Bette Anne Wygant

November 30th through January 4, 2015

My Journey Each painting explores the energy of eternal light, that can heal & inspire all of us. We only need to recognize it around us and within us. I hope my work inspires others to find and share that light. I have been an oil painter for forty-eight years. It is my quest to investigate and experience the bond between the physical and spiritual worlds. We are just one breath away from continuing. Visit my other website here www.bawshop.com for more about me and my art work. Also visit my posts on Unity.Gallery - a social network for artists: www.unity.gallery Here is a video featuring me and my work there as well: Let me share this with you, ”Day of Judgement” (below), was painted in 1974, after my brother was murdered while attending Law School. His death sent me on a lifelong journey to understand and connect with a deeper reality. Recently I was able to continue this healing process by participating in a show in Newtown, CT where "Healing Through Art" was the focus. Through my art I was able to connect with a few who had lost loved ones in the recent tragedy. They were reassured to see and hear the good news of eternal love and healing that is possible. I look forward to continuing on this journey through similar opportunities where others can share in this experience.

Another focus of my work is on the Natural energy that surounds all living things. In this painting, "Spring Symphony" (below) I share my impression of a moment in time. While I was riding in my car, I glanced out the window as the Sun peeked out of the dark raincloud to reveal an intoxicating sea of wildflowers, while listening to the Brandenburg concertos. I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the moment.

J.G. Coleman Photography

J.G. Coleman Photography October 19-November 30, 2014 J.G. Coleman is an award-winning landscape photographer whose work is a celebration of the natural and agricultural heritage of the American Northeast, with a special emphasis on his home state of Connecticut. Building upon an early background in sketching and painting, Coleman ultimately discovered a passion for artistic communication through the aesthetics and rhythms of the natural world. He incorporates into his photography, the full range of dynamics in our living landscape, leveraging exquisite light, ceaseless motion of water and wind, transformative power of the seasons and an inexhaustible array of organic shapes, contrasts and colors. Coleman's work has been recognized by the Ct. Forest and Park Assoc., and National Park Service and he's taken part in various exhibitions, including those hosted by local conservation organizations such as the Madison Land Trust, Granby Land Trust and Glastonbury Adubon Society. He produces fine art prints. His work is available from his online galleries at JGCOLEMAN.COM. His imagery has also been used in editorial, magazine, advertising and museum contexts. The full breadth of J.G. Coleman's landscape photography is on display at his online gallery. He also hosts a photography blog, From the Field, where he routinely releases new work and elaborates upon the unique landscapes and fascinating histories that inspire him.

School Lunch Artwork by Lisa Deloria Weinblatt

September 7, 2014 through October 19, 2014

Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt graduated Magna Cum Laude, Art Department Honors, 1987, Queens College, Flushing, New York. She received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts, NYC, 1991 She has been awarded five Artist-In-Residence National Scholarships In 2005, Lisa exhibited in nine museum shows across the USA. She has had over 35 solo exhibitions and has exhibited in over 175 group shows. " Superb, large, figurative paintings that tell stories... of a social nature...Active and pensive only begin to describe the intent behind these remarkable works...a wealth of remarkable paintings that address such important contemporary issues as cultural diversity and the challenges inherent in personal relationships... Stephanie H. Plunkett, Chief Curator, Norman Rockwell Museum

