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Arts & Entertainment

Art By Local Features Emerging Artists

The event is set for Thursday and Sunday in downtown Westport.

Art By Local, a collaboration between the Westport Downtown Merchants Association and the Westport Arts Center, is a celebration of art in and around the shops of Sconset Square in downtown Westport that will bring undiscovered, original and affordable works to art lovers and collectors alike.

Art By Local, scheduled for May 20 and 23, will feature only emerging artists from Fairfield County. Participants in the show may have been working at their craft for years or just beginning, but to qualify as "emerging" they must never have had a solo show or have had gallery representation.

From 6 to 8 p.m. May 20, a preview of the event will be held during the Opening Night Art Stroll when shops and businesses in Sconset Square will open their doors for a first look at 66 works juried by a panel of judges that included international art dealers, gallery owners, art consultants, and an art history professor.

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Light refreshments will be offered from Mirabelle Cheese Shop's custom Airstream, "Cheese Wheels."  Andrea Itin, owner of Mirabelle Cheese Shop designed this traveling fromagerie, long before the craze hit Hollywood stars like Airstream-owners Matthew McConaughey and Sean Penn.  While tasting fine cheeses and sampling emerging specialty wines from Country Liquor Store, enjoy music from professional New York DJ, "Turnbull Green," who will be spinning a variety of music genres. The Travel Exchange will have representatives on hand from some of the most luxurious travel companies, including Four Seasons, Crystal and Silversea cruise lines.

On Sunday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., art will be available for purchase along with live art demonstrations by professional artists, musical performances by local talent, and an opportunity to view the award-winning creations from the annual Toquet Hall student art competition. 

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There will also be the opportunity to participate in a community art project, "Trees of Inspiration," based on the tradition of the "Wish Tree" and prayer plaques that are filled in and hung at Japanese temples. Art By Local visitors of all ages are invited to reflect and share by answering the query, "What inspires you?" Visitors can write their thoughts and feelings on tags and tie them to a tree for others to view and discuss.

Artistic design will also be highlighted through the exhibition of the 100 percent electric Tesla Roadster.  A representative from Tesla Motors will be on hand to discuss the car as an art form and the future of alternative fuel source personal transportation.  The Wall Street Journal reports, "Unlike typical electric cars, the Tesla Roadster has become known for its performance. It can accelerate to 60 mph in less than four seconds, making it comparable with Ferraris, Porsches and other exotic sports cars." Tesla cars are "where art and technology meet face to face."

Cathy Colgan, Event Producer for Art By Local and Special Events Producer for the Westport Downtown Merchants Association is pleased to spearhead this event as an unique opportunity for emerging artists that also showcases Westport's longstanding heritage as a vibrant cultural center.

"We've heard clearly from the Westport community the desire to keep our roots as an artistic, creative destination within Fairfield County. Since we have so many talented artists in the vicinity we wanted to create an opportunity to showcase their work for the public," Colgan said.  

Bob Le Rose, President of the Westport DMA and owner of Bobby Q's says, "This is a great chance to highlight one of the little gems of Westport — Sconset Square.  So many people say they miss the "old Westport," and the independently-owned shops and businesses of Sconset Square are just that, and only one block from Main Street."

For Westport resident and Art By Local exhibitor, Paul Gallant, a plein air (in the open air) painter, the opportunity to show his work locally is especially welcome as Westport scenes are some of his favorite to paint. 

"I love this town and paint all over," he said, "Winslow Park and the Inn at National Hall are two of my best subjects." Paul's formal training began at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts.  Although he later graduated from Boston University and ultimately pursued a career in business, he always kept art as an avocation and a passion. After retiring from his career as President of Eight O'Clock Coffee, Paul has dedicated himself to painting and teaching.  He will be demonstrating the art of plein air at Art By Local on Sunday.

The Westport Downtown Merchants Association and The Westport Arts Center invite all to come and enjoy the opportunity to discover the creativity of the local arts community and purchase original work.

Organizers thank lead sponsors Westport GVI and Travel Exchange/Four Seasons Hotels and additional sponsors Bobby Q's Barbeque and Grill, Celebrate Westport, "Cheese Wheels" by Mirabelle Cheese Shop, Country Liquor Store, Crystal Cruises, The Dance Collective, Graphish Studio, Gault, Inc, Izzo's Country Gardens, Moffly Media/Wesport Magazine, Ranney Michaels, Rockwell Art and Framing, Silversea Cruises, WestportPatch.com, and the Westport Young Woman's League.

Opening Night Art Stroll, Thursday, May 20, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Art By Local, Sunday, May 23, 11:00 AM – 5:00PM.  Sconset Square, 15 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT.  www.artbylocalwestport.com   

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