New Art Exhibition Kicks of 50 Year Anniversary @ Lockwood Mathews Mansion

In collaboration with Silvermine School of Art, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum kicks-off its 50^th Anniversary with a new exhibition by artist and professor of photography Bruce Dunbar. The exhibition titled, Endangered & Re-envisioned: Iconic Landmarks and Interiors will open to the public on April 7, 2016, 12-4 p.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

Curated by artist and designer Gail Ingis-Claus, Endangered & Re-envisioned will run through July 6, 2016, with a fundraising reception on April 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; tickets for the reception are $10 for non-members and $5 for members. All proceeds will benefit the Museum’s cultural and educational programs.

 This exhibition will feature some of Mr. Dunbar’s analog and digital work focusing on several Connecticut structures built between 1870-1940, both private residences and public spaces, seeking to place them in their contemporary context of adaptive reuse. “I am seeking to unite the past history of the landmark with the present context in which it exists,” said Dunbar, “including both images of interiors and exteriors, in order to draw attention to the rich history of each landmark, it's various past import and current status as landmark."

This exhibition will feature some of Mr. Dunbar’s analog and digital work focusing on several Connecticut structures built between 1870-1940, both private residences and public spaces, seeking to place them in their contemporary context of adaptive reuse. “I am seeking to unite the past history of the landmark with the present context in which it exists,” said Dunbar, “including both images of interiors and exteriors, in order to draw attention to the rich history of each landmark, it's various past import and current status as landmark."

Born in Stratford, CT, Mr. Dunbar received his BA from Boston University and his MA from New York University. His photographs and mixed media have been exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in Connecticut and New York City. Currently, he teaches black and white and digital photography courses at Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, CT, as well as several workshops exploring different aspects on the art of photography.

Click! Snap! Like! From April 7, 2016 through May 1^st, visitors are invited to participate in a photo contest sharing their talent and favorite photo of the Mansion on the Museum’s Facebook wall. All photos must be of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s exterior and submitted no later than May 1^st. The winner will be announced on May 3^rd. Prizes will be awarded on May 18.

The exhibit will be on view as part of LMMM’s tours, Wed.-Sun. at noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. General Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children and young adults, ages 8-18.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a National Historic Landmark since 1971, reopens to the public on Wed. April 6, 2016. For more information on schedules and programs please visit: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

For additional area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

What is Obscura Day at the Barnum Museum

On Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Barnum Museum located on 820 Main Street in Bridgeport is opening their doors to all seekers of the rare, the unusual and the wondrous!

Conceived and built by American icon P.T. Barnum, the Barnum Museum has served a global audience since its opening in 1893. Although P.T. Barnum did not live to see the completion of the landmark site, the exotic building and collection is a reflection of Barnum's fascination with the world and his pioneering spirit to bring curiosity and wonder to all seeking knowledge.

Obscura Day guests will have the opportunity to join the Museum Executive Director and Curator on a special and private tour of the collections. Rarely seen artifacts including Tom Thumb's clothing, carriages and personal items, P.T. Barnum's wedding top hat from 1829 and his fascinating hand-written Copy Book that chronicles the European tour of Tom Thumb in 1845.

In addition, guests will have the opportunity to join staff on an exclusive hard-hat tour of the historic Barnum building. Currently under restoration after an EF1 tornado strike in 2010, the Museum has been actively restoring and re-envisioning its future. Guests are invited to be among the very first to witness the disaster recovery effort and learn the Museum's exciting plans for the future!

BRC Imagination Arts concept design for the future.

Following the tour, guests will have the opportunity to engage in lively conversations with the Museum staff and enjoy light refreshments in the special events gallery.  The cost is $35.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Planetarium shows at WSCU in Danbury

 Western Connecticut State University’s Westside observatory will host free, public planetarium shows and viewing parties on multiple Saturday evenings this spring. The observatory is on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave.  Extension in Danbury, between the Westside Campus Center and Pinney Hall on top of a small hill. The entrance road faces the front of Pinney Hall.

Planetarium shows will run for an hour. The times will vary with the sunset. After the show, the public is invited to view the night sky through individual telescopes or take turns with the large, 20-inch telescope. Telescope viewing will run for two hours, weather permitting.

Schedule of events:

• April 2: 7 – 8 p.m. planetarium show; 8 – 10 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• April 16: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. planetarium show; 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. viewing of the waxing gibbous moon, spring sky, Jupiter

• April 30: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• May 14: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of Jupiter, the moon past first quarter, Mars (late)

• May 21: 9 – 11 p.m. observing only, Jupiter, the full moon, Mars near opposition

Parking is very limited around the observatory, but more can be found on University Boulevard.

Planetarium shows are not appropriate for infants or toddlers. Public Nights may be canceled due to severe weather or hazardous road conditions. For updates, call (203) 837-8672 on the day of an event.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Hickory, Ash, & Reed: Traditional Baskets, Contemporary Makers @ Wilton Historical Society

The Wilton Historical Society located on 224 Danbury Road is hosting a new exhibition through October 15 that will feature both old and contemporary baskets. 

This exhibition showcases the work of select contemporary basket makers including Jonathan Kline, Stephen Zeh, Lois Russell, Kari Lonning, and Marion Hildebrandt and contrasts them with historic baskets from the Society's permanent collection. The work of these artists is grounded in the use of natural materials including brown ash,
black ash, hickory, willow and reed.

Working with familiar forms ranging from wide, shallow baskets to lidded baskets; large rectangular, loosely woven baskets to upright hampers; baskets designed for use in harvesting vegetables and fruit; carrying or storing a variety of household objects, their beautifully crafted work shows the influence of Shakers, Native Americans, and the traditions of the Northeast.
A highlight of the exhibition are the  contemporary Nantucket baskets made by Harry A. Hilbert and Gail Halvorsen.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

LAKE COMPOUNCE TO AWARD FIRST RIDE ON PHOBIA PHEAR COASTER TO 12 FANS WITH MAJOR PHEARS

Starting today, Lake Compounce Family Theme Park is inviting guests to share their deepest, darkest phobias with park officials via www.lakecompounce.com/phobiaphearcontest.Twelve terrified riders will be chosen to be the first to experience Phobia Phear Coaster on the park’s opening day, May 7^th at 11am. The 12 chosen guests will be highlighted on the park’s social media pages starting May 1^st along with their phobias. The general public is encouraged to attend this event on May 7^th to watch the 12 brave riders and to then ride Phobia themselves.

Lake Compounce announced this innovative and record breaking rollercoaster in July of last year. Phobia features an inversion at 150 feet in the air—one of the highest in existence and the tallest in the Northeast.  Guests will experience speeds of 65 mile per hour with many exciting and unique elements including multiple launches, a twisting heart-line inversion, and ascending and descending twists.

This rollercoaster, manufactured by Premier Rides, is both technologically innovative and environmentally sound including the most advanced magnetic launch system and a highly innovative power modulation system that represents cutting-edge green technology. This Smart Energy System uses high-tech military grade hardware designed to dramatically reduce high-end power requirements in order to lower peak demands to the regional power grid. 

About Lake Compounce

Lake Compounce, part of the Palace Entertainment family of parks and New England's premier family theme park opens May 7th for the 2016 season. Celebrating its 170th season, Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America. Summer Season Passes are currently on sale for the 2016 season starting at $55. More information and the park's operating schedule can be found at lakecompounce.com.