Subject: Artist Newsletter: MAY 2023

News & Opportunities for Individual Creatives in

Fairfield County CT

May 2023

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Courtney Cronin is currently a Senior Strategist at ListenFirst where she oversees clients in the streaming industry. She has a ten year marketing career spanning multiple nonprofits, performing arts organizations, and TV + Film Schools. Her experience on and off the stage makes her a unique asset to the entertainment business. She holds both an undergraduate degree in Voice + Opera from SUNY Purchase and a graduate degree in Arts Marketing from Baruch College. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Connecticut Camerata as their Publicist in Norwalk and in June of 2023, she will be stepping into the role of Associate Executive Director at the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra in Ridgefield. EMAIL 

Mary Hoyt Akiyama is an artist, scientist, teacher, life-long-learner who strives to see the Light in everyone. Using acrylics, collage, and digital tools, she creates images that represent the things in this world that have drawn her attention since childhood. She holds a BA in Fine Arts/Visual Communication from Fairfield University, and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Fordham University.

WEBSITE

David Verespy is a contemporary artist, landscape architect, professional P\photographer, entrepreneur and inventor. His work is anchored in and inspired by a deep love of nature and the landscape. His work brings the unique personality of trees and plants out of the landscape and into his artwork. WEBSITE

CAFC NEWS

HAPPY MAY!

HAPPY ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!


“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

 – Stephen Covey


May’s theme is inspired by the CAFC core value of trustworthiness.

We understand trust as a first step in building fruitful relationships.

Our members can depend on our consistent support.

Let’s keep expanding our essential arts and culture network.

Let’s do our part to build a healthy, thriving Coastal Fairfield County. 

NEXT ARTIST WorkLab ON JUNE 7th!


A new partnership between CAFC & Metro Art Studios!

Artists, writers, musicians, dancers, actors, all creatives invited.


If you’ve been looking for a creative community where you can learn, grow, and share your everyday questions, challenges, and successes, we have just the place for you. Metro Art Studios and the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County are collaborating on this series of free workshops and panels for artists of all types, from emerging to established.


Held the first Wednesday of every month (except July) 5:30 to 7PM, Artist WorkLab offers practical information and ideas from peers and experts. Seating is limited; ADA accessible; on and off street parking.


Artist WorkLab: a workshop series for creative entrepreneurs

Topic #2: Working with Interior Designers & Art Consultants

JUNE 7, 5:30-7:30PM at Metro Art Studios, 345 Railroad Ave, Bridgeport


Stay tuned on Instagram and Facebook

THE ARTS & PRESERVATION


If you missed our MaySpotlight on Arts & Culture on "The Arts and Preservation," or just want to hear it again or share with friends, you can hear it now as a podcast on Soundcloud. We look at the journey that two groups took in finding the right space for their arts organization, how they redeveloped the buildings they found, and what the impact has been. The Norwalk Art Space opened in June 2021 and greeted 14,000 visitors in its first year. Metro Art Studios in Bridgeport opened in November 2021. Both buildings won Awards of Merit from PreservationCT in 2022. In addition, we look at a building that is currently being restored and renovated for use as an art space: The Granite Church in Redding. Our guests: Jane Davila, Executive Director, Metro Art Studios, Bridgeport; Robin Panovka, The Norwalk Art Space; Richard Wenning, Executive Director, Be Foundation, Co-founder at SpreadMusicNow & Granite Church; Christopher Wigren, Deputy Director, Preservation Connecticut.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ACE AWARDEES!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE ACE AWARDS BREAKFAST


We are excited to host the annual Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards Breakfast on June 21st at The Shore and Country Club of Norwalk. Join us as we celebrate individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made significant contributions to the Fairfield County community through arts and culture. Congratulations to the 2023 ACE Awardees:


Cris Dam: Artist Award

Vic Mulaire: Citizen Award

David Genovese: Corporate Award

Jenny Nelson: Educator Award

Fairfield Museum and History Center: Nonprofit Award

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward: President’s Award


Be sure to follow us on Instagram @culturalfc to read about each awardee on #AwardeeWednesdays from now through June 21st.

ALERT: This email may get clipped. Look for a link to view online.

