Dear Friends,
The past year has been just super for the Guild, and for me personally. We had some incredible exhibitions that showcased art from members and regional artists. Festive Home 9 was a fun, successful event that involved many members and brought thousands of visitors to the barn. Our children's art camp and classes provided experiences that otherwise might not be available to kids during the school year, and we will continue to grow these programs and involve more of our community in the Guild's activities.
In 2014, we have big plans, too. Starting right off with Animal Spirit, our members-only, themed show in January, the Guild provides many opportunities to show off the talents and creativity of artists that know and love the Guild. This winter, Patti Mollica will have a workshop demonstrating Golden Acrylics; Richard Ventre will be exhibiting in our upstairs gallery and he will present an ARTalk in early March; our curated, invitational show, Re-Imagined, will gear up in the spring, as will the member juried show. We have new classes starting in January for kids and adults, and our Artists Salon will start up again on January 24. Whew! There are plenty of reasons to visit the Guild this winter and beyond.
My time as President is coming to an end, as I look forward to a move to Florida with my family in June. As spring approaches, I will be spending more time emptying and selling our house and less time on the Guild's activities. This has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me-meeting so many members, looking at so much terrific artwork, working on grants, keeping the barn going...I sincerely hope that all of you will join the very vibrant core group of volunteers to continue to run the Guild. It takes many, many hands to pull off the success the Guild has achieved, and now, more than ever, your Guild needs you to step up and take off! You might have different ideas about what the Guild means; you might want to organize events differently. The main point is your input matters in a very real way to the future of our organization. I have to tell you that the Board of Directors is the most creative group of people I could ever imagine, and they will welcome you with open arms!
Happy New Year!
Mary Louise |
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Animal Spirit: A Member Themed Show
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 "Animal Spirit" conjures infinite interpretations, from the primal to the ethereal, the literal to the abstract. The human-as-animal spirit, the spiritual energy from nature that inspires us, the seen (and unseen) life that surrounds us every day. The Ridgefield Guild of Artists invites you to embark on a journey to bring your own unique spirit to the colors, shapes, and meanings this theme evokes. Check the web site for complete details. Important Dates: Receiving: Friday and Saturday, January 17 and 18, 12-4 pm Deadline for written statements: January 17, 4 pm Opening Reception: Saturday, January 25, 4-6 pm |
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New Still Life Class for Adults
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A new 4-week still-life class starts on Thursday, January 15. Noted regional artist Rick Daksam will teach students to create a new still life painting each week. You will learn drawing skills, understanding of light and shadow, color relationships and composition. There will be 3 hours of instruction from 10am-1pm. All levels of expertise welcome! This will be a really fun course, so sign up today. Class size is limited!
Check the web site for a complete list of materials and fees. |
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Immediate Opening for Co-Chairs
Co-chairs are needed immediately for Animal Spirit. Without the support of members, exhibits like Animal Spirit could be eliminated from our schedule, so shake off winter and get to the Guild where it's always warm and fun. The Guild needs you!
Animal Spirit opens on Saturday, January 25 and closes on Saturday, March 2. Please contact Joan Isaac if you can help run this fun show. It is a members-only show that is not juried. If you haven't been a co-chair yet, this is a great introduction to the workings of putting together an exhibition and you get to meet the nicest artists! Co-chairs work with other volunteers to receive art, assist at the reception, coordinate wall tags and artists' statements, and help with distribute the unsold art when the show is over. Lots of fun and good times!
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Still a Member?
Make sure your membership is up to date! Call Joan at the Guild to check your renewal status.
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Snow Day Policy
If Ridgefield Schools are closed or there is an early dismissal, then activities at the Guild are also cancelled. Events and classes will be re-scheduled, and most Saturday opening receptions will be held on the following day. The phone message at the Guild will be updated in case of closings, so please call before you venture out.
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Don't forget to follow us on:
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Upstairs Gallery Opening: Richard Ventre
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GODDESS OF THE HUNT: After Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Diana
Inspired by Saint-Gaudens' iconic 1893 sculpture of Diana, this series of 24 images, in photomontage, is told in the style of dramatic narrative. An ensemble of eight women reinterpreted this Roman Goddess by bringing their own understandings of themselves, and the varied aspects of the hunt, to each image. It is a celebration of their instincts, their surety, and their pursuit in any successful hunt.
These images are a compilation of several elements: aerial and studio photography, the painted female nude model, and the digital rendering of each element in the computer.
The series is an invitation to accompany Diana through the mountains that are her home, and be a party to the quest.
There will be an Opening Reception at the Guild, in the Upstairs Gallery, on Saturday, January 25 from 4-6 pm.
On Sunday, March 2 at 2 pm, "GODDESS OF THE HUNT: Interpretations of Saint-Gaudens' Diana" will be presented at the Guild as part of the Ridgefield Library ARTalk series.
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The A to Z of Acrylics:
A Workshop & Demonstration at the Guild
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Patti Mollica will demonstrate Golden Acrylics in a special workshop on February 1. Please call the Guild right away to sign up for this free workshop, as space is limited! Here are the particulars:
When: Saturday, February 1, 2014, from 3-5pm
Who: The workshop is free and open to all members, but reservations are required. Space is limited, so call or email the Guild to save your spot. Hurry as the workshop is filling up.
Where: Main Gallery in the Guild Barn
What: Free product samples and literature for all registrants from Patti Mollica, a professional illustrator and fine artists for over 30 years.
What Else: Note: in case of inclement weather, the demo will be held on Sunday, February 2, 3-5pm.
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 Kids: Join us at the Guild on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for art classes. We have all sorts of offerings that are sure to get you going so you can create masterpieces and learn new ways of expressing yourself. From traditional drawing and painting to some cool sculpture and multimedia work, you can find it at the Guild. Check the web site for a complete listing of classes! Call the Guild to register, and hurry, classes fill up fast!
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 Join other artists for some lively conversation! Friday, January 24, 7:30-9:30pm. Bring your own beverages and whatever you want to share. It will be fun!
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Board of Directors Openings
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Please consider joining our dynamic and fun group of members who, behind the scenes, are responsible for making the Guild of Artists tick. We currently have the following board positions open:
Co-President
Hospitality
Online Media Director
Marketing/Community Outreach
If you are interested in any of these listed positions or if you have a special talent or interest that you believe will enhance the daily operations at the Guild of Artists, please let us know by emailing rgoa@sbcglobal.net.
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The Guild is a great organization, isn't it? We have such wonderful people who give freely of their time and produce the best exhibitions in the whole area. But, helping hands can't pay the heating bill, buy paint for the walls, or finance the countless other expenses we have.
Help us continue with our goal of making the Guild the best local organization for the arts in the region. We depend on the generosity of our ever-expanding community to support our Annual Appeal, which contributes to our operating expenses and helps us maintain our budget. This year we are going green with our Annual Appeal, so please click on the PayPal link below to make your contribution. Don't want to use Paypal? Call the Guild to make your donation by credit card or send a check to: Annual Appeal 2013, RGA, P.O. Box 552, Ridgefield, CT 06877.We ask that you consider making a donation of any amount to help us continue to meet our goal. If your employer offers matching funds, please consider making that available to the Guild. RGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your contributions are tax-deductible. Please donate today!
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 GUILD OF ARTIST MISSION Ridgefield Guild of Artists is a regional and community-based art organization that promotes the visual arts and arts education by providing: (1) high quality gallery space for exhibitions, (2) art classes for children and adults, (3) opportunities for artist-in-residency programs, (4) and art lectures on-site and in collaboration with other cultural organization.
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