Fashion Week at Fairfield Museum

Fashionistas mark your calendars now for a behind-the-scenes preview of the new exhibition, In Vogue: A Runway of Vintage Fashion,  with museum Curator Casey Lewis, followed by Lunch by SoNo Bakery and a Fashion Show by Fairfield designer Jennifer Butler. View highlights from Butler’s fall 2013 collection, which draws inspiration from fashion elements of the past.

In Vogue: Vintage to Modern will take place Wednesday, July 17^th from 12-2 pm. Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $50 ($40 for Museum Members) online at www.farifieldhistory.org or by calling 203-259-1598. 

Featuring pieces pulled directly from the Museum’s 100-year-old collection -- one of the most comprehensive in Western Connecticut--In Vogue: A Runway of Vintage Fashion, will feature the fashion-forward women of Fairfield throughout the Colonial, Regency, Edwardian and Victorian Eras from 1780 to 1920. On view from July 18, 2013 - Jan. 5, 2014, the exhibit will  showcase fashion trends of the past such as cage hoop skirts, bustles and gigot sleeves so large a woman could barely turn their heads.

One highlight is a 1781 blue silk damask wedding gown worn by 14-year old Lucy Nichols who married Fairfield Reverend Philo Shelton on April 15, 1781. “White was not worn in weddings until Queen Victoria wore a white gown in her 1840 wedding to Prince Albert,” notes Casey Lewis, curator. Exquisite hats, shoes and vintage prints from Godey’s Ladies magazine, Vogue and other fashion publications from 1850-1910 are also on display.

Fairfield Museum and History Center is located at 370 Beach Road, Fairfield.  Hours: M - F 10 am – 4 pm; Weekends noon – 4 pm: Members free; Adults $5; Students/Seniors $3; Children under 5 free. For more information about our events, exhibitions, or summer camps call 203-259-1598 or visit www.fairfieldhistory.org.  For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com 

Birds Eye View at Westport Art Center

Alex MacLean, Tree Shadows in Snow, Middlebury, VT, 1990. Chromogenic print. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and the Yancey Richardson Gallery. 

The Westport Arts Center (WAC)located in Fairfield County has launched its summer exhibition, "Bird's-Eye View". This show is curated by Director of Visual Arts, Helen Klisser During, and  features major contemporary photographs, paintings, and drawings that depict intriguing aerial perspectives where people, roads, buildings, cities, and the countryside are deconstructed and abstracted. The exhibition runs through September 8.

 Damian Loeb, Eminence Break, 2012. Oil on linen. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and Acquavella Gallery.

The exhibition features works by Richard Artschwager, Olivo Barbieri, Edward Burtynsky, Christoph Draeger, Fred Herzog, Damian Loeb, Alex MacLean, David Maisel, Richard Misrach, Melanie Smith, Massimo Vitali, and Thomas Wrede.

A bird's-eye view, or in other words, 'the big picture', explores the world seen from an aerial perspective. This viewpoint has fascinated philosophers, writers, historians, and artists for centuries; however, it's not until the invention of flight that humanity has had a bird's-eye view. The Westport Arts Center is privileged to create an exhibition of 18 significant works from the internationally-renowned Hall Collection.

 Thomas Wrede, Beachwalkers, 2004. Lambda print mounted on aluminum with Plexiglas face; edition 1/5. Hall Collection. Courtesy the Artist and Kopeikin Gallery.

Other programs being hosted by the Westport Arts Center includes the Wednesday Summer Cafe, an interactive series of talks takes place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on June 26, July 10 & 24 and August 14. The Art Cafe takes place on Fridays from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Hosted by Helen Klisser During, ArtCafé is a great way to meet other art enthusiasts and learn about exhibitions to visit in the greater community. Use The New York Times Friday Arts Section as a springboard to discuss the latest exhibitions.

On Thursdays, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on July 11, 18 and 25 the WAC will host Plein Air seascape painting classes. Participants will join local artist, author, and teacher Judith Orseck Katz on an adventure of plein air watercolor painting of various seascapes throughout picturesque Westport. Students will discover how painting from life helps us to see and observe the affects of light and atmosphere and learn to develop clean, colorful, and dynamic compositions. This three-part workshop is designed to offer individualized attention and foster a creative space to gain self-confidence and expand your creative potential. All levels welcome, ages 15+. The cost is $65/class or $165 for series Non-Members; $50/class or $135 for series WAC Members.

For more information contact Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org.   The Westport Arts Center gallery is open seven days a week with summer hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Darien SideWalk Sales and Family Fun Days

Darien is a lovely seaside community located on Fairfield County’s “gold coast” in the southwest corner of Connecticut.  Every year, the Darien Chamber of Commerce holds the annual Sidewalk Sales & Family Fun Day.  This year, the long anticipated Sidewalk Sale will take place on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 11-13, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Live bands, kids toys and bargains galore rain or shine are highlights of this fun family event.

This popular sales event features Darien merchants exhibiting along the Post Road and at the Goodwives and Noroton Heights Shopping Centers.  This event is perfect for treasure hunters and bargain hunters because discounts of up to 70% can be found here.  A special highlight of this event will take place on Saturday, July 13^th, when Day Street will be closed to vehicular traffic permitting participants stroll around the event safely and enjoy the bargains, shade and hanging flower baskets while kids have a blast on the children’s inflatables.

There will be children’s entertainment on Thursday, July 11 with a toy on the Post Road, and face painters at First County Bank.  On Friday, July 12, there will be children’s entertainment including Home Run Challenge in Noroton Heights, in front of William Pitt Sotheby’s Int’l Realty, on Day Street and behind First County Bank & 1020 Post Road and live music in Gofer Plaza.  In addition to this fun, the Uncle’s Hot Dog Cart will be in front of the Darien Fire Department and the Fire Truck will be out for children to enjoy. There will also be a visit from the Blue Fish Mascot that will entertain shoppers of all ages. 

On Saturday, July 13, in addition to the bargains to be found, there will be a face painter in Noroton Heights near Edward Tunick, BB the Bluefish Mascot, Zumba for the Family, an inflatable slide on Day Street (which will be closed to vehicular traffic), a huge inflatable Back Yard Obstacle Course behind First County Bank., and free balloons in Goodwives Shopping Plaza for the children to enjoy.  

For more information contact www.darienctchamber.com.  For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.comwww.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.