Category Archives: Arts

‘Waves’ on Show at Cooley Gallery

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The signature painting by Chandler Davis of his 'Waves' exhibition at The Cooley Gallery.

The signature painting by Chandler Davis of his ‘Waves’ exhibition at The Cooley Gallery.

The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme is kicking off its spring season with an exhibition of fresh, new wave paintings by Chandler Davis. Waves opens Thursday, April 2.

In the exhibition, the artist returns to his original inspiration of the ocean. Eight large wave paintings of luminous water in a variety of weather and light conditions depict some of the many moods of the ocean. From the depths of Chandler’s imagination and brush comes this remarkable series of waves — reality and abstraction combine to capture the light, motion, and energy of the sea.

Chandler is a missionary for the natural world and, in particular, the sea. He built an international reputation as an artist with his large-scale mollusk sculptures. Some of these can be seen down the street in Old Lyme on the grounds of the Bee and Thistle Inn (www.beeandthistleinn.com ). Chandler’s nautili, conches and mussels, rendered at “human” scale, are significant. A gargantuan mussel at eye level commands consideration, which is exactly the reaction Chandler desires.

If contemporary sculpture is your passion, there is more in Old Lyme at Gil Boro’s Studio 80+ Sculpture Grounds at 80 Lyme Street.

Founded in 1981 and located in the heart of historic Old Lyme, the Cooley Gallery specializes in fine American paintings from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and select contemporary artists.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Call (860) 434-8807 or visit www.cooleygallery.com  for additional information.  The Cooley Gallery is located at 25 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371.

CT River Museum Hosts ‘New Deal’ Art Exhibition

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The Connecticut River Museum’s spring exhibit, New Deal Art Along the River, will open April 2nd. This painting, On the Rail by Yngve Soderberg is a watercolor on paper on loan from the Lyman Allen Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Lyman Allen Art Museum.

The Connecticut River Museum’s spring exhibit, New Deal Art Along the River, opens April 2. This painting, On the Rail by Yngve Soderberg is a watercolor on paper on loan from the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Lyman Allen Art Museum.

During the depths of the Great Depression, the federal government created work relief programs to put unemployed Americans back to work. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” programs provided all types of jobs – including opportunities for out-of-work artists. The Federal Art Project (1935 – 1943) paid artists to paint murals and easel art, sculpt, and teach art classes. Their art was always located in a public place such as a school, library, or government building so that all Americans had access to it for inspiration and enjoyment.

The subject matter for much of this artwork is known as the “American Scene” – showcasing regional history, landscapes, and people. The Connecticut River Museum’s new exhibit has selected artwork that represents artists from the Connecticut River Valley, or that depicts views of regional or maritime traditions of the Connecticut River and coastline.

“These paintings offer us a glimpse at Connecticut from sixty years ago,” says Museum Curator Amy Trout. “We think of that time as being dark and depressing, but these paintings show us a vibrant time and place.”

The exhibit contains 20 works of art ranging from pastels, etchings, watercolors, and oils. There are also examples of bas relief work from Essex sculptor Henry Kreis who designed the state’s Tercentenary medal and coin in 1935 under the Civil Works Authority (CWA) funding. The paintings come from area museums such as the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Mystic Arts Center, Connecticut Historical Society, and the Portland Historical Society, among others.

Even though these paintings were originally intended for public viewing, many have found their way into museum storerooms and are rarely seen. “It’s important to get them out on display and remind people of the wonderful legacy that was left to us. It gives us a chance to talk about Connecticut during the 1930s and appreciate the art that gives us greater insight into that period,” says Trout. The artists are also relatively unknown. Many continued in the field of art after the Depression, but few achieved great fame. “They needed to make a living, so many became commercial artists, illustrators, or teachers.”

The exhibition opens Thursday, April 2.

The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex and is open daily from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays after Columbus Day. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children age 6-12, free for children under 6.

For more information, call 860-767-8269 or go to www.ctrivermuseum.org.

ECSO Concludes Season with April 25 Concert, Features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, Orff’s Carmina Burana

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The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) concludes its critically successful 2014-2015 concert series on Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m., at the Garde Arts Center in New London.

ECSO Music Director, Toshiyuki Shimada, conducts a performance that begins with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and includes the all-time audience favorite Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and the Ledyard High School Girls’ Chorus. Featured soloists are soprano, Jurate Svedaite, tenor, Chris Lucier, and baritone, Maksim Ivanov.

Ticket holders are invited to a pre-concert chat at 7 p.m. given by ECSO Music Director, Toshiyuki Shimada and Choral Director, Mark Singleton.

All are also invited to a free post-concert reception hosted by The Friends of the Symphony.

Ticket prices range from $28.80 to $62 with $12 rush tickets for students and active military personnel available after 6 p.m. at the box office on the night of the performance sponsored by Olde Mistick Village and Washington Trust Company. You can purchase tickets on line at: www.gardearts.org or through the Eastern Connecticut Symphony office at 860-443-2876.

Subscriptions are now on sale for the 2015-2016 season.

“Big Ideas” Lecture Series Continues with ‘Peter Halley: Utopia/Dystopia,’ April 11

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As part of the Big Ideas/Big Paintings lecture series, Robert Hobbs of the Virginia Commonwealth University, will present “Peter Halley: Utopia/Dystopia,” Saturday, April 11, at 5 p.m. at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.

The lecture series accompanies the Museum exhibition, “Peter Halley: Big Paintings,” on view through May 31. Halley’s contemporary style of abstract painting charges simple geometric forms with powerful ideas, including those of interconnection, isolation, and technology, creating an important body of work that uses bold colors and textured surfaces to investigate American culture.

A light reception follows the lecture. Seat reservations are strongly encouraged but not required. The lecture series is sponsored by the Dangremond Family Foundation and is free of charge.  For more information or to rsvp, contact the Florence Griswold Museum at (860) 434-5542 ext. 111 or www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org .

The Big Ideas/Big Paintings lecture series is part of the public programming for the Halley exhibition. and on April 25, Wayne Koestenbaum of the CUNY Graduate Center will present “My 1980s and Beyond.” For additional programming including family programs, visit the Museum website.

The Florence Griswold Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 1pm to 5 pm (Closed Easter Sunday and major holidays.) www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org.

‘Discovery Sundays’ Start April 12 at Florence Griswold Museum

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A family enjoys ‘Discovery Sunday’ at the Florence Griswold Museum.

On Sunday, April 12, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme invites visitors to shake off any leftover winter blues and celebrate the beginning of Discovery Sundays. In addition to the popular “Make-A-Painting” activities, where visitors of all ages use the Museum’s supplies to create their own masterpieces, Discovery Sundays now include a new outdoor Art Cart that guides families to explore the grounds and its connection to the artists who famously painted there.

To celebrate the start of the season, the Co-Co Beaux, an all male a cappella group from Connecticut College, performs in the art gallery from 2 to 4 p.m.. In addition, seasonal buildings including the Chadwick Studio and the Rafal Landscape Center open for the season. And with any luck you’ll find some pops of color starting in the garden!

The Museum is open every Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and all activities are included with admission. Children 12 and under are always free. The Museum is closed Easter Sunday.

The Florence Griswold Museum is known as the Home of American Impressionism. In addition to the restored Florence Griswold House, where the artists of the Lyme Art Colony lived, the Museum features a modern exhibition gallery, education center, landscape center, extensive gardens, and a restored artist’s studio.

The Museum is located at 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT, exit 70 off I-95 and is open year round Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 students, and free to children 12 and under.

For more information, visit the Museum’s website www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org or call 860-434-5542 x 111.