Thursday, November 21st - Walnut Beach Art Stroll : A prelude to the Holiday Season

The Holidays are fasting approaching! And what better way than to enjoy a prelude to the Holidays as they do sneak upon us. . . . Looking for a house warming gift, a gift to give to the host/hostess of an upcoming holiday party, Thanksgiving dinner? Even gifts for your friends, family and co-workers can be found on The Avenue and Broadway in Walnut Beach, Milford, CT!  

Come join us in celebration of the Seasons of Giving and the Seasons of Thanks and walk The Avenue and Broadway – The Walnut Beach Art Stroll on Thursday, November 21^st! 

Starts at 6:00 pm at Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue with an opening reception of its final exhibit “Non-Themed” (anything goes) for the 2013 Season. You will see artworks submitted by local artists that will be judged by one of our own local artists, Rick Senft. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place being announced at 6:45 pm. 

Meander on down the Avenue to Sobobo, 42 Naugatuck Avenue and meet November’s Artist, Patricia Brundage, photographer who captures that moment in time. You will also find artwork by local artists, Judy Ruskin, Ed Steinerts, Sheila Pite, Harold Davis, Mariana Furtney, Allan Dudek and more as well as jewelers Carlyne Labrecque, Sam Rawls, William Ahern, Claudio Altesor, Sally Ann Endelman, Laise and Anilese.  All artwork is available for purchase.  

Walnut Beach Creamery will be having samples of their gourmet ice cream for you to decide which one would be best for your Holiday Party, and dinners! Pick up an order form to place your order of your favorite flavor!

Stop at Seaside Wine and Spirits, 38 Naugatuck Avenue, taste the “spirits” of the Holidays. You can order your favorite too!

Continue on to Beach Gallery, 2 Broadway, where you will find a young newcomer, photographer, Christopher Haley whose surreal works reminds you of Dali. Enjoy listening to Christopher’s sounds as he plays acoustic guitar. Should you find that one interesting image of his to purchase you will receive a cd of accompanied music! Visit, listen and enjoy! 

Scoot and Paddle, 28 Naugatuck Avenue, will be open where you can make an off-season reservation to kayak, ride a bike and more. Gift certificates are on sale for that active person you may know!

Head down Broadway to Wild Expressions, 16 Broadway, to find Jennifer Harkey owner Creativimpulse. She melts glass from recycled wine, gin and vodka bottles shaping and transforming the melted glass into jewelry and decorative art pieces - Truly Amazing! A must see!  And there is more - you will hear Tom Ferrara – The Captain Rocks! play his tunes as you warm your belly on this cold night sampling the Chili Contest entries! If you decide to enter, your famous recipe should be brought in a crock-pot with a cord of course.  For more information on how to enter your chili recipe contact Wild Expressions 203-882-WILD. 

Taste & See what gourmet cupcakes to take home with you….Stop in at Taste & See, 17 Broadway, to discuss over coffee which cakes to include in your Holiday order!

Remember, as we look towards this festive time there are many who are in need.  A food drive will also be part of this month’s art stroll and it is asked that donations be made. Donations can be dropped off at businesses partaking in the Art Stroll. 

It will be a pleasure to see you!

Andrew Hungaski Shows Us "A Tangible Vision"

"I look upon a photograph as a souvenir. A visual record of an actual moment pulled out of time, recorded on film, or digitally, and printed on paper, a tangible vision.

As a youth I was always, and still am, thrilled to capture an image, take it home and add it to my collection of memories.

Pictures that were once primitive observations evolve. Now, hopefully more often than not, reflecting a refined sense of vision, wherein the essence of the image is contained and properly composed, evoking feelings of emotion, atmosphere, or lyricism. I don’t necessarily feel that a photograph has to be a “work of art,” to be successful.  Beauty is in the mind of the beholder.

Once the image of these primitive observations is printed, ideas evolve swirling in my mind as to what can be done to them. Some have been turned into silk screens, and vice versa a sculpture made of found objects becomes a photograph; drift wood and manufactured wood combined become a sculpture; watercolors and gauche are used as I without thought, without idea paint; an image evolves and it is named, title is given to the piece. 

Whether you’re a good photographer or artist or not, even a beginner is capable of producing a work of art, sooner or later, given the law of averages. It is most important to have fun and enjoy the journey." 

- - Andrew Hungaski  

 

Andrew’s works have a sense that you were there once before, perhaps another life time, or even a visit to the place. His black and white photographs have a foggy, smoky aura not a definitive which is the essence of making it a dream like happenstance. His antiqued or sepia photographs have an essence of old photography, a time of when the camera was first used. Both styles bring you into two different worlds, two different dimensions that welcome you with open arms.

Andrew Hungaski’s photography and art shows us how the mundane and human nature can be extolled into a work of art just by being respectful and using common decency without arrogance and without ego tripping us up.


"Headless Woman" by Andrew Hungaski

The subjects lend to curiosity whether human or objects, coercing without forcing one to be so curious.

Just by looking into an open space in hedges creates the passers-by to curiously stick their head in to see what it is, what is happening. Some call it nosey, others may say “Mind your own business” or “Don’t get involved” and walk straight away from it and those who have that curious streak will always find a moment that will call out to them, taking risks; the old saying “Curiosity killed the cat” however, “Satisfaction brought him back”.

