‘Newtown Images’ Now On View

Municipal Center Has Added Something New To Its Résumé:

Gallery Space

By Shannon Hicks

Whether you have business at, and therefore a reason to visit, Newtown Municipal Center this month or not, a trip to the building at 3 Primrose Street that now houses the majority of the town’s offices is worth your time.

“Newtown Images, New England Charm” is the first exhibition of art to be placed on view in the renovated building, which turns out to be a surprisingly appropriate setting for original artwork. An opening reception was held on July 10 to celebrate “Newtown Images,” a collection of more than 100 original works by 56 members of The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN). The show will remain on view until the end of July and can be visited any time the building is open (Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm).

The idea for an art show at Newtown’s town office building came about back in January or February, according to First Selectman Pat Llodra.

“The halls here are long and white, and very gallerylike,” Mrs Llodra said last week. “I thought I could beautify the building with some nice art.”

Mrs Llodra contacted SCAN members Rosemary Rau and Marianne Scanlon, and through conversation the idea of an art show came to fruition.

When they presented the idea of an exhibition at the municipal building to the SCAN membership, Mrs Rau and Mrs Scanlon had little resistance from their fellow artists.

“They were delighted with the idea,” Mrs Scanlon said.

“It’s an opportunity for these artists to get their work up in a public space,” added Mrs Rau.

The criteria for submitted works remained fairly simple. According to a call for entries issued by Mrs Rau and Mrs Scanlon, artwork submitted was to “evoke a feeling or impression of the area that features stately barns, farm structures and equipment, open vistas, periods houses, lakes, streams and paths, local businesses and shopping areas, landscapes and other elements of nature.” While many images do offer scenes of Newtown, the collection was to, as the second half of the exhibition’s name implies, create a sense of local and regional color.

“Timing is also everything, which is why we decided to have the opening reception at the same time of the book sale,” Mrs Llodra said.

SCAN members were invited to submit up to two works for the presentation; the works for “Newtown Images” were received at the municipal center on Thursday, July 8, and curated into place in time for Saturday’s event, which coincided with the first day of Friends of Booth Library’s 35th Annual Book Sale, presented July 10–14 at nearby Reed Intermediate School.

The plan worked. During last Saturday’s opening, a number of people were overheard talking about having already been at the book sale or who planning on hitting the event after their stop at the municipal center. A number of book sale volunteers were also seen at the opening, including Booth Library Director Janet Woycik and Town Historian Dan Cruson, who praised the timeframe.

“I like the way they timed it. As we peter out a little in the afternoon [at the book sale] the crowd is finding its way here,” he said. “It’s also another opportunity for residents to see the building.”

Mrs Llodra was also hoping those who visit 3 Primrose Street would find a nice balance against the chore that brings most Newtown residents into the building this particular month.

“In July, people are coming in to pay their taxes, so this provides a time when we have a lot of foot traffic in the building anyway,” she pointed out.

“We were overwhelmed” when work began arriving on July 8, said Mrs Scanlon. “It was such a wonderful response. We have a member, Liza Greto, who is marvelous in hanging. She just knows exactly how she wants it to look and she does it, and we all just follow her steps.”

The reception on July 10 was very well attended, with guests enjoying the spectacular display of artwork as well as live music performed by cellist Linea Kemsley and violinist Alysa Rodriguez. As is tradition for an opening reception, refreshments were served and a wonderful array — which included a photo cake featuring the municipal center around the time of its grand reopening last year — had been organized by Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia and her office.

Live plants donated for the afternoon by Hollandia Nurseries in Bethel added to the décor (and more than a few guests were overheard saying that live plants — in addition to artwork in the town-owned building — would be a nice addition on a permanent basis), as did very colorful floral arrangements donated by Elizabeth A. Mattei (Blossoms by Betsey).

“Newtown Images” offers work by SCAN members, but it was very much a community effort. Its organizers are quick to point out that in addition to SCAN (which also provided some of the hangers for the paintings on the walls), the first selectman’s encouragement and Ms Aurelia’s assistance with the opening, Booth Library provided some of the screens from which art has been hung, and Public Works provided labor to get the plants from Hollandia and back.

“Everyone who works in the building, they’ve all been saying ‘We’re going to miss the art when it’s gone,’” Mrs Llodra said last week. “It’s very engaging. Every time I’ve been out in the hall already, I notice people viewing the collection.

“My personal agenda, whenever possible, is to promote our own artists and our talents. This is one way to say ‘Wow folks, this is some of the talent right here in town,’” continued the first selectman, who is already considering future exhibitions. “Flagpole Photographers would like to have a show, and I will certainly follow up on that.”

Further down the road, there may also be a nonlinear exhibition.

“We have a lot of great sculptors in town,” she hinted.

“Because of the layout of this building — its white walls and high archways — the building enhances the art and the art enhances the building. We’re going to take advantage of that,” she promised.