Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

SCAN-January-Lexington-Macon

Full Text:

Color Returns To Lexington Gardens, Thanks To SCAN Artists

(with photos)

BY SHANNON HICKS

Gardeners and art lovers alike have been welcomed into the warm surroundings

of Lexington Gardens in Newtown this week by more than the familiar chirp of

the garden center's large parrot, or the comforting sights and scents of a

year-round nursery. Through January 24, visitors to Lexington Gardens on

Church Hill Road are also being welcomed by large pieces of art that resonate

with color -- much more color than what is being seen outdoors at this time of

year, in these mid-winter days of January.

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, or SCAN, is presenting the sixth

annual art show and sale it calls "Color in January." The show certainly lives

up to its name, with medium- to large-scale pieces of work that contain

everything from landscapes and seascapes to bright depictions of flowers.

An opening reception was well-attended on Saturday, January 16, the first full

day of the show (club members spent a few hours on Thursday and Friday,

January 14-15, receiving and organizing the works that comprise this year's

presentation). Artist Frank Federico presented a demonstration on painting in

watercolor during the early afternoon, while a public reception was held

during the mid-afternoon hours.

"Color in January," the first show of the year presented by the artists'

organization, is open only to SCAN members. Unlike the other major shows SCAN

presents during the year, portfolios are not shown during "Color in January."

SCAN members are allowed to submit up to four pieces for the show.

According to Eileen Hansen, a member of the show committee, the current show

includes approximately 175 pieces.

"I think we have a good show, in spite of the weather," show chairman Kita

Macon pronounced this week. Difficult precipitation late last week and early

this week wasn't exactly conducive to getting art enthusiasts out to view a

show, but the weather cleared up beautifully for the show's opening weekend.

"Sold" stickers had already been placed on a few of the artworks by late

Saturday afternoon, and Ms Macon continued to receive positive reports from

SCAN members who were visiting the show during the week.

"Several pieces were sold today, I've been told," Ms Macon said Tuesday night.

"That's a good indication that people are out and buying." Ms Macon, an active

member of the artists' organization and a part-time art instructor, has four

works in this year's "Color in January."

Demonstrations are traditionally scheduled during the run of the show, one on

each weekend day. The demonstrations are open to the public, free of charge.

Last weekend, the watercolor artist Frank Federico presented a watercolor

demonstration on Saturday. Ms Macon followed with a pastel demonstration on

Sunday.

For his program, Mr Federico took a photograph of a street scene and hung it

upside down. He proceeded to explain how painters could use such a technique

to begin their own painting, and then turn the work right side up and

embellish the piece with their own touches.

"[Working this way] will give you the idea of the shapes, and a feeling for

their rhythm," Mr Federico explained. Then you go right-side-up to get the

details.

"I discovered this along the way years ago," he continued. "I'm certainly not

the only person who does this, but the neat thing about this is it works with

all ages." In fact, Mr Federico uses the upside-down approach when he teaches

his own pupils. A few of those attending his program on Saturday were on the

list of students for Mr Federico's new session of classes, which began January

20. Among them was Pam Danneman, who told the artist after his program that

she couldn't wait to start his class.

For the show's second weekend, Melody Asbury will present a program on oil

painting on January 23, and Jim Minnicks will close with a watercolor display

on Sunday. Programs begin at 12:30 pm, and there is no charge to attend the

show or its programs.

Ms Asbury was the featured artist in the first selectman's offices at Edmond

Town Hall in Newtown during November and December 1998. She and Mr Minnicks

both have works in "Color in January."

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown is open to anyone with an interest in

art, as well as artists at any level of expertise. Membership is much wider

than Newtown and Sandy Hook artists; some of the group's members come from

across the state, and a few are from New York's Westchester County.

SCAN's meetings, held twice monthly at Newtown Meeting House, are always open

to the public, free of charge. For details, contact current SCAN president Pam

Danneman, at 270-7031.