Work Of Newtown Artist To Be Featured At The Art Of Caring

RIDGEFIELD — Newtown artist Ruth Newquist will be in the spotlight as the featured artist at The Art of Caring on Friday, June 11. The event, which is hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation at company headquarters in Ridgefield, is a gala event featuring art, entertainment and exceptional cuisine, to benefit the patients and families served by Regional Hospice.

Mrs Newquist is well-known for her New York SoHo cityscapes, New England architectural paintings and rural landscapes, all of which will be available for sale at The Art of Caring.

Mrs Newquist became interested in capturing SoHo on canvas after her daughter took photos of its street scenes.

“There is so much material there. I just had to paint them,” she explains. Mrs Newquist loves the geometry of New York and visits the city to take her own reference photos. “I am drawn to structures and the people around the buildings,” she says.

“Ruth has been a part of The Art of Caring for many years and we are glad to showcase her exceptional paintings,” says Laura McCormick, chair of the art selection subcommittee. “We are fortunate to be able to feature such a talented artist who gives back so much to the art community,” explains Ms McCormick.

Mrs Newquist knows the importance of Regional Hospice all too well. Her husband, Larry, died in 1997 and benefited from hospice care.

“I was glad that he could be at home,” she says. “The nurses were wonderful. Regional Hospice makes a difficult experience better.”

Mrs Newquist’s husband founded The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) shortly after the couple moved to the area in 1967. Today the organization, in which Mrs Newquist is still very involved, offers 20 art demonstrations a year, with three annual exhibits, and has more than 300 members.

Ruth Newquist has received more than 30 awards including the 2008 Muriel Alvord Award from Hudson Valley Art Association and the 2007 Kent Art Association President’s Show Medal of Merit & Solo Show Award for Best in Show. Her watercolors have been featured in American Artist Magazine, The Best of Watercolor II, and Splash 9 Secrets of Watercolor.

Mrs Newquist’s artwork will be available for viewing and purchase during The Art of Caring, which will also include plenty of food and drinks from local restaurants, live music, and other fundraising opportunities. Admission is $150 per person, which includes a $25 credit towards art purchase. The event will start at 7 pm.

Boehringer Ingelheim is at 900 Ridgebury Road in Ridgefield. For reservations or more information, contact Regional Hospice at 203-739-8312 or visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org.