MEETINGS 2020 - 2021
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month, September through May. Please check the home page for notice of any cancellation.
Temporarily, monthly meetings will be held online, via Zoom. Given the current safety considerations due to Covid-19, research is well underway for a meeting space that will be safe for everyone.
Since we are meeting virtually, we are working on ways to bring the Art of the Month program back to our members. Stay tuned for news.
Noted fine artist Alan James will provide a demo for viewing. Alan is an award-winning watercolor artist and teacher; his art appears in collections worldwide. Alan has studied with some of the great watercolor masters such as Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic, and Herman Pekel. His art captures the very soul of his subjects with passion, boldness and elegance. His paintings are imbued with a mood, a mystery that engages and lures the viewer into the magic.
Our guest artist Agnes Wnuk will demonstrate the art of urban sketching using pen and watercolor wash technique. She will also talk about materials used in the field. Have your sketchbook and pens handy to sketch along. Agnes teaches urban sketching techniques in Southbury and Cheshire. Her watercolors have been shown in solo and group shows.
Sandra Wakeen, nationally and internationally renowned painter and teacher, has pursued a life-long devotion to her art. Following a family tradition of three generations of artists, Sandra began her studies at Paier School of Art, graduating with honors in 1978. Beginning as an illustrator and portrait artist, she continued her studies with Tony Ryder in a month-long residency at Studio Escalier in France and with Betty Pat Gatliff studying Forensic Facial Reconstruction at Scottsdale Artists School.
December 16
Jan McCollum
Dioramas
Rescheduled to April due to weather.
Our guest artist, Jane Penfield, will demonstrate how to create beautiful winter landscapes with their long shadows in glorious blues and purples under subtle winter skies. An award-winning pastel artist Jane is drawn to nature, as well as to the human influence on it. Jane is a teacher and exhibitor, having been juried into many prestigious exhibits. She has a long list of awards and prizes to her credit.
Our guest artist, Polly Castor, will present a PowerPoint talk on abstraction (the whole range from Impressionism to non-objective). She will help you see more abstractly and understand abstraction better. Polly is a painter, photographer, workshop leader, blogger, poet....the list goes on - a true renaissance woman! Polly shared quotes about abstraction and ideas for creating abstractions.
March 17
Amy Brnger
Dynamic painting
Our guest artist, Amy Brnger, will use a video to demonstrate how to paint dynamically and free your brushstrokes. This technique can be used with both small scenes (blossoms, still life) or large landscapes. Amy’s work is exhibited and sold throughout New England.
April 21
Jan McCollum
Dioramas
Years ago, Jan McCollum's helped a friend build a dollhouse and his passion for creating small scale pieces began. Jan has combined this interest in dioramas (miniature scale three-dimensional models) and his love for railroads (both replicas and the real ones!). He has built models for collectors, enthusiasts and hobbyists – especially creating railroad bridges. During the upcoming December meeting, we will see several of Jan’s creations including a 1/4" scale diorama of Mansfield Depot set in the 1950's - where he grew up.
May 19
Peter Millett
Cheney artists
Annual meeting. Our guest, Peter Millet, will give a presentation on "History through Art” at the Cheney Homestead. Learn how artwork at the Homestead teaches complex historical concepts, while highlighting our connection to significant early American people and events. Explore what motivates creative people and how our own works are a point-in-time record of historical images, thoughts and feelings. Pete Millett has studied and practiced craftsmanship for over 40yrs. He serves on the Board of the Manchester Historical Society and directs the Cheney Homestead Museum and its Cheney Homestead Arts program. Image: Cheney Homestead winter scene by Russell Cheney.
