January 2021 Newsletter
Happy New Year!!!
We want to thank you for your support, patronage and participation with RAC this past year. We wish you and your families the best for a happy and healthy 2021!
Steve Mernick, RAC Board President
Upcoming Exhibitions
January 10 – January 31, 2021
Open to RAC students and instructors who participated in any weekly class during 2020 as well as Open Sketch students who attended sessions regularly.
Receiving: Monday January 4 (3-7pm)  and Tuesday, January 5 (10am-2pm)
Opening Reception: Sunday, January 10 (2-6pm)
February 7 through March 6, 2021
Exhibiting Member Show with Floral Displays by Rowayton Gardeners
Receiving: Monday, February 1 (4-7pm) and Tuesday, February 2 (11am-2pm)
Opening Reception: Sunday, February 7 (4-6pm)
Theme: In the dark of winter, we dream about being In the Garden.
Warm sun on our face, the scent of earth in our nose, the blush of tender shoots popping up through barren ground; these memories give us hope and comfort on dreary days and cold nights. Life comes full circle again.
RAC Classes
Winter Classes begin next week! The Winter 2021 schedule starts up January 4 with a full slate of adult and children art classes both online and in studio. To review the entire schedule, visit rowaytonarts.org/classes.
Two adult classes will be held in the RAC studio: “Mixed Media and Collage” (at right Instructor Mari Gyorgyey assists a student during this class in the RAC studio) and “Intro to Watercolors” with Instructor Nancy McTague-Stock. The rest will be held online via Zoom: oil painting, watercolor, drawing, plus portraiture, pastels and more.
“Creative Explorations for 6 to 9 year olds” will meet in the RAC studio on Wednesday afternoons from 4–5:15 pm, beginning January 13. There will also be an Online Cartooning Class meeting on Zoom on Thursdays from 4–5 pm taught by Education Director Suzy Aubrey.
RAC will also arrange private art classes and parties for groups of six or less. Whether it be a private weekly art class, a Paint and Sip party or Open Sketch session. Contact Suzy for more info about any of the above at education@rowaytonarts.org or call 203-866-2744 (x-2).
ONLINE Print and Sip
with Nancy Chapman
Tuesday, January 21
4:30–6:00pm
RAC Instructor Nancy Chapman will lead participants through the Gelli plate printmaking process, demonstrating the variety of ways the plates can be used. Participants will be creating both prints and cards, with Nancy offering ideas on what to do next.
The fee for the class is $50 (includes your own Gelli plate printmaking kit and all other supplies). RAC will deliver art materials within a 20 mile radius. For all others, shipping will be arranged for an extra charge. Register online at rowaytonarts.org/workshops. A Zoom invite will be sent out a day or two before the event.
RAC Happenings
Holiday Gift Show
November 27 – December 24
Looks like the Holiday Gift Show 2020 sales went beyond the goal even during a pandemic (not to mention the nor’easter) thanks to 65 talented vendors. There was a shopping night December 9 with merchants in town staying open until 8 pm, creating a Rowayton Gift Stroll for all to enjoy. Up in Pinkney Park, visitors shopped Seaside Delights along with unique vendors in The Rowayton Historical Society Boathouse. In town, Chou Chou was full of special goodies, while SAILS offered a discounted cocktail and Rowayton Wine Shop hosted live music with Christan Rottner as well as tastings by SoNo 1420 (photo below). And down the street Brendan’s 101 displayed artwork by Joanne Gray of Seaside Delights and of course lots of Rowayton merch!
Gallery Spruce Up – Many thanks to Executive Director Andrea Letters and son Alex for spending some of their holiday week painting the gallery!
Opportunity for Artists
Open Call for Artists
The Art Essex Gallery in Westport is pleased to announce its 6th Annual Invitational Exhibition, February 5 through 29, 2021. This live juried show will be located in the heart of the bustling shopping district at 166 Main Street. Application deadline is January 18.
For more info about the gallery and to apply, visit artessexgallery.com.
In Memoriam
Thomas A. Ranges
A longtime member of RAC and Rowayton resident, Tom Ranges passed away Monday, December 21 with his wife, Christie, and his son, Peter, at his bedside. He was also a founding member of The Rowayton Yacht Club and lifetime member of The Art Students League of New York. His paintings and iPad sketches were well known in the community and enjoyed by many. Contributions in Tom’s memory can be made to The Convent of St. Birgitta, 4 Runkenhage Road, Darien CT 06820 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Next artist selection for new exhibiting members is in late January – check the website for updates!