"Ship" by Andrew Hungaski





 

 

 

The oddity of mundane objects becomes center stage. Each telling us something; and it is up to you to know and understand what it is they have to say; each of us walking away with a different meaning. Driftwood, baubles, lobster tail, oh my. . .Still life objects become alive making more of a statement then images of people in a park, at a picnic, a boat sailing down a river or run aground. What say you “Three Monkeys”? “See no evil?”; “speak no evil?”; “hear no evil?” bringing us back to the silence of the people staring into the lens a familial sense, a respect for everyday life and the means for which help us live our lives without arrogance without ego.

Andrew Hungaski’s works will be on display at Sobobo Gallery during the month of June.

Do join us on Thursday, June 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for Andrew's exhibit reception. Meet Andrew Hungaski and learn about his techniques. An addition to the venue is Addison Thompson, saxophonist, who will be on hand enlivening the evening with his music.
 

Animal - Vegetable - Mineral: Join Us On Thursday, October 15th

A wonderful way to relax and actually have fun on Thursday, October 15th, is to enjoy an exciting evening starting at 6:00 pm at Firehouse Gallery at 81 Naugatuck Avenue to view the exhibit - Animal - Vegetable - Mineral, a juried show and artwork is available for purchase.

Meander to Urban Antique Radio and Vintage Hi-Fi at 58 Naugatuck Avenue where yesteryear is still part of today! See if Walnut Beach Cafe has music playing. A Fine Affair will always have that kitchen gadget that we can't seem to find. If you need to schedule a catered function for the upcoming Holiday parties, whether for employees or open houses you must stop by A Fine Affair and Lazy Lobster - both can accomodate!

Collected Stories at 16 Broadway just may have the book you have been looking for Uncle Joe. SoBoBo Art Gallery across the street has many unique art pieces that can fit any gift idea. You can find for Aunt May that necklace with the unusual design that suits her perfectly! Or that rug you needed because you are changing your decor for the Holidays, or that painting that reminds you of someone or some place you've been before. Don't forget Walnut Beach Creamery where you can get that particular flavor of ice cream you crave to take home with you. You must put in your Holiday Order for that special, unique dessert!

As seasons change and the season(s) of giving has begun the stress level also begins... Now you can cross off those gifts off of your gift lists you have for everyone - and yes, the dessert, too off of your list for your party!

One must agree it is a wonderful way to relax and actually have fun and enjoy - what could be a chore - "Shopping at Home for the Holidays!

Come join us! Enjoy the wonderful feeling of anticipation as you view each piece of art by imagining which one would be the perfect gift for whomever you wish to give. Anticipation....It's making you wait, it's keeping you guessing.... ENJOY the evening!

MILFORD IS LOCAL PROUD

Milford is Local Proud.

Local Proud is a buy-local campaign designed to support locally owned and independent businesses in Milford. Spearheaded by Susan Ashelford who owns Given to Gauche and is a commissioner on the Economic Development Commission, the program’s goal is to shift 10% of the purchases made at non-independent stores to locally owned and operated businesses.

The shift in dollars will have a hugely positive effect for all of Milford. According to studies, including a 2008 study by the Institute for Local Self Reliance, locally owned businesses recycle about 45% of their revenue back into the local economy.

Commissioner Ashelford adds that “results from other communities demonstrate that not only do dollars spent locally stay local, but local businesses contribute more to local non-profits and participate more in community life; and local independents demand less energy resources and public infrastructure.”

Milford’s Local Proud highlights the connection between shopping locally owned, independent businesses and retaining the community’s distinct character. Local Proud asks consumers to: choose personality over conformity; keep more money in the local economy; sustain and create more local jobs; and support environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.

The desire to support locally owned businesses is an emerging factor in people’s shopping choices, with more and more people seeking out locally owned shops and goods. Local farms and farmers’ markets are more popular than ever as people have discovered the health and ecological benefits of eating locally produced food. Also, travelers seek out destinations that offer them a sense of being someplace…not just anyplace.

“This program perfectly reflects the Economic Development Commission’s goal of strengthening businesses, fostering stronger communities, increasing job opportunities, and expanding

Milford ’s economic base while honoring our commitment to the history and character of Milford" says Genevieve Salvatore, the Economic Development Commission’s Chairwoman.

Local Proud will kick off the week of September 27th with a 13-week launch: “We’re So Much More….We’re Your Community.”

There are 100s of reasons to be Local Proud but the 100s of independent business owners and their employees is the single best reason for all of us to be Local Proud—our business is our community.

Local Proud was developed under the auspicious of Milford ’s Economic Development Commission. The committee members are, Susan Ashelford; Dayan Moore owner and co-founder of Green Goods 2 Go; Anna Rubino who is the graphic designer for Local Proud; and Susan Shaw, owner of Collected Stories Bookstores.

For more information on the program, contact Susan Shaw at 203-874-0115; visit our website, http://www.milfordlocalproud.com/ or email, localproud@milfordlocalproud.com