MEMBER NEWS

Trace Burroughs just installed his new work in Chelsea NYC. “A BRAVE NEW WORLD” premiered at the CAELUM Gallery this week. This week is the start of @friezenewyork week in NYC. Trace is a digital artist who sold over 300 works from the ages of 10-15 years old. His art has been displayed in numerous shows throughout Fairfield County, as well as Art Basel Miami and Art Elevated in Manhattan.

Ann Chernow gave an artist talk at Center for Contemporary Printmaking on her work in CCP's exhibition "Collaboration 2020 Encore: Ann Chernow and James Reed." This exhibition featured prints that address the alchemy of printmaking as they relate to the prints of Pablo Picasso. Ann Chernow and James Reed, an artist and a printmaker respectively, combined their knowledge and experience to produce a complex series of lithographs replicating Picasso’s imagery. Ann was also one of the award winners of the 14th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition 2023 juried by Ksenia Nouril, Gallery Director, Art Students League of New York.

WEBSITE

Eric Chiang was selected ( for the third year) among the finalists of the Art Revolution Taipei’s Grand International Competition. Two of his paintings, “In heaven, reaching back,” 40”H x 30”W and “Moonlight Sonata,” 36” x 36”, all oil on canvas were selected. In addition, Eric was given a booth to house the 8 paintings in the same exhibition, May 4 - May 8 in World Trade Center One Exhibition Hall, Taipei, Taiwan. WEBSITE

Adger Cowans was featured in an HBO documentary called "A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks." He tells the story of Gordon Parks being born dead (or thought to be) and how he thinks that affected his drive and work as an artist. Cowans recalls Parks giving him a job at Life Magazine and a place to stay with his family after he graduated college. He speaks on Gordon’s friendship with Malcolm X, relationship with Gloria Vanderbilt and his ability to connect with people.

From the HBO / Kunhardt Film Foundation (KFF).

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Cris Dam was featured in Dan Woog's blog 06880 as "the newest ACE." An artist-entrepreneur who pioneered artists spaces in Berlin, Williamsburg and now Bridgeport, he is also a curator and community organizer. After establishing his studio in Bridgeport, and reviving art events at the historic Arcade Mall, he established Ursa Gallery in 2020. Dam organized the first Bridgeport booth at Art Basel Miami in 2022. Dam is currently developing real estate on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport to create working spaces for fellow artists, raise community awareness, host events, and open a coffee roaster. He also teaches children in community art and leadership programs at Norwalk Community College. READ

Sally Frank will have an opening reception of “Impressions by Sally Frank” at the Handwright Gallery and Framing Center in New Canaan on June 2nd, 5-7PM. The exhibition will include her recent photopolymer etchings and woodcuts. Through June 6, Sally has a piece in the Greenwich Art Society’s 106th Annual Juried Exhibit 2023 Bendheim Gallery. She has also been juried into the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery's exhibition, “Black, White and Shades of Gray.” On June 9th, two of Sally's recent works will be included in a juried exhibition at the Remarque Print Workshop in Albuquerque, NM. “Opposing Forces: Energetic Tension in Printmaking and Photography“ will be on view through July 29th at the Oak and Oil gallery in Katonah. Finally, Sally was accepted for membership to the Boston Printmakers, an International Association of Artists. WEBSITE IG @sfrankpr 

Eugenie Diserio's painting "Infinity" (acrylic, glitter on paper, 14 x 17”) is on view in the exhibit “Black, White and Shades of Gray” juried by Ashley Ouderkirk at the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery and online through June 22nd. Eugenie states, “What gray does is, it quiets down parts of the painting so the brighter parts can sing." WEBSITE

Ellen Gordon was accepted to the 122nd Annual Juried Exhibition of the New Haven Paint and Clay Club. This year’s exhibit will be held at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art at the John Slade Ely House, 51 Trumbull Street, New Haven. The exhibit will run through Saturday, May 27th. The juror for this exhibition is Robert Burns, the executive director of the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury. Shown here: "I am somewhere" acrylic painting on paper WEBSITE

Holly Hawthorne is one of the award winners of the Center for Contemporary Printmaking 14th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition 2023 juried by Ksenia Nouril, Gallery Director for the Art Students League of New York. This year, CCP received 624 prints from 274 artists with works arriving from 18 countries, including representation by artists in 27 states. Nouril selected 217 works by 170 artists representing 16 countries and 25 states. The 14th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition opening reception will be on Sunday, June 4, 2-4 PM and will be on view through Sunday, Aug 20.

