"Take 5" show at Branford Artists Cooperative

Branford Artists Cooperative
211 Montowese St., Branford, (203) 589-6995
Take 5 @ BAC
Through Oct. 28, 2011.

Press release

(I missed getting this info up in time for the preview party and Open House but the show is up through Oct. 28. HH)

Check out TAKE 5 @ BAC!, an exhibition of five Branford artists hosted by the Branford Artists Cooperative (BAC) beginning with a preview party and open house on September 30 and October 1. The show features member artists Scott Paterson, Ray Mathews, Dana Baldwin Naumann, Owen Sea Luckey, and Kristin Merrill.

Painter Scott Paterson's work over the last 40 years has been nonobjective. His current paintings, however, represent his recent foray into figurative themes, painting simple, small, homemade sculptures he makes from wood, cardboard, wire, etc. Scott has shown in numerous one and two-person shows in California and Connecticut. His work is in many private collections.

Ray Mathews has been creating fine, hand-blown art glass since 1975. His work can be found in some of the finest galleries both nationally and internationally. Ray offers glass blowing classes, workshops and rents furnace time to experienced glassblowers at his studio at the Glass Hut in Branford.

Sculptor and painter Dana Baldwin Naumann creates fanciful sculpture, mostly crafted from lead sheets coated with copper or zinc patinas. Art Critic Steve Starger from the Azoth Gallery wrote "Naumann's finely wrought sculptures aren't depressing or oppressive. He draws on African and mythological references to create monolithic faces that are inspired by ritual masks and statuary, like monuments or totems left by a long-vanished civilization. These elongated faces appear aloof and ascetic, but are also strangely poignant, and each emanates a sense of mystery and longing."


Textile artist Owen Sea Luckey has been focusing on "RE-DO," her latest creations of recycled, gently worn sweaters. These are deconstructed and embellished with one-of-a-kind, hand-knit, felted collars, cuffs, embroidery and antique buttons. It is a labor of love and fun. She continues to explore hand-knitting, felting and unusual outcomes from creating basic functional wearables.

Kristin Merrill's passion is creating art from natural materials. Her necklaces and earrings have a soft, fluid and delicate appeal even though they are constructed of fused sterling silver, semi-precious stones and pearls. Her sculpture work has grown and expanded from adorned driftwood to wood and found object pieces and altars.


The show runs through Oct. 28 and is free and open to the public. The BAC gallery is located at 211 Montowese Street in Branford, and open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.—3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Branford Artists Cooperative provides working studio space and art exhibits to the public. BAC fosters the development of local artists and promotes arts in the community.