Local artists received awards in “Alternative Visions: Abstract & Abstractions,” the all-media exhibit at the Rowayton Arts Center, which runs through Aug. 28.
Darien resident Dana Goodfellow placed first in the oils category, and Pat Atkin received an honorable mention. New Canaan resident Antoinette Vardamis was awarded second place in the oils category. Pam Lindberg, Jan Raymond and Vicki French Smith, from Darien; and Terry Spring, from New Canaan, also had works featured in the exhibit.
The winners were selected by painter and sculptor Sandy Garnett from 75 works by 49 exhibiting members of the Arts Center.
“It was an honor to judge the Alternative Visions exhibition for the Rowayton Arts Center. As a fellow artist, I often employ representational material in order to abstract it. The same goes for taking the concept of, let’s say, `portraiture’ and expanding the definitions in an alternative, contemporary fashion,” he said “I appreciated the breadth of work in this exhibit, the range of media, genres and creative styles.”
“When I quickly scanned the room, I was immediately struck by Lilly Langotsky’s `Gorge,’ a smallish square abstract landscape. Although it is difficult to select among an assortment of media, I felt that this painting best summarized the various flavors and flourishes to be seen in Alternative Visions -- a rich depth of field, free and spontaneous use of medium, a complex palette, and an allusion to the representational elements that can be seen to greater or lesser degrees throughout all the artwork.”
The Arts Center gallery at 145 Rowayton Avenue is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information call 203-866-2744.
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“ALTERNATIVE VISIONS: ABSTRACT & ABSTRACTIONS” EXHIBIT OPENS AUGUST 7 AT ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER The Rowayton Arts Center will present awards for works by some of Fairfield County’s finest artists during an opening reception for its “Alternative Visions: Abstract & Abstractions” exhibit from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7. The award winners will be selected by artist Sandy Garnett. The RAC gallery at 145 Rowayton Avenue is open from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free. The exhibit will continue through August 28. For information call 203-866-2744. Describing abstract art, cochair Jaclyn Flatow, says, “In its purest form in Western art, an abstract artwork is one without a recognizable subject, one that doesn’t relate to anything external or try to ‘look like’ something. Instead the color and form (and often the materials) are the subject of the abstract work. It’s completely non-objective or non-representational. Also generally classified with abstract art are paintings that represent things that aren’t visual, such an emotion, sound or spiritual experience.” Susan Leggitt, the other exhibit cochair, says “We are pleased that Sandy Garnett has agreed to judge the abstract art exhibit. This self-taught painter and sculptor is best known for his 20-year Fingerprint Project, in which he explores contemporary identity through sculpted and painted fingerprints, human silhouettes and signatures. He also is collected for his Twister reliefs, his figure paintings, his Reconstruction series of narratives and cityscapes, and his portraiture.” Garnett’s work can be found in 37 states and 10 countries through his network of 500 collectors, including museum, public, corporate, and private collections such as the GM Museum, Pepsico, Chevrolet, Corcoran Jennison and St. Lawrence University. Garnett started his art studio and made art for 50 bands and production companies while in college. He recently signed his 1020th painting and is working on a hardcover book entitled, Sandy Garnett; 1000 Artworks, set for release this year. He wrote, illustrated and published his first two Rainbow Riders children’s books in 2009 and his coming-of-age story, Baloney Express, also will be released this year. He is a member of Silvermine Art Guild and the Loft Artist Association. For more than 50 years the Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) has been a community cultural hub that provides a welcoming environment for the exchange of arts-related ideas and for regional artists in all media to exhibit and sell their work. In its second-floor studio, RAC offers year-round classes and workshops for creative people of all ages and at all levels and underwrites arts education programs throughout Norwalk. The Arts Center is located on the banks of the scenic Five Mile River.