Hello fellow members,
We are preparing for another special year at the Arts Center, one which traditionally begins with the Opening Reception of the Annual Artist Member Show ushering in the season on Friday, September 20, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in our gracious Art Gallery.
Enjoy a glass of wine or punch, and some home crafted finger foods, as you mingle with the artists. I urge you to put this date and time on your calendars – in red even – then come over with friends to the Arts Center and join our artists in celebrating their creativity. “The more the merrier” certainly fits this occasion as we show support for our artists. Plus, it is so much fun to meet these talented people in person and talk with them about their work. It is also a privilege.
This show is being judged by the well-known award winning Katherine Simmons, elected artist member of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, Connecticut Women’s Artists, Lyme Art Association, Salmagundi Club, and the Oil Painters of America. We are honored to have her. Awards and cash prizes will be made at 8:00 p.m. There will also be a door prize for some very fortunate attendee at the Reception. The show continues from September 21 – October 27, every weekend day from 1-4 p.m. and attendance is always free of charge.
September also brings another 4th Friday at the Arts Cafe monthly musical evening. Last month’s Grass Routes brought a packed house and this month promises the same as, literally back by popular demand, we have Deep Ellum, September 27, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Rich Johnson, on 6- & 12-string guitar and Dobro, and Jon Swift, on guitar, both sing as they switch their instruments. They say “We play plain old American music.”, a very humble expression for the range of classics they perform They are masters of it all. If you don’t know the meaning of Deep Ellum or have never heard a Dobro played, they will explain both and you will be delighted.
We are beginning Fall classes with: Acrylic Painting for Children (Marcia Letourneau), a Watercolor Series (award-winning Audrey Carroll-Prucnal), Fused Glass (Robin Simpson), Extreme Origami (Ben Parker), Contemporary Clay Pottery Open Studio (TBD), & Pumpkin Painting (Audrey Carroll Prucnal). Check details on our website https://www.marlborougharts.org/
DID YOU KNOW #1 ?: Our website is a fountain of current information not only on forms for classes and membership, but also on our myriad artistic activities, and with pictures of historical moments including the actual moving of our building and its renovation. I hope you do check it often. We also send announcements to the news media (Hartford Courant My Towns, Cal, Rivereast, Reminder News, Hartford Advocate, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Art Guide, surrounding towns’ art centers). Please do let us know where you read/hear about our activities. We need your feedback on how successful our publicity is. You could let us know by email to me personally at lee.lester@att.net .
DID YOU KNOW #2 ? We rent out our facility: the beautiful upper Charles W. Hall Art Gallery, the lower level classroom, and even the landscaped gardens for meetings, parties or receptions. There is a discounted price for members even though the charges are already reasonable. Think about us when you are looking for a special setting. Just leave a message on our telephone at (860) 295-9389 and the appropriate Board of Director Member will be back in touch with you.
DID YOU KNOW #3 ? Our Gift Shop has been refurbished all the better to display new items created by our artist members. The Gift Shop is open whenever the Art Gallery is open and is filled with unique gifts. This is the place to come when you seek something no one else has. It is often difficult to choose just one item and you can be assured that whatever you do choose will be truly appreciated the recipient.
It sounds something like Dr.Seuss’ Thing 1 and Thing 2, doesn’t it? But with appreciation to him for the idea, I will continue in my letters to highlight “things” I hope you will consider.
Once again, on behalf of the Board, I thank you for your ongoing support of the Arts Center and our mission of being a regional center for art and culture in its many forms. We are all art lovers and our membership dues provide the base for us to be the Marlborough Arts Center.
But we must build upon that base and I’m sure you will also support as you can the necessary fund raisers throughout the year which allow us to continue and grow. We have some interesting and fun ideas on which we are working, so “stay tuned”.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Reception, at the 4th Friday, and maybe even in a message on my email.
Sincerely,
Joan