This year’s exhibition theme, Elemental Energies, focuses on the four elements, namely earth, air, fire, and water. These four elements of astrological tradition refer to the vital forces or energies that make up the universe. The artwork in the show is grouped according to these four categories. The works in a variety of media (with the exception of photography) by a group of about 45 contemporary artists, mainly from Connecticut and New York, were selected by the juror of the exhibition, Amy Smith-Stewart, who is the Curator at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield.
The artwork in the show ranges from paintings, prints, and mixed media collages to sculptures made of metal, glass, and found materials. The assemblages and sculptures of David Barnett, Robbii Wessen, and Lubomir Tomaszewski reference the elements of earth, air, fire and water. The New York artist Henry Richardson created a series of glass sculptures inspired by ice caves. His unique technique consists of combining traditional tools of stone sculpting with recent technological innovations in bonding glass. Richardson creates primal organic forms and ambiguous anthropomorphic elements, in which a fierce sensual energy inhabits the glassy surround.
Domingo Zapata, a Spanish-American artist, who divides his time between New York, Miami, and LA, creates bold and energetic paintings, layering fantasy and reality, luring the viewer into his potent, cosmically beautiful world. His striking Fire Engine Plane focuses on the explosive quality of an airplane’s engines spinning in the sky. He is currently preparing a poignant, commemorative mural for the lobby of Freedom Tower in Manhattan.
The dynamic prints by Don Axleroad and Tammy Nguyen share an interest in ancient mythology and the power of the elements. Visitors are invited to leaf through Nguyen’s large book, Bromelia Neoregelia, which literally unfolds into different forms as it tells the story of the transformation of the Greek god Hermes into a bromeliad plant. The narrative, which is told through images, text, the mechanics and materiality of the book, meshes together the morphology of the plant with a story of the hero, Achilles.
The exhibition is generously sponsored by Club Sandwich, HTG Investment Advisors, Karl Chevrolet, William Pitt Sotheby’s, South End, and Vista Wine and Spirits. Prizes for Juror’s Selections will be announced at the opening reception.
Two workshops for children ages 7-12 will be offered by the artist and teacher Nancy Scranton on the following Sundays from 2- 3:30 pm: March 8 and 22. Gen Re, the Kiwanis Club of New Canaan, the Newcomers Club, and the Rotary Club of New Canaan are sponsoring these workshops, which will be held at the Carriage Barn Arts Center. The fee is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Space is limited and reservations are required on the website: carriagebarn.org; 203-972-1895.
An Artists Talk will be held on Sunday, March 15, 3:30-5 pm. Admission is free and the talk is sponsored by the New Canaan Community Foundation.
Caramoor will host a performance by the Calidore String Quartet on Sunday, March 29 at 4 pm. To purchase $30 tickets, visit www.caramoor.org
In conjunction with the show, Feast on Art, a series of heirloom food lectures with culinary tastings will be curated by Analiese Paik of the Fairfield Green Food Guide and Chef Silvia Baldini of Strawberry and Sage.
On March 5 at 6:30 pm, Steve Conaway of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will speak about the history of the American chestnut, a Slow Food USA Ark of Taste food, and current efforts to restore it to its native woodlands.
On March 26 at 6:30 pm, author, beekeeper, and honey sommelier Marina Marchese will present a lecture about beekeeping, honey and terroir along with a tasting of three rare and coveted honeys catalogued in the Slow Food USA Ark of Taste. As part of each event, Chef Silvia Baldini will present a culinary demonstration and tasting showcasing each featured heirloom food in easy yet elegant recipes. Analiese Paik will discuss Slow Food USA Ark of Taste and heirloom foods, along with insider tips for sourcing them.
For more information and to register, visit the website: carriagebarn.org; 203-972-1895.
The fee is $25 per person and reservations are required.
This lecture series is sponsored in part by the New Canaan Community Foundation.
Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 29, 2015
Carriage Barn Arts Center / New Canaan Society for the Arts
Waveny Park, New Canaan
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 28, 6 – 8 pm
Contact: admin@carriagebarn.org / 203-972-1895
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm; Sunday, 1 – 5pm