09/09/2019

8th Annual ACE Artist Members Exhibit Opening

Sunday, September 8 we celebrated the opening of the 8^th Annual ACE Artist Members Exhibit. Each year Arts Center East holds an exhibition of artwork from our Artist Members. Music for the reception was provided by Kathy King.

program

Bolton Lake in Winter

by Elizabeth Courtney

Bounding Joy

by Heidi Ludwig

A Spot of Tea

by Laura Kinlock

Music provided by Kathy King

Hello!, acrylic

by Ginny Emerson

Carousel Magic, photography

by Linda Ouellette

We invited exhibit goers to vote for their favorite piece.

People’s Choice Awards:

1^st Place: Bolton Lake in Winter by Elizabeth Courtney
2^nd Place (tie): A Spot of Tea by Laura Kinlock and Bounding Joy by Heidi Ludwig

This year’s Members Exhibit includes 123 pieces of various mediums. View the full exhibit program.

Exhibit Dates: September 8–October 6
Gallery Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 1:00–5:00pm

See more about our Artist Members.

Interested in becoming an artist member? Learn more here.

Thanks to our exhibit sponsors, Gamblin Artist Oil Colors and Jack Richeson & Co. Inc.

08/28/2019

Dionysus Theatre Company Presents Detroit ’67

by Dominique Morisseau
directed by Gabbi Mendelsohn

CAST:

                                                                                      Chelle                                          Grace Clark

                                                                                      Bunny                                         Marie Altenor

                                                                                      Lank                                           Spencer Dunn

                                                                                      Sly                                               Maurice Clark

                                                                                      Caroline                                     Tina Parziale

September 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21, 8:00pm and September 8 & 15, 2:00pm, Dionysus Theatre Company is performing Detroit ’67 at Arts Center East. Dionysus Theatre Company (DTC) has been hard at work transforming the Eureka gallery into their stage and rehearsing for their upcoming production.

Set in 1967 Detroit, sister and brother, Chelle and Lank, have reinstituted their make-shift after-hours joint in their house on Twelfth Street, with all the hottest music of the day: The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas.

Chelle and her brother are offering some distraction and good time, “just trying to make a lil’ money the best way we know how” (Morriseau. Detroit ’67, Samuel French, 2014, p.16). Of course, the after-hours joint may not exactly be legal, and the city cops have been cracking down. But Lank wants more for himself and his family. “I’m tired of […] runnin’ joints outta my basement like I got somethin’ to hide. Like the only way I can be somethin’ is underground. I’m ready to be above ground just like them white folks. Ain’t no tellin’ what Detroit could be if we was all put to good use” (Morriseau. Detroit ’67, Samuel French, 2014, p.19-20). So Lank and his friend Sly have a plan for a new joint. But “The Big Four” have been targeting the Twelfth Street Neighborhood, and things are about to come to blows.

Detroit ’67 is the first of three plays written by Morisseau, each depicting a different era in Detroit’s history (the other two are Paradise Blue, and Skeleton Crew). Morriseau includes notes in her published play:

The real riots of Detroit, more accurately known as “The Great Rebellion,” started on an early Sunday morning on July 23, 1967. Every Detroiter of my post-riot generation has heard tales of our city’s ‘used-t-bes.’ Mammas and Daddys, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles would tell us stories of shopping at Hudsons on Woodward (our main downtown avenue). Of riding the streetcar. Of the bustling downtown that once was (and is becoming again. Please believe.). This would be followed by a head shaking or a sigh at what has become of our city since.

But the thing is, I’m a romantic. I like to re-live my parent’s memories as if they were my own. I like to see the beauty in my city and remind us of who we are, what we did, and what we have the potential to become. So this play is not necessarily a history lesson. In fact, it can’t be. . .because I’m taking a lot of liberties with the truth here. Some of these locations mentioned in the play never existed. Some of them did. However creative I am choosing to be, I am not being unfaithful to the spirit of the city or the outrage that ignited the riots.

The truth is, there were police units called the Big Four that would ride around the city and harass the Black residents. . .particularly around Twelfth Street. The truth is, Twelfth Street was considered to be a ‘seedy’ part of town. The truth is, the riots began in this very neighborhood at a time when police brutality had run far too rampant, and an after-hours joint (also called a ‘blind pig’) located above a printing shop got raided. The truth is, the city’s disenfranchised were becoming social rebels. That is the truth. . .in this play and in real life. The rest of the lines between truth and fiction are my personal playwright secrets.

But what I will say is that wherever my creativity lies, it is always rooted in the soul of the family and elders from which my stories are born. This is a love song to my family and to Detroit (Morriseau, Dominique. Detroit ’67, Oberon Books Ltd, 2013, p. 5)

Dionysus Theatre Company was founded by Gabbi Mendelsohn, an English teacher and Drama Director at Rockville High School and award-winning playwright. DTC is “a theatre company whose goal is to inspire our community and ourselves through artistic expression while working to understand and explore the human condition” (https://www.dionysustheatrecompany.org). They have produced a number of productions at Arts Center East, including Hamlet, Proof, and The Diary of Anne Frank. DTC is not afraid to challenge performers and audiences with thought-provoking subject matter.

