While living in the long shadow of New York’s cultural powerhouses offers riches that make our region great, there’s no denying that come late fall and winter, short and often frigid days make us want to stay put. Thankfully for us, there’s so many EASILY ACCESSIBLE ARTISTIC OFFERINGS right in our own backyard. Here, WE MAP SOME FAVORITES from the city’s tippy top to the bottommost bottom.
North Stamford to Ridgeway
1
BENDEL MANSION
39 Scofieldtown Rd.
stamfordmuseum.org
Designed in the 1920s by department store magnate Henri Bendel, this enchanting estate served as a private residence for nearly two decades prior to becoming the home for the permanent art collection at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Rotating exhibits are as popular as the famed outdoor sculpture garden.
2
AN ARTIST WORTH KNOWING
HOLLY DANGER
hollydanger.com
Holly Danger is a Stamford-based immersive experiential video artist whose work transforms the spaces they inhabit. Her first solo show was at the Bruce Museum in 2021. Her installations provide a distinctive and encompassing experience unlike any other. In addition to her gallery and museum work, she collaborates and takes commissions for companies and live events.
3
AN ARTIST WORTH KNOWING
ILYSE LYMAN
ilyselymanart.com
A self-taught contemporary artist, Ilyse Lyman works from her home studio in North Stamford. Painting with acrylics, Lyman uses vibrant colors and high-gloss resin on pop culture portraits of icons such as Muhammad Ali and Taylor Swift. Her work was recently featured at the JCC.
4
AN ARTIST WORTH KNOWING
STUART YANKELL
yankell.com
For more than four decades, Stuart Yankell has painted around the world but calls the studio/gallery he bought two years ago in North Stamford home. His large-scale paintings featuring broad brushstrokes that straddle realism and abstraction are a favorite of celebs like Dave Matthews and Carlos Santana.
5
YANKELL LEGACY GALLERY
61 Studio Ct.
yankelllegacygallery.com
Situated along the Rippowam River, in the home studio originally built in 1916 by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mt. Rushmore, artist Stuart Yankell’s gallery is sure to make your jaw drop. The stunner has also played host to “Beetle Bailey” creator Mort Walker and painter/printmaker Leon Bibel. Check out the space by appointment only.
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Downtown
6
THE MAYOR’S GALLERY
888 Washington Blvd.
@the_mayors_gallery_stamford
The 10th floor of the Government Center features the works of both seasoned and emerging artists through six annual shows. The exhibits are open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
7
AN ARTIST WORTH KNOWING
ALISSA SIEGAL
alissasiegal.com
An accomplished teaching artist, Alissa Siegal’s body of work includes meditative interiors and expressive portraits. Once the head of Loft Artists Association, Siegal is also committed to public works, including “The Flower Walk” at the Bennett Cancer Center, “Great Futures Start Here” at the Stamford Boys & Girls Club and a series of electrical box projects throughout town that act like a punctuation mark to an otherwise pedestrian day.
8
STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION (SAA)
39 Franklin St.
stamfordartassociation.org
This nonprofit dedicated to exhibiting emerging and professional local artists includes members ranging from painters to sculptors, photographers to multimedia practitioners. SAA curates exhibits at the Ferguson Library (1 Public Library Plaza) and at The Townhouse Gallery (39 Franklin Street). “Art at The Ferguson” is open for viewing in the third-floor auditorium during library hours and the Townhouse Gallery is open Friday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. SAA also runs workshops and classes for both children and adults.
9
STAMFORD TOWN CENTER
100 Greyrock Pl.
sen2figueroa.com
It’s impossible to miss the enormous mural spanning the Greyrock façade of Stamford Town Center by renowned graffiti artist Sen2 Figueroa, whose work can be seen all over the world and in celeb collections, including that of Robert DeNiro. The structured colors and lines of our local masterpiece are worth a closer look than drive-bys allow. Sen2 worked with six team members over two weeks to complete the project that brought fresh life to the long-standing building.
10
UKRAINIAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
161 Glenbrook Rd.
ukrainianmuseumlibrary.org
Billed as “the oldest Ukrainian cultural institution in North America,” this local stalwart houses fine, folk and religious art as well as an extensive library collection. Permanent displays include virtual exhibits as well for days too rainy or snowy to make it in person. Also known as “The Chateau,” the museum is open to the public Wednesday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
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South End/Harbor Point/Cove
11
LOFT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION (LAA)
575 Pacific St.
loftartists.org
Founded nearby in 1978 by a trio of local artists, the current location of this South End members-only collective now houses shared and private workspaces for its current roster of 31 artists. It also serves as home to exhibits, events and workshops. With offerings ranging from gallery events to children’s Summer Saturday classes, there is always something happening on Pacific Street. The super popular Open Studios event takes place from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10 and is your chance to meet and mingle with members.
12
THE VILLAGE
4 Star Point Rd.
thevillagestamford.com
Art at the Village includes a residency program, pop-ups, large-scale installations and exhibits. “Dream Big,” the vibrant 48-foot mural by Patrick Ganino depicting a Waterside School student painted on the side of the property shortly after it opened has become one of the city’s most popular public works.
13
AN ARTIST WORTH KNOWING
LAUREN CLAYTON
@studio162design
Accomplished local artist and graphic designer Lauren Clayton, who founded Studio 162, is committed to creating art in her own backyard. You probably already know her work at Kiwanis Park, Liberations Programs house and CoCreate (among others). “All Walks of Life” at the Bedford Street garage (17 Forest St.) is her latest local public work, for which she led seven other Stamford artists in collaboration.
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Express yourself
For when your own INSPIRATION STRIKES, check out three CREATIVE OUTLETS where you make and take masterpieces
14
PINOT’S PALETTE
in Harbor Point is the Stamford offshoot of the popular nationwide paint-and-sip studio, where instructors guide artists of all ages through on-site and virtual events.
pinotspalette.com
15
LUCKY PENNY
on Hope Street offers paint-your-own-pottery classes and private events for budding artists of all ages and skill levels.
luckypennyct.com
16
STUDIO ANDREAS
on Glenbrook Road is a woodworking and textile arts space with classes so popular they’re often sold out.
studioandreaswoodworking.com