Congratulations to 2017 “Artists To Watch” Selected by juror Adrienne Ruger Conzelman: Linn Cassetta, Mary Janacek and Anouk Krantz!
“SPECTRUM 2017: Grayscale”
The 27th annual Spectrum Contemporary Art Show is a juried exhibition of original, contemporary artwork by local and regional artists in all media. All entries must have been created within the past two years and not have been previously exhibited at the Carriage Barn. Guest Juror and contemporary art specialist Adrienne Ruger Conzelman, of ARC Fine Art, reviewed works rendered in grayscale — black and white and anything in between.
“In making a selection of works from over 400 submissions to Spectrum, I was looking for a variety of qualities, but most importantly I was aiming to create an exhibition of varying media, subject and style, all executed with excellence, originality and creativity. Some of the qualities I was looking for include a masterful handling of material- whether oil, acrylic, graphite, pastel or other, an innovative use of material or an innovative approach to a subject, a balanced composition whether simple or complex, a clarity of expression, and most basically an adherence to theme.
I was delighted by the great response to the call for entries and the high quality of works submitted, many by well-established artists, most local although some not. The variety of subject, style and media reflects the wide range of interpretations possible within this theme. — Adrienne Ruger Conzelman
ABOUT the Juror:
A private art dealer and advisor, Adrienne Ruger Conzelman was trained as an art historian and possesses nearly twenty-five years of work experience in the art world. After receiving a MA in Art History from Williams College and BA in Art History from Hamilton College with concentrations in American Art, Adrienne completed NYU’s Appraisal Studies Certificate Program as well as extensive coursework at the Museum of Modern Art, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s. Before shifting into the contemporary art world as an advisor, Adrienne worked as a specialist in the American Paintings Department at Christie’s. Her publications include a private collection catalogue – After the Hunt: The Art Collection of William B. Ruger – published by Stackpole Books in 2002. Adrienne has held volunteer positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Williams College Museum of Art, the Emerson Art Gallery (now The Wellin) and the Whitney Gallery of Western Art and currently serves on The Board of Trustees of Hamilton College as well as the advisory board of the Wellin Art Museum.
Since opening ARC Fine Art in 2009, Adrienne has curated over 23 solo exhibitions and multiple group shows, both in Fairfield and in Pop-Up galleries in New York City and Amagansett. These exhibitions highlight the work of approximately 35 mixed-media artists represented by her gallery who hail from cities around the world including Buenos Aires, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Lucca and throughout the United States. She has participated in several art fairs, served as the juror for Dialogues in Color at The Bruce S. Kershner Gallery and recently curated an exhibition of Jason Middlebrook’s work at the Von Auersperg Gallery at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA.
ABOUT the New Canaan Society for the Arts:
The mission of the New Canaan Society for the Arts is to promote the visual and performing arts, to enrich the community through exhibitions, education, and cultural experiences, and to operate the Carriage Barn Arts Center. The Carriage Barn Arts Center offers artists opportunities to exhibit their work in an exceptional gallery space in a unique nineteenth-century stone barn. The Carriage Barn is open September through June, Wednesday – Saturday, from 10am-3pm and Sundays from 1-5pm. Entrance to the Gallery is free and all exhibitions are open to the public.
Generously sponsored by:
with additional support from the Lions Club Foundation of New Canaan