May 10th, 2010

March 23, 2010

Forgotten Factories in Our Backyards

by Michelina Docimo

It’s difficult not to notice the puffs of white smoke pouring out of a smokestack skyline while driving through Bridgeport on I-95. Passing through, abandoned factories blur into the background, edges fading on the coast’s cargo docks. Confused images of production and malfunction begin to mix.

Set in the outskirts in an area of Bridgeport that used to be buzzing factory businesses, The Gallery at Black Rock is hosting Industrial Strength where it becomes difficult to distinguish art from reality. Gallery director and owner, Eileen Walsh, has always had a fascination with factories, their simple exterior structure and the complex processes occurring inside. Assembling fifteen local artists, the show has a taste of what Bridgeport used to be and makes you wonder what it could become.

Walsh recalls how in the 1980s, Bridgeport was affected by drugs taking over the city. “It was a time when no one felt safe driving through the streets. But as the 1990s came, cocaine went out of fashion, which resulted in less crime.”  Urban planning and politics helped build Bridgeport’s self-esteem and now feels on the brink of something good to happen. The stigma still remains though, not only in the residents’ minds, but in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and soil we build on.

Photographer and mechanical engineer, Jeff Becker, captures this sentiment of concern through images of cracked windows, spiraling staircases, and illuminated incinerators in the night sky. The image of a smoky red Bridgeport RESCO (a refuse incinerator and energy plant) recalls the EPA controversy in the early 90s of citizens taking action against the burning of toxic, illegal construction site materials, emitting mercury, lead, asbestos, and other pollutants into the air.

OOther artists expose a more serene side to factories. Artist, E. Fitz Smith, for example, displays three large archival prints (44x40) of abandoned factories but in cool pastel tone, simple lines, unobstructed from the grime and grittiness associated with derelict buildings.

Each artist brings a unique perspective of how factories have impressed upon our lives and affected our local landscape. Amber Maida, for instance, seems to combine feelings of despair and hope in her collage paintings. Using a mixed media of acrylic paints, combined with organic materials like egg shells, twigs, and sand, Maida beckons viewers to look inside and figure a way out of this maze.

Industrial Strength provokes discussion on how these factories have affected all aspects of our lives. A show on architecture and form, it also asks for creative sustainable solutions to recover brownfields and neglected buildings to assist Bridgeport in cleaning up its image; it asks, “how can we make society work again?”  br />
Industrial Strength is an off-site exhibition and can be viewed at 51 Crescent Avenue in Bridgeport every Saturday through March, from 12 – 4 pm. For a video coverage of the opening reception, click here.

Images on exhibit at The Gallery at Black Rock courtesy of Jeff Becker and Amber Maida, respectively.

The program featured the work of local artists, displayed in window displays and throughout the showrooms of various retailers, including Richard’s of Greenwich in which Maida’s work was shown. The event opened with a gala street festival turning Greenwich Avenue into a strolling art gallery. Call the artist’s Naugatuck, CT, studio at (203) 278-3434 or visit: www.ambermaida.com.

