MEETINGS 2022 - 2023
We meet on the third THURSDAY of the month, September through May. Please check the home page for notice of any cancellation.
Live, in-person meetings resumed in December 2021 at our new location: Manchester Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT.
Any member entering artwork (one piece) in the Art of the Month competition should register between 6:45 pm and 7 pm. For more information, click here.
Our first meeting of the year, features internationally known abstractionist Zbigniew Grzyb. Born in Poland and educated at the Jaroslaw High School of Art and the Academy of Fine Art in Krakow, Zbigniew has been a fellow Nutmegger since the 1970’s. His work has been widely exhibited here and abroad in exhibits and wall installations. Click here to see some of his work, awards, exhibits, and bibliography.
Our guest artist Bivenne Staiger will demonstrate how to paint a chickadee. She will show how to integrate the background with the subject in their natural setting. Creator of vibrant wildlife and floral paintings, Bivenne is the recipient of many prestigious awards for her work in watercolor, including the Silver Medal from American Watercolor Society’s 152nd Annual Exhibition (2019), which was also selected as part of the AWS Travel Exhibition. She offers classes, workshops (register in Workshops), and demonstrations in watercolor throughout southern New England and has been sharing her love for watercolor for over 20 years.
November 17
Iris Van Rynbach
writing and illustrating a children's book
Our guest artist will be Iris Van Rynback, author and illustrator. Iris will lead us through the process of writing and illustrating a children's book.
Iris has studied art at Pratt Institute in N.Y.C., the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, and Parsons School of Design in N.Y.C. She has illustrated and written numerous award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young people. One of her illustrated books was chosen as a Reading Rainbow Book and her nonfiction “The Taxing Case of The Cow” was a Junior Library Guild choice. She has illustrated many covers of The New Yorker magazine and written numerous articles appearing in The N.Y. Times, Hartford Magazine, and The Hartford Courant. She has also taught illustration, drawing, and watercolor classes at The Hartford Art School, UConn, and Central.
December 15
Holiday Party
Our regular member meeting and location are cancelled. Instead, we are having a holiday party. Check your email for more information and registration.
January 19
Lyn Asselta
pastels
via Zoom
Lyn Assleta is a Pastel Society of America Master Pastelist, an International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Eminent Pastelist, and a member of the Salmagundi Club of New York City. Her award winning paintings have appeared in shows and exhibitions throughout the United States, and in invitational exhibitions in France and China. Her work has been featured in several books and magazines. Lyn currently writes Saturdays at the Cove, a newsletter on life and art, from her studio each Saturday morning. Now living in a small village in midcoast Maine after 35 years in Florida, Lyn is inspired daily by new landscapes and changes of season.
February 16
Tao LaBossiere
muralist
via Zoom
Tao LaBossiere is an award-winning fine artist, mural painter, sculpture and site-specific installation artist. Tao and his business partner and wife, Amy LaBossiere will showcase Tao's stunning murals, multidisciplinary artwork, provide insight into the life of a full-time working artist, and share their experience as directors of the Hartford ArtSpace Gallery. Whimsy, hidden characters, impeccable craftsmanship, and thought-provoking concepts characterize Tao's work. He studied at various institutions, including Norwich Free Academy, Lyme Academy, The Cleveland Institute of Art, and Hartford Art School. The company is certified as a Small Minority Business Enterprise with Asian Heritage distinction.
March 16
Sharon Quaglia
alcohol inks
Sharon will demonstrate alcohol inks using several techniques and implements. She will also discuss the many substrates and tools commonly used with alcohol inks and show some finished pieces to illustrate how it all comes together. Formerly a sugar artist, baker and cake decorating instructor, Sharon Coolbaugh Quaglia is a self taught artist working primarily in alcohol inks. Her foray into painting began in July, 2020 as a byproduct of searching for a project with her two year old granddaughter. She marveled at the unpredictable nature, vibrancy and transparency of this medium. Bold color and texture are mainstays of Sharon’s work. She has work on display at The Whiton Library and Manchester Town Hall, courtesy of MAA, as well as, The Loop Gallery at Work_Space and The Tini Gallery at the Mill on Hilliard. Since 2021, she has become an active member of Manchester Art Association, Work_Space, the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum and Arts Center East. Sharon resides in Bolton CT.
April 20
Scott Rhoades
acrylic painting
Our guest artist, Scott E. Rhoades, will demonstration acrylic painting. Having grown up in Coventry CT, after earning his master’s degree in Art Education from Central Conn. State University, Scott enjoyed a thirty-five year art education career in Coventry. His work with children in the development stages of child art was published in several magazines, and his school mural program involving 200 students was nationally recognized. His paintings have garnered numerous awards, appeared in many national publications, and sold nationally and internationally. Locally, he has exhibited at TCAA, Art Center East, where he is a signature member; and Workshop13 in Ware, MA. He often participates in Open Studios weekends.
May 18
Annual Member Meeting & critique
MAA members are invited to bring one piece of artwork to be critiqued by our guest artist Shauna Shane. A professional painter for more than 45 years, Shauna is represented in collections in the USA and around the world. She is a member of many artists' societies and has received many awards for her work. Working with a variety of mediums including watercolor, oil, and pastel, Shauna's work is saturated with light and color. Shauna says "Beauty surrounds us. My goal is to portray the beauty that I see into a painting that communicates how the simplest everyday things can become a beautiful memory."
