Two shows open Thursday evening at Mystic Arts Center

Mystic Arts Center
9 Water St., Mystic, (860) 536-7601
Long and Lean
The Elected Artists
Apr. 22—May 22, 2010.
Opening reception: Thurs., Apr. 22, 5:30—7 p.m.

Press release

The Mystic Arts Center will host an Opening Reception for two new exhibitions on Thurs., Apr. 22, from 5:30—7 p.m. to highlight regional emerging and professional artists in the exhibitions.

Long and Lean • Each year, the Mystic Arts Center hosts a themed exhibition challenging artists to create outside of their typical styles. This year, the theme will stretch not only the imagination - but the canvas, as each artwork in Long and Lean is limited to the size specification of at least twice as long in one direction over another.

"An exhibition based on unique dimensions is always visually arresting, and we look forward to seeing how the artists approach this challenge," says Karen Barthelson, Executive Director of the Mystic Arts Center. The exhibition features over one hundred artists using all media except photography.

The Elected Artists • Member artists whose work is accepted into four juried MAC exhibitions within a twenty-four month period are allowed to apply for Elected Artist designation. This coveted distinction allows Elected Artists the opportunity to hand-select a work of art for this annual exhibition.

Monetary awards will be presented for exceptional work in both exhibitions during the reception, and the Art Center's KTJ Studios will host an open showcase of artwork by current students.

Both exhibitions run through May 22, and are sponsored by The Washington Trust Company with additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.

"Arts After Dark" in Mystic tomorrow night

Mystic Arts Center
9 Water St., Mystic, (860) 536-7601
Arts After Dark
Tues., Apr. 20, 2010, 5:30—8 p.m.

Press release

On Tues., Apr. 20, the Mystic Arts Center will host the outdoor after-hours event Art After Dark, featuring live music by local jam band, RIPE, and live art by New London artist Denny Rivera.

From 5:30—8 p.m., guests can enjoy Cottrell beer and Pizza Grille snacks while lounging on the patio, listening to music, and watching Rivera transform a blank canvas into funky new graphic art. The artwork will be sold in a silent bid auction at the end of the evening to benefit the programs of MAC.

Rivera has been part of the New London art scene since the mid 90s, and is now part-owner of Aticc Gallery with his partner Cristin Gallagher. His work has been embraced by critics and artists for its untrained innocence and inspired radiance which draws from both classical and street influences. Other works by Rivera will be on display during the event.

The Mystic Arts Center is also currently exhibiting the Elected Artist Exhibition and a juried themed exhibition titled Long and Lean.

Art After Dark is designed to bring together art forms and showcase the Arts Center's role as a community hub for new creative expression and young artists. This event begins a new series which will be held the third Tuesday of each month through October and will feature different musicians and artists each month.

"The arts are such a great way to draw community members together," says volunteer event coordinator Courtney Moore, co-owner of CMB Creative Group. "The first event we held last October was a huge success, and we're really excited about this year's line-up."

Tickets are $10 at the door and benefit the exhibitions and educational programs of the Mystic Arts Center. Guests should dress for the weather, but the event will move indoors if it is inclement. For more information, call 860-536-7601x209 or visit www.mysticarts.org.

The Mystic Arts Center is located at 9 Water Street in downtown Mystic. The Arts Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting community with current creative expression, cultural enrichment and Mystic's rich artistic heritage. Open daily 11 a.m.—5 p.m.

Mystic Arts Center call for artists for "Long and Lean"

Mystic Arts Center
9 Water St., Mystic, (860) 536-7601
Call to Artists for annual juried exhibition Long and Lean
Receiving for exhibit: Sun., Apr. 11 and Mon., Apr. 12, from 11 a.m.—5 p.m.

Press release

The Mystic Arts Center is issuing a call to artists to exhibit work in the Annual Juried Exhibition, Long and Lean, which runs from Apr. 16—May 22.

This exhibition is open to all artists and all media, with the exception of photography. Artists may submit up to two original artworks and each must fall within this year's dimensional theme: one direction measuring at least twice as long as the other direction.

Receiving for the exhibition will be held at the Mystic Arts Center on Sun., Apr. 11 and Mon., Apr. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All submitted works will be juried by Long Island artist and teacher Sharon Way-Howard, whose representational work in a variety of media has won numerous awards and acceptance in national exhibitions. Way-Howard is a Board member and Chairman of the Art Committee at Salmagundi Club in NYC and currently teaches at the Islip Art Museum.

Three monetary prizes will be awarded in the exhibition, with first prize receiving $350; second prize receiving $250; and third $150. Fees to submit artwork are $15 for members and $20 for non-members, with a discount applied to additional entries. For size limitations and exhibition requirements, please visit the Mystic Arts Center Web site or call (860) 536-7601 x204.

The show runs simultaneously with The Elected Artists Exhibition, and MAC Elected Artists are encouraged to submit their work during the same drop-off period. The Mystic Arts Center is located at 9 Water Street in downtown Mystic.

Friday night opening at Mystic Arts Center

Mystic Arts Center
9 Water St., Mystic, (860) 536-7601
Mundy Hepburn: Luminosity
MAC Members Exhibition
Jan. 15—Feb. 27, 2010.
Opening reception: Fri., Jan 15, 5:30—7:30 p.m.

Press release

The Mystic Arts Center will host the whimsical illuminated glass creations of Old Saybrook artist Mundy Hepburn in the upcoming sculpture exhibition, Luminosity, from Jan. 15 through Feb. 27.

Hepburn's unconventional work features brightly colored gases swirling within unique large-scale glass sculpture. Each piece provides a moving kaleidoscope of patterns and hues using high frequency static electricity. Unlike most sculpture exhibits, Hepburn's work can be touched. This interaction between art and viewer actually alters the light displayed and makes the exhibition especially fascinating for children.

The Luminosity exhibition will include new works by Hepburn, who explains that he has been "working wildly" since replacing a broken furnace that kept him away from glass work for over a year.

"This is really my inner dream-world," says Hepburn of the exhibition. Hepburn's art grew from mischievous beginnings. When he was eight years old, he began secretly melting light bulbs over the gas stove of his family's kitchen after seeing artist Paul Geyer create glass animals at the Guilford Handcraft Fair. Hepburn's fascination grew with every bulb that bent, bubbled or changed color.

His parents, upon discovering this risky experimentation, actually encouraged his curiosity and allowed him to continue the exploration—now properly supervised. The rest, as they say, is history. The self-proclaimed "mad scientist" has spent decades refining his techniques and craft, incorporating rare gases such as argon, krypton, xenon, helium and neon to create new and imaginative compositions. He has invented new types of glass, transformers, and techniques to create the work he loves.

Hepburn's work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Florence Griswold Museum, New Britain Museum of American Art, Habatat Galleries in Pontiac Michigan, Bradley International Airport and dozens of other locations. His creations are permanently installed in a variety of museums and educational centers in Connecticut and across the U.S., including the New Britain Museum of American Art, The Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles, the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Science Museum of Connecticut. The Luminosity exhibition runs simultaneously with the Arts Center's annual Members Exhibition and is sponsored by the new luxury downtown residence New London Harbour Towers.

The Opening Reception for the exhibitions will be held on Fri., Jan. 15 from 5:30—7:30 p.m. in partnership with neighboring Courtyard Gallery. This is the fifth annual joint reception showcasing both galleries' annual member shows. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served and information about New London Harbour Towers will be available at the reception, which is free and open to the public.