Closer: The Graphic Art of Chuck Close at The Bruce Museum

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich is presenting Closer: The Graphic Art of Chuck Close in the main Love, Newman Wild Galleries through January 5, 2013 with a portion on view in the Lecture Gallery through January 26.

With a body of work composed almost entirely of portraits, the American artist Chuck Close has been astounding us with his artistic verisimilitude for more than four decades. His prints, especially, are adventures in problem solving: working from the particularities of each print medium – woodcut, etching, silkscreen, linocut, aquatint, pulp-paper multiple – he gives his imagination free rein to reconceive their aesthetic possibilities. Although a spirit of experimentation characterizes Close's work across all media, it is particularly evident in the wide-ranging scope of his printed production.

Chuck Close announced his arrival on the contemporary art scene with his large-scale, black-and-white airbrushed heads, paintings based on photographs he had transferred to canvas by means of a grid. Recognition came quickly: his work was shown at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, in 1969, followed by a solo exhibition at New York's Bykert Gallery in 1970 and a one-man show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1971. In 1972 he created the first print of his professional career, a mezzotint, which began a life-long engagement with the aesthetics and technology of printmaking. The collaborative nature of this work has been vital to the artist's creative process: working with master printers, Close alters one or several variables to create endless permutations in a wide variety of print techniques, usually recycling past portraits of himself, his family, and his friends.

The Bruce Museum is also sponsoring a lecture series relating to this exhibition on Dec. 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and is titled Closer: The Art of Chuck Close in the Context of the 1970s that is being led by  Kenneth Silver, PHD, Professor of Art History, New York University, Adjunct Curator of Art, Bruce Museum.  There will be a dessert reception for both lectures from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and reservations are required.  Visit www.brucemuseum.org to make reservations. 

Closer: The Graphic Art of Chuck Close is accompanied by a generously illustrated catalogue by the same title. A lecture series and film series will also complement the exhibition.

About the Bruce Museum

Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students up to 22 years, $6 for seniors and free for members and children under 5 years. Individual admission is free on Tuesday. Free on-site parking is available and the Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For additional information, call the Bruce Museum at 203 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org.  

 

Celebrate the Holidays P.T. Barnum Style

During December, Bridgeport’s The Barnum Museum located on 820 Main Street is offering a limited, yet glorious, series of Victorian Christmas events as part of the Celebrate the Season programming. 

On Friday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. the Annual Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting, on McLevy Green will take place. Everyone is invited to join Mayor Bill Finch and other city officials for this holiday tradition to ‘light up’ Downtown Bridgeport.

On Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m. and on December 18 at 12 noon, Kathleen Maher, Executive Director will present “Celebrate the Season”. This program will take participants on a fascinating journey back in time to holiday festivities of bygone days. Maher will present the evolution of the tales and traditions of a Victorian age Christmas.  Admission $5. 

A Reading of The Night Before Christmas by Sonia Finch Bridgeport’s First Lady will take place on Wednesday, December 11 at 11 a.m. Mrs. Finch will read Clement Clarke Moore's timeless holiday tale, the enchanting The Night Before Christmas, under the twinkling lights of a Victorian Christmas tree. Children attending the nearby Early Learning Lab at Housatonic Community College have been invited, but the public is also encouraged to bring their pre-school children for a $2 suggested donation to participate in this traditional way to ring in the holidays.

A Lecture on Tom Thumb by Eric Lehman is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11 at 11 a.m.  Attendees will get a first look at Eric D. Lehman's new biography of Bridgeport's own Charles Stratton, Becoming Tom Thumb. Lehman tells the full story of this iconic figure for the first time. The book details his triumphs on the New York stage, his epic celebrity wedding, his meetings with Abraham Lincoln and Queen Victoria, and his around-the-world tour, drawing on newly available primary sources and interviews. From the mansions of Paris to the deserts of Australia, Stratton’s unique brand of Yankee comedy not only earned him the accolades of millions of fans, it helped move little people out of the side show and into the lime light. Admission $5  Eric D. Lehman teaches travel literature, history, and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport. He is the author of seven books about Connecticut, including A History of Connecticut Food and Insiders’ Guide to Connecticut.

Call for more information 203-331-1104 ext.100, M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit visit www.barnum-museum.org for more information.

About the P.T. Barnum Museum

The back exhibition hall of the museum, featuring artifacts that belonged to P.T. Barnum, Tom Thumb and others, is open for viewing and exploration on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about The Barnum Museum’s current programs visit www.barnum-museum.org. You can also visit the museum on Facebook, view past programs at www.barnummuseumexhibitions.org or communicate on Twitter @BarnumMuseum

Native American Quill and Beadwork in Litchfield Hills

In northwest Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, The Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington is presenting and exhibition of the quill and bead work of Chris Bullock who is of Wampanoag descent. The Wampanoag is an tribe whose ancestors lived on Martha's Vineyard.

Since childhood, Chris has participated in Native American cultural events and has been crafting his own work for 47 years. He also provides educational programming on eighteenth century Native culture.

Chris oversees the daily operation of The Wandering Bull, LLC, a family business his parents began in 1969 that is located in Washington, New Hampshire. The Wandering Bull sells Native craft supplies, as well as vintage and antique Native art with a focus on the Northeast Woodlands.

The exhibit runs through November 30, 2013. There is no charge for this exhibition. Museum Hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday from 12 Noon to 5pm Last admission at 4:30pm.

For more information www.iaismuseum.org. For information on Litchfield Hills visit  www.litchfieldhills.com

CITYCENTER DANBURY WELCOMES SANTA SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH ON LIBRARY PLAZA

'Tis the Season as CityCenter Danbury celebrates Light the Lights, its annual Holiday Gathering to welcome Santa, on Saturday, November 30th, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Library Plaza. The fun filled event is always anticipated and full of good cheer.  

