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The Color of Joy – Visit the Art Exhibit
April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 Firehouse Gallery
The opening reception of our Spring exhibit features all original works in an art and poetry exhibit, an artist panel discussion and an artworks raffle.
Free & Open to the public
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Visit The Color of Joy Art Exhibit
Over 65 artists submitted works.
Over 100 artworks adorn the gallery
Over 150 people attended the Opening Reception.
See the photo gallery from opening night.
Visit the Exhibit – Last three days – April 24, 25, 26
Artist Panel Discussion
Friday, April 17th, 7:30-9:00pm
Join us in conversation about the “Color of Joy” show with select members of the MAC’s Artist 2 Artist group.
This will be a free public panel for all to attend.
Discussion topics will include inspiration, process, and of course, the use color.
Gallery Viewing
April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
Gallery Hours:
- Fridays ( April 17, 24) Gallery opens 3pm
- Saturdays / Sundays 12noon – 4pm
Small Works Raffle
Open throughout the exhibit run
Small Works Art Raffle!
Small Works Art Raffle!The MAC’s Artist-2-Artist group has created 5 brand new art creations to be raffled off.
These pieces follow the exhibit’s Color theme and will be displayed in their own grouping.
They will be on display throughout the exhibit with raffle tickets available each day.
Raffle tickets $5 MAC donation.
Winning tickets/artwork will be drawn at random at the end of the show on April 26th.
Artwork Awards
Elizabeth Katz
1st Place Cape House Artist Statement I find myself drawn to the richness and vibrancy of oil paints. My travels to Cape Cod serve as a wellspring of inspiration due to the unique quality of light constantly shifting on the landscape. Judge’s Notes This piece caught my eye immediately. The austere composition illustrated via warm tones and understated elements evoked an atmospheric sensibility. The simplicity and color relationships created a cohesive visual narrative. Medium: Oil on canvas Price: $800
Joseph Annino
2nd Place Beardsley Zoo Greenhouse Koi Artist Statement The Beardsley Zoo Greenhouse is full of wonders and colors, so many details to explore. This small Koi pond brings motion to the environment, a joyful spot to contemplate the wonders of nature and the care we must give to them. Judge’s Notes The unique perspective and vibrant use of color, pulls the viewer into the work. The proficient and skillful use of various materials and techniques captured the movement and beauty of this natural environment. Medium: Pigment marker on paper Price: $900
Merrilee Main
3rd Place Good Music Merrilee Main Artist Statement This painting is structured with a rhythm and tempo of paint application that is juxtaposed with bright, expressive colors through which the joy of listening to "Good Music" is represented. Judge’s Notes This work full of lush loose
Lesley Darling
Honorable Mention Sorcha Artist Statement Sorcha is Scottish Gaelic for radiant and bright. I hope my painting captures the charming and quirky personality of the highland coo. I used bright oils and earth tones to resemble the moody Scottish highlands and applied thick paint with
Alexandria Wong
Honorable Mention Joy as the Color of Love Artist Statement Waiting for a concert on an overcast day in New York City, we struggled to get excited as the color-sucking weather turned our surroundings into grayscale. Glancing down at the ashy sidewalk we discovered the color of joy in a rainbow-saturated sticker. Judge’s Notes This profound little gem, skillfully executed and composed evokes the concept that one can find “Joy” even in rather dark and unexpected places. A pertinent message for these times. Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Price: $192
Linda Avitabile
Honorable Mention Archway Artist Statement The overgrown path and the ruins of an arch welcome the viewer into a legend or fairy tale. The work is a woven tapestry. The vertical warp threads are made of cotton twine and the woven weft threads are tapestry wool. Judge’s Notes A distinctive voice in this exhibit. Beautifully intricate use of the material utilizing subtle tones, uniting color, space, textures creating a rich and tranquil scene. Medium: Woven Tapestry Price: NFS
Robert Neufeld
Honorable Mention Portal Artist Statement Through the utilization of a rigorous grid I strive to create a sense of order and balance while suggesting a three-dimensional space that challenges perception, and encourages a deeper scrutiny. Vivid colors and flat surfaces, that deny all evidence of their making, incite introspection. Judge’s Notes This forceful composition of strong bold colors, deliberately dissecting the canvas, invites the viewer to look beyond the smooth surface and explore the depth of the work. Medium: Acrylic on wood Price: $900
Poetry Award
Best in Show – Colleen Bąk
the meaning making of flowers
Artist Statement
This poem speaks of loss and memory and how grief swirls with the joys of remembering and continuing on; how so many feelings are held all at once; how last smiles can still nourish; how joy is both blue and complex.
