ArtSparks: The Emotion of Line ... - First Town Downtown

November, 2020

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Event:

ArtSparks: The Emotion of Line ...

Date:

November 19th to December 31st, 2020.

Location:

Windsor Art Center

The Windsor Art Center will exhibit ArtSparks: The Emotion of Line, Color, and Space from November 19, 2020 through January 9, 2021. This exhibition features fourteen of the many senior citizen members of ArtSparks who, over the years, have enjoyed this program created at HARC to support individuals with intellectual and related disabilities. As visual artists, they creatively use line, color, and space, to speak wordlessly to us of their feelings, perceptions and stories. Regardless of our strengths or disabilities, we humans have a need to create. Since art offers endless possibilities for transforming those images or ideas in our heads into something tangible, art is empowering for all of us. Drawing us into their worlds, the artists represented in this exhibition invite us to feel the ways our lives resonate with theirs and to be inspired to express our own worlds through art.

Several events/workshops will complement the exhibition.

• Public Opening Reception: Thursday, November 19, 4–7pm. Grab & Go treats. Masks must be worn and social distancing will be observed. FREE

Items available during the exhibit.
Creativity Kit: Sock Puppets & Storytelling $8 per kit includes supplies to create multiple sock puppets, links to instructions and read-along.

Gift Shop Alert: Art Sparks Art-Sox & Notecards can be found in the Windsor Art Center Gallery gift shop! All designs have been created by members of the Artsparks program. Get them while they last!

• Virtual Artist Talk/Gallery Tour: ArtSparks founder & instructor, Diana Appleton, will speak about the artists and the inspiration for this series of artwork. Viewing link will be posted on the website. FREE

• Mini-Gallery South: Pop Up Show On display throughout this exhibit.
Works by Dan J. Ferraina: an exploration of color, composition and concept in art that speaks from the heart. Prints & notecards available.

• Women’s craft show weekend: Saturday, November 28, 10am-4:30pm & Sunday 29, 11am-4:30pm. Featuring high-quality, locally made art and crafts made by WOET (Women of Exceptional Talent).

• Holiday Concert: Judy Handler: Friday, December 4, 7-8pm. Only 25 tickets available! $15 per person. Holiday music for classical guitar & mandolin by
Judy Handler and Mark Levesque. Go to www.windsorartcenter.org for tickets.

• Holiday Market weekend: Saturday December 5 • 10am-4pm & Sunday 6, 11am-4pm. Local crafters and artisans; ornament sale fundraiser & and raffle baskets. Kids receive one free ornament to decorate at home!

This exhibition is made possible by: grants from the Greater Hartford Arts Council & NewAlliance Foundation; Civitan Club of Windsor; Dan J. & Alice Ford Ferraina; and other individuals, businesses, & organizations in our community. Additional support for this exhibition provided by Wolf Kiss in memory of Edward Kiss.

From Diana Minisci Appleton, ArtSparks Founder & Instructor about ArtSparks
ArtSparks was created as part of Harc’s Life Enrichment program, a day program for senior citizens with intellectual disability. In making and showing their art, our artists have gained a tremendous sense of community involvement with their exhibit, satisfaction in their accomplishments, and pride in seeing their work valued, respected and purchased. Artsparks paintings and other products are for sale, and since 1995 the ArtSparks artists have had sixteen dedicated shows and participated in twenty-five group exhibits. They have collectively earned over $15,000 with the sale of their original paintings, benefiting both Harc and themselves.

About Harc:
Harc, Inc. was founded in 1951 by parents of children with intellectual disability, long before programs and services were available. We help people with intellectual disability and their families by advocating for their human and civil rights and by providing community-based services throughout their lives.
Harc was founded in 1951 by visionary parents of children with intellectual disabilities who knew that their children had worth and immense possibilities. They became fierce advocates fighting against exclusion, isolation, discrimination, lack of opportunity, unemployment and low expectations. Their grassroots efforts led to partnerships with generous individuals and corporations to raise funds and create life-changing programs. Harc programs have national accreditation and licenses.

Today, Harc provides special needs support for a lifetime. Harc’s services begin at the birth of a child and support them throughout their life journey with programs such as Early Intervention & Autism Services, Recreation, Summer Camp, Behavioral Health Clinic, Supported Employment, Employment Readiness, Adult Day Services, Elderly Enrichment, Residential Services, Respite Care and Family Support.

The Windsor Art Center celebrates creativity and inspires an appreciation for diverse artistic cultures by showcasing the visual and performing arts. There is no charge to visit the gallery or gift shop which features locally made art. Parking is free and easily accessible. Exhibition hours: Thurs 6–8pm; Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 11am–4pm. For more information call 860-688-2528 or visit www.windsorartcenter.org SIGN-UP • DONATE • BECOME A MEMBER.