Newsletter – April 2024

TIE ONE ON to Help RAC’s Garden Grow

As a fundraiser for the In the Garden show, RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters was inspired by the Japanese tradition of Omikuji, providing paper “blossoms” (each color corresponding to a different donation level) to tie on a topiary in the gallery. Visitors and members alike are also encouraged to write either what they like about RAC or what they wish for us in the future!

Here is RAC Exhibiting Member Dana Laird putting one on at the opening reception – this is the last week for this whimsical fundraiser, as the show closes Saturday, April 6. #ArtLivesHere

RAC Happenings

In the Garden Opening Reception

Sunday, March 10

The In the Garden Show is on view until Saturday, April 6! This all media exhibition features artwork by RAC Exhibiting Members with a floral or garden theme. More info and list of award recipients at this link here. 

Winners in attendance with the juror (left to right): Amy Schott, Sally Fine, Laure Dunne, Judge Kimberly Henrikson, Executive Director of the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, Ronnie Gold and Maggie Swanson.

Best in Show: Sally Fine “Profusion” (Oil)

Honorable Mention: Amy Schott “Garden Bulbs” (Mixed Media)

Kimberly Henrikson gives a ribbon to Mari Gyorgyey while Andrea Letters looks on

2nd Place: Mari Gyorgyey “Chair Bouquet” (Acrylic)

3rd Place: Hanneke Goedkoop “Birdsnest I”

1st Place: Maggie Swanson “Signs of Spring” (Watercolor)

Honorable Mention: Laure Dunne “Spring Shower” (Photography)

Honorable Mention: Ronnie Gold “Mademoiselle” (Pastel)

RAC Classes and Workshops

Class Update

There are a few spots left in Jill Nichols’ online “Spring Fever” class which begins Tuesday, April 2 (3-5pm) and in Nancy McTague-Stock’s in-studio Watercolor classes that begin Monday, April 8. The next session of weekly classes will begin in early May.  New classes will be posted online this week.

Artwork here by Jill Harrington Nichols who will be teaching an online Landscape Painting class titled “Spring Fever” beginning Tuesday, April 2 (3-5pm).

Click here for full listing of weekly classes

Register for one of our short term workshops scheduled throughout the months of April and May with more options being added to our line up. Upcoming workshops include:

Atmospheric Landscapes

with Will McCarthy

Saturday, April 13 (10am-4pm) and

Sunday, April 14 (11am-3pm)

Fee: $310 (includes oil painting supplies)

More info here!

Indigo Dyeing

with Laura Berkowitz Gilbert

Sunday, April 21 (10am-1pm)

Fee: $150 (includes all supplies)

More info here!

How to Paint Abstract Florals

with Dana Goodfellow

Sunday, April 28 (10:30am-12:30pm)

Fee: $75 (includes all supplies)

More info here!

Gelli Plate Printmaking and Collage

with Mari Gyorgyey and Pam Lindberg

Saturday, May 4 (10am-1pm)

Fee: $105 (includes all supplies)

More info here!

Youth Classes and Workshops

“3-Day Summer Workshops” for ages 7-12 will be starting in July and will run through the end of August. Workshops run weekly Tuesdays through Thursdays (2-4pm) with new themes and projects each week. Students can register for one or more weeks.

More info here!

Also, Michelle Bjerke will be back at RAC teaching  “Crocheting for Kids” on Thursdays (5-6pm) starting May 9.

More info here!

Current Exhibitions

Now through April 6, 2024 only!!!

All Media Exhibiting Member Show

Link to online gallery and more info here.

Visit the gallery Tuesday through Friday 12-5pm or Saturday from 10am-1pm

Upcoming Exhibitions

April 14 through May 11, 2024

All Media Juried Show, open to all artists

See list of accepted artists and learn more about the judge here.

Receiving:  Monday, April 8 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, April 9 (12-2pm)

Opening Reception:  Sunday, April 14 (4-6 pm)

May 19 through June 16, 2024

All Media Exhibiting Member Show

This year, RAC encourages Exhibiting Members to submit work with a local focus – from Rowayton to the rest of Fairfield County. While there’s no requirement for this, there’s a new award for the best locally themed art, in addition to the media-specific awards. These awards are generously provided by individuals and businesses in our community!

Submissions link will be live later this month – more info here.

Prospectus

Receiving:  Monday, May 13 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, May 14 (12-2pm)

Opening Reception:  Sunday, May 19 (4-6 pm)

Member Spotlight

The RAC 5 – Lilly Langotsky

Lilly Langotsky has been a RAC Exhibiting Member since 2004 after moving to her beloved historic (and haunted) house on Craw Avenue. She studied painting and graphic arts at Pratt Institute and had a career in publishing, spending 25 years as a book designer and illustrator at Random House.

What started you on your creative path?

My mother was a painter and I always painted with her. We would color black and white photographs using Q tips which we dipped into a Vaseline-like medium and then into color pigment, applying the color in a circular motion onto the photograph. I knew at that time I wanted to do pursue painting.

What medium do you work in and why?

Mostly in oil paint, some watercolor as well. But I love the smell of oil, the feel of it. I love the fluidity of it. I like to work with oil on wood. I like the resistance of the palette knife on the wood, you can get lush colors and a lot of paint.

Who are a few of your favorite artists?

Richard Diebenkorn, Gerhardt Richter, Pierre Bonnard, April Gornik and the Impressionists. I also love the work of Richard Mayhew, who is a little-known black artist who does a lot of memory work in very bright colors; almost dreamlike beautiful landscapes.

Do you listen to anything while you are working on your art?

I listen to Motown, I love a good rhythm while I work, I can step back and I can do a few dance steps! I like to be upbeat when I am working. I love Aretha, Ella, I love the 60s and Sam Cooke, he is one of my favorites.

What inspires your artwork?

Nature inspires me. I love the light and just looking out and being able to transport my-self into that space. 

Welcome Spring!