SHELTON - Even those of us who have never picked up a paintbrush or wielded a camera possess at least one creative ability - the ability to give. The Valley Philanthropy Council and Valley Arts Council are hoping that their art show 'The Art of Giving' will inspire residents to put this skill to good use.
The two organizations are collaborating to host the juried art exhibition, which celebrated its opening Sunday at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce with a reception and awards ceremony. More than 30 area artists contributed pieces to the show, most offering to donate at least a portion of the proceeds from any sales to various nonprofit groups.
Arlene Greco, director of development at Birmingham Group Health Services in Ansonia and chair of the Valley Philanthropy Council, said the event was intended not as a fundraiser but rather as an effort to "further the importance of giving in the community."
The show, which includes paintings, drawings, photographs, and multi-media work, will hopefully prompt visitors from the Valley to "think about giving and what it means" and raise awareness about the importance of philanthropy, she said.
The show revolves around the theme of giving, and much of the work represents artists' interpretations of this act. A call went out to the artists last spring to submit pieces on this subject in whatever medium they preferred.
A number of artists whose work didn't conform to the giving concept are also included. In a sense, however, they are still participating in the theme by offering to donate at least 50 percent of the proceeds from their sales to a member of the Valley Philanthropy Council. Artists who incorporated the theme were asked to give 20 percent of their proceeds.
Several contributors chose to tackle the theme through a representation of the patriotic sacrifices made by soldiers.
The $500 cash prize for Best in Show went to Bob Boroski of Shelton, whose drawing "Sacrifice" depicts a soldier dressed for battle. The work is exceptionally detailed, going as far as to show a cigarette pack tucked in the soldier's helmet band.
Elizabeth Griffin, a Shelton resident, won Honorable Mention for her watercolor "The Veteran," a portrait of a dignified older man with an American flag in the background.
"Veterans make the ultimate sacrifice for our country," she said.
Len Grayeck, also from Shelton, said his representation of the iconic image of soldiers hoisting a U.S. flag at Iwo Jima during World War II, was meant as a simple but powerful reminder of all that our troops give.
Other artists took different approaches, from depictions of the "gift of new life," to the "gift of a mother's love." In "My Hero," Shelton artist Susan Carden-Flicker shows how the gift of a new home can transform the life of an animal rescued from a shelter.
Carol Eaton, a Shelton artist, won first-place in the sculpture and fiber art category for "Teacher of the Year."
The colorful fiber art piece shows Eaton's sister, a science teacher in East Hartford, working with a student down by a river. The student is holding a frog, and the two appear to be deep in discussion.
Eaton said she is amazed by her dedicated sister, who devotes so much time and energy to her students.
"She gives 110 percent all the time," Eaton said.
The cycle of giving didn't stop there, however; in recognition of this generosity, Eaton made and gave the piece to her sister who then gave it back to her for the show. Eaton said the piece isn't for sale since she plans to return it to the original recipient when the show is over.
Thomas Greco IV, whose piece "Answered Prayer" won first-place in the painting category, said he was inspired by a story his father told him as a child about a man who anonymously left presents at the door of a needy family.
In Greco's work, a woman with two young children is shown opening her front door to discover a collection of gifts and food items someone has left for her family.
"That's really giving, not letting people see you," Greco said.
Greco, who is an art teacher, encouraged a number of his students to submit artwork. Several received prizes, including 9-year-old Shelton resident Isabella Christian who won first place in the drawing category for "Giving Love," her portrayal of a young girl reading to an ailing adult.
Amber Maida and Jennifer Contini, friends who are planning to open a studio in Beacon Falls this December, submitted a number of mixed media pieces tackling the theme in an abstract dimension.
Maida said her playful piece "Primary" was painted as she listened to David Bowie and includes fluid, luscious forms bumping up against each other. The idea was that these forms were "kissing," she said, and the overall effect is one of a loving group of family or friends.
Maida and Contini, whose piece "Cosmic Love" won an Honorable Mention, stressed the importance of artists giving back to their communities.
Even as the artists were giving, they also were being recognized for their efforts.
"I think we should all be very proud that our Valley has pulled together like this and I think this is a sign of great things to come," said Jill Nichols, vice president of the Valley Arts Council, to the assembled crowd.
William Bassett, a local philanthropist and chairman of the W.E. Bassett Company, who was also one of the art show's judges, said that philanthropic and artistic activity alike "represent a very vibrant part of our Valley."
Vice chair of the Valley Community Foundation M. Elizabeth Kennard spoke about the gift of talent as a complement to the gift of charitable giving.
"We all possess unique gifts and talents," she said, adding that "we also know that our art is very much a key to our happiness."
"I think the same process and satisfaction can be found in exercising philanthropy," Kennard said.
"Cultivating our own unique way to help others is equally creative in my view. There is an art to giving."
The show will be on display through Dec. 6 at the chamber office.
In addition to Birmingham Group Health Services, the Valley Philanthropy Council includes the Boy Scouts of America, Housatonic Council; the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lower Naugatuck Valley; Griffin Hospital; Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center; Training, Education and Manpower Inc.; United Methodist Homes; Valley Community Foundation; Valley United Way, and Visiting Nurse's Association of South Central Connecticut.