This event features music, dance, cookies, hot chocolate, and Santa's arrival by fire engine.  Best of all it's FREE and children of all ages are invited. For information, visit www.citycenterdanbury.com or call (203) 792 1711.

Light the Lights begins at 5:00pm with music provided by Summit Entertainment. Santa's arrival in one hour - to the expectations of little ones, their family and friends - will continue with a special performance of "Hot Chocolate" from the 2004 motion picture The Polar Express that was performed in the film by Tom Hanks.

Carols and pop holiday songs will follow, performed by Saint Joseph's School Children's Choir under the direction of Jennifer Doherty. Regal Brass will encourage a sing-along as they play "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and many more holiday favorites.

At 5:45pm, Mayor Mark Boughton will lead a countdown to Light the Lights as Santa arrives soon thereafter by fire engine. From 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, children may visit Santa at Library Plaza. Don’t forget your camera for memorable photos. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be provided in front of the Danbury Public Library. 

In addition to Light the Lights, several pre events have been planned.  From 10:00am - 3:00pm: 

The Danbury Museum, 43 Main Street, opens its Holiday Bazaar, which runs through December 21^st; and at 12 noon, The Palace Danbury will screen a free showing of "Shrek the Musical."  To round out the fun, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm the Danbury Public Library will host "The Snow Maiden," a marionette show, with live music, by Purple Rock Productions.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Coffeehouse at The Wheelers - Westport Historical Society

The Westport Historical Society's Betty and Ralph Sheffer Gallery will sway to the rhythms of music and poetry t0n November 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when it morphs into a Greenwich Village-style coffee house featuring singer/songwriter Suzanne Sheridan and friends.

Westporter Sheridan, whose music influences include Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, will appear with Westport poet Ralph Adams. She will be accompanied on keyboards by Bob Cooper of Westport and Chris Brown on bass. The sessions are titled "Coffee House at the Wheeler's," a reference to Wheeler House, the society's headquarters at 25 Avery Place.

A jingle and New York club singer in the 60s, Sheridan says she dropped out in the 70s because she couldn't relate to disco and decided she was going to do it her way, performing music that made her happy. Her goal has always been to bring "intelligence and heart to the music scene," she says. In addition to tunes by Mitchell and Cohen, her dates at the WHS will feature Kansas City blues, jazz and such all-time rock faves as "You Send Me," "New York State of Mind," "Johnny Be Good" and "Stand By Me."

Adams, whom Sheridan considers the unofficial poet laureate of Westport, draws on his experiences growing up on the Kansas plains dreaming of buffalo and Indians and his days sailing the world's seas with the Merchant Marine.

Cooper played piano with the John Mooney Blues Band in the late 1970s, performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He was also the keyboard player for Harvey Robbins' Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame concerts from 2000 to 2009.

Brown, who has homes in Bethel and on Candlewood Lakes, studied jazz and classical music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. A horn player in addition to a bassist, he enjoyed a long collaboration with Paul Winter and the Winter Consort, serving as music editor of Winter's Grammy-winning 1994 album "Prayer for the Wild Things."

Though contemporary music programs are something of a departure for the WHS, executive director Sue Gold says they serve the mission of "enriching the community and creating an opportunity for Westporters to gather together. A $10 donation will be requested at the door, and reservations are required. For more information visit www.westporthistory.org, to reserve,call the Westport Historical Society at (203) 222-1424.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Secret of Circles at Stepping Stones

What do a bagel, a ball and a banana all have in common? Cut them through the center and each one has a circle inside! Circles are extremely familiar because they are simply everywhere, but why? The solution to this mystery and many others can be found by exploring Secrets of Circles, a new 2,000-square foot exhibit  at Stepping Stones Museum for Children through January 5, 2014.

Circles are pretty amazing shapes. If you look around, you'll find them in the wheels of a car, the clocks on the wall, the Frisbees you play with or the tortillas on your table. So simple, and yet so incredibly powerful, the circle is found in many places in nature and has been used in many ways by people throughout time and across cultures. But why are they so ubiquitous? What makes them the best shape for both pizza and a barrel? What other secrets can they possibly have?

Discover the secrets at Stepping Stones this fall. Explore this intriguing phenomenon with eighteen interactive, original components that place visitors at the center of experiences rich with the math, science, engineering, and beauty of circles. Whether you are drawing a perfect glow-in-the-dark circle at the Compass Table or building your own gear contraptions in Gear UP!, children and adults alike are uncovering the properties of a simple shape with powerful applications.

Circles are one of the first shapes that very young children learn to identify. As children get older, studying circles helps them understand basic STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) concepts. The exhibit is not only educational, but provides hands-on activities that are really fun for children and families.

Secrets of Circles is designed to intrigue a wide range of ages, as well as visitors from different backgrounds. Signage is tri-lingual, (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese) and spaces are wheelchair accessible. The rich colors, beautiful bamboo plywood, eco-friendly building materials, and cultural and historical artifacts within the exhibit represent people and circles from around the world and over time. The exhibit will inspire many questions and encourage further investigation.

Visit Secrets of Circles and your world will suddenly be transformed into a delicious puzzle for your investigation. After all, circles are everywhere, and each circle has a secret for you to uncover!

ABOUT STEPPING STONES MUSUEM FOR CHILDREN

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) children's museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. For more information about Stepping Stones, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop or facility rental call 203-899-0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is located at 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT, exit 14 North and 15 South off I-95. Museum hours are: Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm; and Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tuesday—Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 am-5pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free. To learn more visit steppingstonesmuseum.org or call 203 899 0606.