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05/18/2017 12:01 AMBranford Art Center (BAC) will celebrate its two-year anniversary Saturday, May 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., at 1229 Main Street, Branford with wine, refreshments, and smooth jazz by John Brasil and Friends. The evening will feature nationally known sports, cinema, and music figure artist Marc Potocsky.
Just two years ago, on May 15, BAC opened the doors for its first art opening reception with 15 artists and a crowd of more than 250 people. Since then, the green building with the large gold lettering at the bottom of the hill has become a place for people to visit, paint, create, shop for art and artsy gifts, and simply enjoy the welcoming ambiance of the center.
Renting the space formerly occupied by an antique store, Yvonne Gordon-Moser fulfilled her dream of operating her own art gallery and creating a community art space. Given her credentials as an art therapist (MAAT) her mission statement for BAC included bringing the healing power of art to people, “students or viewers,” and, as a community art center, to organize and participate in charitable fundraisers and donate time to local organizations. In the past two years, BAC has supported the Beautify Branford project, Branford Parks and Rec, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Branford Early Child Collaborative, Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Veterans Administration Giant Steps Art Therapy Program, Camp Totoket, Branford Soccer Team, and other organizations.
BAC has become an integral part of Branford’s downtown business district. The center was named Best Small Business in 2017 by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and voted the top three best art galleries by the Shoreline Times’ 2016 Annual Reader’s Poll.
BAC offers individual and group art therapy, open studio time, and classes in figure drawing, watercolor, drawing, painting, process painting, photography, and felting. The large studio workshop space allows special events such as birthday parties, anniversaries, and business meetings. Small to large wall rentals for artists are reasonable and commissions low in order to make the art affordable for all patrons. Other opportunities for artists to sell their work are Under The Big Tent in September/October the week before the Blackstone Library Book Sale and various other outdoor and indoor special events.
Potocsky, the featured artist at the celebration, is a nationally recognized painter of famous sports, cinema, and music figures. His work will be displayed throughout the gallery and studio. All are invited to meet the artist and view his work.
Potocsky, of Branford, honed his skills in photo realism and portrait painting. For more information about his work, visit mjpfaux.com.
For more information about Branford Art Center, contact Gordon-Moser at 860-334-4642 or 1229bacgallery@gmail.com or visit www.branfordartcenterct.com.