Dale Najarian opened an exhibit on May 11th called "Shadows Revealed" featuring work by Dale Najarian and Tomira Wilcox. Although working in different mediums, both artists share similar views on the importance of light and shadow in their current work and embrace the ever changing relationship between dark and light. Featuring a mix of photography and oil paintings, the exhibition shows dynamic and powerful images that capture movement. The partneriship is with SONO1420 American Craft Distillers in South Norwalk. It benefits The Rowan Center, a sexual assault resource agency serving Fairfield County located in Stamford CT.  In addition to proceeds from an art raffle, the artists will donate 30% of sales to The Rowan Center and Sono1420 will also give a portion of sales from their signature vodka sold during opening night and over the course of the month.

Connie Stancell is pleased that her painting, "Canyon Rhythms IV" has been selected for inclusion in the upcoming exhibition "Rhythms, Rhyme and Harmony" curated by Melissa Staiger at Bethany Arts Community in Ossining. The exhibition runs through June 9th. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 10 am to 4pm. In addition, the gallery is open until 7:30 pm on Wednesdays in May and on two Saturdays, May 20 and June 3 from 10am to 3pm. This is an exhibition of the Katonah Museum Artists Association.

Barbara Ringer is thrilled to have won first prize in the Ridgefield Guild of Artists 13th Annual Juried Members Show juried by Camp Gallery’s director Melanie Prapopoulos.The opening reception was on May 13 and the exhibition continues until June 11th. Shown here is one of the three pieces accepted, entitled Morning, 17” x 21” x 3” , a black and white metal print in a handmade shadow box frame. Barbara also had two pieces in the Silvermine Guild’s exhibition "Narrations." WEBSITE

Clarice Shirvell is the featured artist of "Quiet Moments" at Ridgefield PAC. The exhibition is a reflection of art as contemplation, both as the artist creates, and as the viewer takes a moment to reflect the art. That pause to contemplate

while making or viewing art is important for our soul. Clarice Shirvell is a 2022 Artful grant recipient. RPAC Gallery will also show other RPAC resident artist works. On view through June 15th. WEBSITE

Emily Teall is working on an enormous and interactive project for the 50th anniversary of the Westport Fine Arts Festival! "The Hive" will only exist for the weekend of the festival May 27-28. It will be located at the large parking lot off of Elm Street. The Hive imagines a fantastical, larger-than-life pollinator garden to celebrate the 50th anniversary, or “Golden Anniversary,” of the Westport Fine Arts Festival. This installation artwork is a collaboration between former Norwalk Art Space resident artists, Lily Morgan and Emily Teall, and Norwalk Art Space high-school students who partook in Morgan’s Installation and Public Art course. The installation is large enough to invite visitors to join in the hive, walking through the honeycomb passages and scaled-up floral elements. WEBSITE

Brian Whelan unveils his commission at the John Roberts Festival in Wyoming June 3rd and will premier his new work commissioned by the Episcopal Church in Wyoming. The exhibition, titled “WHITE ROBE,” brings the Rev. John Robert’s ministry to life on canvas through 13 narrative paintings. Brian will share his experience in painting the life story of the Rev. John Roberts. WEBSITE

OTHER NEWS

SECRETARY OF STATE STEPHANIE THOMAS REQUESTS PAINTINGS, PRINTS AND SMALL SCULPTURES


Our Norwalk-based new Secretary of State, Stephanie Thomas, a huge supporter of the arts, needs paintings and prints and small sculptures for her new office in Hartford. There is no budget for art, alas, but she is asking for one-year (or four-year) loans from artists who might be interested in having their art seen in the Capitol. She is looking for pieces to be hung that are thought-provoking, interesting, or simply beautiful, and ideally that represent love, patriotism, democracy, voting, business owners, Connecticut  and where there is a presence of a multicultural lens/representative of diversity. Contact: stephanie.thomas@ct.gov

BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES ASPHALT ART INITIATIVE


Bloomberg Philanthropies is helping cities use art and community engagement to improve street safety and revitalize public space. The Asphalt Art Initiative responds to the growing number of cities around the world embracing art as an effective and relatively low-cost strategy to activate their streets. While cities incorporate art into public spaces in a variety of ways, the focus of this initiative is as follows: visual interventions on roadways (intersections and crosswalks), pedestrian spaces (plazas and sidewalks), and vertical infrastructure (utility boxes, traffic barriers, and underpasses).

