October 2021 Newsletter
We at RAC are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mike Barbis. As a Norwalk Board of Education member, Mike spent many years advocating for our children’s education. He also served Rowayton as one of our 6th Taxing District Commissioners and was a true friend of the Arts Center. Some of us knew him for years, and others only knew of him, but we will all continue to benefit from the legacy of Mike’s dedication and passion. He will be greatly missed.
Andrea Letters, RAC Executive Director
There will be a memorial service for Mike Barbis Saturday, October 2 at 3pm on Bayley Beach. Attendees are asked to wear flip flops and preppy attire in his honor. Bring a cooler plus a favorite appetizer or dessert to share at the reception following the service. The town is expecting a big crowd so please give ample time to arrive. Parking in the beach parking lot is limited so please consider carpooling, biking, or parking at Rowayton Elementary School and walking.
LAST DAY Saturday, October 2
Exhibiting Members Show
Saturday from 10am-1pm.
More info and link to online gallery here!
Upcoming Exhibition
October 10 – November 6
All Media Juried Show Open to All Artists
Receiving:  Monday, October 4 (4-7pm) and Tuesday, October 5 (11am-2pm)
Opening Reception: Sunday, October 10 (4-6pm)
List of accepted artists and more info here!
RAC Classes and Workshops
Fall 2 Classes Begin in November
RAC’s Fall 1 session is in full swing and look for the Fall 2 class schedule online next week – remember to sign up early as class sizes are still small to allow for more space in the studio. Review the entire schedule at rowaytonarts.org/classes.
“Creative Explorations for 7 to 10 year olds” will meet in the RAC studio on Wednesday afternoons beginning October 20 and “ClayPlay@RAC” will meet there Thursdays afternoons beginning October 7. Education Director Suzy Aubrey will also be teaching “Cartooning and Caricatures” online on Thursdays beginning November 4. For more info on any of these classes, visit rowaytonarts.org/youth-classes-and-workshops.
RAC will also arrange private art classes and parties for all ages in small groups. Whether it be a private weekly art class, a Paint and Sip party or Open Sketch session, contact RAC Education Director Suzy Aubrey at education@rowaytonarts.org or call 203-866-2744 (x-2).
“Paint & Sip”
Thursday, October 28
6:30-8:30pm
Join RAC Instructor Susan Fehlinger as she leads participants through one of her serene landscape paintings (seen here). Susan will be painting with a palette knife, but students are welcome to paint with a brush if they wish. And as always, students are welcome to follow along or paint something of their own.
Fee: $45 (includes all equipment, materials and wine!) More info and register online here.
Photography instructor Thom Williams (his photograph here) will teach another session of online classes for both new and experienced photographers.
Starting next week, Thom Williams will offer four classes: Advanced Photography (beginning October 5 4-5:30pm), Beginner 2 Photography (beginning October 5 from 6-7:30pm), Beginner 1 Photography (beginning October 6 4-5:30pm) and Intro to Lightroom (beginning October 6 from 6-7:30pm).Open to all camera types. To review the entire schedule and register online, visit rowaytonarts.org/classes.
RAC Happenings
Marine and Coastal Art 2021 Opening
Sunday, September 5
This all media exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork by RAC Exhibiting Members with a marine and coastal theme. The Chair for the exhibition is Milan Chilla and the Co-chair is Josh Iguchi.
Winners were announced by the judge, Steven Parton: Best in Show: Tom Kretsch of Westport for “Evening Bliss, Sherwood Mill Pond, Westport” (Photography),1st Place: Dana Goodfellow of Darien for “Wave Action” (Painting), 2nd Place: Nancy Breakstone of Westport for “Sea Grass Reflection” (Photography), 3rd Place: Lilly Langotsky of Rowayton for “Sherwood Island” (Painting), Honorable Mention: Jay Wilson of Cos Cob for “Higher Power” (Photography) and Susan Leggitt of Norwalk for “Tidal Quiet” (Painting).
Lilly Langotsky with her Honorable Mention painting “Sherwood Island” (at top) and RAC Executive Director Andrea Letters (right)
Chair Milan Chilla (left) and Co-chair Josh Iguchi
Best in Show winner Tom Kretsch with his photograph “Evening Bliss, Sherwood Mill Pond, Westport” (center top)
Honorable Mention: Susan Leggitt, “Tidal Quiet” (center top)
Dana Goodfellow with her first place painting “Wave Action” (at bottom)
Marilyn and John Parker enjoying the back porch
Nancy Breakstone with her 2nd Place photograph “Sea Grass Reflection”
Gallery Assistant Emily Wright ready with beverages
Darien Sport Shop Charity Shopping Event
RAC was chosen by the Darien Sport Shop to participate in the 2021 Charity Shopping Event with other nonprofits in the area. For a $10 donation to RAC, shoppers receive 15% at the store on October 6, 7 and 8. Stop by the gallery to support RAC by buying a coupon plus a few more for family and friends. RAC keeps all of the proceeds! #shoplocal
In Memoriam
With heavy hearts, we share news of the passing of two RAC members…
Bridget Cusack
Bridget Cusack of Darien passed away peacefully in her home on September 19, 2021. Bridget grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent. She taught the deaf for more than 20 years in New York City and led the first New York City production interpreted into sign language in association with the Eugene O’Neill Foundation for the Deaf. Along with her husband Robert, Bridget directed and acted in countless plays in Manhattan and Connecticut, including performances with the Darien Players and at Darien Library. Bridget was also an accomplished playwright and an award-winning painter as a member of the Rowayton Arts Center. Contributions in Bridget’s memory and in celebration of her life and work on behalf of the deaf may be made to the New York Deaf Theatre at newyorkdeaftheatre.org.
Pamela Davis
Pamela Davis of Rowayton, CT, died September 18, 2021, of complications from lung cancer. She graduated cum laude from Boston College and received her MBA from Columbia Business School. After 20 years in finance, Pam applied her experience and talents to several non-profit organizations, including the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, King School, Norwalk Land Trust, and Silvermine Art Center. She was an avid watercolorist, always experimenting with the medium and passionate about landscape.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Inspirica, of Stamford, CT.
Time to think about the Holiday Gift Show 2021 – drop off dates are November 15, 16 and 17!