©Shelton Weekly 2008

Full Interview with Alex Nye of the East Aurora Advertiser, published 4/23/08:

Alex: I hear you have family in Wales. Did you grow up in the area? Go to school here, etc?
Amber: Yes, I grew up in Wales and went to school at Iroquois Central. I studied dance in East Aurora from the age of 5 and worked in East Aurora from the age of 16-18.

Alex:  What got you interested in art? Was it something you always wanted to do?
Amber:  Dance was my first love in the arts, my Mother and Grandmother were responsible for getting me started with taking dance classes in ballet tap and jazz. After a bit of stage fright the first year, I immersed myself in dance. When I wasn’t dancing, I was drawing or reading. All of it was a continual surprise of knowledge, I explored my way through the arts. From the age of 6, I knew of my passion for the arts, both visual and performing. I sketched like mad- it was an obsession! No desire to paint at that time, just obsessively sketched everyday- my peaceful time. My goal was to be a professional dancer and Choreographer, so I studied music theory and was involved with various theater companies in Buffalo, school theater/vocal training, dancing at Aurora Ballet and at the age of 14 when on tour throughout the US as assistant dance teacher/ Caravan Kid with Hoctor's Dance Caravan competition dance company. I did not get the inspiration/urge to paint until I bought my first home- we had no paintings to hang on the empty walls and I wanted to put something up that I could identify with, a bit of me to make the house feel like home. At the time, I was in my early 20’s living in CT with my husband, working 9am-9pm- both of my jobs were highly creative and imaginative as a choreographer at Stratford Academy of Dance and as a home colorist for Custom Building Services. I was filled with so much inspiration to create, dancing was not enough! So I grabbed some art supplies and began improvising and found myself through painting.

Alex:  What formal training have you had? Did you go to school for art or art history? Who are your influences?
Amber:  I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist and went to college at Louisburg College of Louisburg, NC as a dance major (With no money to attend college, I competed in the Miss America pageant local town division and won the title of Miss Henderson, NC which paid for my first term and I worked my way through college there after.)- I am now an award-winning choreographer for Stratford Academy of Dance and am one of the company directors. I am an advocate of being self- taught in the visual arts. I value my artist journey so very much, one of the most important things as a visual artist was that I did not pay attention to the trends or study the masters until I freely explored my own creativity… eventually I built a solid foundation of symbols, markings, textures that I felt represent my inner voice and my inner mind. When I felt comfortable and confident in my identity with my artwork and as an artist, I learned as much as possible about the arts, submerging myself in the art world/scene of CT and NY. I did not/do not study art in traditional ways; I learned by reading and watching videos about the artists that I was inspired by, spending the day with my artist friends and exchanging ideas and knowledge. My husband and I would visit every exhibit at every gallery that we could and were having a blast! I made many mistakes this way, not knowing the “proper” expected techniques or even the “Right” way to approach galleries. I persevered through the rough beginnings and learned more of what I loved about the arts and how my art fit into this world than if I was told who to study in school and forced to paint in styles that did not naturally suit me because of a class assignment. I admire many artists and feel that every person I communicate with has some sort of influence in my art. I tend to favor artists that fuse the visual and performing arts, such as I do. David Bowie would be my first and foremost influence- I paint to his music daily and love his artwork and image. I am inspired by artists that are like chameleons and morph into new styles and view points like the change in the weather. Dancers continually inspire and influence my art- especially in my first series, the “Vogue Series,” Such dancers as Gelsey Kirkland, Twyla Tharp, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Dance companies such as Pilobolus, cutting edge fashion designs and designers, fabrics… Some of my all time favorite visual artists include: Dali, Kandinsky, Basquiat, Warhol, Pollock… Not even so much for their art, I do love their art, but for what they did in the art world, a sort of magic was created and this dates back to the earliest of art masters… their oddness and mystery illuminates their creations in a profound way. I am a big fan of the art being created right now- too many to list here. I love innovative work and so much of that is happening right now!

