FEBRUARY 2023 NEWS & UPDATES

Art Pick-Up Reminder
Celebrating Black History Month
Hygienic Spotlight on Glynis Blanker
Crafts and Cocktails
Comedy Bebop

Non-Stop Pop & Through the Lens of Printilism

An Evening with Author Catherine DeNunzio

Artist Call: The Crossing

Salon des Independants
Art Pick-Up Reminder

Attention Artists! Art Pick-Up for Salon des Independants XLIV!

All participating artists must pick up their art this Saturday, February 11th from 4-7 PM and Sunday, February 12th from Noon to 4 PM. ?

Celebrating Hygienic Art
Black History Month

BHM research and poster design by our Connecticut College Intern, Miranda Dowie.

Hygienic Spotlight: Glynis Blanker

Groton-based photographer and Hygienic Art Board Member, Glynis Blanker, has been recognized for her work in the arts. She won two awards from the Mystic Museum of Art and the Norwich Arts Center.

Her photograph, currently housed inside the Mystic Museum of Art named “Windows of the Wauregan,” is a black and white photograph that will be on view until March 5th, 2023. She received the “Members Over All in Excellence Award” in the elected artist and members exhibition.

Her second photograph, “The Kiss,” is currently on view at the Norwich Arts Center. It received 2nd Place in the Love, Red, Hearts, Exhibition, displayed until February 24th, 2023.

When Glynis first heard the exciting news, she was “overwhelmed with emotions. I felt as though I had finally arrived!” She has shown her work in galleries for eight years and has been a professional photographer for 20 years.

“I evolved with the times and learned to work on the digital side of photography. In the last ten years, I’ve devoted more time to photography. As I get older, I see things differently than I did when I was younger,” says Glynis.

Glynis has been working behind the scenes on fun, creative projects. She has stepped outside her comfort zone by taking a 5-week painting class with renowned artist Marvin Espy.

In addition to experimenting with collage art, she has entered a self-portrait piece on view at Hygienic Art’s annual Salon des Independants exhibition. A patron purchased her self-portrait artwork on Opening Night.

Her work can be viewed at the Hygienic Art Gallery until February 11th, Norwich Arts Center until February 24th, and the Mystic Museum of Art until March 5th. To see more from Glynis Blanker, follow her on Instagram @glynisblanker_photography.

Crafts and Cocktails

Join us for our monthly get-together called Crafts and Cocktails. You will learn how to make a signature craft cocktail to enjoy while making the craft project of the month.

Wine Bottle Art: There are so many different paints you can use to paint wine bottles. From spray paints to chalk paint to acrylic, pretty much anything that isn’t watercolors or too thin works.

Cocktail of the Month: Bishop of Bordeaux

The social health benefits of creativity are not a new concept, people have been experiencing it for years!

Those that create in the presence of others are:

More likely to have wider social networks

More likely to have a sense of purpose and belonging in a group

More likely to have a reduced sense of social isolation and marginalization.

Event fee of $10 includes craft materials, and one craft cocktail w/the recipe card to take home. Space is limited so register soon at hygienic.org

Date: Thursday, February 16th from 5-7 PM

Comedy Bebop

Conceived from the creative mind of New London's Own, Dame Fk - we bring you Comedy Bebop! An evening of laughter and over-the-top punchlines, please join us in our 2nd annual comedy show.

Hosted by Mark McGwin and starring Gabe Pacheco, we bring you other insanely funny, regionally-acclaimed comedians including Lila Sparks, Trent Wells, Sam Buck, Mustafa, Mussa, and the mastermind himself, Dame Fk.

$12 Admission Fee

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.hygienic.org/product/comedy-bebop/437

Date: Friday, February 17th
Doors Open: 7:30 PM
Showtime: 8 PM
Location: 79 Bank Street, New London CT 06320

Non-Stop Pop & Through
the Lens of Printilism

Bright. Recognizable. Satirical. Non-Stop Pop features the eclectic and unique of art Don Ledversis, Brian Johnston, and Bart Jeczmienny.

A retired engineer by profession, and a sculptor by passion, Don Ledversis spent years working in the woodworking industry. While taking a metals class at the Rhode Island School of Design, he changed his direction for the future. With an emphasis on re-purposing found metal items the challenge becomes twofold, keep the subject simple and colorful, the metal pieces are merely the building blocks, a means to an end. Don creates one-of-a-kind pieces. By capturing the viewer's attention with color and boldness, he beckons the viewer to look closer and become inspired to create.

