Katonah Museum of Art: Art to the Point

"Particle House" © Mark Savoia

Still River Editions' co-owner and Master Printmaker Mark Savoia, is among the artists chosen for the Katonah Museum of Art's Tri-State Juried Exhibition "Art to the Point".  The show was juried by Donald Sultan, painter, printmaker and sculptor.

There is an opening reception on Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 5 - 7 p.m. The Katonah Museum is located at 134 Jay St. (Route 22), Katonah, NY.

The exhibit will be open from Sunday, January 15 until Sunday, February 19, 2012.

"At the Edge of Things: Twenty-Four Photographers" at West Cove Gallery

"Buy Land" © Mark Savoia

Mark Savoia of Still River Editions is included in "At the Edge of Things: Twenty-Four Photographers", a group photography show at West Cove Studio and Gallery, that runs from August 25 - September 17, 2011.

There will be an opening reception on Sunday, September 4, 2011 (this is new date, postponed last week due to Irene) from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. West Cove Studio and Gallery is located at 30 Elm St., West Haven, CT.

The show, curated by Stephen Vincent Kobasa, features James Ayers, Christopher Beauchamp, Marion Belanger, Paul Bloom, Joy Bush, Phyllis Crowley, Paul Duda, Ashley Estep, Joan Fitzsimmons, Andrew Hogan, Aniko Horvath, Keith Johnson, Clare Kobasa, Linda Lindroth, Eric Litke, Meredith Miller, Roy Money, Hank Paper, Thomas Peterson, Mark Savoia, Jess Smith, Maria Tupper, Marjorie Wolfe and Stefan Znosko.

Upcoming at The Gallery at Still River Editions - Moments of Grace®: Ben Larrabee / Reception Thu., Sept. 8

Photo: "Herbie & Albert" © Ben Larrabee

We are pleased to announce that our next show will be Moments of Grace®, a solo exhibition of black-and-white portrait photography by Ben Larrabee of Darien, CT.

The exhibit takes place from August 30, 2011 to October 28, 2011.

Opening reception Thursday, September 8, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Free and open to the public.

Larrabee’s black and white portraits of children and families are far from staged. More than just depictions of individuals, the portraits engage the viewer in a feeling of connection. Larrabee says, “My work is not about my camera: I really want to make the camera itself disappear so that I’m performing effortlessly and my subjects are acting naturally unselfconsciously, expressing their spirit and their love for one another.” Larrabee calls the instances of synergy he captures in his subjects’ lives “Moments of Grace®”.

Ben Larrabee is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where he studied under noted photographer Harry Callahan and earned at BFA in photography. He also studied at Yale University, where he earned an MFA in graphic design. Larrabee’s work has been exhibited nationally and is in the permanent collections including The George Eastman House (Rochester, NY), The High Museum, Atlanta, GA, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, and the Museum of Modern Art, NY. Larrabee lives in Darien, Connecticut with his wife and creative partner Trudie Larrabee.

Larrabee's archival fine art prints are made by Master Printmaker, Mark Savoia at Still River Editions.

Art opening at Still River Editions this Thursday: Keith Johnson and Mark Savoia

The Gallery at Still River Editions is having a reception for Photographs by Keith Johnson and Mark Savoia on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Gallery at Still River Editions is located at 128 East Liberty St., Danbury, CT. Directions are on our website.

You may know Mark Savoia as co-owner and master printmaker at Still River Editions. Keith Johnson is a fine artist and art educator from Hamden, CT. Both Savoia and Johnson were 2010 winners of fellowships from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.

Both artists have in common a keen observation of art hiding in plain sight in the everyday world, and a sense of humor.

The Facebook events page is here.

Our First Open House Day Was a Success

Catherine Vanaria photographing Robert Jacobsen

We had a great day on Saturday! New and familiar folks came through and looked at the exhibit "Photographs by Mark Savoia and Keith Johnson", shared some food and drink, and had their photos taken by Cathy Vanaria for her "Faces of Danbury"series.

The Danbury News-Times wrote a story on the show, which drew in some local folks we hadn't met before. We also had clients and friends from as far away as New Jersey. I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by for for helping make it a fun day.

Edith Borax-Morrison and Mark Savoia discussing a print

Keith Johnson had to miss Open House Day, as he was returning via the Blue Ridge Parkway from a teaching gig at Penland in North Carolina. He will be at the opening along with Mark Savoia on Thursday, June 23, 2011.

~Lys

Saturday, June 11 is Open House Day - Come visit us!

This Saturday June 11, 2011 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., we are hosting the grand reopening of our gallery as part of the State of Connecticut's Open House Day. Come hang out with us, check out the new show, eat a snack and meet fellow artists and art-goers.

Featured will be our inaugural exhibition Photographs by Keith Johnson and Mark Savoia, which was also printed by Still River Editions.

