Vanishing America at the Sharon Historical Society

The Sharon Historical Society is hosting an art exhibit by Jeffrey L. Neumann titled Vanishing America: The Disappearing Commercial Landscape of the 20th Century through October 25.  

This exhibit is a celebration of the exuberance and independent spirit of life in post WWII America tempered by the inexorable march of time. With a focus on the mom and pop eating establishments, motels and movie theaters of roadside America, Neumann's paintings take the viewer on journey down the two-lane highways of the twentieth century. They allow us to experience a part of our past that is being rapidly replaced by the widespread influence of corporate conformity.

The cultural and anthropological aspect of Neumann's work is balanced by his uniquely personal vision. The artist, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1953 and currently residing in Copake, NY, cannot be considered a regional painter. The subjects of his oil and watercolor paintings come from all across the nation. They are influenced by Neumann's childhood years living in New Mexico and California and his numerous trips on Route 66 in the back of the family station wagon.  His work is noted as finding profound meaning in places often overlooked.

On October 13 at 3 p.m. there will be a gallery walk and talk with the artist. 

Running concurrently with Neumann's Vanishing America exhibit in The Gallery @the SHS, the Sharon Historical Society & Museum will present Now you see it...in the exhibit galleries. This exhibit will take its audience backwards in time, challenging the viewer to use objects and images that are familiar today as a roadmap to the past. Focusing primarily on the changes that have occurred in town from 1850 to the present day, visitors will be confronted with familiar scenes, such as the Sharon War Memorial, the Sharon Fire Department, Mudge Pond Beach, the Sharon Valley Tavern, Sharon Hospital and the Sharon Center School, and with the help of objects from the museum collection, will be transported back in time to pivotal junctures in the town's development.

About the Sharon Historical Society

The Sharon Historical Society and Museum is located at 18 Main Street, Sharon, Connecticut 06069. For more information, call 860-364-5688 or visit www.sharonhist.org. Museum Hours are Wednesday & Saturday from 10AM - 2PM, Thursday & Friday from 10AM - 4PM and by appointment.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Sharon Audubon Festival in Litchfield Hills

The Sharon Audubon located on Rte. 4 in the bucolic hamlet of Sharon Connecticut is hosting its' 46th annual Audubon Festival on August 10 and 11. Gates to the festival open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. each day.  Admission to the event is $5 per person or $20 per car load. 

The Audubon Festival that takes place in the northwest corner of the Litchfield Hills features fun and interactive ways families can learn about nature. The staff of the Audubon have scheduled two full days of nature walks and programs, live animal presentations, and children's activities that will engage kids and teach them about nature in addition to food, music, exhibits and a select number of vendors.

Scheduled programs such as Exploring Bog Meadow by Canoe, a Tree Identification Walk, Swarming Behavior of Honey Bees, Bird Banding, making Pressed Flower Bookmarks and much more will take place at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. each day.  The Festival will also host a number of ongoing activities such as the children’s Merry Marsh Activity Tent.

There will be two keynote presentations that will take place each day that is perfect for everyone whether they are a seasoned naturalist or a young explorer.  At 1:00pm on Saturday, storyteller Eshu Bumpus will present his engaging “Folktales,” sure to please young and old alike. A highlight of the day will take place at 3:30 p.m. when there will be a falconry demonstration by Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight.

On Sunday, at 1 p.m. “Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures that feature 10-12 animals from all corners of the world will entertain festivalgoers.  The grand finale of the festival will be an appearance by Atka the Wolf from Wolf Conservation Center at 3:30 p.m.

For up to the minute information on the festival visit www.sharon.audubon.orgwww.sharon.audubon.org by August 1^st or by calling 860-364-0520 for more information.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Pets, Portraits & Pastries, Gallery Opening at the Woodward House

L to R

Heather Norris, Heather Norris Photography. Lisa Banik, Animals for Life Middlebury. Adele Johnson, The Woodward House.

Bethlehem's Woodward House, on the Green  is calling all canine companions! On Sunday, September 30, from 2-4PM, The Woodward House will host a gallery opening on behalf of  Animals For Life.  The show in the gallery titled Pets, Portraits & Pastries'  is highlighting the fun photography of dogs by Heather Norris.

