"Self Ease" reception at Perspectives Gallery Sat., May 10

Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Rd., Hamden, (203) 772-2788
Self Ease: Contemporary Portraiture
Through Jun. 17, 2014.
Artists' Reception: Sat., May 10, 3—5 p.m.

Press release from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven presents a new twist on the "selfies" trend. Organized by Debbie Hesse, Self Ease: Contemporary Portraiture brings together seven artists who work within the tradition of portraiture. The exhibition features artwork by Eileen Carey, Steven DiGiovanni, Megan Marden, Larry Morelli, Katro Storm, Erika Van Natta, and Jeff Wrench. The exhibition is on view now at the Perspectives Gallery at Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, Connecticut. Gallery hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4—7 p.m. Join us for a special public reception on May 10, 2014 from 3—5 p.m.

Self Ease focuses on the psychological nuances regarding how we see ourselves and how we choose to be seen, commemorated, and remembered. Eileen Carey paints colorful portraits of people she knows in great detail as well as faceless crowds that explore the interaction of people in a fast paced culture. Jeff Wrench sketches faces of strangers on paint swatches and wallpaper samples creating casual portraits that are both specific and mysterious. Steven DiGiovanni puts people into ambiguous settings, using the surrounding objects as props to draw out meaning. Katro Storm, Megan Marden and Larry Morelli rely on personal, gestural and painterly mark making to create ambiance and psychological tension. Erika Van Natta creates a video portrait, via a self-designed kaleidoscope of herself singing original lyrics that finds cohesiveness thru geometric fragmentation.

Artwork by Eileen Carey

In addition, digital portraits or selfies emailed in from the general public will create a collective tapestry of how we see ourselves in a rapidly changing technological world. These fleeting digital captures offer a counterpart to the paintings and video in the exhibition, framing a dialogue about the history and future of this artistic genre. To participate, send digital selfies to selfeaze@gmail.com. Selections will also be included in an online exhibit at NewHavenArts.org.

Friday opening of "Sound Influence, Part II" at Sumner McKnight Crosby, Jr. Gallery in New Haven

Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery
70 Audubon St., 2nd floor, New Haven, (203) 772-2788
Sound Influence, Part II
Jan. 20—Mar. 2, 2012.
Artists' reception: Fri., Feb. 3, 5—7 p.m.

Press release

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is pleased to present Sound Influence, Part II, in the Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery, 70 Audubon St., 2nd floor. The exhibition is curated by local painter and muralist Katro Storm and will be on view during business hours from Jan. 20 through Mar. 2, 2012. A public reception is scheduled for Fri., Feb. 3, from 5—7 p.m.

Katro Storm, the curator, is a prolific artist who delivers meaningful and thoughtful portraits of inspirational leaders and influential city landmarks. A native of New Haven, a former student and teacher at the Educational Center for the Arts, he is a community mentor who continually seeks to create new work and inspire others to do the same. "It’s the challenge of creating something out of nothing that makes it exciting," states Storm. "To push myself to a new level each time I paint." With Sound Influence, Part II, the exhibition examines, as Storms states, "how important sound is to creating art."

The art on display manifests very different responses to sounds that are universal. The exhibit reflects the "sound" environment in which each artist works in, be it the sound surrounding the space they work in or the music they listen to while creating. There are also artists who transfer their visual interpretation of music onto canvas, much like choreographers who compose a dance piece based on a specific piece of music.

Participating artists: Aoke, Michael Angelis, Ian Applegate, Jahmane Art, Lee Adam Beard, Dooley-O, Renald Davidson, Orlando Dome, Paul Duda, EROS 165, Hayward Gatling, Rob Greenberg, Ellen Hackl Fagan, Aniko Horvath, Marta Machabli, Conrad Mecheski, Destiny S. Palmer, John Rodrigues Brewer, Steve Ross, Reo Russo, William T. Saunders, Craig Streater Smith, Rob Stull (see image), Kristin Thomas, Alison K. Walsh, Janet Warner and Charlie Win.

"Sound Influence" opens Thursday at Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery in New Haven

Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery
70 Audubon St., 2nd floor, New Haven, (203) 772-2788
Sound Influence
Nov. 17, 2011—Jan. 13, 2012.
Artists' reception: Thurs., Nov. 17, 5—7 p.m.

Press release

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is pleased to present the next exhibition, Sound Influence, in the Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery, 70 Audubon St., 2nd floor. The exhibition is curated by local painter and muralist Katro Storm and will be on view during business hours from Nov. 17, 2011 through Jan. 13, 2012. A public reception is scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 17, from 5—7 pm.

Storm is a prolific artist who delivers meaningful and thoughtful portraits of inspirational leaders and influential city landmarks. A native of New Haven, a former student and teacher at the Educational Center for the Arts, he is a community mentor who connects the power of art with daily life. And life’s experiences are directly linked to the multitude of sounds that pervade the environment. With the assumption that one is a product of one’s environment and asking the question, "how does sound impact your artwork?" the exhibition, Sound Influences, was conceived to illustrate, according to Storm, just "how important sound is to creating art."

Sounds come from urban, city-life, nature, music. Even silence produces subtle noises. The exhibit reflects the “sound” environment in which each artist creates and as each artist works in different kinds of studios and spaces, and as some listen to music and some create in silence, the art on display manifests very different responses to sounds that are universal. There are also artists who transfer their visual interpretation of music onto canvas, much like choreographers who compose a dance piece based on a specific piece of music.

Artists include: Bio , Cathleen Milburn , Charles Winn , Deme 5 , Jaime Kriksciun , Julie Gombieski , Kwest , Marka27 , Orlando Dome , Percy Fortini-Wright , Pro Blak , Reo , Rocko , Sket .

Artists' reception at Master of None LLC. in New Haven Saturday

Master of None LLC.
978 State Street, New Haven, (203) 928-0461
Warpaint
Artists’ Reception: Sat., Feb. 12, 5—9 p.m.

Press release

In celebration of Black History Month.

All artists will be in attendence during the opening reception:

Renaldo Davidson (Web)
Kwest (Web)
Hayward Gatling (Web)
Katro Storm (Web)
John Rodrigues Brewer

Febr. 27: Special guest performance by Anthony Thompson Adeagbo, "Ade"...ONE NIGHT ONLY
performing "Jesse B. Simple"
$5 Donation.