The show features nine images by artists whose work helped define the art movement, including Robert Bechtle, Charles Bell, John Baeder, and Arne Besser.
Primarily an American art movement, photorealism emerged in the late 1960s in reaction to Abstract Expressionism and as a counterpoint to Pop Art. With a style that prizes accuracy and precision, photorealism bases each work on a photograph. In exquisite detail, photorealist artists frequently recreated everyday scenes – largely Americana with motorcycles, roadside diners and gas stations – and often utilized the qualities of the camera lens: sharp focus and depth of field.
The snapshot aesthetic did not appeal to everyone. Photorealism was criticized for using cameras, projectors or grid systems to achieve exactitude. Yet today, the style is finding renewed interest, with viewers awed by the artists’ ability to create precise paintings that look like photographs.
“Embracing the qualities of the camera is the hallmark of this movement, and with intense concentration and painstaking detail, each photorealist artist developed their own style, independent of one another, yet all strikingly powerful,” said Robbin Zella, Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art.
The exhibition will be on view through December, 2021. An appointment to visit the museum will be necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. A video essay about the exhibition is available by visiting the museum’s website, www.HousatonicMuseumorg. To plan a visit, please call 203-332-5052.
Housatonic Museum of Art is located on the Housatonic Community College campus, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport. It is home to one of the premier college art collections in the country, spanning the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary, and is on continuous display throughout the 300,000 square foot facility. The museum also hosts changing exhibitions in the Burt Chernow Galleries, and engaging lectures, workshops, films, special events and programs throughout the year, both in person and online. Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to learn more.
An exhibition of artwork by the founders of the Op Art movement is now on view at the Housatonic Museum of Art. The exhibit, entitled “Masters of Op Art,” features 13 dynamic pieces that are each an optical experience of color and form.
Op Art, or optical art, was a short-lived, yet innovative global offshoot of the Kinetic art movement that dominated the mid-1960s. A form of abstract art, Op Art gives the illusion of movement through the use of precise pattern and color, or conflicting patterns that emerge and overlap. The result: astonishing compositions that make the viewer an active participant by playing with their perceptions.
Responding to advancements of the time, including nuclear energy, aerospace and computer science, Op Art questioned the reality and possibilities of visual perception. The innovative use of optical illusion was quickly commercialized, finding its way into everyday design and advertisements, and becoming synonymous with the 1960s. Today, Op Art is hailed for its visionary spirit and fearless experimentation.
The “Masters of Op Art” exhibition contains works by the world-renowned father of the Op Art movement, Victor Vasarely, as well as founders Josef Albers, Richard Anuszkiewicz, Josef Levi, and Henry Charles Pearson.
“Op artists were fascinated by perception and the effects on the eye. Their repetition, precision, and wild use of color draws viewers in, where they will enjoy the playful geometric figures, and swear the compositions are moving,” said Robbin Zella, Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art.
The exhibition will be on view through October 2021. An appointment to visit the museum will be necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. A print-on-demand catalog with an essay by Sarah Churchill, Adjunct Instructor of Art History at Housatonic Community College is available by visiting the museum’s website, www.HousatonicMuseumorg. To plan a visit, please call 203-332-5052.
Housatonic Museum of Art is located on the Housatonic Community College campus, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport. It is home to one of the premier college art collections in the country, spanning the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary, and is on continuous display throughout the 300,000 square foot facility. The museum also hosts changing exhibitions in the Burt Chernow Galleries, and engaging lectures, workshops, films, special events and programs throughout the year, both in-person and online. Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to learn more.
Housatonic Museum of Art is pleased to present its newest exhibition, Of Woman Born. The exhibit features a selection of paintings, photographs and sculpture that explore the ways in which male dominance has manifested itself in familial, social, legal, political, religious and economic systems—patriarchal structures that, over the centuries, have continually been used to dominate, oppress and exploit women.
The exhibit traces the history of women from the Paleolithic Age to present day and explores the various methods, philosophies, policies and practices, as well as legal strategies employed by patriarchal power to exert maximum control over women’s bodies.
“There is nothing revolutionary whatsoever about the control of women’s bodies by men,” said author, poet and feminist, Adrienne Rich. “The woman’s body is the terrain on which patriarchy is erected.”
