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Holiday Show Opens Nov. 17

Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents its holiday show: Winter! Its Beauty and Secrets, from Friday, Nov. 17 through Jan. 14, 2018. With original artwork that features views of winter—both its beauty and challenges—the show explores how nature survives and even thrives in the harshest of seasons. The eight-week show, located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, includes an open reception on Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with food, wine, and the entertainment of harpist Kathy King, who plays a 34-string acoustic lever harp, both as a solo instrument and in combination with her voice.

In addition to being a holiday gift destination, Spectrum Gallery comes alive this season with a special event and a White Holiday Tree, adorned with original ornaments crafted by fine local artisans.

On Friday, Dec. 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Spectrum hosts Holiday Body Painting and Ornament Making with performance artist Ana Ughetti. Participants can sip wine and enjoy desserts as Ughetti transforms a model into a winter nymph, combining techniques of body paint and makeup art. While at Spectrum that evening, attendees can create a fun ornament from upcycled wine corks. Holiday Body Painting is $5 for the general public, while children and members of the Arts Center Killingworth (the parent organization of Spectrum Gallery) enter free.

“So many of us dread winter as if life stops, but that is far from the truth,” says Barbara Nair, director of Spectrum Gallery. “Nature and people not only survive but thrive during this season where we depend on the company of others even more than other times of the year. Why, we even plan for the coming year! So with this in mind, we decided at Spectrum to explore these ideas. And to my pleasant surprise, winter’s forms, shapes, and palette also inspired the artists in Spectrum’s Holiday show.”

Artists presenting at Spectrum include Anne Coffey, who creates stark landscapes with collage; Suzanne Kirschner, whose abstract piece explores the whites of snow; Eugenie Diserio, who makes kinetic, abstract paintings with vibrant and muted color juxtapositions, brushstrokes, markings, and calligraphy; and abstract painter Jay Petrow, whose background as a landscape designer influences his paintings. Other artists presenting at Spectrum include Kathleen DeMeo, a printmaker, painter, and mixed-media installation artist whose subjects are imaginative landscapes and abstractions; artist Kelly Taylor, who works with acrylics, gels, collage, and photo transfers to create her abstract mixed media pieces; painter Jonathan Wilner, who brings to his work his mysterious interpretation of the winter season; and Teri Glassman, who gives u a glimpse of the ephemeral Northern Lights. New to Connecticut is New York artist James Pizzimenti, who paints and sculpts his 3D winter scenes onto wood panels. Returning to Spectrum are printmakers Sandra Mayo, with her take on winter flowers, and Carol Dunn’s fine etchings, which feature the beauty of the winter New England landscape. Mixed media artist Regina Thomas returns, showcasing the stark beauty of the trees of winter, while Marsha Borden, an installation artist, brings her colorful interpretation of the holiday season.

Photographers in the Winter Holiday Show include Elizabeth Burnell, Maryann Flick, Normand Charlette, Paul Ramsey, Dianne Roberts, Robert Thomas, Elin Dolle, and Stephen Martin as well as the stunning Gold Box illuminated letters of artist Maris Fiondella.

Fiber artists are Diane Cadrain, creating winterscapes with roving wool and chenille sticks; and felter Holly Bollier, whose felted cards are one-of-a-kind as are her unique take on the vase. Knitters include Laura Lyons, Isabelle Lee with a variety of handbags, Sylvia Loomis with scarflets, Linda Lundqvist with hats, and Christine Rook with clothes for children. Many Spectrum potters, glass artisans, wood artisans, and jewelers are offering holiday pieces including the new jewelry designs of Emily Van DerMaelen and Annika McKenna and the exotic wood mirrors of furniture designer Philip Bird.

Spectrum Gallery and Store holiday hours are Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 23, Spectrum will be open Monday to Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Spectrum is closed Christmas Eve.

Spectrum Gallery is an expansion of the non-profit Arts Center Killingworth, which organizes classes, workshops, and art camps and offers opportunities for emerging and established artists to develop, display, and sell their work. For more information, call Spectrum 860-767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org; or call the Arts Center 860-663-5593 or visit artscenterkillingworth.org.