Judge’s Notes
The beautiful figurative language in this piece creates powerful imagery. The alliteration produces a lovely musicality. This poem contains a myriad of sounds and appeals to the senses, effectively capturing grief, the process of remembering, and the joy of having loved.
the meaning making of flowers
-for a mother who made magic arranging them-
a crackle of blue and i will remember you
like a rhyme, like my pulse,
like our first phone number
i see you in flowers
ephemeral, fleeting, flourishing
you are a fierce sprout
up and out, to open
your petals velveted colors
to catch, to draw, to call in
the imagination, the pollination
sparks of emotion and cycles of growing
i tried to plant forget-me-nots,
seeds set around the sweet birch tree
their blue beacon blooms calling back to you
raucous little rings, tethering your memory
the melt away sun-smile
how you lit up listening about the birch
that would live in our yard
pale paper -bark-peelings for the fairy-notes
of your scribbled youth
stretch back, sink down roots
sweet leaves full of teeth
we dreamed of the new tree together
and it speaks to me of you,
even in the absence of an introduction
you are linked
it grew here, fed on the memory of the sun of that last smile
how powerful you are
my flowers failed
snails, or rabbits or foragers unseen
they fed upon the wanted remembrance
i hope it sustained them, my want of memory made more urgent as nourishment
still, i see your tree in a circle of flowers
a strong surround of dotted blue
they are ghost flowers, fitting for a ghost
a scattered electricity of color
the air crackles, alive
with their presence, not forgetting
these blues bloom with gratitude
Poetry Honorable Mentions
Blayze Markoya
Honorable Mention The flower arranger Artist Statement The colors of a night sky as they change and give way to what lies underneath. Judge’s Notes This piece is a cup of coffee in the morning. Its verses have movement, sky, and golden stars. In this poem, hope is the harvest of the flower arranger, who has the power to create, restore, and renew.
Rose Horowitz
Honorable Mention Alphabet Rose Horowitz Artist Statement In the depths of winter, I look ahead to spring, imagining the shift from the bareness of winter to brighter and richer color in both expansive spaces and smaller, immediate ones. Judge’s Notes This poem has a magical quality. It is playful and has excellent pacing and imagery, allowing the reader to travel to a remarkable land and experience wonders.
Meet The Exhibit Judges
Art Judge – Eileen Carey
Education / Professional Career
Eileen Carey is a Connecticut-based artist and art-educator. She received her BS and MS degrees in Art Education from SCSU and has taught art at Joel Barlow High School, Redding and Woodhouse Academy, Milford.
Artist Statement
Painting for me is a journey, whether in oils or watercolor, I usually begin with a visual element of interest that tends to evolve, evoking intangible aspects which begin to surface through the process, utilizing color, line form and composition. It is in this struggle that a dialogue takes place between the materials, subject and surface where something is revealed that surprises me ! As Thomas Merton said “ Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Artist Statement
Painting for me is a journey, whether in oils or watercolor, I usually begin with a visual element of interest that tends to evolve, evoking intangible aspects which begin to surface through the process, utilizing color, line form and composition. It is in this struggle that a dialogue takes place between the materials, subject and surface where something is revealed that surprises me ! As Thomas Merton said “ Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Exhibitions
An active painter, Eileen has exhibited her work in a variety of Connecticut and New York venues including the Ely Center For Contemporary Art New Haven, Artspace New Haven, Creative Arts Workshop New Haven, Five Points Gallery Torrington, Zahn Gallery Westbrook, Nelson Gallery Cheshire, Bowery Gallery NYC, Open Studios Chelsea NYC, Leo Hotel NYC, Monastery Gallery Of Art West Hartford.
Affiliations
Eileen has been associated with some key local art organizations:
– Board Member of New Haven Paint And Clay Club,
– Exhibiting Member of the Rowayton Arts Center
– Member of the Connecticut Women Artist Inc.
Written Works Judge – Elaine Nadal
Professional
- Elaine Nadal is Poet Laureate of Milford, Connecticut.
- She is the author of When and Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut, published by Finishing Line Press.
- A Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net-nominee, her work has appeared in several journals.
- www.elainenadal.com
Education / Experiences
- Elaine holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from Wesleyan University
- She also earned in Spanish secondary education and fine arts (music).
- She has studied in Spain and Puerto Rico
- Elaine has delivered a TEDx talk on hope, poetry, and music.
In Her Own Words
- Writing is a way of making sofrito out of the experiences and varied truths of life.
- It is also a way of honoring the memory of her Abuela Flor, from whom she learned about struggle, determination, compassion, and love.
Many Thanks
We wish to acknowledge the people who contributed time, talent and support to help make this exhibit come to life.
Tap each image to get more info on the group.
MAC’s Artist-2-Artist Group
Special thanks to Olive Lagace!
MAC’s Written Word Group
Special thanks to Laura Garrity
MAC Volunteers
Thanks to our volunteers who helped to hang the show, print the labels, manage the refreshment table and who act as hosts for every viewing hour of the exhibit.
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