Saturday, November 24, 2012

Check out creative gift ideas now at the gallery

A note from Gallery@37 manager and stained glass artist extraordinaire BillieJo:

Great
Gift Ideas
Don’t grow on
Trees. But we do
Have them at Gallery@37
Fine art paintings, photographs, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry, and more, await your discriminating
esthetic and refined gifting sensibilities. Located at 37 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT.
Shop Gallery@37 during regular hours: Tue: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Wed: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thu: 1:00 pm -
8:00 pm, Fri: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Sat: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Sun: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Or by appointment.
Call 203-308-2214 to verify gallery availability the day you’re planning to shop. For more information, find us on
Facebook at: Gallery@37 or contact the Gallery@37 manager, BillieJo, via e-mail: galleryat37@gmail.com

Friday, November 16, 2012

Autobiographical angel graces Gallery@37 window

Angelus Temporaria



Artist BillieJo, gallery manager, created this stunning piece. 
She said, "On display now at Gallery@37 is a visually and spiritually arresting 3-dimensional collage entitled, 'Angelus Temporaria.'

"It is, every bit and every inch, an autobiographical assemblage composed of countless found objects that mark important moments, memories, passions, pastimes, and worldly achievements of the artist's life. It is, at one and the same time, singular in its self-portraiture and universal in its visual metaphor of the artist as divine creatrix.

"Encountering this work of art and engaging with it, even briefly, could be life-changing in the very best of ways. Don't miss this temporary Gallery@37 guest. This is guaranteed to be a once in a lifetime appearance and opportunity, now through the winter holidays."

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Yule find a unique holiday fair in East Hartford

"We Wish You a Scary Christmas

By BillieJo Scharfenberg
Valley Arts Council member

It’s Christmas craft fair time again and you know pretty much what to expect, a spate of bright and glittery granny craft venues, overflowing with cute and curious items variously comprised of glitter glue, gumdrops, macaroni shells, candy canes, felt, yarn, tinfoil, and Lifesavers candy rolls.

Abandon hope all ye who enter there.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative shopping option for Christmas shoppers of a less saccharin frame of mind.

Those with an appreciation for the darker aspect of the holidays, or any day for that matter, will find a unique Christmas fair featuring cemetery and mourning theme artwork, jewelry, and crafts, to be held from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dec. 8 and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9, at the South End Senior Center, 70 Canterbury St., East Hartford.

The show is sponsored by East Hartford's Friends of Center Cemetery, Inc.
This distinct holiday shopping venue features an assemblage of New England-based vendors offering cemetery, funeral, and mourning theme items including photography, books, paintings, stained glass, sculpture, T-shirts, cards, pins, old coins, and more.
Returning vendors include Sabrina's Grave Yard, Stained Glass by BillieJo, Steampunk Jewelry by Nicole Cerretani, and Graveyard Girls, among others.

Genealogists and history buffs will find books, photographs, plus all of the above. Attendees especially interested in genealogy may purchase a gift membership to one of the attendant genealogical organizations or a consultation with a genealogy professional.

For information about the art and craft show and/or the associated Genealogy seminar, call 860-643-5652, or e-mail shapbrown@cox.net.


Scharfenberg is manager of the Gallery@37, Derby, Ct.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Home is where the art is ...

This is a note from Gallery@37 manager BillieJo Scharfenberg:


"Home is where the art is for the holidays, and there's no more personal a choice than what art you display in your home.
"Someone special is needing a great gift idea this year. Pick out something nice for yourself, at Gallery@37."

Gallery mission statement shared

37 Elizabeth St., Derby, Ct.


Gallery@37 is a community art gallery that exists for the purpose of supporting and encouraging both the inveterate and emerging artists of the Valley Arts Council. It offers them a secure space where they can come and share their art, visions, and knowledge with each other and the local community.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Orange Players to hold auditions this month

'The Cemetery Club' to be staged

ORANGE - The Orange Players will hold auditions for "The Cemetery Club" by Ivan Menchell from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 at High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road.

The production is directed by Leo Meyer.
Everyone is welcome to become a part of the cast and crew. 

Performances will be held on the weekends of Jan. 25-26 and Feb. 1-2.

The story revolves around three Jewish widows who meet once a month to have tea before they go to visit their husbands’ graves.
Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life, Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun, and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene.
Doris and Lucille squash the budding romance between Sam and Ida. They are stricken with guilt when this nearly breaks Ida’s heart.

“Funny, sweet-tempered and moving.” - The Boston Globe.

“An evening of pure pleasure that will make you glad you came to the theatre. -Washington Journal Newspapers