They are expanding the initiative to cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. and applications are now open. Would you like to help make streets safer with public art? WATCH VIDEO

HOW TO LAUNCH A SUCCESSFUL CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN


Fundraising Consultant and Artist Iquo B. Essien shares how she raised $35,000 for her creative business in 8 weeks in this article. If you’re thinking of developing a crowdfunding campaign to help realize your creative project or business, but you don't know where to start, this is for you! Discover tips for how to launch a successful fundraiser with a proven methodology.

CAFC ARTISTS ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS SARANDON INTRODUCES NEW PODCAST


Academy Award-nominated actor Chris Sarandon will feature a new 'Cooking By Heart' podcast with special guest: Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon LIVE on Thursday, May 25th at 7 PM at SHU Community Theatre. Chris and his wife, Joanna Gleason are both Cultural Alliance Advisory Council members. In his podcast series, the discussions with well-known actors, directors, authors, chefs, politicians, business figures, and comedians center on memories of meals or favorite foods along with the stories that accompany those memories. On June 4th at 3 PM, Chris will interview PBS TV Chef Lidia Bastianich. Tickets: https://shucommunitytheatre.org/

CALLS FOR ART

MUSEUM OF DARIEN "DOORS OF DARIEN" EXHIBIT FUNDRAISER


DEADLINE: MAY 24

SAA SUMMER IN THE CITY


DEADLINE: MAY 29

CARTIE MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ART


DEADLINE: MAY 31

ARTS CENTER EAST

FORM & FUNCTION


DEADLINE: JUN 9

SPECTRUM ART GALLERY ESSEX TOWN GREEN SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL


DEADLINE: JUN 14

SAA VIVIAN & STANLEY REED

MARINE SHOW


DEADLINE: JUN 14

OUTWORK PRIDE EXHIBIT


DEADLINE: JUN 17

CUE SOLO EXHIBITS &

CURATORIAL PROJECTS


DEADLINE: JUN 30

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION


DEADLINE: JUL 25

SHORELINE ARTS IMAGES 2023


DEADLINE: SEPT 7

WEST HARTFORD JURIED FINE ARTS OUTDOOR FESTIVAL


DEADLINE: SEPT 7

LINKS TO OPPORTUNITIES

JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, & VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

PT Middle School Choir Teacher

Green Farms Academy | Westport


Manager of Communications

INTEMPO | Stamford


Visual Arts Manager

Real Art Ways | Hartford (Remote)


Director of Learning, Community Engagement, & Inclusion

Orchestra Lumos | Hybrid Remote


Librarian

Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairfield


Assistant Technical Director

Quick Center for the Arts | Fairfield


Manager of Communications

INTEMPO | Stamford


Gallery Assistant

Silvermine | New Canaan


Program Director

Project Music | Stamford


Sorelle Gallery | Westport


Stamford History Center | Stamford


Box Office Supervisor

Westport Country Playhouse | Westport


Ely Center of Contemporary Art


Museum of Darien | Darien


Barnum Museum | Bridgeport

GRANTS, RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, + MORE

EXPAND THE NETWORK

 SPREAD THE WORD...

DID YOU KNOW WE OFFER THREE NEWSLETTERS?

In addition to this Artists Newsletter, we also have a weekly e-Buzz event listing and a monthly Organization Newsletter. If you or a friend would like to view a back issue of our newsletters and/or subscribe to ANY OR ALL of our newsletters, click here:

JOIN THE GROWING LIST OF CAFC MEMBERS

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership service organization that supports its members through marketing, networking, 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.

THANK YOU

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERS

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) cultural nonprofit membership organization. We are grateful to our members and our donors whose support enables us to do our work. In particular, we are grateful for support from:

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