BLOG.VALLEYARTSCOUNCIL.ORG

New Year, New Start for 2011

2011-01-10T19:51:00Z

The Valley Arts Council is on the brink of advancing to another level in our growth... with close to 200 members and several new programs and workshops going on, we have been able to finance and further our community outreach! Involvement with the local schools and community foundations has received further notice from the state, resulting in new grant funding.

Derby Day 2010 is this Saturday!!

2010-06-21T19:43:00Z

Saturday, June 26th • 10AM - 5PM

Music by “Last Fair Deal”, “Scrap Yard”, "North by Northeast”, Folk Artist "Moonshine Kellie & Modern Rock/Spoken Word Artist "Shadow"

Food, Entertainment and Fun!

Admission: FREE • The Historic Derby Green • Elizabeth Street at Thompson Place and Fifth Street, Derby, CT 06418

http://www.valleyartscouncil.org/artists_alley.htm • for more info!

The Valley Arts Council kicks off a new music series this Friday!!!

2010-05-19T00:22:00Z

"LIVE" at the Gallery@37 - Music Series - Kicks off this Friday May 21st at 7:30PM with the "Acoustic Sounds of Moonshine Kellie" - Come check it out... its a FREE Event!! 37 Elizabeth Street • Derby, CT 06418

Master Illustrator & former Charlton Comics Artist Frank McLaughlin exhibits at The Valley Arts Council’s Gallery@37

2010-05-11T15:45:00Z

The Valley Arts Council (VAC) and Artist Frank McLaughlin will collaborate on a one-man exhibit, featuring a variety of his original comic book art. The show opening, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the VAC’s Gallery@37, 37 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT on Saturday, May 22nd from 4-11 pm. The art will remain on display through June 28th.

A 45-year veteran of the comics industry, Mr. McLaughlin has drawn some of the world’s most renowned icons such as Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman, among others. He has worked with virtually every major comic publisher and in addition to his comic book accomplishments; he has contributed to many newspaper strips including Gil Thorp, the Heart of Juliet Jones, Stan Smith’s Tennis Tips and Nancy.

A professor of art, Mr. McLaughlin teaches visual storytelling and cartooning at Paier College of Art in Hamden Connecticut. His work on Wonder Woman, White Viper and Fatale has earned him the reputation as one of America’s leading illustrators of the female form, prompting the publishing of his book; “How to Draw Those Bodacious Bad Babes of Comics.”

All artwork will be for sale, with a portion of the proceeds helping to fund the VAC’s many community-based programs. The exhibit will also feature the opportunity to meet the artist, and learn some fun and interesting facts about the comics industry and its historical connections to Derby.

Charlton Publications, a large publishing, printing & distribution organization, once occupied a 7-1/2 acre operation in Derby, Connecticut.

Call 203.516.0822 or email info@valleyartscouncil.org for additional information.

“Grandpa’s Attic Productions takes over the Gallery@37”

2010-04-12T21:13:00Z

The Valley Arts Council’s Gallery@37 recently hosted an opening reception on March 27^th to launch its latest exhibit “Puppets from Grandpa’s Attic”, featuring the vast array of handmade puppets and marionettes by puppeteer and Hamden resident Richard Smith, who has been creating his own unique characters and performing for over 40 years. He has also built an impressive collection of rare, antique pieces from all over the world including: China, India and Burma.

“Dick has been performing holiday shows on the green for the past several years, including our recent Easter Egg Hunt” said VAC President Rich DiCarlo, “when he told me about his large collection, we had the idea to put them on display & build an exhibit around them, needless to say, they were a big hit.”

The funky space at 37 Elizabeth Street is teeming with all sorts of colorful characters from “Peter & the Wolf” in the store window to “Jack & the Beanstalk.” In addition, marionettes of all shapes and sizes, shadow puppets, as well as some interesting insights as to how they were created and used, round out the display.

“They have been getting quite a bit of attention,” DiCarlo added, “The opening was very successful and we had a tremendous turnout.”

Before the close of the exhibit, which was extended through April 11th, over 100 Irving School, and local nursery school students toured the gallery. Mr. Smith also presented a short lecture on his craft, which was open to the public.

This was another in a series of independent exhibits featuring out of the ordinary art forms, designed to draw attention and traffic into the council’s gallery and get people talking. That concept is working wonders for the VAC’s continued success.