11 pm Gallery opens

1 pm Gallery talk and discussion on digital printmaking with Mark Savoia, photographer and Master Printmaker

12-3:30 pm Participate in Faces of Danbury with photographer Catherine Vanaria. Portraits will be taken on a first-come first serve basis. Those who participate will be sent an 8x10 print after the event.

If you want to make a day of it, also in the area: The Danbury Museum and Historical Society (who have a fabulous exhibition on women's hats featuring photographs by Catherine Vanaria) and the Danbury Railway Museum. The Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield is only a 15-20 minute ride away.

FYI we have air conditioning.

Facebook events page  

We will also be having an evening art opening on Thursday, June 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Keith Johnson is teaching at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and will miss Open House Day, but will be here for the opening on the 23d.)

IMAGES 2011: Bill Eppridge Retrospective and Juried Photography Exhibition

© Bill Eppridge

The Farifield Museum and History Center is hosting a Bill Eppridge photography retrospective and juried photography exhibition, IMAGES 2011. Mark Savoia, co-owner of Still River Editions and Connecticut Photographics was chosen for his photograph "Stay in Line". The jurors were Bill Eppridge, Stephen Wilkes, Thomas Mezzanotte and Adrienne Aurichio.

Bill Eppridge is a photojournalist and author with a long career at LIFE magazine and Sports Illustrated. He covered RFK from his early campaign days until his death, the Civil Rights movement, the Beatles' first visit to North America, and many other stories in sports, music, and social issues. Eppridge has written several books, including the most recent, A Time It Was: Bobby Kennedy in the Sixties. His bio is here.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 there will be a fundraising preview gala from 6-8:30 pm. Tickets are required, and all proceeds benefit the museum's education programs.

There is a members and artists reception Sunday, May 1 from 2-4 pm. Awards will be presented for the juried show. Free.

Bill Eppridge will be giving a talk "The Man with a Camera: a Night with Bill Eppridge" Thursday, May 19 7-9 pm, $8 admission, members and students $5

The Fairfield Museum and History Center is located at 370 Beach Rd. Fairfield, CT 06824

Mark Savoia in Group Exhibition of CCT Fellowship Winners in Hartford

Four black and white photographs by Mark Savoia will be exhibited at Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism Gallery from November 19, 2010 to January 21, 2011.

The group exhibit, titled "Grey Area", showcases the work of eight artists from across the state who were awarded Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Fellowships. The artists are Daniel Buttrey, Susan Classen-Sullivan, Patricia Carrigan, Ted Efremoff, Nancy Goodrich, Eva Lee, Mark Savoia, and Rachael A. Vaters-Carr. The  artists work in diverse media: photography, sculpture, works on paper, poetry, and video.

Savoia is co-owner of Still River Editions and Connecticut Photographics. He works primarily in black and white digital photography, and prints his own work. He was selected for a 2010 fellowship from the state Commission on Culture and Tourism earlier this year.

The opening reception is on Thursday, December 2 from 4:30-6:30 pm. The gallery is located at One Constitution Plaza, 2d Floor, Hartford, CT.

More information on the state's resources for artists may be found at cultureandtourism.org.

~Lys

Three Photographers: Mark Savoia, Catherine Vanaria and Lys Guillorn at City Wide Open Studios New Haven: Sept. 25-26.

Stacy © Catherine Vanaria

The three of us at Connecticut Photographics/Still River Editions will be sharing a gallery space at City Wide Open Studios New Haven this weekend.
Sat. 9/25 12-5pm and Sun. 9/26 from 12-5 pm
Three Photographers from Still River Editions: Mark Savoia, Catherine Vanaria, and Lys Guillorn at Erector Square, 315 Peck St. New Haven, CT Building 2, 3d Floor, Unit 1

There is an opening reception Friday night from 5-8 at Artspace New Haven in which Mark and I will have one piece each, but the bulk of the show is during the weekend at Erector Square. I'll be going to the opening.

Other folks we know are participating include: Keith Johnson, Phyllis Crowley, Tom Peterson, and kHyal™ and Karl Heine from DesignerGrill, Joan Fitzsimmons, Valerie Richardson (WPKN DJ), and Lisa Nichols. We're sharing a space with painter Zachary Keeting.

We'll be bringing traditional and digital prints of our own work. I chose to work a bit bigger than I have been lately, and had Mark print some 20"x36" carbon pigment inkjet prints of black and white film double exposures. Mark is bringing black and white carbon prints that recently were exhibited at NESOP that show off his sense of humor and eye for irony. He might also have a 13-foot-long triptych in the works. Cathy is bringing some of her intimate portraits made with the 8"x10" camera currently residing about 12 feet away from me, like a lone dancer in the middle of the lab.

It's free, so if you feel like having a New Haven day trip to see some interesting art of all varieties and qualities, please come over and say hello. We're looking forward to meeting our fellow artists and jumping in the fray.

