Date: Fri 09-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Duracell-Hunter-Lang-Sottung

Full Text:

Duracell Is Presenting Work By Artists With One Common Link

(with cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

BETHEL -- An opening reception was held last Friday for "Art Through the Eyes

of the Connecticut Artist," a show that was created by members of the

Brookfield Arts Commission. A collection of over 30 works, a living resume

representing the efforts of seven artists from the state, was unveiled October

2 in the gallery space at Duracell headquarters.

Among the artists included in the show is Suzanne Lang of Newtown. Mrs Lang

and her husband were both at the reception, as was the majority of the artists

who have work in the show.

Mrs Lang had seven pieces selected for inclusion in "Art Through The Eyes..."

Her works were large-size watercolors, all bright and cheerful depictions.

"Morning Glory" and "Peonies" were images of the named flowers, while "Hutch"

presented a cabinet in a breezeway, with a view hinting at a backyard. The

white cabinet in the painting is two doors over one door, with the shelf space

above the single door filled with vases and pots of beautiful flowers. The

entire work is a sunny, bright, inviting piece.

The show at Duracell headquarters is one of the first Mrs Lang has

participated in. During the reception, she shared her hopes to have some of

her work included in the upcoming holiday show and sale being organized by the

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown

The images included in the show varied as much as the artists' backgrounds and

media of choice. There were pencil drawings of animals and landscapes, mixed

media sculpture, oils and watercolor prints, ranging from the very realistic

to extremely abstract.

The curators of the show chose to present the works in a varied array, rather

than place all of the works of each artist together. George Sottung had a

print, "All Pilots Man Their Aircraft" positioned near Mark Malley's abstract

oil called "St Mary's Falls N.S." -- a blend of artist's styles and media.

In addition to Mrs Lang, Mr Sottung and Mr Malley, the artists included in the

show are Linda Casey, James Higginbotham, Phillip Levine and Susan Moran.

The Brookfield Arts Commission was approached earlier this year by Duracell

with the idea of presenting a group show of works by artists who live in

Connecticut. The commission culled a list of artists from the greater Danbury

area who might be interested in the show, and then expanded that list with

suggestions from the artists they contacted.

Artists were invited to submit their entry to the Brookfield Arts Commission,

which then had to determine which artists would be in this show.

"Art Through The Eyes Of The Connecticut Artist" was hung in the "Main Street"

gallery area of Duracell's headquarters on October 1.

"I'm very happy with the show," Joanne Hunter said during the reception. "I

think the artists are, too, which is important, of course."

Mrs Hunter is chairman of the Brookfield Arts Commission.

"There is everything from pencil drawings of animals to religious themes," she

had said while creating the show."There's really a broad variety of work here.

It's a very diverse group of artists, and their passion for their work shows

clearly in their work."

"Art Through The Eyes Of The Connecticut Artist" will be at Duracell through

December 29. While it is intended largely for viewing by Duracell employees,

the public is also welcome to visit the show.

To visit the gallery, interested viewers must call Joanne Hunter (740-2801) in

order to make arrangements for a guided viewing. For Duracell security

reasons, admission into the building and gallery is not allowed without prior

arrangement.