The next scheduled exhibit will be a three-day show featuring the paintings of watercolor artist and VAC board member Susan Carden-Flicker on April 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th with the opening reception taking place on Saturday April 24^th at 6PM at the Gallery@37.

To volunteer or join the Valley Arts Council please call: 203.516.0822 or email info@valleyartscouncil.org.

For more information about renting studio spaces, please contact Rich DiCarlo at: 203-906-4343 orstudiochid@sbcglobal.net or visit www.valleyartscouncil.org

Valley Center of the Arts is officially open for business!!

2010-03-19T17:28:00Z

After months of starts and stops... the new "Center of the Arts" has passed its final inspections this week!! Spring class schedules are being announced and studio spaces are available for rent!

For information on teaching opportunities, call Mary Ruth Shields at: needleartsmrsr@yahoo.com

For information on renting studio spaces, call Rich DiCarlo at:203.906.4343 or email: studiochid@sbcglobal.net

SAVE THE DATE - SOUPSTOCK - Art & Music Festival!!

2010-03-19T16:00:00Z

SoupStock is an Art & Music Festival to Benefit the Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund and the Valley Boys & Girls Club!

A one-day festival celebrating Art, Music, Food and Craftmanship!

May 16th, 2010 • on "The Slab" in downtown Shelton, CT

Artists / Vendors needed for the event!

To sign-up as a vendor, to donate or become a sponsor go to: www.valleyartscouncil.org or call Michele Bialek at: (203) 926-6038.

UPCOMING EXHIBIT at the Gallery@37

2010-03-19T15:35:00Z

"Puppets from Grandpa's Attic"

An Exhibit of Handcrafted Puppets from Around the World

featuring puppeteer and Hamden resident Richard Smith

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 27th, 4pm,

at The Valley Arts Council's - Gallery@37

37 Elizabeth Street, Derby

March, 27th thru April, 3rd
www.valleyartscouncil.org or email info@valleyartscouncil.org for more information

Workshop Draws Writers to Renovated Arts Center

2010-02-23T18:08:00Z

DERBY — On a gray, winter Saturday, every seat around the extra-long table at the newly renovated Valley Arts Council’s (VAC), Center for the Arts in Derby was filled. The group was there to hear speaker and valley resident, Ilene Wolf, debut her one-day workshop, "Write to Heal."

"The new workshop and the completion of the firehouse renovation came together simultaneously," Wolf said. "So I brought the program straight to the Valley Arts Council because I wanted to support both the arts and the Naugatuck Valley community."

Other than a September open house at the old firehouse on Caroline Street, the writing seminar was the Center’s inaugural event. Wolf, who presented the program free of charge, opened with an explanation of why expressive arts therapy is often a great way to tackle life’s speed bumps.

"In the ‘Write to Heal’ Workshop, I demonstrate a variety of tools and resources with which to explore, express and untangle the problems that seem to stump us," said Wolf.
"And it’s never about so-called writing ability. When emotions are accessed and expressed with authenticity, words on paper become tools of healing and growth."

Participants in Derby practiced writing techniques useful in emotional processing, including "virtual" letter-writing, recording and interpreting dreams, visual mapping, journaling and vision/power statements. Those who wished, shared her or his work with the group, not for critique but for validation.

Wolf, recognized for both her writing and photography, began in journalism at the now-defunct Hartford Times. Later, she contributed to dailies and weeklies in New York and Connecticut, as well as the Associated Press. Since 2007, she’s authored a blog, "Wolf’s Daily Howl."

In early ‘90’s Wolf earned a Masters of Science degree which she employs now in her life coaching practice, Healing Wolf Tracks. She also runs support circles for the non-profit she launched in 2006, Healing Emotionally Abused Lives (HEAL). There are ten HEAL support circle locations, among them Derby, New Haven and Stratford. One of the circles is at a Department of Corrections facility; one is an on-line forum she calls the HEAL CyberCircle. "Those who were here today," said Wolf after the Derby workshop, "can take what they learned and grow their own repertoire of techniques that work best for them."

For more on "Write to Heal" and other programs and workshops, visit:www.healingwolf.net, email: i_wolf@healingwolf.net or call 203-732-3333

2010 off to a good start!