Be well,
Lys

A view of our space before the start on Saturday

Mark Savoia Exhibit at New England School of Photography in Boston

"Fried Doe Just a Buck"

© Mark Savoia

Mark Savoia, photographer (and co-owner of Connecticut Photographics/Still River Editions), is exhibiting at the New England School of Photography's Stairway Gallery for the month of July, 2010.

Mark graduated from the New England School of Photography in 1980.

Savoia's fine art photography records the visual contradictions that pop up just about everywhere, but it takes a trained eye like his to seek them out. Mark shoots primarily digitally, and his prints are carbon pigment giclees, yet his black and white prints have a film feel. Color would probably just distract the eye from the key elements of his compositions that add up to the visual satire.

Mark is one of seven photographers to receive at 2010 artist fellowship from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.

NESOP is located at 537 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.

~Lys

3rd Annual Camera Works opens this Sunday

The Ridgefield Guild of Artists 3rd Annual Camera Works exhibit starts this week with an opening on Sunday, June 6th, 2-4pm. Juror was Harvey Stein.

I just so happen to have one photograph in the show.

Mark

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism Announces 2010 Artist Fellowship Recipients

"Fried doe, just a buck"
© Mark Savoia

The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism has announced 2010 recipients of artist fellowships from the state. The fellowships are awarded on an alternating annual basis, and applicants are judged solely on artistic merit.  This year's categories were craft, new media, painting, photography, sculpture/installation and works on paper. Alternating years recognize choreography, fiction, film/video, music composition, playwriting and poetry.

Among this year's 37 recipients is Mark Savoia, co-owner of Connecticut Photographics and Still River Editions. Mark submitted a portfolio of black and white images that highlight his wry observations of unusual nooks and crannies of American culture. In addition to the award, recipients usually have the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition in Hartford.

If you are a Connecticut resident, keep the CCT's website bookmarked, and check back periodically for application materials. The website features numerous resources for state artists of all disciplines. New York residents, you have a great resource in the New York Foundation for the Arts website.

~Lys

"What if? 60x60x60"

Still from "Duck and Coverup"
©Mark Savoia

Still River Editions/Connecticut Photographics co-owner Mark Savoia has contributed a film titled "Duck and Coverup" to "What If? 60x60x60", to take place April 29, 7:30 pm AXIOM Center for New and Experimental Media, 141 Green St., Jamaica Plain, MA.

The project was created by media artist Gene Gort and composer Ken Steen, both of New Media New Music New England. The project is a participatory experiment in audio and video that uses 60 video clips and 60 audio clips that are 60 seconds long. Contributors to the project are notable New England media and sound artists. Audience members will select one audio and one video clip, and the resulting combination is played back together. The selections will dictate the evening's performance, resulting in an hour-long event.

Savoia is a master printer, video artist and photographer.

"What If? 60x60x60" may be viewed online here. I've found by playing around with the web version, that pairing the same video with different audio often changes its meaning/mood/feeling, and vice versa.

~Lys

Still River Editions' owners in photo exhibition

Mark Savoia and Cathy Vanaria have both been chosen to exhibit photographs at the 30th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition at The Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan, CT, February 7 through March 7th. Cathy will be showing one of her recent portraits and Mark will be featuring one of his digital paper negative nature photographs. Also in the exhibit are clients Karen Neems, Pamela Zaremba and Paul Berger. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, February 7th, 4-6pm. The Carriage Barn Arts Center is historic barn located on the grounds of a former estate now known as Waveny Park.

It's Opening Season

Now that Spring is truly, truly about to arrive (I hope) in spirit rather than in name only, I can make it to more gallery shows and openings. I'm looking forward to scoping out nooks and crannies in the Connecticut and New York arts scenes that I haven't previously explored.

To that end, I'd like to encourage anyone for whom we do printing (both digital and traditional) to send announcements my way lysbeth[at]ctphoto.com, and I will do my best to post information on the blog. If I pop out to an opening, let me know if it's ok if I put a small pic on the site.

In the news here, the co-owners of Connecticut Photographics and Still River Editions, Catherine Vanaria and Mark Savoia, have both been accepted into the 2d Annual Camera Works Juried Exhibition (Juror: Nat Trotman) at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Catherine's piece is a 20x24 print from her recent 8x10 camera portrait series. Mark's piece is a stylized landscape. Both are black and white.

2d Annual Camera Works

April 26-May 22
Opening Reception Sunday, April 26 3-5 pm
34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, CT

Today looking for links, I re-remembered that a friend of mine co-authors a blog called Connecticut Art Scene, and thought I'd share that with you as well. It's a good way to keep track of the many things going on outside of my immediate local area, but still driveable. I'll post more things like that as I come across them.

Also, a few days ago I finally had a chance to visit the Gallery on Main St. in Bethel, CT. I had been hibernating for so long, I hadn't realized it was there until very recently. It shows an interesting mix of local/regional and national artists (including Barbara Morgan and Pete Turner), and both color and black and white work. I enjoyed talking with the co-owner Rory Pszenitzki, and suggest stopping in to look around.

Thanks for reading ~ Lys