Blogs

How do you succeed as a young creative person today? How do you make it? What does it even mean to make it now?

The old models, pathways, and rules—some not even that old—have been scrambled and upended in the past few years, as the traditional gatekeepers and arbiters are replaced by the herky-jerky algorithmic democracy of social media. In place of the lowbrow-highbrow divide, we spend much of our lives immersed in one of several competing popular cultures—Oppenheimer vs. Barbie?—that demand that you pick sides to participate. The question is...

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a45160263/new-creative-rising-stars-2023/?fbclid=IwAR3VMe8R3DLvdTBldmgGFc4o3xrdUcTsGaUFvA1zUIf2HbSa_0QenLhU6c0 ;

Featuring artist Michael Zack

In a sense, artist Michael Zack is asking you to fill in the blanks as he exhibits A PART OF THE STORY at New Haven’s City Gallery. His haunting, figurative work will be on display from March 11 - March 27, with an opportunity to Meet the Artist on Sunday, March 13 from 1pm - 4 pm.
 
Focusing on the relationships and interaction of figures and how they can be expressed in form and color, Zack eschews facial features and clothing detail in his work. The characters become anyone and everyone, yet uniquely individual and somewhat mysterious.
 
Are they people you know? Are they people the artist knows? Zack never reveals names, but says, “they are frequently, but not always based on people I know and have had the opportunity to observe as they go about their daily lives.”
 
Taken out of those contexts and rearranged into a panorama that has a narrative all its own, Zack invites you, the viewer, to interpret them on yourself. “Bearing in mind,” he says, “that each image is only part of the story.”
 
The interrelationships of the figures and the movement within the panoramas are supported by the vibrant, subtle and nuanced range of colors within the work. As to process, Zack explains, “Because of the pandemic, access to the printmaking studio has been restricted. I have been trying to translate what I have been doing in printmaking to painting. Each medium has its own distinct process and that process is instrumental in determining the direction of each work.”
 
Zack received his art education at The Brooklyn Museum Art School, The Silvermine School of Art and Creative Arts Workshop. His work has been shown at City Gallery in New Haven, The Silvermine Guild Arts Center in New Canaan, where he is a member, The New Haven Paint and Clay Club, the Community Gallery of the Brooklyn Museum, the Attleboro Museum in Attleboro, MA, the Paul Mellon Arts Center, