The public is invited to celebrate under decorative lights with a glass of wine at the Smokey Topaz and Art in Residence (AIR) pop-up galleries on Friday, September 19.

Enjoy food and music between 6 and 9 pm during the galleries’ opening reception at 104 Church Hill Road. The galleries are part of the inaugural Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) ArtWalk, an ongoing event that welcomes residents to view various artists and mediums on display throughout Sandy Hook Center.

Join hosts Bob and Rosemary Rau of AIR Art Gallery and SHOP Marketing Coordinator Melissa Lopata for food samples compliments of Cover Two Sports Bar & Grill, and peruse paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, and more for sale. Temporary exhibitions at the adjacent gallery spaces opened on September 6, and each offers a collection of works by local and Connecticut artists.

Landlord Ray Costanzo was reportedly “very interested in the innovative way of working empty storefronts into town,” said Ms Lopata. The spaces have been vacant for the past year. In preparation for the reception, she said, SHOP members are cleaning up the area, painting gates, raising tents “with beautiful white lights,” and will “beautify” the storefront spaces “for a chic reception.”

Artwalk continues until October 6, with displays at 19 locations total, plus a collection of sculpture spread across at least 12 outdoor locations.

A portion of art sales goes back to SHOP to reinvest in future art initiatives.

Regarding the two galleries, Ms Lopata said, “We are trying to get an arts hub happening in the village.”

SHOP Marketing Director Melissa Lopata said, “It’s SHOP’s economic development initiative through the arts to get the businesses and people together and help people explore Sandy Hook.” This SHOP event and ArtWalk is a way “to get people to engage and walk into the businesses,” she explained.

Artwalk is also part of this year’s Newtown Arts Festival, a series of events that have been expanded to two weeks and organized by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

What Is A Pop-Up?

In a recent email, Ms Lopata offered her ideas about the concept of pop-up galleries.

“Pop Ups are a very innovative and visionary way to attract new retail business into the area,” she wrote. “Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity is thrilled to be able to help Sandy Hook Village real estate owners and artist entrepreneurs work together.”

The effort could help “incubate local art business, while revitalizing the community through arts and culture,” she added.

She recently attended a conference regarding temporary pop-ups and how they might bring foot traffic through local retail areas. “I immediately knew that Sandy Hook Village could be a great pilot test for pop ups,” she said. “Pop-up retail shops are temporary stores at a designated venue, the purpose of which is to attract the consumer long enough with something exclusive, surprising and exciting.”

Thinking of the two galleries set to host a reception on Friday, she said, “We were so lucky to have been able to secure two art gallery pop-ups … Many of the artists in the pop up shops are already considering coming together as an artist co-op as a means to pay rent to stay in this store permanently and become an enduring business in the community.”

Ms Lopata also likes the idea of “thinking small” in terms of space. Large spaces can be difficult to fill in a vibrant, thriving way, but small spaces are manageable for new businesses to inhabit in a successful way. 

Small business owners, entrepreneurs and/or artists interested in creating or participating in a pop-up show in Sandy Hook are invited to contact Ms Lopato at MelissaLopata@gmail.com.