Autumn Arts Festival

The Arts Center Killingworth presents its 12th Annual Autumn Arts Festival on the Madison Connecticut Town Green (Boston Post Rd/Route 1 and Copse Rd) Saturday, October 8 (9:30-5pm) and Sunday, October 9 (12-5pm), with a rain date of Monday, October 12 (10-5pm). This annual art event includes the original work of award-winning artists and fine artisans throughout Connecticut and the tri-state region.  On the Green this Columbus Day Weekend will be representational and abstract painters working in oil, wax, acrylic and pastel, collage artists, photographers, potters and ceramicists, glass artisans and jewelry designers showing pieces in silver, semi-precious stones and polymer clay.

For the third year, the Festival includes a six-week (September 23-November 6) juried Group Gallery Show at the Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store in Centerbrook.  Select pieces by Festival artists are presented and include painting, photography and mixed media collage, while the Store offers many one-of-a-kind fine crafts.  Spectrum Gallery, an expansion of the Arts Center Killingworth, located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT is open Wednesday-Saturday (12-6pm) and Sunday (12-5pm).

“We are very pleased that this is our 12th year presenting to the public this group of high-quality artists and fine artisans on such a picturesque spot on the Shoreline,” said Barbara Nair, Executive Director of the Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery. “We see people return each year for a weekend of art, music, and an up-close look at the creative process of established and emerging artists.”

Entrance to both the Autumn Arts Festival and Gallery Group Show is free.  In addition to the artist exhibits, the Green also includes several food options as well as musical performances both afternoons.  Visitors will receive a complimentary event program with map and booth locations of each artist, and information on upcoming Arts Center and Spectrum Gallery classes, workshops, and Gallery receptions.

“The Autumn Arts Festival this year has attracted artists from as far away as Garden City, NY, and Brewster and Yorktown Heights, NY.  At our relatively new gallery and store in Centerbrook, Spectrum Art Gallery, we have been working with many new artists for more than two years, and others longer through the Arts Center before the gallery opened.  Relationships are developing which is evident in the quality of fine art and crafts offered on the Green this year.  Our loyal returning public and new attendees will have much to enjoy on what we hope will be beautiful fall days this Columbus Day Weekend!” Read more.

To help plan a Festival visit, the Arts Center’s website (artscenterkillingworth.org) offers online galleries featuring artwork images and background on each participating artist. More photos and information can also be found on the Center’s various social media sites such as facebook.com/artscenterkillingworth, twitter.com/arts_center_ct, pinterest.com/artscenterct, and at instagram.com/spectrum_art_gallery.

The Arts Center Killingworth, a nonprofit founded in 2004, organizes outdoor festivals, and offers classes, camps and workshops for children, teens and adults. The Center provides volunteer opportunities for adults to become more involved with the arts and the community, while providing teens the opportunity to earn community service hours.  The Center also offers tax-deductible Membership which provides unique benefits including class and workshop discounts, member and donor special invitations, and advertising and fee discounts for artists, local and regional businesses.

Spectrum Gallery and Store in Centerbrook opened in the spring of 2014 and presents approximately six annual exhibits, showcasing representational and abstract painting, mixed media, sculpture and photography. The Artisans Store offers fine crafts in fabric, glass, ceramics, pottery, jewelry and more. Educational and interactive events such as classes and workshops, artist discussions and demos, and family day events are also offered at the Gallery.

• For more information about Arts Center programming visit www.artscenterkillingworth.org or call (860) 663-5593 / email artscenterkillingworth@gmail.com.  For more information about the Spectrum Gallery and Store visit www.spectrumartgallery.org or call

Summer Events Need Your Help: A Call for Volunteers - EXPO

                             EXPO
In celebration of its 57th year, the GUILFORD ART CENTER’s annual Craft Expo will return once again to the scenic and historic Guilford Green, celebrating the arts with its extensive array of handmade crafts by American artists. Craft Expo 2014 will be held for three days*: Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20. *Note the day changes this year!

Craft Expo 2014 will bring more than 180 nationally-recognized craft artists to Guilford, whose exquisite-quality works help rank this event as one of the top craft shows in New England and the country. As a celebration of the arts and a signature happening for the town of Guilford and the Connecticut shoreline, Craft Expo is a must-see summer event.

