Holiday show openings!

Get into the holiday spirit with inspiration from these fine galleries, all have openings this Friday:

(I have one piece in each of the Putnam and Rochester galleries)

You are invited to attend the opening of  "Trashformations: From Trash to Treasure"   Holiday Art Exhibit  Opening Friday December 2nd, 6-8pm      Silver Circle Gallery, Putnam CT  On Display November 30- December 31, 2011   The Silver Circle Gallery in Putnam, CT is proud to announce the upcoming exhibit Trashformations: From Trash to Treasure, a holiday display showcasing contemporary artwork by nineteen artists that live locally, regionally, and even internationally. The opening reception, Friday December 2nd from 6-8pm, is a free event that will allow the public to view the artwork and meet many of the artists. Co-curator and exhibiting artist Debora J. Aldo of Pietre Dure Design, is a nationally known CT -based mosaic artist who has studied with highly regarded instructors from Europe and across the US. Deb first conceptualized the show in hopes of bringing something new and unusual to the typical holiday art displays often seen in regional galleries. With that in mind, not only are the pieces chosen for the show beautiful and affordable, they make a larger statement because of their quirky origins. In a time of consumerism and waste, especially around the holidays, Deb and Silver Circle Gallery owner Carly Martin both feel that showcasing artwork that epitomizes the up-cycling trend will capture the ideal notion of downsizing in a fun, unpredictable, and meaningful way. Trashformations will feature artwork in a wide variety of mediums with a high level of craftsmanship and sophistication despite their humble origins. Included in the show are mosaics, textiles, sculpture, furniture, fashion accessories, collage, assemblage, functional home accessories, and purely conceptual artistic statements that were chosen for dramatic effect (such as a twenty foot paper mache dragon to be hung from the ceiling). Most pieces, however, are suitable in scale and price for one-of-a-kind "green" holiday gift-giving purposes. Exhibiting artists include Debora J. Aldo, Anita Gangi Balkun, Gwen Basilica, Banu Cevikel, Lisa M.Corson, Linda Dadak, Ted Demers, Jennifer Flanagan, Frances Kornbluth, Luci Lytle, Cheryl Martin, Audrey Mucci, Donna O'Scolaigh Lange, Jane Pettit, Sumukha Ravishankar, Shaun Rock, Nikki Sullivan, Carol Talkov, Kaarina Talvila, and Paul Zelanski * * *  Silver Circle Gallery is located at 75 Main Street in Downtown Putnam. Since 2008, Silver Circle has been a fresh, contemporary space where local and regional visual artists collaborate to show and sell their work, educate others, and inspire one another and their community. Visit www.SilverCircleGallery.com for more information.

At the Rochester Contemporary Art Center:

December 2 – January 8, 2012
Patron Preview: Thurs Dec. 1, 6-8pm;
     15% off any artwork purchase
Opening Reception: Dec. 2, 6-10pm
The Days the Artists Spoke: Dec. 3 & 4
Art of the Mix - Leap Day: Feb. 29, 6-8pm
     Enjoy your extra evening with Rochester's top mixologists.
     80 tickets available ($50 each) Call to purchase.
Artwork Pick-up: January 8, 5-7pm, January 9-10, 12-6pm                  
Closed to the public for Holidays: December 23-January 2
Exhibition Closes: Jan. 8, 5pm

Each year Rochester Contemporary Art Center welcomes all current members to show their artwork. Over 300 artists are participating this year!  Rochester Contemporary Art Center 137 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604    Map 585.461.2222 www.rochestercontemporary.org

And the Wadsworth just opened their Festival of Trees, a yearly favorite!

Festival of Trees and Traditions

Welcome and celebrate the holiday season at the 38th Annual Festival of Trees & Traditions! Enjoy musical entertainment and festive family activities throughout the museum as we showcase fanciful, fabulous and romantic trees and wreaths decorated by more than 200 creative artists and individuals from our community. All trees and decorations are for sale and all profits are used to fund special exhibitions, educational programs and operating expenses. The Festival of Trees & Traditions is presented by the Women’s Committee of the Wadsworth Atheneum and made possible by support from Presenting Sponsor People’s United Bank, Silver Sponsor United Technologies Corporation, and Bronze Sponsors Bradley, Foster & Sargent and Bingham McCutchen.

For a day-by-day- schedule of Festival programs, click here.

Festival of Trees & Traditions 2011 opens December 2 and closes on December 11.