Gallery 53 l August 2022 Newsletter

Dedicated to making art accessible to the community . . .

Member Newsletter: AUGUST 2022

RAY GAWLAK PHOTOGRAPHY: A Retrospective

Opening: Saturday, 8/6 l 12:00 - 2:30 PM l On Exhibit: 8/6 - 8/19

Portrait of Joe Coffey

by Ray Gawlak

We're honored to exhibit the work of Meriden-based professional photographer Ray Gawlak this month! The exhibit celebrates Ray's career from 1958 to the present and includes over 50 of his favorite portrait, travel, and sports photographs. Viewers can also browse photo albums, a large screen television presentation, and numerous framed and matted pieces that are for sale.

NOTE: all of the pieces in the exhibit are for sale and orders can be placed for different sizes and frames!

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ART STUDIO COMES ALIVE DURING SUMMER ART CAMP!

Our 2nd floor art studio was ALIVE with youthful energy this summer, thanks to the tireless efforts of Executive Director Sandy Goodyear and some very generous sponsors! For 3 weeks, we hosted groups of 9 to 14 year-olds for half-day art exploration sessions led by artist/educator Paul Iezzi. Students experimented with a variety of media and subjects. A highlight of each session was “T-Shirt Day” with Lynn Keeler Fisher who showed the group how to create “ice-dye” t-shirts!

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors:

GALLERY NEWS

The Raise the Roof Project is moving forward thanks to the City of Meriden Purchasing Department, who has engaged DeCarlo & Doll, LLC for professional project management. Step 1? Place tie rods to stabilize the structure.

above: Justin Mitchell & the Ball Headz assist with preparation for our upcoming roof replacement.

Thanks to the volunteers who refreshed the walls of our lobby and art gallery + gift shop! G53 Executive Board Member Denise Carr single-handedly tackled the lobby. Also, Alison Green, Joanne Edwards, Charlotte Hinckley, and Jen Hinckley made the gallery walls sparkle in just a few short days!

On 8/2, G53 Board President Christine Webster and Kathy Gorman (above) staffed the Gallery 53 table at National Night Out at Hubbard Park. Gallery 53 was among over 40 local civic organizations participating in this event organized by the Meriden Council of Neighborhoods and Meriden Police Department

FRANK A. LAMPHIER, Jr. & JUSTIN PICCIRILLO - a Journey Through Meriden History

Gallery 53 hosted a uniquely Meriden exhibit in July with a collection of cartoon art by the late Frank A. Lamphier (or “Lamp” as readers knew him!) and Justin Piccirillo, Editorial Cartoonists for Meriden’s Record-Journal. Kicking off with a well-attended Opening on July 9^th, the exhibit presented several hundred pieces of insightful local social commentary.

It's not too late to take home a piece of Meriden history - we still have original cartoons for sale in the gallery!

Community News Bulletins

PAUL OTT PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTATION

Date: September 21, 2022

Time: 1:00 pm

Place: Meriden Public Library

Topic: Photography as Art

Speaker: Paul Ott, Photographer

Check Meriden Public Library website for details

MERIDEN GREEN EXPANSION SURVEY

Did you know the Meriden Green will be expanding? This award winning flood control /public greenspace will be enlarged northward in 2 phases. City officials are asking the public what features should be included. Take the survey to offer your input:

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UPCOMING EVENTS

THE OLD BAG

gently used handbags & "junque" jewelry!

Friday, September 30^th

Love to accessorize but don’t like to lay out a boatload of cash? G53’s got you covered with their first “The Old Bag” purse & jewelry sale! Stay tuned for more details.

Donate gently used handbags and “junque” (aka costume) jewelry - drop them off during our regular business hours, call 203-235-5347 or send an email.

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COCKTAILS & SALSA!

Dance the night away! STEVEN POWELL, a Dance Instructor from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Hamden, CT, will teach salsa, rumba, and American swing dancing.

September 24, 2022 l G53 Indianna Room

7:00 PM Cocktails l 8:00 – 9:30 Dance Lessons

$20 per person l $35 per couple

BREAD & BROTH TO GO

delicious soups served up in handcrafted bowls

5 THURSDAYS: October 6th - November 3rd

Right now it feels like an Endless Summer, but before you know it, we’ll be craving comfort food and cozy nights! Get ready for Bread & Broth To Go, featuring delicious soups by local restaurants and pottery bowls by Washington Middle School students! Details coming soon!