Silhouette Portraits And Open Hearth Cooking, Historical Society November 13 Events

In the days before photography made an image of a person relatively affordable, the silhouette was a cheap alternative to a painted portrait. The outline image would serve as a remembrance of the sitter, and possibly would be the only image of that person ever made.

Today, in spite of the ubiquity of the cellphone camera, the silhouette has returned as a popular medium, and the simplicity of the outline together with the emphasis on contrasting light and dark have made it an ideal method of mounting an image of a loved one for all time.

On Sunday, November 13, Newtown Historical Society will offer a chance to add a silhouette of a child or any family member (including pets!) to your wall. From noon until 4 pm, artist Deborah O’Connor will be at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, cutting silhouettes on behalf of the historical society.

For $30, a stunning profile of a child can be done, which will solve at least one of those what-to-get-for presents on your holiday list, and a second copy can be cut for only $15. A complete operation will be available to finish the portrait with various sized mats, and even on-site framing will be available. The process is amazingly quick.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended and can be scheduled by calling 203-260-4737 or by e-mailing info@newtownhistory.org.

Deborah O’Connor is a trained artist, and has been cutting silhouettes for more than 30 years, both in this country and abroad. She has resettled in Rhode Island, and the historical society feels fortunate to be able to host her for its fundraising efforts. Samples of her work and further information are available at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, or at www.silhouetteartist.net. Her work has been described as drawing with scissors, and can be done using a photograph as long as it is a true profile.

At the same time, almost directly across the street at The Matthew Curtiss House (44 Main Street), the society will offer a demonstration of open hearth cooking. Mary Jo and Bill Brett will be filling the house with warmth and tantalizing aromas as they cook in the large keeping room fireplace in the 1750 house. Mr and Mrs Brett have become the historical society’s cooks-in-residence over the last several years, and are anxious to share samples with visitors.

For more information on both these events, call 203-426-5937 or visit NewtownHistory.org and click on Events.