Category Archives: Arts

Moab Music Festival Names Tessa Lark as Next Artistic Director; She will Continue to Lead Old Lyme’s Musical Masterworks

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Tessa Lark has been named Artistic Director of the Moab Music Festival. She will continue as Artistic Director of Musical Masterworks in Old Lyme. Photo by Richard Bowditch.

MOAB, UT/OLD LYME, CT — On Jan. 6, 2025, the Moab Music Festival (MMF) announced that violinist Tessa Lark has been named its next Artistic Director. Co-Founding Directors Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins will be stepping back from the award-winning Festival (MMF) after 33 years; Lark’s role will combine the co-founders’ artistic responsibilities.

Lark currently serves as Artistic Director of the Musical Masterworks concert series in Old Lyme, Conn. and will continue in that role. Asked her reaction to Lark’s appointment, Alden Rockwell Murphy, President of the Musical Masterworks Board of Directors, told LymeLine exclusively, “”We are very excited for Tessa!” commenting further, “She now joins the ranks of distinguished visionary artists who hold multiple artistic directorships, and we congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.”

Rockwell Murphy emphasized, “Her [Lark’s] dedication to Musical Masterworks remains unwavering. With her artistry and passion, she will undoubtedly continue to enrich both the Musical Masterworks and Moab communities, making them brighter and more vibrant for all.”

Moab Festival Board of Trustees President Anne Wilson said, “While it is bittersweet to be moving on to the next chapter of artistic leadership, we are grateful to have had our founders’ direction, guidance, and support in choosing their successor. This extraordinary festival is well positioned for the future, with the strong foundation they built, and their long and exemplary tenure.”

Wilson continued, “We are delighted to welcome Tessa as the Festival’s next Artistic Director. Her long history as a Festival violinist, coupled with her immense talent and creativity, make her a perfect fit. We are excited to see Tessa’s vision unfold, and work together to usher in a new generation of world-class music in concert with the landscape® experiences, for which the Festival has become famous.”

Since her Festival debut in 2016, Lark has delighted audiences with her technical mastery, stylistic fluidity, and welcoming spirit. She boasts a Grammy- nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her recording of Sky, the violin concerto Michael Torke wrote for her. She has been engaged by the San Francisco, Seattle, and BBC Symphonies, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

A recipient of Lincoln Center’s most prestigious honor for emerging artists, the Hunt Family Award, she also received a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and top prize at the Naumburg International Violin Competition. She serves as a Co-Host/Creative of From the Top, NPR’s famed showcase for young classical musicians, and is

During Moab’s 2024 season, Lark performed works from her latest album, The Stradgrass Sessions, which pays homage to her love for both Bluegrass and classical music, and her idyllic Kentucky upbringing. The variety of styles presented on the album offers a small window into her fresh take on Festival programming, enhancing what audiences have come to expect from the Festival over the last three decades.

As Lark explains, “I’ve already fallen in love many times over with the Moab Music Festival and what makes the community unique: the impactful relationships that Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins have forged through their loving leadership, the symbiosis of new classical music with canonical favorites, the complex network of the Native cultures of the region, and the presence of myriad musical styles.”

She added, “I take genuine pleasure in personally connecting with folks from all backgrounds, and am passionate about creating spaces that joyfully embrace both musical and spiritual confluence. What makes the Festival extraordinary is also my ultimate life goal: relishing nature and music, all at once. Sharing that heaven-on-earth with others is a dream come true.” 

Under the direction of Tomkins and Barrett, MMF has gained an award-winning national and international reputation, growing from a grassroots organization in a geodesic dome in 1992 to a globally respected institution attracting world-class artists and patrons who want to experience music among southeast Utah’s stunning red rock landscape. The founders were a critical part of selecting the incoming artistic director who will usher in the next generation of leadership as they become Directors Emeriti. 

“I am beyond excited to be handing the reins of the Moab Music Festival to Tessa Lark,” shares Music Director Emeritus Michael Barrett. “I’ve known Tessa for nearly 20 years and have watched with admiration as she has fulfilled the promise of her immense talent in such creative and unexpected ways. It brings me great satisfaction that she has agreed to become Artistic Director. She has a finger on the pulse of musical life in America, and I’m certain her instinct and artistry will guide the Festival toward the synthesis of art, nature, and community Leslie and I first imagined 33 years ago.

