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Memorial Day Parade
What a beautiful day for the Rowayton Memorial Day Parade!!!
RAC was proud to be a part of this Memorial Day tradition along with the Rowayton Gardeners, Rowayton Fire Dept, Historic Rowayton, Norwalk Land Trust and more as organized by the Rowayton Civic Association – thanks to RAC Board Member Charly Sahlia for lending (and driving) his classic Citroën automobile.
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Representing RAC (left to right): Executive Director Andrea Letters, Board Member Sarah Messmore, Board President Jay Wilson, Marketing Director Jane Seymour, Education Director Suzy Aubrey (behind with Charly in car) and Board/Exhibiting Member Pamela Proctor.
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RAC Gallery Assistants (Sarah Jackson, left, with Michelle Bjerke) hand out free popcorn to many happy visitors. The gallery was also open with Jam Studio selling tickets and merch for this year’s Porch Jam June 8! There will be another opportunity to purchase things Saturday, June 1 as well (10am-1pm)
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Community Sponsored Awards Opening Reception
Sunday, May 19
RAC’s Community Sponsored Awards show is on view now until June16! This year, artwork in the exhibition features local scenes by RAC Exhibiting Members with cash awards thanks to individuals and merchants in the area.
A special thank you to our friends in the community who contributed to the Community Sponsored Awards 2024: All Seasons Marine, Arden’s Rowayton, The Bait Shop, Brendan’s 101, Darien Rowayton Bank, E.R. Salvatore Associates, Fairfield County Bank, Images of Old Greenwich, The Kent Collection, Kim and Gil Kernan, The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, Rowayton Market, SAILS American Grill, UCBC Darien/New Canaan, Whitebridge Wine & Spirits and Tammy Langalis at William Raveis Real Estate Darien/Rowayton. More info about the judge Anna Greco and a list of award recipients at this link here.
Pictured here: State Senator Bob Duff (left) and 6th Taxing District Commissioner Tammy Langalis (right) beside the historical painting of the Farrell Estate Stables on loan from the Rowayton Community Center – Tammy is also a sponsor of the show as a realtor at William Raveis! Thanks to the 6th Taxing District for giving us permission to borrow it for this exhibition and to Historic Rowayton for sharing information about its provenance.
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Best Locally-themed Piece: Terry Atkin, “Brendan’s 101” (Watercolor) – SOLD at the opening!
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Best in Show and 1st Place Acrylics and Oils: Kris Toohey “Hum of Summer” (Oil Painting)
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3rd Place Photography: Edward Hortick “Bringing in the Catch, Peaks Ledge, Norwalk” (Black and White Photography)
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Honorable Mention Drawings, Mixed Media, Watercolor Pastels, Prints Collage: Judith Orseck Katz, “Wisteria in Southport” (Gouache and Ink)
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3rd Place Drawings, Mixed Media, Watercolor Pastels, Prints Collage: Amy Schott “Ogden’s Birds” (Mixed Media)
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1st Place Photography: Dana Laird “White Barn” (Color Photograph on Aluminum)
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2nd Place Acrylics and Oils: Kathy Draper “Norwalk River from East Norwalk” (Oil Painting) – SOLD at the opening!
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RAC Board President Jay Wilson (left) with RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters by her photograph “Garden Ghosts”
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3rd Place Acrylics and Oils: Gretchen Bruno “Lily’s Song” (Oil Painting)
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Honorable Mention Acrylics and Oils: Joel Flora “Marsh Sky” (Oil Painting)
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Winners with the judge Anna Greco, Director of Education at Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan, at left: (seated left to right) Stephanie Hilton, Dana Laird, Terry Atkin, (standing left to right) Edward Hortick, Jeanne McDonagh, Joel Flora, Kathy Draper, Richard Koleszar, Gretchen Bruno, Judy Katz and Amy Schott.
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RAC Classes and Workshops
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The July/August Session of Adult Weekly Classes is OPEN for Registration
Classes are available in Watercolor, Acrylics, Oils, Mixed Media, Collage, Book Making, and Drawing for all interests and experience levels.
Artwork here by instructor, Anda Styler who will be teaching “Painting with Light and Value” on Tuesday mornings.
Click here for full listing of weekly classes
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There are many new evening and weekend workshops happening this summer!
Participants just show up and RAC provides all the necessary art supplies and equipment.
Here’s a look at our summer lineup.