Brian Johnston is a beer brewer and artist who will present his edgy, bright, and satirical "beer art" pieces inspired by the rising popularity of the local craft beer scene started by New London-based bars such as the Social, Oasis, and Tox Brewing.

Bart Jeczmienny is a pop artist who is drawn to science fiction and art. Fascinated by surrealistic art, especially Salvador Dali's imagery, Bart spends his days watching various birds outside his window and following the developments of the new Moon mission from NASA. The effects of such interests are plainly visible in his expressionistic artworks that celebrate the dreams of undiscovered otherworldly landscapes.

Using four primary colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK), Connecticut-based artist James Honer presents his first solo exhibition of the year titled "Through the Lens of Printilism." A play on words to pointillism, the term "Printilism" is a self-coined phrase he uses to describe his art style. Based on his background in printing, his artwork is all composed of dots and is intended to play tricks on the viewer's eyes. From different distances, the dots will blend or stand out. From landscapes to cartoon-styled pieces, James Honer presents a wide range of his art.

James Honer is a painter and paper sculptor based in Middletown, Connecticut, and North Truro, Massachusetts. James developed his approach to painting by drawing on his varied career and background in commercial printing and graphics.

Come view his art in "Through the Lens of Printilism" on Saturday, February 16th 2023 from 6-9 PM. Exhibition is on display until Saturday, March 11th 2023

Join us on February 25th 2023 from 5-6 PM for an hour of poetry with Author, Catherine DeNunzio at the Hygienic Art Gallery. She will read sections from her book, "Enough Like Bone to Build On" published by Antrim House.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Enough Like Bone to Build On, as its title suggests, finds life's building materials to be abundant and more than enough to counter any obstacles that resist them. This is a truly life-affirming and joyful book that looks the worst squarely in the face and rises above it into a realm of beauty and love.

AUTHOR BIO:

Catherine DeNunzio received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Connecticut. She has twice participated in the Frost Place Poetry Seminar. Before her retirement, Catherine taught middle and high school English for twenty-two years in several Connecticut public schools. In addition, she worked as a teacher consultant, freelance writer, public school partnership program coordinator, and private tutor. Catherine's poems have appeared in numerous poetry journals and anthologies.

Date: Saturday, February 25th from 5 PM – 6 PM

Artist Call: The Crossing

The Crossing: A Juried Exhibition is open to all artists and mediums. We hope to receive artists' best and most recent work.

It is also an opportunity for new artists from across other bridges and geographical barriers to get involved with Hygienic Art and downtown New London. Works must not exceed 60" in any direction, suitably ready for hanging and sculpture no more than 50lbs.

ALL ART MUST BE READY TO HANG - PROPERLY FRAMED & WIRED FOR GALLERY DISPLAY

Artists can submit up to 3 works for consideration. Juror Charles Reyburn. All accepted artworks are eligible for cash prizes - awarded to the top 3 selected works.

Receiving Dates: Thursday, March 16th, 2023 from Noon to 7 PM & Friday, March 17th, 2023 from Noon to 7 PM

Entry Fees: $15 for one piece, $25 for two, $30 for three

Unselected Pick-Up: Thursday, March 23rd 2023 from Noon to 7 PM & Friday, March 24th, 2023 from Noon to 7 PM

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 25th, 2023

Exhibition is on display until Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors!

Astor Place
Barry Levinson
Bodenwein Public
Benevolent Foundation
Byrnes Agency Insurance
Chelsea Groton Bank Foundation
Chester Kitchings Family Fund
City of New London CDGB
City of New London Office of Community Development
Connecticut Humanities
Connecticut Office of the Arts
Edward & Mary Lord Foundation
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund
Michael Stryker
SBA
Spindrift Guitars
State of CT DECD
Office of the Arts
UBS Financial Corporations
Victoria and Charles Glassenburg Fund
Yale New Haven Health
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital

Hygienic Art
The largest cultural arts center in New London and leader in the arts, entertainment, tourism, and economic industries.Hygienic Art has presented more than 500 art exhibits, 275 music and cultural events, and youth educational programs annually over the past two decades. As a non-profit organization, we work to improve the quality of life of New London and the region.

Our Mission
Hygienic Art’s mission is to inspire, enrich, and instill a sense of community by promoting a free public art forum with events to stimulate economic development, tourism and educational projects for the City of New London and surrounding areas.

Visit our galleries Thursday-Saturday 12-7pm and Sunday 12-4pm
New exhibitions every month showcasing local and nationally recognized artists. Exhibitions, events, festivals, and special programming info on our website.