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11/07/2018 11:01 PMSpectrum Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents its holiday show: Myths, Fairy Tales and Fantasies, opening Friday, Nov. 16 and running through Sunday, Jan. 13.
The works will explore timeless fairy tales, myths and age-old stories as a celebration of the season.
The eight-week show, located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, Connecticut includes an open reception on Friday, Nov. 16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with food, wine, and a holiday tree adorned with original ornaments crafted by local artisans. The reception also includes entertainment by storyteller Sujata Srinivasan, who will share Indian tales while accompanied by a drummer.
Srinivasan is an award-winning journalist who has been telling stories for children and adults for many years. A classically trained dancer in the South Indian art form, Bharatanatyam, her performances contain music, dance, art, and costume. At Spectrum, she will perform two myths from Hindu mythology: the emergence of Lakshmi, goddess of all graces from the milky ocean; and Mohini, a disguise adapted by the Hindu deity Vishnu to rid the Earth of the demon Bhasmasura.
Favorite Time of Year
“The holidays are my favorite time of the year,” says Spectrum Gallery Director Barbara Nair. “As a child the lights, tree, ornaments, holiday tales, and, of course, presents were not only magical but also hopeful about the dreams for the coming year. It is also a time when we remember to be kind and generous to each other. Interestingly, I see this every year in the store and gallery as clients really try to think of who a friend or relative is as they pick out gifts. This show has so many of these qualities with images in the gallery that transport us to magical places where the only limitations are our imaginations.”
Featured illustrators include David Wenzel, known for his graphic illustration of the timeless classic The Hobbit, as well as award-winning illustrator Christine Kornacki, who, among her many children’s books, has illustrated a six-book series for American Girl; and Lauren Mills, a winner of many national awards for her painting and illustrations. Mills has been featured in numerous high-profile publications including Fine Art Connoisseur and The New York Times. Other illustrators of note are Linda Graves, an illustrator of more than 40 children’s books and winner of numerous awards for her fantasy art and sculpture, and Lynne Foster, whose conceptual portraits inform, entertain, and often disturb.
Award-Winning Photographers
Artists presenting at Spectrum include mixed media artist Heidi Lewis Coleman, who creates collages using papers and natural materials; Regina Thomas, known for her use of mixed media in her realistic collages; and James Pizzimenti, whose pieces include sculptural details. Painters include Melissa Imossi, a contemporary realist; watercolorists and acrylic painters Linda Reid, Gail Grgurich, Bonnie Lea Townsend, adn Flo Bartosiak; and artist Gloria Nilsson, who’s showing a painting on silk of an angel. Artist Suzanne Starr shows her charcoal drawings featuring children playing with magical creatures while printmaker Elizabeth Ann McNally displays animals performing human activities such as getting ready to go to a holiday dinner.
Returning award-winning photographers presenting at Spectrum include Elin Dolle, Robert Thomas, Dianne Roberts, Sally Perreten, and Bill Vollers. For the show, assemblage artist Marsha Borden has created a fantasy snow angel and painter Christine Miller a one-of-a kind dollhouse.
Many Spectrum potters, glass and wood artisans, and fabric designers will exhibit their holiday pieces. New work by glass artisans include Edith Deeg, Maryann Flick, and Carole Young. Fine crafter Carley Tillinghast has created Christmas spiders. There are also new pieces by potters and ceramicists Hayne Bayless, Terry Van Heusen, and Lori Rembetski and wood artisans Glenn Heller and furniture designer Phillip Bird. Fabric artists include Sylvia Loomis, Martha Simpson, felter Irene Dizes, Japanese weaver Michiyo Shinohara, bag designers Kia Barnett and Linda Lundqvist, and new to Spectrum knitter Elaine Sych.