Upcoming events at new Gallery 305K in Bridgeport

Gallery 305K
305 Knowlton St., Bridgeport, (203) 814-6856
Upcoming events:
Sun., Jan. 23, 3 p.m.: Historical talk with Mary Witkowski and Charles Brilvitch.
Tues., Jan. 25, 7 p.m.: Views on Bridgeport's future.
Sun., Feb. 5, 3 p.m.: Grand Opening Show reception.

Press release

The New Gallery 305K, Art and Cultural Center. (formerly the Gallery at Black Rock) announces it’s move and grand opening event schedule.

In celebration of the gallery’s move to the City of Bridgeport’s vibrant East Side we are having three grand opening events. The gallery’s move is part of its mission to bring arts and culture to Bridgeport Residents. The historic factory space at 305 Knowlton Street has considerably more space so that we are able to show a much more broad array of arts, music, film, dance, etc. The building, a newly renovated and restored 19th century bicycle and automobile factory, houses the studios and workspaces of architects, filmmakers, fine artists, fine furniture makers and decorative painters as well as the new gallery. The gallery aims to become an integral part of the east side neighborhood and plans to provide programs and art events that will serve and be of interest to its residents, as well as the wider Greater Bridgeport area.

Sun., Jan. 23, 3 p.m. • Charles Brilvitch and Mary Witkowski will speak on the history of the east side of Bridgeport and the Armstrong factory in which the gallery is housed. Mary Witkowski runs the Bridgeport History Center at the Burrows Library. She is the current Bridgeport City Historian. Charles Brilvitch is a past Bridgeport City Historian and a noted expert in the architectural history of the city of Bridgeport.

Tues., Jan. 25, 7 p.m. • The gallery will host students from the University of Munich in coordination with Nils Weisenmuller of Bridgeport Design Group who will showcase their views for Bridgeport’s future including ideas on sustainable development.

Sun., Feb. 5, 3 p.m. • The Grand Opening Show reception! The show will feature a sampling of art from the Black Rock gallery artists, as well as some artists work who we will be featuring in the future. It is an open themed show that will allow our artists to show their newest and best work and will set the tone for the gallery’s future exhibits.

Some artists included will be Joan Fitzsimmons, Liz Squillace, Marcella Kurowski, Felipe Soltero, Mark DeRosa, Jessica Bajoros, Michelle Beaulieu and more.

The gallery will have regular Business hours beginning Thursday Feb. 10, Thurs.—Sat. from 11:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Friday night opening at Gallery at Black Rock

The Gallery at Black Rock
2861 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, (203) 814-6856
Marcella Kurowski: Improvised Miscreation
Sept. 17—Oct. 22, 2010
Opening reception: Fri., Sept. 17, 6—9 p.m.

Press release

The Gallery at Black Rock will open its 2010 season: Improvised Miscreation, featuring the work of Marcella Kurowski. The show opens Sept. 17 with an Artist Reception from 6—9 p.m. Kurowski, a Bridgeport native has been part of the Connecticut art scene for over 15 years and has often worked under the pseudonym “Looketha." She will be working under her given name, signaling a new phase in her artistic work.

The show is grouped together by Kurowski’s process in which she begins painting freely—letting the paint hit the canvass in an uncalculated but intuitive way. The organic elements are then dissolved and amplified creating a dominant central image juxtaposed with the more vague and emotional elements of the painting.

The work cumulates in forms with human figurative qualities that draw the viewer into an alternate reality evoking both an original unique being as well as communicating an unseen and emotive visual message.

Kurowski’s canvasses are visually rich and filled with movement and emotion. Her figures can be lovable and approachable or otherworldly and dissonant. The show will seek to transport the viewer to a world where things are not always as they seem and emotion and movement create a space alive with possibility for the participants imagination to delve into.

Marcella often paints as part of a duo with her husband Christopher Cavaliere. Recently voted Best instrumental musician by the Fairfield County Weekly readers, he will be composing an original piece titled "Adaptation To Improvised Miscreation" for the shows opening.

The show opens at The Gallery at Black Rock on Sept.17 and will run through Oct. 22. For more information, please call the gallery at (203) 814-6856.