Newsletter – April 2025

RAC Artists Talk

Thursday, April 24 at 6 pm

Join us for an evening of conversation with artists in the upcoming exhibition, Spring Juried Show. Moderated by RAC Exhibiting Member Mindy Green, this event is an opportunity to learn more about the creative process from a varied group of individuals devoted to their art. 62 pieces were accepted for this show from almost 400 submissions – congrats to the 49 artists whose work was chosen! More info here.

RAC Happenings

Abstraction Opening

Sunday, March 16

RAC’s Abstraction show on view now until April 5!!! This annual exhibition features 70 pieces of artwork by our Exhibiting Members. Thanks to all who joined us on a gloomy opening day Sunday, March 16. List of award recipients, link to online gallery and more info here.

Standing by the artwork awarded the Hu Lindsay Award for Best Mixed Media, Lori Lohstoeter’s “Unbridled Triptych,” are members of the family (left to right): David Lindsay, Allison Lindsay, Marcia Powell, Max Lindsay-Capobianco and Paul Capobianco.

Winners in attendance (left to right): Arthur Nager, Hanneke Goedkoop and Robert Lansden

Arthur Nager (left) accepts his 3rd Place ribbon from RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters (right) while Pamela Proctor (center) looks on.

3rd Place: Robert Lansden “Silent Witness #9” (Ink on Paper)

2nd Place: Arthur Nager “Handball Court Study” (Photography)

Catching up with friends in the gallery

Honorable Mention: Hanneke Goedkoop “Coral Reef Edition III” (Monoprint)

RAC Classes and Workshops

We have a great variety of short term workshops this Spring!

• Will McCarthy (his image above) will be at RAC the weekend of April 5 and 6 to share the techniques he uses to paint his signature “Atmospheric Landscape” paintings. Oil paints, brushes and canvases will be provided.  
• Michelle Bjerke will also be at RAC the weekend of April 5 and 6 teaching Crochet to adults and to youth ages 8+. 
• Try one of our Encaustic workshops this Spring. We’re offering short term classes in Encaustic Photography and Painting with Encaustic Wax. 
• Also workshops available in Drawing and Painting Flowers.
• The next session of Weekly Art Classes for Adults will begin the week of May 12th and will be open for registration on April 4. 

Image here by Will McCathy who will be teaching “Atmospheric Landscape”

Adult Workshops

Adult Weekly Classes

 Youth Weekly Classes

Online Photography classes with Thom Williams continuing throughout the Spring

These classes are a good choice if you’re looking to upgrade, perfect or challenge your photographic skills. Photo at right by Thom Williams.

• ““Beginner 2 Photography” on Wednesdays, April 9 – April 30 (6-7:30pm)
• “Intermediate Photography” on Wednesdays, May 7 – May 28 (6-7:30pm)

Click here for a full listing of Photography classes

Current Exhibition

Now through April 5, 2025 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 15 through May 10, 2025

All Media Juried Show, Open to all artists

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

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

Opening Reception:  Wednesday, April 16 (5-7 pm) due to holiday conflict

May 19 through June 16, 2024

All Media Exhibiting Member Show

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 an award for the best locally themed art, in addition to media-specific awards. These cash 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 12 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, May 13 (12-2pm)

Opening Reception:  Sunday, May 18 (4-6 pm)

Other News

THE RAC 5 – Sandy Aldrich

Sandra Aldrich took her first art lesson at the newly formed Rowayton Arts Center in 1960 on the second floor of what is now Brendan’s 101 before the organization moved to our current location in the mid 1960s. Sandra served on the Board of Directors in the late 60s, and has been a member now for over 65 years. Her iconic 1987 Rowayton poster featuring RAC as it was then, hangs in many Rowayton homes and is still a popular item in our gallery. (image of the poster below with a photo of her studio, right.)

What started you on your creative path?

At about 10 years old I started painting copies of art that I liked but did not really get going until I was out of college, married, had children and moved to Rowayton, joined the Arts Center and took my first painting lesson. Having a room in our house that I could use as a studio was a big help.

What medium do you work in and why?

I like the looks and feel of acrylics (I am allergic to oils) but my family likes my watercolors better so I do about an equal number of each.

What time of day do you feel most creative?

Not in the morning!! It really depends on having good light so generally mid-day- and sometimes at night as I get into a painting.

Who are a few of your favorite artists?

I love the impressionists – Monet, Renoir, Degas, Matisse – equally the works of Hopper and Sargent. And I have really liked the works by many of our local artists including Gayle Asher from whom I took art classes.

Five words to describe your art?

Colorful, Cheerful, Diverse, Natural, Sharp

Learn more about Sandy: sandrafaldrich.com

Welcome to new RAC Exhibiting Members: Meg Le Comte, Connie Van Rhyn, Gwendolyn Morris