Meditations on Water

Artists Barbara Soares and Jim Stasiak July 1, 2014 through August 9, 2014 "Meditations on Water," is a collection of fine art prints by award-winning photographers Barbara Soares and Jim Stasiak presents the transformative and healing nature of water. These images capture moments of tranquility, energy and flow which can be used for meditation and reflection. Water surrounds and envelopes us. We interact with it every day. This collection of photographs presents an opportunity to share our connections to water with you. The images were photographed in locations ranging from the mountains of New Hampshire and the rivers of Connecticut, to the ocean in Maine and the island of St. Lucia. We hope that you find the soothing reflections, rushing spray and gentle waves an invitation to pause and meditate, to imagine the fleeting movement of the water carrying you to a different state of mind and being. Bio / Artist's Statement: Barbara Soares Barbara Soares, MA, is an award-winning fine art photographer, reiki master, performance artist, and digital imaging pioneer. She received her training in photography and creative arts expression from The New School, Pratt Institute, Barnard College and The Graduate Institute, and has studied with Erica Steinberger, John Paul Caponigro, Tillman Crane and Alberto Villoldo. Her work has been shown in galleries, schools, and alternate spaces in New York City, Connecticut and Westchester, including the Mattatuck Museum, Canton Artists Guild, Silvermine Guild Arts Center, Washington Art Association, Artwell Gallery and the Atrium Gallery of the Warner Theatre. Barbara's style of bold color and photo/graphic design is derived in part from her experience in art therapy, transformational energy and reiki healing. Her work of the past 25 years has been done as a zen meditation in seeing, photographing and printing images as 'visual haiku' that challenge the viewer to perceive the world in a different light and composition. "My creative process involves getting to a 'no-mind' state, where I experience a scene intuitively, where time seems to stand still and magic can happen. Being able to capture a bit of that magic and transform it into a work that enables the viewer to experience that fleeting moment for as long as they wish is at the core of my work. Passion, resonance, shadow and light, form and movement, essence of the moment, essence of the heart - these are the raw materials I draw from and live for." Her most recent work, "Meditations On Water" is a collaboration with Jim Stasiak. For further information, she can be contacted at 860-354-7265; bsoares@lightofthenewmoon.com. Artist's Bio/Statement: Jim Stasiak Jim Stasiak is a photographer, instructor and printing arts professional residing in New Milford, CT. His work spans over 40 years of documentary, creative and travel photography, in both film and digital processes. He is experienced in professional retouching and optimizing of images for the fashion, music and specialty products industries; preparing images for fine lithographic printing; teaching professional Photoshop techniques for photographers and artists; and consulting in systems and software for the photographic process. His photos have been selected for juried shows at the Mattatuck Musem, Canton Artists Guild, Silvermine Art Center and Artwell Gallery. Jim has given workshops in Fine Art Giclée Printmaking at the New England Photographic Workshops and Northern Exposures Photographic Gallery. He was Gallery Director and digital photography instructor at the New England School of Photographic Arts, and attended Pratt Institute, where he was Photography Editor of the student newspaper. “A photograph records a moment in time. The translation of that moment into a meaningful image displays the photographer’s intent to capture the viewer’s imagination and curiosity, expand the viewer’s perception, and evoke an emotional response. My prints derive primarily from photographs: some are literal translations of the captured moment, others become the basis for images contained within the moment. Much as seeing a print develop in a tray of chemicals has always been magical for me, there is a similar thrill of discovery in finding and developing an image hidden in a photograph, and seeing it come to life in my digital darkroom. Being able to print these images and share them with the rest of the world is its own reward.” His most recent work, "Meditations On Water" is a collaboration with Barbara Soares. Contact Jim at 860-248-5924 or stasiakjames@sbcglobal.net.

RUTH PEARL PHOTOGRAPHY

May 4th through June 15, 2014

My passion has always been animals and nature's beauty. The camera is my way of documenting what I have witnessed and experienced. When looking at photographs I have taken, I relive the emotions of those moments. This collection is just a "swatch" of the 1400 photos I took in the Galapagos in March, 2013. Going to "The Enchanted Islands" was a surreal experience for me. The islands were formed by volcanic eruptions in the Pacific Ocean and each island has its own unique fauna and flora. The native animals haave no predators (other than the friendly Galapagos Hawk) and do not fear humans. I found their serenity contagious. Many times, I had to walk around a sea liton. Booby or tortoise that was not about to get off the trail marked for humans. When photographing animals, I prefer to focus on only one or a pair, capturing the esssence of each as an individual of its species. I took all of these photos of wildlife at close range. Other than some cropping, none of the photos was digitally enhanced. I am grateful that I have always had the good health and time to travel extensively. It is with the encouragement of my loving family, that I am sharing this collection. \ My hope is that by sharing these images, your adventuresome spirit will be activated, and that you will work to help protect our earth's animals and environment. I must add my emotions are entirely different when I look at photos I took while tenting in the Serengeti in Tanzania. There it is a violent world for animals, and I did not sleep well. Galapagos: A truly peacable kingdom . . . and for how much longer? https://www.dropbox.com/s/4zpk8frda9vuz1o/A%20Journey%20to%20the%20Enchanted%20Islands%20information.docx