Adele Johnson, owner of Woodward House and Heather Norris Photography will be donating all proceeds to Animals for Life generated from this reception.  As an example, there is a  dog named Molly in need of surgery, living with a foster family and the  proceeds from Pets, Portraits & Pastries will go towards Molly's surgery according to Animals for Life, located in  Middlebury, CT.

Heather Norris has carefully mounted over 15 dog portraits. What makes Heather Norris' portraits pop with pizzazz is her desire to invest time interviewing the dog's companions. She poses questions such as, If your dog was a person, what car would they drive? What job would they have? What would they wear?'  Such thorough interviews lead to whimsical and amazing portraits such as the black and white feature of 'Barley' dressed in a bow tie and top hat positioned with a baby grand piano or Peaches looking white and elderly like she is The Queen of England and Stella, the boxer, who knows her value, what she desires, and is eager to please.

Adele Johnson, owner of the classic 1740's venue, The Woodward House adores animals.  Adele's love of animals has spanned a lifetime as she has  rescued every stray she found and recalls bringing home turtles, kittens, chickens, birds, and snakes.  Today, Adele has  three dogs: Peaches, Cocoa, and Barley as well as Woodward House's resident chicken, Duly.

Heather and Adele have each agreed to offer unique promotions to every attendee so that attendees can experience dining at Woodward House and photography sessions with Heather Norris Photography.

The cost of the reception is $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door. Entrance includes a champagne and dessert reception featuring Heather Norris Photography.  To confirm attendance for Pets, Portraits and Pastries, call The Woodward House 203-266-6902.

About the Woodward House
4 The Green, Bethlehem, CT 06751.Corner of Rte. 132 and Rte. 61.  (203) 266-6902. The historic Woodward House centered in Bethlehem across from The Town Green has been reborn. Four beautiful rooms, each unique can accommodate 50 guests, for intimate to mid-size dining and meetings. The chef's award winning hand is evident not only in the restaurants artistic entrées, but equally in the incredible desserts. Voted "Best New Restaurant Litchfield County", CT Magazine, NY Times *** - CT Magazine *** - Hartford Courant ****, Top in Service & Décor, Zagat's. Open Wed., Thurs., Sun. 5 pm – 8 pm and Fri. & Sat. 5 pm – 9 pm. Closed Mon. & Tues. http://www.thewoodwardhouse.com/The_Woodward_House/Home.html

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Art is Timeless at the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Peter Lawrence Gallery is presenting a new exhibit, “Art is Timeless” that will feature functional art/clocks by Michael Johnston and oils, watercolors and ceramics by Jessie Novik.
The exhibit runs from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, September 2 with an opening reception on Sunday, August 5 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided by Johnny’s New Fairfield Food Center.

Clock by Michael Johnson

Michael Johnston of Norwalk, CT is a muralist and street artist. This art form drove Michael’s passion to understand the vast dimensions, styles and genres of art. He realized his own personal obsession with sharp edges, technical designs, futuristic concepts, mechanical images, and clocks could all be channeled into his art. Using recycled and discarded materials whenever possible, often times old electronics, Michael tries to convey movement, flow, and continuity in his art. He considers himself an abstract expressionist, frequently utilizing additive sculpture to intensify and bring to life thoughts and ideas.

Village by Jessie Novik

Jessie Novik has been inspired by the many places she’s traveled, including a hike up to Machu Picchu, exploring rice fields in Bali, camping with Bedouins in Sinai, and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. She is an artist and a craftswoman, and states, “No matter what is my vehicle, I will always make art, and I cannot wait to acquire new methods for birthing my overactive imagination.”

About the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Peter Lawrence Gallery is located at 703 Kent Road (Rt. 7), Gaylordsville, Connecticut, and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment. For more information please contact Peter at 203-746-5533 or by email at peterlawrencegallery@ymail.com or www.peterlawrencegallery.com. For area information visit www.litchfieldhills.com.