Artists in this exhibit look at a range of topics including infanticide, abortion, the institution of motherhood, domestic violence, prostitution, pornography, gendercide, plastic surgery and ageism. The exhibition includes works by Nicholas Africano, Lynne Augeri, Suzanne Benton, Aidan Boyle, Antonio Canova, Albrecht Durer, Donna Ferrato, Paul Georges, Sante Graziane, Lori Petchers/Faith Baum, Michael Stone, and Francisco Zuniga.
“Of Woman Born champions the great strides made by women, such as the right to vote and equal access to education, but there is still more work to be done,” said Robbin Zella, Director of the museum. “Women’s rights are human rights and that includes freedom from discrimination, freedom from violence, and freedom from gender inequality.”
Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to view the exhibit online. The Housatonic Museum of Art is located on the Housatonic Community College campus, 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, CT. It is home to one of the premier college art collections in the United States. The museum’s collection offers the opportunity to view works that span the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary and is on continuous display throughout the 300,000 square foot facility. Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to learn more.
Join us every Friday evening to unwind, renew and reconnect to nature in the serenity of Weir Farm National Historical Park’s stunning gardens. This weekly outdoor yoga series is part of the Park’s Healthy Parks Healthy People program and is the perfect way to end your week! Please note that registration is required to participate in 2021 yoga sessions.
Experience how the Park can improve your physical and mental wellbeing with yoga instructor Suzan Converse. Suzan has been practicing yoga for almost 40 years and is skilled in leading Amrit Yoga – a meditative practice intended to still the mind as well as give you maximum physical benefits. Suzan’s intention is to reach as many people as she can to reveal the inherent peace that is naturally within each of us.
Registration is free, but space is limited, so please call early to secure a spot! To register or for more information, please call 203-834-1896 ext. 28.
Ever wish you could have Nature’s Playground all to yourself? Join us for an evening of open playground followed by a chance to make our favorite campfire treat—S’mores! These special editions will also allow for participants to show off their skills on our special Mini Golf course on our meadow! Our playground and mini golf will be open to participants for the whole time and our fire pits by the Overbrook Nature Center to enjoy some S’mores will be ongoing. All attendees 3 and over require a ticket.
Members: $10.00/person
Non-members: $13.00/person
The SM&NC welcomes the Stella Blue’s Band for a live Drive-In Concert! Each car receives 2 parking spaces – one for your car and the other for your chairs. Parking spaces are first come first served.
Refreshments: You can pre-order a Munch Box for $25 (or two for $40) with your registration. Each box comes with snacks and 2 IPA beers.
Stella Blue’s Band, founded in 2009, recreates the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show.
The band has been lighting up the tri-state area with its high-energy performances. With dynamic jams and artful improvisation, Stella has developed a loyal following with shows that thrill the GD faithful and newcomers alike.
Rain date July 25th
Mural artist Kennected will lead an art course on how to paint a mural. Participants will utilize the Waterbury community and themes from our exhibition, A Face Like Mine, to conceptualize, design, and paint the mural. Visit our website to learn more about this exhibition. The finished mural will be temporarily displayed outside of the Museum until mid-September.
This program is meant for participants age 17 or older.
Support for this program provided by Art Bridges.
Park Ranger Amanda Lord will lead a one hour guided walk during which she will introduce you to Julian Alden Weir, a world-class artist who lived and worked here from 1882 to 1919. We will walk in his footsteps through the landscape that inspired his Impressionist paintings. Our gentle hike will take us by historic stone walls and natural wonders, as we make our way to Weir Pond, which was added by Weir in 1896 as a place for fishing and recreation. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Program is free, registration required. To register or for more information, please call 203-834-1896 ext. 28.
Want a little help creating a masterpiece? Weir Farm Art Instructor Bobbi Eike Mullen provides informal instruction on painting with watercolors and landscape painting as part of our Take Part in Art program. Stop by and ask Bobbi for some pro tips anytime between 1:00 to 4:00 pm and remember free-to-use supplies are always available during visitor center hours!
Discover some amazing snakes from across the globe! From the longest snake in Connecticut to the smallest python in the world, learn about the ecology of these amazing creatures. Each child will get to decorate their own wooden snake to take home too! Children 7 and up may be dropped off for this program. Children 7 and under may attend with an adult at no charge. Limited to 15 children.
Members: $10/ticket
Non-members: $13/ticket