As Artistic Director Emerita, Leslie Tomkins commented, “It has been a great honor and privilege to create and lead this organization for over three decades. Tessa came to mind immediately when considering a successor. She is a spectacular artist who brings joy and endless creativity to her playing and shines in musical genres beyond classical. Music in concert with the landscape distinguishes the Moab Music Festival from all others. Tessa has a deep connection to that special alchemy, and I look forward to seeing the Festival thrive and evolve under her imaginative, thoughtful leadership.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Jan. 6, 2025 by the Moab Music Festival.

Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation Announces 2024-25 Lyme-Old Lyme Scholarship Recipients

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OLD LYME—The Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation Board of Trustees has announced it has awarded private study music scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year to students from both Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Middle School and LOL High School.

Award recipients from the LOL Middle School are:  Natalie Gibbons, Conor Buckeridge, Estelle Filardi, Isla Morrissette (winner of the Dr. Stephen Crites Scholarship for Low Brass), Olivia Rozanski-Rose, Mary Kane, Max Mooney, and Anna Paris William.

Award recipients from the LOL High School are:  Avery Zbierski, Ceciley Buckley, Caterina Wilson, Morgan Buerger, Emelia Munster, and Oliver Wyman.

As a supporting organization for LOL Schools, the Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation awards scholarships that are to be used for private music instruction to students participating in the LOL Schools Band Programs.  

The 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation was formed in 1999 after the retirement of Ruth Ann (King) Heller from LOL High School, with a mission to strengthen and improve the instrumental music program in LOL Schools.  

Donations to the Foundation in any amount are gratefully accepted.  The mailing address is the Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation, PO Box 298, Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Alternatively, donations may be made through Paypal @ http://www.rahmf.org/#donate.

For more information about the Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation, visit this link.

‘All Paintings Great and Small’ on View at The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Special Holiday Hours Announced

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‘December Glow‘ by Clark G. Voorhees (1871-1933) signed, oil, 6″ x 8 1/2″ is one of the signature works of the ‘All Paintings Great and Small‘ exhibition, which opens this evening at The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme.

OLD LYME — This evening, The Cooley Gallery at 25 Lyme St. hosts an opening reception for the annual holiday exhibition All Paintings Great and Small from 5 to 7 p.m.

The exhibition features historic and contemporary works of art 12″ in size or smaller. For many in the area, this annual exhibition and opening celebration represents the undisputed kick-off to the holiday season. Artists from around the country, with a concentration of works by artists in Connecticut, participate in this annual show.

As in years past, All Paintings Great and Small offers a wide variety of subjects and media carefully chosen by the staff at the gallery.  Three galleries are hung with artwork. Prices range from the low hundreds and up to give collectors at all levels a chance to acquire some original works of art.

Preparations are well in hand for the presentation of The Cooley Gallery’s annual holiday exhibition ‘All Paintings Great and Small.’ An Opening Reception for the show will be held Thursday evening.

In addition to the holiday show, the gallery will feature recent acquisitions and paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Special holiday hours for The Cooley Gallery are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.by appointment or chance.

Call Jeff Cooley 860-304-2386 or visit us any time cooleygallery.com or email info@cooleygallery.com

‘Deck the Walls’, ‘Bon Appetit’, Sculpture Exhibit, an View at Lyme Art Association Through Dec. 31

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“American Royalty” by Dawn Bisharat in acrylic is one of the featured paintings in the ‘Bon Appetit’ show currently on view at the Lyme Art Association.

OLD LYME—On Sunday, Nov. 10, Lyme Art Association (LAA) will hold an Opening Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for three new shows, Deck the Walls, Bon Appétit and a guest exhibit from the Society of Connecticut Sculptors. All are welcome and admission is free.

Deck the Walls is the LAA’s most festive exhibition. Visitors will discover a beautiful array of art to lift the spirits in various themes, sizes and mediums in this delightful show juried by Annie Wildey. This show returns each year during the holidays, just in time for gift-giving. 

The LAA member show, Bon Appétit, juried by Shawn Kenney, spans still life masterpieces featuring sumptuous fruit bowls to vivid depictions of bustling farmers’ markets, Bon Appetit promises a feast for both visual and culinary senses.

All three shows are on view through Dec. 31. Additionally, starting Nov. 8 the LAA will showcase the talents of its instructors with an exhibit of their artwork.

Look for music in the galleries select weekend afternoons during the run of the shows, with a special performance by musicians from the Community Art School in Essex.

When you enter, don’t miss the Partner Wall, featuring paintings of dancers by Mike Laiuppa. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces will benefit Eastern Connecticut Ballet just in time for Nutcracker season.

After enjoying all the shows, stroll across to the Old Lyme Inn and/or the Side Door Jazz Club for cocktails, dinner or an evening of entertainment.