Alex:  What is your style? Anything in particular you like to create? Does your art work have a message?
Amber:  I am not sure of a name for my style, but I can give you my thoughts as to the many things that I feel when creating it. It’s experimental, emotional and freeing. I connect with expressionism and feel my work has a surreal quality to the “Mindscape” style pieces. An article published on 11/25/07 in the Vermont Today newspaper referred to my art as being "Kandinskyesque abstractions" in a review of the Lazy Pear Gallery exhibit of Montpelier, VT where my paintings are continually represented. I’m always trying to share these thoughts and symbols in my art: fantasy, heaven, positive, intricacy, fluidity, a balance of Yin and Yang in textures and markings, old with the new, urbanism, innovation. My paintings incorporate acrylic paints, Loads of Pearlescent Inks, mixed mediums, cloth, cord and found objects. My favorite way to create is “Fusion” of the visual and performing arts. I do live painting sessions I call “Paint to the Music” a methodical, ritual of movement around and with the canvas, reactive to the music playing. I will be performing during the opening reception at redFISH. My art has a message, sometimes hidden and intimate, sometimes loud and apparent… I leave it to the viewer to discover and interpret. I enjoy the idea of the viewer being able to look at the paintings time and time again making new discoveries over the years. The art is not meant to blend in with the other décor of a home or office, it almost always serves as a conversation piece, a focal point that the collector genuinely connects with and identifies with personally.

Alex:  Where is your studio? Is business growing? Who do you sell to? Is it full-time?
Amber:  My studio is currently being constructed, so I am working out of one of the 4 bedrooms in my home- a 150+ year vintage colonial in Naugatuck, CT. The floor and walls are covered in ripped out pages of Vogue, a TV and DVD player are set up for my music playing and movie listening (I love background noise) and scented candles are generously scattered and lit throughout- the space is a royal mess and I love every bit of it! My new studio, when finished will be the entire attic space of the house. Sometimes I wake up at 4am to create… can you imaging me trying to change and drive to a studio at that time in the morning? I might get distracted and lose my thought or inspiration before making it out to my car! I need my art to be in my life and my life to be in my art so it is a true reflection of my inner self- an obsession. I like to think that obsessions are not bad as long as there is something else that balances it out. For me that is time with my husband and dance. Having been exhibiting and selling my paintings for less than 5 years, the value of my work has gone up more than 4 times over! Art is the best investment! I have exhibits happening in the UK right now- a solo exhibit planned for August in which I will be attending at Theartbay Gallery, gallery representation in CT, VT and have had a couple of exhibits throughout the years in NYC. I am having a hard time keeping up with the demand for the new paintings and teaching dance at the same time. Both fuel my inspiration so my mind tells me I must keep the duality. I have collectors throughout the US and internationally- the list is ever-growing!

Alex:  What other exhibits have you done? Is there anything you are most proud of? What have you accomplished through your art work?
Amber:  Most recently I have an exhibit at Theartbay Gallery in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. My paintings are represented by the White Space Gallery in New Haven, CT where my paintings have been on exhibit alongside the great masters such as Salvador Dali! Photographs from the exhibit were featured in INK Magazine publication, in 2006 and 2007 many of my paintings were chosen for juried exhibitions including The Housatonic Museum of Art of Bridgeport, CT. and Silvermine Art Guild of New Canaan, CT. The 2008 exhibit at Peace and Love, NYC was a hit! And I will be part of the 2009 art expo held annually in NYC featuring some of the world’s most successful artists and galleries!

Alex:  Is it difficult to be an artist? We always hear about the "starving artist," are you beyond those years?
Amber:  Difficult? No, being an artist is as natural as breathing. It is time consuming and requires much dedication and perseverance to become successful as an artist in gaining gallery representation and selling art. Most artists don’t get the recognition they deserve for their time efforts and energy spent creating their art. If an artist has the desire to sell their art and share it for all to see, then it must also be treated as a business. So much of my time is spent on networking, organizing, packaging and delivering my work to galleries and collectors, meetings to plan shows, internet exposure…. It’s not just about painting anymore, but I love both ends of the spectrum! When I need a break from creating, I go do the business side of things, my time gets divided 50/50 and keeps me balanced. I want for the world to see my art and be moved by it emotionally, I doesn’t matter if they love or hate it, just as long as it makes them stop and acknowledge it’s existence and presence.