Todd Umbarger March 24th through May 3, 2014

Todd Umbarger is a native of New Milford and a 1995 graduate of New Milford High School. Following his graduation from Hartford Art School in 1999 with a BFA in Illustration, he moved to New York City and worked for several web and media companies before embarking on a career in freelance illustration. He has been published in various editorial, institutional and educational entities and worked with clients such as HBO, Anheuser-Busch and the United Nations. He also created a popular series of online political cartoons and exhibited them at The Silo in New Milford in 2010. Umbarger has since returned to Connecticut and in 2012 made a transition into fine art. He is currently a graphic artist at Whole Foods Market Danbury. The “Point of Impact” series depicts the spectacle of an explosion as a surreal Pop art object. The explosion is both a horrific act of violence and a staple of modern entertainment. We recoil at the death and destruction caused at home and abroad by these fiery combustions while we simultaneously cheer the contemporary heroes of film, television and gaming who employ them regularly. The eruptions of “Point of Impact” are presented without context- no geography, no victims, no debris- and are pure solid forms of fire and smoke. Each panel is a unique exploration of shape and color while retaining a sense of force and light. “Point of Impact” also symbolizes one man’s long-desired burst of artistic energy after a demoralizing creative drought.

Deedee Calvey

February 8th through March 23, 2014 Deedee Calvey is an artist and tai chi instructor. She has been exhibiting locally since before the turn of the century! Born Donna Diane Ball, Dee remembers enjoying making art for as long as she can remember. Her kindergarten report card reads: Donna has good ability and especially enjoys and does well at art work. It is as true today as it was then. In touch with my creator, Deedee has become very present in trying to capture the beauty and movement of light and color. Finding symbols in the negative spaces delights her when she discovers them with her brush. Deedee says: “I am delighted when you like what i do!” Deedee has had many exhibits, the latest being at the Bank Street Coffee House and New Milford Public Library. She has done portraits of people, pets and homes and has been commissioned for various art project. She sells her paintings throughout the year. View slideshow Charles Gehm January 6-February 14, 2014 Sept 21-Nov 4, 2012 .

Charles Gehm January 5-February 9, 2014

Charles Gehm has been a fine artist and illustrator for over 60 years. Displaying exceptional talent as a child, he was selected to paint a large wall mural depicting The Intellectual Phases of Education on acoustic tiles in his Alliance, OH high school. When years later the old school was replaced with a new one, this mural was lovingly removed and reassembled in its new place of honor. Charles subsequently received the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He won the Scholastic Art Awards 1948 Certificate of Merit along with their scholarship to attend the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he studied under Joseph Canzani. His studies were interrupted by service in the Korean War; upon returning home he enrolled in the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. Charles enjoyed great success as an illustrator. During his long career he created book cover art for every major United States publishing house. His illustrated young adult books The Thanksgiving Treasure and A House Without a Christmas Tree (Scholastic) have both been televised. Also in his resume are magazine illustrations for Redbook, Reader’s Digest, and Good Housekeeping, record jacket covers for Columbia Records, and advertising art for clients including Delta Airlines, Kellogg’s, E&J Brandy and Land o’ Lakes. Highly prized, his collectible art projects include a series of limited edition Gone With The Wind prints (Marks Collection), Wizard of Oz prints (Marks Collection), and Grimm’s Fairy Tales plates (Bradford Exchange). He painted the now collectible poster for the film Barry Lyndon. Other movie posters include The Island, The River, The Betsey, and Death on the Nile. In 2002, The Board of the New York Stock Exchange selected him to create their Christmas card for that season. The original painting now hangs in the NTSE Museum. Along with his commercial projects, Charles worked as a fine artist. He has received numerous awards for his fine art, including Best in Show from The Butler Art Institute, OH, The Kent Art Association, CT, and The Richter Association for the Arts, CT. His oil and watercolor paintings have been shown in The Husberg Fine Arts Gallery, AZ, The Vanier & Roberts Gallery, AZ, The National Arts Club, NY, The Salmagundi Art Club, NY, as well as in various galleries in Connecticut. Sharing his love of art with students, Charles taught life drawing and painting at The Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, illustration at Pratt Institute, NY, and drawing, design, painting and illustration at Western Connecticut State University. He has been a member of The Society of Illustrators, The Salmagundi Club and The National Arts Club. Currently a member of The Oil Painters of America, he has participated in several of their group shows. Charles resides in Connecticut with his artist wife, Judy York.