at The Henderson Cultural Center, Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Road , New Milford , CT 06776-2199 .

Alumni website update

The MFA reception and graduates have been added to the website. The Senior Thesis reception pictures are up. www.wcsu.edu/artalumni

Senior Thesis Exhibition

Reminder:The 2011 Senior Thesis Exhibition is up in Higgins Hall Gallery until May 12. The gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 12 - 4 pm. Stop by on Tuesday or Thursday to say hi while I am gallery sitting.

Pamela Hochstetter '80

"A Year in the Barn"

An OPEN STUDIO Celebration & Sale at
Pamela Hochstetter's Bridgewater Studio
Saturday, July 9th from 5-9pm & Sunday July 10th from 11am-2pm

Pamela writes, "I have a new website dedicated just to my artwork. Just click on Pamela's Artwork to take a look. To review what process art is all about visit InnerArt's website: InnerArt."

She adds, "Be my personal guest at my barn-studio in Bridgewater. Share in the celebration of my new works on canvas, glass, paper and wood panels. Refreshments will be served. I hope to see you there! More details to follow in June."

On June 5th, Pamela is collaborating with veteran yoga instructor, Nancy Opgaard, for a day long Yoga & Art Retreat. Consider joining us for the day from 9am-4pm in Bantam Borough Hall in Bantam, CT.

A 3-hour morning yoga class taught by Nancy Opgaard and afternoon 2-hour process painting session led by Pamela Hochstetter. Be sure to bring an appetite for inner freedom. No previous experience necessary.

Bring or buy your lunch at one of Bantam's local markets. Fee: $100 for the day, all materials are included. Pre-registration required by June 1st.

Laura McCormick '84

Laura writes, "want to see some great artwork and support Regional Hospice? Ask me about the Art of Caring on June 10, 2011!"

Chris Durante '82 opening

New Danbury Art Gallery Pulls Artists 'Out of the Woodwork'
www.themercurial.com
The Mercurial Collective, a new downtown Danbury art gallery located at 11 Library Place, held its grand opening for Out of the Woodwork on Saturday, April 30. The Collective also serves as office space for The Mercurial, and the gallery aims to bring the magazine's popular digital gallery.

After the opening, work can be seen Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 2pm at 11 Library Place or by appointment. Contact Amanda Bloom at (203)417-2215 or Editor@TheMercurial.com

to read article, click http://www.themercurial.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=570:new-danbury-art-gallery-pulls-artists-qout-of-the-woodworkq&catid=17:preview&Itemid=30

Plonia Nixon

I rarely add myself to the posts or any of the sites I work on. I am pictured here with Plonia Nixon, adjunct art professor at WestConn and winner at the Members Art Show at Richter this spring. The picture was taken by Eva Waterbury.