May 8, 2008
Darien Art Show
turns 50 this month
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The Darien Arts Center Art Show celebrates 50 years this spring, and many long-time town artists are joining in the celebration.
Artists like Kent Haydock, who presented a nature scene he painted in the 1970s, or Roz Emmons, who remembers when the show was outdoors on Corbin Drive.
“It started to rain and we had to run and get drop cloths to cover the pieces,” she said.
Somewhat of a political battle ensued over whose piece got the benefit of the shelter and whose had to brave Mother Nature, Emmons said.
Artists of several eras met at the Darien Arts Center Friday morning to kick off the 50-year celebration.
Jeanne Wahlworth, one of the founding members of the Arts Center, remembered discussing how the group wanted the center to be more than just visual arts. The original members wanted to make sure that all of the arts were represented, which includes music, dance and theater.
The first Darien Art Show was held on Sept. 6, 1958, outdoors on Corbin Drive. The first show drew 258 artists and was judged by three prominent artists.
The show now includes more than 300 works in oils and acrylic, graphics, drawing, pastels, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media and photography. In order to enter, one has to be a resident of Darien, a member of the Darien Arts Center, or a student taking lessons at the center.
The show will be from Saturday, May 31, through Saturday, June 7, at the Art Center behind Town Hall. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 30.
According to Haydock, who was formally a cartoonist before taking up painting, Dr. David Oscherow, a local orthodontist, sponsors all the children’s awards as well as exhibits the work in his office.
Wahlworth and a friend, Judy Cotter, taught some of the first classes at the Arts Center in the 1980s.
“There were two classes, mostly girls,” she said.
Wahlworth said some of the equipment in the center was around back during those first classes.
Emmons and Wahlworth, who both still paint regularly, discussed the environments in which they prefer to practice their art.
Emmons said she “needs a community” which is what is great about the Arts Center.
“I need conversation, I need to talk about it,” she said.
Wahlworth said that she is the opposite, and is a “family room” artist. By family room, she said when the house is filled with a spouse and kids, the only area an artist can find to paint is a cleared out area of the family room.
She said that she likes to be in her own little world when painting.
Kae Shields, executive director of the Arts Center, said that she can’t believe that the show has been around for 50 years.
“Even the first president is here on board,” she said.
Judy Kemp, who is on the center’s board, said that some town organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club, will hold their regular meetings on the art show premises as part of the celebration.
This year’s judge is Ellen O’Donnell Rankin, who heads a fine arts consulting firm in Rowayton.
Wahlworth said that she is thrilled the Arts Show is still going strong and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“It is a hometown arts show with fantastic artists participating,” she said.
The Darien Arts Center is located at Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road. For more information, please call 655-8683.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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