Initially when planning this season for DTC, Gabbi considered doing A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. However, after seeing Detroit ’67 at Hartford Stage, Gabbi was inspired to change her mind. “After seeing the show,” Gabbi said, “I just wanted to take it in and process it and spend time with these characters.” A Raisin in the Sun remains one of Gabbi’s favorite plays; a story centered on family relationships and a family pursuing their dreams, but Detroit ’67 embodies many of the same themes. “It goes without saying that Detroit ’67 is still super relevant today. We still live in a world struggling with prejudices and inequality, but ultimately this play is a message of perseverance and hope despite the moments when the world is against you.”

08/19/2019

Artist Member Spotlight: Scott E. Rhoades

Scott E. Rhoades is a painter from Coventry, Connecticut. His work has been featured in numerous Arts Center East exhibits, including winning Best-in-Show in the Harvest & Hauntings Exhibit, fall 2018. Some of Scott’s work was also included in the Animalia Exhibit, and Scott recently had a solo exhibition at The Arts of Tolland.

Originally from Houlton, Maine, Scott spent time when he was young drawing with his mother, but did not take his first art class until high school. As a junior at Eastern Connecticut State University Scott enrolled in an art class and thereafter changed his major to art. After graduating from Eastern he earned his Master’s degree in Art Education from Central Connecticut State University. In 1975 he began a 35-year art education career in Coventry.

As a teacher, Scott worked with thousands of students over the course of his career. He looks at his time as a teacher and his time now as an active artist as two distinct phases. “I liked being an art teacher but I was more involved with activities outside of my own painting.”Now Scott paints in his studio in his own backyard. After initially looking for a lot in Maine to build a cabin, Scott settled on building a studio at his home in Coventry. “I realized the cabin could be built in my back yard and be my art studio. A great decision. I designed and built it, enjoyed the process, and it is now a part of just about every afternoon.”

Scott is a disciplined artist and sticks to a regular routine. In addition to being an artist, Scott is a long-time avid runner, and even minored in Physical Education while at Eastern. “I run first thing in the morning, then perform a job needed around the house, and then paint in the afternoon.”

Working with acrylic paints, Scott’s subjects are largely taken from nature. Many of his paintings have a classic New England feel to them, often featuring birch trees, barns, and moose. But Scott takes inspiration from his further travels as well. “When I paint, I use photographs from my travels. It makes traveling interesting as I look for painting subjects such as old barns, nature, landscapes, and other things as I go along.” Though nature isn’t his only subject: “I like to bring old black and white historic images to color and experiment with portraiture.” And Scott isn’t short on subjects to paint. “I typically start about five or six paintings at a time as I like to work in detail and I paint whatever I feel most drawn to in a particular afternoon.” He has also worked on a number of commissioned pieces, from homes and vacation spots, to portraits children and pets.

More of Scott’s work can be seen on his website.

08/13/2019

Animalia Pet Boutique & Artisan Craft Fair

This month, Arts Center East is hosting a Pet Boutique & Artisan Craft Fair, coinciding with the Animalia Exhibit currently on display. Local artisans and crafters are selling handmade goods for pets and animal-inspired wares. Among the featured artisans are Blue Hearts Glass, Amy’s Paintings and Bookmarks, Carolann’s Corner, Nutmeg Naturals LLC, Opportunity Works CT, Last Chance Freelance, Frog Hollow Studios, GypzieGirl Designs, Whimisicalia, and more. Items include cat toys, pet-inspired glass jewelry, ceramics, stationary, handmade stuffed animals, even outfits and bandanas for your dogs. Whether you are shopping for your pet, or for the animal-lover in your life, the Pet Boutique & Artisan Craft Fair has something for you!

ceramics

animal-inspired jewelry

journals

sheep

totes

felt animals

In addition to our over 20 artisans, information is available about American Vet Dogs, Strong Family Farm, the Vernon Historical Society, and Tankerhoosen Valley. Strong Family Farm is featuring their Fall Harvest Festival coming up in October, as well as information about how to preserve the Strong Farm pastures. The Tankerhoosen Valley table includes information for birdwatchers and dog-friendly walking trails.

Saturday, August 17, the Pet Boutique & Artisan Craft Fair is open extended hours, 10:00am–5:00pm. Sunday at 10:30am, Tao Dog Yoga will also be holding an hour-long yoga class for humans and their canine companions.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this possible: Behavior Unleashed LLC – Tao Dog Yoga, Bolton Veterinary Hospital, Jack Richeson & Co., Inc., Jerry’s West Hartford, Sweet Pea Natural Pet Foods Store

08/06/2019

ACE Artisan Shop Closure

You may have noticed the Artisan Gift Shop at Arts Center East is temporarily closed. After continued hard work and planning, we are ready to make preparations for a bigger, better, and brighter Artisan Shop! Plans are in the works to expand the Artisan Shop so we can showcase more of the community’s artisans.

Preliminary plans are being made to swap the Artisan Shop and the administrative office. This will give our artisans more space, better light, and an overall better experience of displaying and selling their work. When the Artisan Shop re-opens, it will be open not only while exhibits are in the galleries, but between exhibits as well. Shop inventory will also coincide with holiday shopping, the changing seasons, and eventually, with themed exhibits.

As for the ACE staff, our offices will move into the old Artisan Shop and adjoining closet. With a few adjustments, the ACE staff will have delineated, out-of-the-way office space, allowing Arts Center East to showcase its art, and not its paperwork.

This expansion also means we will be able to include more artisans in the shop! Artisans who are interested in displaying and selling their work in the new shop can contact the office for more information.

ACE’s 2019 Artisan Shop is supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign with major support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to better serve our local shoppers.