Newsletter – January 2026

Rowayton Arts Center’s mission to bring the study, creation, and appreciation of the arts to the community has never been more important. Our board, staff and artists are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support during our Annual Appeal! If you haven’t yet made a tax-deductible gift, there’s still time. Please donate right now through this link: rowaytonarts.org/donate

Jay Wilson, RAC Board President

RAC Happenings

Holiday Gift Show 2025 Recap

Thanks to everyone who came and shopped items by over 60 talented artists and artisans at this year’s Holiday Gift Show! The gallery was a busy place during the first Rowayton Stroll (photo at right) and we also hosted a Members’ Preview (photos below) before opening day. Kudos to RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters and RAC Board Member Pamela Proctor for rethinking the space to provide such an elevated shopping experience this year!

RAC Education Director Suzy Aubrey (left) with RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters (right)

RAC Exhibiting Member Hanneke Goedkoop (left) chatting with Board Member Pamela Proctor

RAC Classes and Workshops

Winter Weekly Classes are open for registration!

Grab a spot and get creative this season…  

Adult Weekly Classes

Adult Short Term Workshops

Youth and Teen Classes

Image from Evelyn Harvey’s “Foundations of Drawing & Painting” class which will run on Thursday mornings during the month of February.  This class is ideal for beginners as well as returning artists eager to refresh essential skills and rebuild confidence in their creative practice. 

Upcoming Workshops:

Encaustic Explorations with Carolyn Childs

Wednesday, January 21 (6:30-8pm)

This workshop is an introduction to the encaustic art medium and will be fun and engaging for all levels of artistic skill. You’ll learn various encaustic techniques using a hot iron and wax, and will have the opportunity to explore painting on multiple surfaces. Bring your curiosity to explore art and have a restorative creative experience. 

Fee: $70 (includes all supplies)

Large Painting Paint Along with Lenny Moskowitz

Saturday, January 24 (10:30am-3:30pm)

This one-day workshop is an opportunity to paint a 30” x 30” canvas while using the reference painting here for creating one’s own composition. This guided “paint along” is great for any level of artistic experience; including those who wish to stretch their skills through working larger and those who are new to painting. Everyone’s work will be unique. 

Fee: $175 (includes all supplies)

Heart & Arts Valentine Workshop with Nancy McTague-Stock

Sunday, February 1 (10:30am-12:30pm)

Create a piece of artwork about Love! Students will have the ability to create in their favorite media with lots of guidance and shared ideas from Nancy. Gorgeous cardstock with matching envelopes for special Valentine card making, or if you prefer, make a 22” x 15” piece of art for that special someone. We’ll provide the supplies so all you need to do is show up. Acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, markers and collage supplies ready for you to explore!

Fee: $80 (includes all supplies)

From Drawing into Painting: Fundamentals of Portraiture with John Grieco

Sundays, February 7 & 14 (11am-2pm)

This 2-day workshop is geared toward teaching students the relationship between drawing and painting and how they can be used to eventually create a full color portrait. John will demonstrate how to work from the model using the “massing” method. He will also demonstrate how to mix a foundational color palette to use in portrait painting and will explore additional palettes that artists have used throughout the centuries to create portraiture.

Fee: $175 (including model fees)

Upcoming Exhibitions

January 11 through January 31, 2026

Artist Eligibility: Any person who participated in or taught a weekly class at RAC during 2025. Deadline is Friday, January 2, more info here!

Receiving: Monday, January 5 (12-6pm) and Tuesday, January 6 (12-6pm)

Opening Reception: Sunday, January 11 (4-6pm)

February 8 through March 7, 2026

All Media Exhibiting Member Show

How Many Works: One work per artist

Deadline for online submissions is Friday, January 30 at Midnight (link to form will be live approximately three weeks ahead!)

Cash Award: The Hu Lindsay Memorial Award – $250 for the highest prize in Mixed Media.

Receiving: Monday, February 2 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, February 3 (12-2pm)

Opening Reception: Sunday, February 8 (4-6pm)

In Memoriam

Gillian Marshall

Gillian Marshall died peacefully at her home in Norwalk in late November. She was a long-time Exhibiting Member at RAC, known for her travel photos as well as capturing local scenes in town. Gillian spent many happy years traveling and living abroad teaching English to students of all ages. She also adored the Norwalk Symphony and was a tennis enthusiast, having played in college. There is a Celebration of Life planned at the United Church of Rowayton on Saturday, January 10 (11 am) – all are welcome to attend.

This photo of Gillian by Erik Trautmann is from The Norwalk Hour article publicizing her photography show “Reflections of the Soul: My India” at the Rockwell Gallery back in 2012.

Happy New Year!