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Date: 1/16/2019
HAMPDEN – On Jan. 26 The Scantic River Artisans will host their first art show of the year. To fit the season, the name of the show is “Art Blizzard.” The show will take place at 104 Allen St., the town’s senior center. The group hopes to bring together the community by displaying their member’s diverse art exhibits. These shows are hosted by the group to shed light on the local talent in the area and to raise awareness to the value of visual arts in the community.
Scantic River Artisans was founded 20 years ago; the group was originally formed for painters only and had eight members. Nan Hulbert joined the group four years ago and is now the current president of the group.
“The first question I asked the group was ‘What do we want to be, who do we want to be and who do we want to reach?,’” Hulbert commented. Since Hulbert took over as president, the group is now open to all types of artists, not only painters.
The “Art Blizzard” will be showcasing works from all 64 of this year’s members. The age range of the artists is very broad, ranging from 17 to 87. Each artist is allowed to showcase three pieces of their choosing. Some of these exhibits will be painting, pottery, glass blowing, rustic wood art, jewelry and more.
The “Art Blizzard” is the first of four shows the group hosts a year. The shows are free to the public. Donations are accepted at the show, and many of the art works on display will be for sale as well. “Art Blizzard” will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. From 12 to 2 p.m. during the show, there will be a meet and greet with the artists. There will also be an abstract and illustrator demonstrations by some of the artists during the meet and greet.
To become a member of The Scantic River Artisans there is a $25 fee. The membership begins on Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31. By buying this membership, it allows the artists a space at every one of the art shows.
The group also host workshops that are open to the public in order to further connect with the community. The Artisans host four-to-five workshops annually. This year the workshops will be a scratchboard workshop, jewelry making, watercolor painting, working with pastels and a sculpture workshop. The workshops take place in the group’s section of the senior center. The cost of each workshop depends on the activity. “To make sure everyone can participate in the workshop they signed up for, I make sure the instructor brings with them supplies for everyone to participate, this way even if that genre of art is new to you, its ok!” Hulbert said.
For more information on “Art Blizzard” or their other shows, becoming a member or information on their workshops, visit their website, https://www.scanticriverartisans.org/https://www.scanticriverartisans.org/