Finally, don’t forget to give yourself a creative treat this holiday season. This November and December the Lyme Art Association has weekend workshops for every level of artist, including beginners, taught by favorite instructors Jeanne Carol Potter, Lisa Miceli, Howard Park, Christine Ivers, and Bob Noreika.

Register early for children’s art programs on Sunday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring stories illustrated by award-winning artists and holiday-themed projects for each young artist to take home.

Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the Lyme Art Association continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.

The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by Lyme colony artist and architect, Charles Adams Platt, and located within the national historic district. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information on exhibits, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit the LAA website at www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.

Old Lyme Non-profit Supports Breast Cancer Prevention with Online Art Exhibition

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Backus Hospital staff stand with Maina Foundation founder Alka Shrikhande.

OLD LYME—Connecticut resident and Pfizer alumna, Alka Shrikhande, says, “When my mom, a beautiful and loving woman, lost her battle against breast cancer in 2006, the question I asked myself was, whether she would still be alive if the cancer had been detected earlier with yearly mammograms?”

In 2008, Shrikhande established Maina Foundation, a nonprofit based in Old Lyme, whose mission is to increase awareness of breast cancer, promote early detection, and offer financial assistance—where it is able—for treatment. 

With low overheads, and an all-volunteer staff, almost all the money the organization raises goes towards three areas of support.

Locally, Maina Foundation has donated to Backus Breast Cancer Center in Norwich, Conn., to assist breast cancer patients in Eastern Connecticut from diagnosis through treatment, and beyond. 

Maina Foundation representatives present New York City Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center in Manhattan with a check for funding.

In New York, Maina Foundation has been collaborating with the New York City (NYC) Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center in Manhattan to support breast cancer patients in need, to obtain advanced diagnostic imaging.

And, in India, the organization has had a significant impact on screening and raising awareness of breast cancer in underserved communities at multiple hospitals in Mumbai, Rishikesh, and Chennai, to name a few. 

From October to December this year, in honor of Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Maina Foundation is excited to be partnering with artists, both local and national, in their 3rd Annual Online Art Exhibition. Images of the art for sale can be found on the Maina Foundation website—the list price includes shipping, and there is no sales tax.

This year, 20 percent of the proceeds from the art sale will be donated to NYC Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center, to provide comprehensive breast cancer care to underserved and vulnerable populations, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Featured artists include:

Howard Park, a local artist and photographer, was led by his love of the sea, from Boston, via the L’Ecole d’Art Decorative de Nice, to Connecticut where he now lives in East Lyme. In 2001, Park sailed around the world. He has won numerous awards from the New England Watercolor Society, the Mystic Museum of Art and the Lyme Art Association. 

Lisa Miceli, is a local artist who has won multiple awards for her plein air art with a focus on expressionist watercolors and oils. She has been Influenced, amongst others, by her grandmother, Lucille Gauthier, an illustrator, watercolorist, and a Works Progress Administration artist in the 1930’s. Miceli was the winner of the JMW Turner watercolor competition at the Mystic Seaport.

Natalie Sambamurty, a Maina Foundation board member, works with acrylic, watercolors and oil paints. She draws inspiration from wildlife, traditional Indian art and lifestyles, nature, and different cultures of the world. She is passionate about children’s and women’s health. 

Laya Joseph, a New York-based artist, is influenced by her botanist background. She works primarily in acrylic and mixed media, and her paintings are mostly abstracts and semi abstracts, expressionistic in style and often rooted in her memories and experiences.

Ritu Khetan, inspired by the beauty of henna art, creates intricate patterns on candles, trays, and home décor. Khetan has introduced the art of henna to students of Carnegie Mellon University, and loves to share the joy of simply “creating.”

Sneha Khetan, an 8th Grader from Charlotte, N.C., makes handmade cards and shadow boxes, and is the founder of Sustainable Charlotte, an organization that promotes sustainable living with an aim to educate the public about the climate crisis. 

Girish Nair, is known for his live painting on stage alongside musicians and other performing artists. Although known for his portraits in oil and color pencils, he has a special interest in creating abstracts and theological interpretations. His art has raised more than $60,000 for multiple charitable organizations.

Geeta Pathak, transformed innocent doodles in school books to priceless canvases. Life, with all its precious moments of love, angst, heartache, amidst playing different roles of daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother, all came together one day as art became her lifeline. This is why she paints everything and anything she perceives to be “in the moment.”

With the support of the community, Maina Foundation hopes to raise much-needed funds to continue their programs and fulfil their mission to raise breast cancer awareness. Please consider supporting their mission by purchasing these beautiful paintings, created by the featured artists.