A thought on the value of art

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."


- Thomas Merton (1915-1968) 

Writer, Trappist monk, social activist.  

In honor of the current weather in Connecticut: one artist's take on winter

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.”

 

- Andrew Wyeth, American realist  (1917-2009)

 

 

* What season inspires your artwork?

Tonight at Gallerie Chartier: Celebrating the spoken word

 

DERBY - Chartier An Arts Venue will present spoken word artist Atom Rush reading words inspired by the Beatnik generation with producer and guitarist Benoir of Long Beach, N.Y. at 9 p.m. today.
Gallerie Chartier is at 35 Elizabeth St. 

Atom Rush is a Connecticut-based spoken word artist who has published two chapbooks of poetry and has performed in several New York City venues including the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the Knitting Factory. 
He released a spoken word album in late 2012.

Benoir is a Long Island-based producer, educator, radio personality, band leader, multi-instrumentalist guitarist and singer. 
His current band The Long Beach All-Stars play in several venues on Long Island. For more information:

http://www.reverbnation.com/atomrush, https://soundcloud.com/atom-rush 
http://www.reverbnation.com/benoir. 

There will be a wine and cheese reception. Coffee and biscotti will be served. 
Cover charge is $5.
CDs will be available for sale for $5.


This is a Valley Arts Council event.

Artist's quote offers food for thought

"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk." 
                
- Paul Klee (1879-1940)

Photographers are focus of new discipline

A note from Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo:

The Valley Arts Council is starting a Photographers Discipline!

This discipline will be run by photographers, for photographers!

In addition to the ability to show pictures regularly at the Gallery@37 and participate in the annual exhibits and shows with the other art mediums...

Photography will have exclusive "Photography Only" shows and exhibits, individual shows* exclusive contests, outings, and workshops are being planned.

Open to all levels of photographers: amateur and professional, digital or film.
Valley Arts Council membership is required ($25 annual).

If you or someone you know is a photographer or interested in photography, We welcome you to be a part of something new!

Please RSVP to info@valleyartscouncil.org.


* Individual shows are available at Gallery@37, Valley Center of the Arts, Gallerie Chartier, all in Derby, and Spector Furniture in Ansonia, as well as some venues to be announced. 
Hanging fees may be required for some venues. Contact e-mail above for more information/questions. 

Models sought for drawing sessions at Center

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OUR 2013 LIFE MODEL DRAWING SESSIONS?  

THIS YEAR WE ARE USING BOTH NUDE AS WELL AS CLOTHED/COSTUMED MODELS

We need to know who is interested in advance, so we can plan accordingly

PLEASE CONTACT RICH AT:

studiochid@sbcglobal.net

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A MODEL? 

WE PAY $40 PER SESSION: COSTUMED/CLOTHED

$60 PER SESSION FOR NUDE MODEL

studiochid@sbcglobal.net

• Informal Sessions held in a Relaxed Atmosphere • Open to all level Artists (18+) • All Mediums
• FREE Parking • Light Refreshments served • We supply the model and chairs...You supply your talent and your art supplies.

New sessions begin soon!
At The Valley Center of the Arts
119 Caroline Street, Derby, CT 06418

VAC members - $9
Non Members - $10

limited space please RSVP to Rich at:
(203) 906-4343
studiochid@sbcglobal.net

Art: It inspires

I just saw this photo on Facebook and had to share. 

The caption: "This is why art is important."

So true.

Good one? Or too corny for words? You decide

I found this online and thought I'd share.
With apologies to the artist, don't know who he or she is.


I noticed he/she spelled the 20th century Spanish surrealist painter's first name wrong.  
Off by one letter; guess that's not too bad.

According to Wikipedia, "The Persistence of Memory," below, is one of Dali's "most famous" paintings.
 

The Persistence of Memory, 1931

Who is your favorite 20th century artist? 

Wanted: Models for drawing class

DERBY - The Valley Arts Council is seeking models (male and female) for our Life Model Drawing Sessions.
We pay $20 per hour - clothed/costumed models. Nude/semi-nude models are paid $30 per hour. ($60 maximum).

Sessions at the Valley Center for the Arts, 119 Caroline St., are two hours long.

If interested please contact Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo at: studiochid@sbcglobal.net.

 

 

A big thank you goes out to UI for its support

Eileen Lopez-Cordone, economic and community development specialist with United Illuminating Co., presents a $1,000 check to Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo to help the nonprofit stay afloat. Patricia Villers / Register

Check out the full story in today's New Haven Register.

Poetry reading planned

Our next-door neighbors and arts council members, Russell Chartier and Jill Treadwell, have scheduled an event later this month:

DERBY - Chartier An Arts Venue will present spoken word artist Atom Rush reading words inspired by the Beatnik generation with producer and guitarist Benoir of Long Beach, N.Y. at 9 p.m. Jan. 26. Gallerie Chartier is at 35 Elizabeth St. 
Atom Rush is a  Connecticut-based spoken word artist who has published two chapbooks of poetry and has performed in several New York City venues including the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the Knitting Factory. He released a spoken word album in late 2012.

Benoir is a Long Island-based producer, educator, radio personality, band leader, multi-instrumentalist guitarist and singer. His current band The Long Beach All-Stars play in several venues on Long Island. For more information:

http://www.reverbnation.com/atomrush, https://soundcloud.com/atom-rush 
http://www.reverbnation.com/benoir. 

There will be a wine and cheese reception. Coffee and biscotti will be served. Cover charge is $5.
CDs will be available for sale for $5.

This information was submitted by Jill Treadwell of Gallerie Chartier.  

Editor's note: I published this post today on the New Haven Register's View from the Valley blog.

Wanted: Members, volunteers to help us move forward

A note from arts council prez Rich DiCarlo:

 "The Valley Arts Council is asking members and non members to join us, get involved in the organization and be a part of art in the Valley region!

"We need volunteers to raise awareness and funds in the corporate community. 

"We need help with grant writing, art class and program development and to basically get involved!

"It's 2013 - a new beginning and a great time to step forward, make new friends, etc.

"Our next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8 at The Valley Center of the Arts, 119 Caroline St., Derby. I hope to see you there."