Artwork here by Lori Lohstoeter who will be teaching a “Gelli Plate Printmaking” workshop on Thursday, June 6 (6-8:30pm)
Upcoming workshops include:
- “Gelli Plate Printmaking” with Lori Lohstoeter on Thursday, June 6 (6-8:30pm)
- “Cyanotype Exploration” with Susanne Brandt on Saturday, June 8 (10am-1pm)
- “Recycled and Torn: The Art of Soft-Edged Collage” with Nancy McTague-Stock on Saturday, June 15 (10:30am-12:30pm)
- “Create Exciting Artwork Using Positive & Negative Space” with Nancy McTague-Stock on Saturday, June 22 (10:30am-12:30pm)
- “Intro to Monotype Printmaking” with Chris Shore from Center for Contemporary Printmaking on Thursday, July 11 (6-8:30pm)
- “Alla Prima Portrait Painting” with Felicia Feldman on two Fridays, July 12 and Friday, July 19 (10am-2pm)
- “Abstract Floral Paint Along” with Lenny Moskowitz on Saturday, August 3 (10:30am-3:30pm)
- “Structural Figure Drawing Workshop” with Eric Marsh on Saturday, August 24 (10am-3:30pm)
Click here for more info or to register!
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Still Time to Register for 3-Day Summer Workshops for Ages 7-12
Artwork here from a student of Laurie Ferrante who will be teaching “Summer 3-Day Workshops for ages 7-12” this summer.
- 3-Day Summer Art Workshops for Youth are offered weekly throughout July and August on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (2-4pm)
- Register for one or more workshops as the projects change weekly
Click here for more info or to register!
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Now through June 16, 2024 only!
All Media Exhibiting Member Show
This year, RAC encouraged Exhibiting Members to submit work with a local focus – from Rowayton to the rest of Fairfield County. While there was no requirement for this, there’s a new award for the best locally themed art, in addition to the media-specific awards. These awards were generously provided by individuals and businesses in our community!
Link to online gallery and more info here.
Visit the gallery Tuesday through Friday 12-5pm and Saturday or Sunday from 10am-1pm (summer hours through Labor Day weekend).
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June 23 through July 21, 2024
Juried Show, Open to All Artists (Photography and Sculpture only!)
This exhibition features artwork by area artists chosen from online submissions. List of accepted artists and more info here.
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Receiving: Monday, June 17 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, June 18 (12-2pm)
Opening Reception: Sunday, June 30 (4-6pm) **Please note new date!!!
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July 28 through August 25, 2024
All Media Exhibiting Member Show
This popular annual exhibition features artwork by RAC Exhibiting Members with a marine and coastal theme. More info here.
Prospectus
Receiving: Monday, July 22 (5-7pm) and Tuesday, July 23 (12-2pm)
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 28 (4-6pm)
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Another workshop, “Eyes on the Prize: Editing for Audience,” will take place on Sunday, June 23 at 4 pm with Sarah Schmerler, arts writing specialist and art critic. She will lead an active workshop that will teach artists to translate visual thoughts into words and write about their work with empowerment.
Sarah will build on the basics of Description and Narrative into which we delved previously; give us exercises to loosen us up and get us flowing; and now, show us how to analyze and tailor what we have written to meet our professional goals. This workshop is the third in a series, but those who have not previously attended last summer will fit right in!
Workshops are made possible by a grant from the Rowayton Civic Association. Preregistration is required. Click here for more info and to register!
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The RAC 5 – Joel Flora
Born and raised in Rowayton, Joel Flora has been a RAC exhibiting member for approximately 20 years. He has been on the board of RAC as well as on staff as an instructor. He attended Pratt Institute and received a BA in Industrial Design and also took courses at the Art Students League in NYC. He has exhibited his paintings in many galleries throughout New England. He also had a career in graphic arts at UBS Bank.
Joel attributes much of his inspiration
from his parents Jim and Jane, who were both successful artists. He is quite prolific in that he paints mostly in oils, but also watercolors, pastels and does garden sculpture as well.
What started you on your creative path?
I grew up in a family where both parents were exceptional artists and I was inspired by their creative energy. They were both instrumental in the start of the Rowayton Arts Center along with their neighbor Arno Scheiding. I ended up being most influenced by my mother’s creative portraiture and would watch her paint to see how it was done.
What medium do you work in and why?
I work mostly in oil paints as they allow for delicate changes in coloration and can be manipulated to create soft edges where necessary, especially in portraiture.
What is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Creating an emotional energy within the image so that it will leave a lasting impression upon the viewer.
Do you work on multiple pieces at once?
I like to have several paintings in the works as it helps energize my thinking. Each painting seems to lend some visual consideration to all the other ones that are still being worked on.
What inspires your artwork?
When I do landscapes I am trying to replicate the amazing beauty of the light that covers each aspect of the scene. When I paint people I am trying to show the delicate beauty of human emotions. It’s as if I want to breathe with them to discover what dances just under the skin.
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