Alex:  What can people look forward to seeing at the exhibit in EA? How long does it run?
Amber:  “Parallel” is a two women exhibit featuring my paintings and the paintings by Jennifer Contini a fellow artist and close friend that lives and works in NYC. We have been exhibiting together in NYC for a bit of time- every show we are delightfully surprised to see the connection between our art- it is never intentionally planning for! I hope the viewer can interpret the theme Parallel on many levels- how Jen and my art can stand alone strongly yet be in tune, complimenting and contrasting, ultimately balancing each other’s creations. More literally, some of the art has parallel markings, scrapings, etc. The opening reception will celebrate a fusion of the arts with live music, and my performance of “Paint to the Music” throughout the evening.

Alex:  Are you happy to be back in the area to showcase your work?
Amber:  Yes! East Aurora is and has always been one of my favorite places to be!!! I love the energy here and feel very comfortable strolling the streets, visiting the shops and galleries. I grew up here and know so many great people from East Aurora. I feel very connected and attached to the community. I hope to continue exhibiting in the area and to be more involved in the fantastic art community that exists here.

Private galleries have several advantage over nonprofit venues. Such galleries, in theory anyway, may actually make a profit. They also reflect the personalities of their owners; the artists are chosen based on the more subjective tastes of one or two people, rather than a jury (and the rule-by-committee angst that comes along with it). Nonprofit ventures, in addition to forswearing anything as crass as an outright excess of greenbacks, tend to draw from a broader, and often a necessarily less selective, pool of talent.

There is another category of gallery to be considered: the third way, in which the artists themselves run the asylum, I mean gallery. These sorts of enterprises seem to fall into the never-never land between nonprofit and for-profit, also known as the almost-profit. Most such galleries seem to have a very limited lifespan.

The Lazy Pear Gallery is a we-do-it-for-love operation that is a notable exception. The gallery, in a beautifully restored Victorian mansion on Main Street in Montpelier, features contemporary works, largely by Vermont artists, that are on the cutting edge of the local (and in some cases the national) art scene. And the owners themselves, Rob Hitzig and Mary Jo Krolewski, are artists who are dedicated to exploring their own mediums (Hitzig carves wood, Krolewski creates sculptures from fabric). They also have managed to not only stay in business for two years (a long time in this retail industry), but also have made their mark as a mainstay of the monthly Montpelier Art Walk and as the most prominent art venue in downtown Montpelier.

It helps that they have an eye for talent. Lazy Pear has featured shows with locally renowned artists like Wendy James, John Brickels, Nina Gaby, Anna Dibble, Cristine Cambrea, Caroline Kelly Saganich, Janet Van Fleet and of course the husband-and-wife team of Hitzig and Krolewski. The work is by turns humorous, ironic and mysterious. Most importantly, it is original.

This month, Lazy Pear is looking back on the past year with a medley of works by its stable of artists. The exhibit, "Wrap It Up," includes works by all the aforementioned artists and several newer contributors.

The art is a diverse mix of pottery, sculpture, painting and prints, and stylistically ranges from Amber Maida's Kandinskyesque abstractions to Dibble's affectionate dog portraits. There are Van Fleet's dresses made up of wire and buttons ("Junkyard Bride" and "Oreo" are on display); Brooke Burgee's acrylic paintings that look like artful cake icing (in white and black) smeared over patterned abstractions; and Cambrea's ink and acrylic paintings of discombobulated faces made up of misplaced mouths and eyes.

"Wrap It Up" is an unimaginative title for what is a wonderful selection of local art that could stand up in any regional gallery. Hitzig and Krolewski have an eye for artists with a taste for magic, and they aren't afraid to conjure a little themselves.

Lazy Pear is a welcome relief from the stodgy galleries in the wealthier communities in the state. What the gallery lacks in gravitas it makes up for in panache. These artists just want to have fun – and make a little money.


"Wrap It Up!" is on view at The Lazy Pear Gallery in Montpelier through Dec. 31. The show reception is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 as part of the monthly Montpelier Art Walk. The gallery, at 154 Main St., is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go online to www.lazypear.com or call 223-7680.