Have some extra time? Want to contribute to the arts? Volunteering at GAC is a great way to meet new people, experience art up close and learn new skills. We can use your talents in our shop, gallery, and at our summer Craft Expo on the Guilford Green. Because we value our volunteers, we say “thank you” with a discount in our shop and on our classes.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Set up Help, Thursday, July 17, starting 6pm
Set up Help, Friday, July 18, 9-11am

Assist artists as necessary transporting goods from vehicles to tent sites. Can be arduous, but is very helpful for the very appreciative artists.

Gate/Ticket sellers  This  job will keep you busy and is one of the most fun and important tasks at the fair. You will greet each customer as they come through the gate, take their money, make change, collect $1.00 coupons and postcards, give them a program and answer any questions that they might have. You also will send people to the HQ table for membership sales and renewals, show visitors how to orient themselves with the map of the grounds, or direct them to the Rest Rooms or Food Court. You will also need to verify members against a current membership list, and stamp the hands of guests who whish to re-enter the show.  There will be a notebook with complete instructions at the gate.

Silent Auction Helper   You will be helping to run the Silent Auction table. Tasks may include gathering donations from exhibitors, filling out bidding forms, setting up the table for the day, and showing fair patrons how to sign up for a bidding number. You will be working inside a tent; further instructions will be provided.

Friday (7/18): 11am-2pm   2-5pm   5-8pm
Saturday (7/19): 10am-1pm   1-4pm   4-6pm
Sunday (7/20): 12-4pm

Artist Ally  This is a great shift for someone who loves to interact with people. Artist Allies provide booth relief to any exhibitor who may need it so that they can take a 15 minute bathroom break, lunch break, etc. You are not allowed to make sales in their absence, just watch their booth and safeguard their merchandise. You will also walk through the fair and report any problems to staff, let people know where restrooms are and answer basic customer questions.

Kids Crafts Table
Friday (7/18), Saturday (7/19), Sunday (7/20), 1-4pm

Call for Photographic Artists

                                                      Posing in Yellow                                         Paul Beckman
Shoreline Arts Alliance will be hosting the 33rd annual IMAGES photography competition and exhibition at the Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford CT.  This is a Call for Photographic Artists to submit portfolios on any of the following dates and times: Friday, March 28, 4pm - 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, March 29 & 30, 10am - 4pm.  Portfolios may also be mailed to Shoreline Arts Alliance but must be received by Thursday, March 27.  Guidelines and submission information and forms may be downloaded from our website.  This year's photograph for posters and other marketing efforts is titled Posing in Yellow by Paul Beckman of Madison, CT.  This was one of the photographs exhibited during IMAGES 2013.  The poster and Call for Entry design for IMAGES 2014 have been generously donated by Chris Hyde and Lane Cooper of Cipher Creative Group.

IMAGES celebrates the art of photography in its man aspects, formats and technologies and encourages excellence among photographic artists. IMAGES is the oldest annual, statewide, professionally juried competition and exhibition open to all Connecticut photographers. All photographers with a passion and dedication to photography as an art form are invited to submit work for consideration by a distinguished panel of professionals. Judges for this annual competition bring varying areas of expertise to the review of photography and have included educators, curators, photographers, critics and gallery owners.

This year's panel of distinguished jurors include: Adriana Teresa Letourney, Co-founder and Creative Director of FotoVisura, Inc.; William Meyers, Photographer and Writer on Photography who has regularly written for The Wall Street Journal; and Steve Smith, Associate Professor of Photography at Rhode Island School of Design.  Jurying Day is March 31 and the panel of judges will spend the entire day carefully reviewing and discussing the works of art submitted for this competition and selecting the works that will be on display and selecting the award winners for IMAGES 2014.  Four First Honors winners are selected and receive a $500 cash award.  Jurors may also choose to recognize other photographers with Honorable Mention.  One photographer is awarded the Ann Christensen cash prize of $250.

Ann Christensen (1925-2010) was Executive Director of Shoreline Arts Alliance from 1982 – 1994. Through IMAGES, which she was involved with from its inception and oversaw during her tenure, she became a true aficionado of fine art photography.  The only thing that Ann loved more than the photographs in IMAGES was the photographers that she came to know and nurture over the years.  Through her influence, photography throughout Connecticut was deeply enhanced.  In fact, many photographers since the early years have worked on and participated in IMAGES, in no small measure because of their fondness for Ann.  She knew the power of photography and specified that she would like this award to be given for a photograph that has lasting impact on the viewer.
For Guidelines and Call for Entry click here.  For questions email donita@shorelinearts.org.