2010-01-12T21:24:00Z

Been a while since we posted an update, but with the holiday season and the end of 2009, we had our hands full. 2010 is off to a good start with a sharp focus and many programs and events already in the planning stages. The New Valley Center of the Arts is in its final stages of inspections and with only a couple of code issues to address we will be in full swing by February 1. Studio spaces are now available for rent. please call Rich DiCarlo at:203.906.4343 or studiochid@sbcglobal.net for details.

On February 13th, the center will host Write to Heal® A free, four-hour workshop (with lunch break) which will explore through the application of pen-on-paper, areas of confusion and frustration. In small chunks, participants will demystify pieces of the past, present and future, that have seemed like a tangle of emotions and patchy memories or visions. You'll leave with a new tool and an increased ability to use writing to excavate the mysterious past, as well as generate the future you've imagined. To register for the workshop or for a complimentary life coaching session please email Ilene Wolf at: i_wolf@healingwolf.net or call 203-305-2137

The Gallery@37 has a big year planned with several exhibits already in the works including a puppet/marionette exhibit in collaboration with a local puppet master, a springtime art & craft event in conjunction with the local boys and girls club and an exhibit featuring a collection of original comic-book art by a master illustrator and former artist of Charlton Comics.

Of course, June 26th will bring the annual Old Derby Day event (featuring our Artists' Alley) to downtown, A movie is scheduled to begin filming in downtown Derby in late January/early February. We are also looking forward to continued progress on the Sterling Opera House, and... our collaboration with the Oil Drum Art movement, headed up by VAC board member Jack Lardis has created the "Drums for Troops" program.

Thats just scratching the surface of what we are hoping will be a banner year for the Valley Arts Council so stay tuned for all these great programs and look for lots of new stuff on the horizon.

Save the date...

2009-12-11T16:25:00Z

We will be hosting a holiday celebration on Saturday, December 19th at the Gallery@37 from 4pm - 10pm - music & refreshments will be on hand. Save the date!!

Windows are done...

2009-12-11T16:18:00Z

Well, we decked out the windows at the gallery for Christmas and they look great! Stop by and check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T19:17:00Z

The VAC wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! The Gallery@37 will be decorated this weekend for the holiday season. Stop by and check it out!

VAC is getting ready to kick-off the holiday season!

2009-11-17T18:31:00Z

We have been busy preparing for the upcoming holiday season with a series of area events. Along with our annual Christmas/Winter themed exhibit, which is scheduled to open Thanksgiving weekend, we will be hosting a holiday reception on Saturday, December 19^th (details will be announced soon) at the Gallery@37, featuring gift items and artwork by the VAC membership.

The Derby Cultural Commission will host its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 27th beginning at 6:30pm and The Derby Historical Society will conduct its Churches By Lantern Program at 5:30pm sharp. Using its signature punched-tin lanterns, participants will start at Immanuel St.James Episcopal Church, which will open at 5:00 PM and coincide with the tree lighting on the Derby Green. Tickets are $10 each, $8 for children 5 to 15. Although tickets will be sold at Immanuel St. James before the event, it is recommended that reservations be made in advance, due to the popularity of the event. Call the David Humphreys House at 735-1908 for more information.

Air Borne Creations of Beacon Falls will host an Open Studio Event on Saturday November 21^st from 1pm to 4pm at the Beacon Falls Business Park (141 South Main St., Beacon Falls). For more information call 203.729.4774 or visit www.airbornecreations.com or www.valleyartscouncil.org

St. Mary - St. Michael School - 2nd Annual Holiday Fair will be held on Saturday November 21^st from 10am to 5:30pm at St. Mary - St. Michael School (14 Seymour Ave. Derby). Crafter/Vendor tables are still available for $20. For vendor information or to reserve a table please contact: Gloriann Albini at 203.525.9472

We have much more planned for the holiday season so be sure to keep checking our website for details www.valleyartscouncil.org

The new VAC blog is online!!!

2009-11-09T10:37:00Z

In recent months the Valley Arts Council has come a long way.... the rehabilitation of the former Spooner House Shelter on Caroline Street into the new Valley Center of the Arts and an ongoing stream of community events, art shows and fundraisers have kept us busy. This past week, we launched our revamped website and as of today we are including the new VAC blog as a place to share your comments and creative ideas!

Welcome

2009-11-08T15:35:04Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.