He didn't realize it at the time, but growing up an innkeeper's brat provided West Lowe a childhood lifestyle not unlike that of Tom Sawyer. Summers at Lake Waramaug, with its creeks and forests...and limited parental supervision were key ingredients in his boyhood adventures. High school English introduced West to Mark Twain's classic books and fabulous wit and Twain has been his philosophical hero ever since. The inspiration to take a personal affinity onto the stage came about indirectly while attending St. Lawrence University. West reflects, " I wanted to pursue an independent study of Mark Twain, particularly his lectures and speeches...but I wanted to complete it without writing a paper!" He found a professor who signed on to the project...with a theatrical impersonation as the final presentation to be graded. The research began and by mid-semester a script of original Twain dialog had been loosely assembled. A three-piece white suit was donated, and a classmate in theater volunteered to help with the make-up. The work culminated in a three-night run at the University Coffee House...and an A+. For the next thirty plus years, wherever life took him, West brought the white suit and make-up kit with him. He has preformed as Mark Twain before young and old, in theaters of the same description... bringing America's foremost author and humorist to life before captivated audiences. Now a Norfolk resident, West recalls the first time he saw the, then abandoned, stage at Infinity Hall. "For the next few nights I dreamt that I was performing on that stage. The Hall was just as it is now: full of color and life and laughter...I've been waiting for this opportunity ever since."

November 16 – December 23, 2008            Craft USA celebrates craft as art.  It is recognized as an exhibit of merit where original works of art made by hand are showcased.  This is the sixth year of the juried craft triennial competition/exhibition.  The competition draws over 1000 entries and over 400 artists from coast to coast working in various mediums such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, paper, wood, basketry and mixed media.   This year’s juror is Gretchen Keyworth, Director of the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA.  A notable figure in the world of contemporary craft, she has extensive experience in curating and advising prominent craft shows.  The Fuller Craft Museum underwent a re-branding in 2004/05 to become the preeminent craft museum in New England.  The museum has recently exhibited Joan Morris, Thomas Mann, Megumi Naitoh, Carter Smith, and Alan Klein.  Ms. Keyworth has independently curated many craft exhibitions such as GlassForms, Charles Kaziun Early Works and Traditional Paperweights.  In 2005, Ms. Keyworth was named one of ten people to watch in American Craft by The Crafts Report. GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm; Sunday: 1 – 5 pm.

Westport Arts Center presents:
c2 = (CP + CL): Creative Connections = Creative Process + Learning Process

Friday, Dec. 5 - Jan. 11

Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for Opening Reception

WAC Gallery

Curated by WAC's Education Manager, Danielle Cavanna, featuring Westport Arts Center's teaching artists, who have made signifigant contributions to our Connections program. The works that will be selected will directly relate to each teaching artist's work as an educator. For more information visit www.westportartscenter.org.

For more information, contact WAC at 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org, or visit the gallery, M-F 10-4; Sat/Sun 12-4 at 51 Riverside Ave., Westport.

Artistry on the Shoreline Holiday Sale

October 20 - January 11, 2009

Visit our website at www.guilfordartcenter.org.

Woodbury painter Matt Wood returns to nature’s essence
in “Pentimento” exhibition at Good News Cafe & Gallery

Woodbury artist Matt Wood returns to the essence of the subjects he paints from the natural world in his new exhibition titled “Pentimento,” showing through Jan. 5, 2009, at the Good News Cafe and Gallery, 694 Main Street South, Woodbury.

A native of southern California, Wood began his artistic odyssey with painting studies at the University of Iowa influenced by the work of Mauricio Lasansky. Wood notes that his own Polish and Russian heritage, and his marriage to Polish native Joanna Czaderna, have established a natural affinity for Lasansky’s passionate approach to the creative process that seeks to use art as a means to raise personal awareness.

Good News Cafe & Gallery is open from 11:30 am to 10 pm daily; closed Tuesdays.
 

The Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society presents its annual members exhibition at Hartford Fine Art, 80 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, beginning with the opening reception and awards presentation on Friday November 7, 2008 from 6-8 pm. This year's juror is David Dunlop, well-known to CPTV viewers for his thirteen-episode series Landscapes Through Time With David Dunlop, which debuted this year to rave reviews. His careful selection of 72 works in oil, watercolor, pastel and acrylic makes this the most exciting show ever for this talented group of artists. The public is cordially invited to the opening reception to share insights and a glass of wine with many member artists. All works will be for sale and a drawing will be held for one lucky guest to win an original painting by a member artist. The exhibit will continue through January 31, 2009. Please go to www.hartfordfineart.com for gallery hours and directions.

In conjunction with the annual exhibit, the Gallery will host a series of artist demonstrations and panel discussions on selected Saturdays in November and December, including a hands-on demo by David Dunlop himself on December 6 from 11-1. This is an opportunity for artists and art lovers alike to gain insights from several artists into the painting process. For a complete schedule of events, please go to www.cpaps.org.

 Mario Pires will be showing a solo exhibition of his new series of paintings, titled "Visions from the Mundane Traveler." This series has a direct link to his Masters Thesis, which focuses on imagery from everyday society. There will be an Opening Reception on December 6th, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the Gallery at the Barney Library, located at 71 Main Street in Farmington, CT. The show will run through the entire  month of December. For more information about Mario Pires and his artwork, the artist will be available to take questions and comments at his exhibit Opening on December 6th. You may also find more information in the itowns section of the hartford courant online. Type in Itowns cover art to search article. Also, you may courant.comcontact him at mariopires@yahoo.com.

Jennifer Jane Gallery has organized an art exposition with a cooperative of local artists in New Haven.

The best place around this holiday season to buy handmade, original gifts.

Original photography, paintings, stained glass, giclees, watercolors, jewlery, etc.

Located at ArLoW

838 Whalley Ave.

The Westville Arts District

New Haven, CT 06515

Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 - 6 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

www.GroupX20.com

ART@jenniferjanegallery.com

Support the Arts!

With the holidays coming, what better way to honor the spirit of the season than to support the Arts and Crafts Association of Meriden/Gallery 53 and its artists.

Give a unique, hand crafted gift to all the special people in your life.

Fabulous holiday items include oil paintings, pottery, jewlery, accessories and more.

Dec. 6 - 24

Reception on Dec. 6 from 2 - 4 p.m.; Holiday fun and hors d'oeuvres!

Gallery Hours: 12 - 4 p.m. Tues. - Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Free parking is available across the street and there is easy access from I 84 and I 91. For more information visit www.gallery53.org or call 203-235-5347.

The Cathedral Choristers perform Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. The Office of Choral Evensong is sung in the Cathedral as scheduled. This 25-minute service of meditation and light is open to all people of all faiths. Often these Evensongs are followed by informal, light receptions. For more information, contact Kevin Jones, 860-527-7231, x112, or kjones@cccathedral.org; or visit us on the web at www.cccathedral.org/choir_concerts.html.

Connecticut high school students are challenged to write mainstream, mystery or fantasy fiction from source photography for the $1000 Grand Prize and publication with your byline in our e-magazine: Cum Laude, The Scholarly Evening Post. GOOGLE: stellar scholars aurora awards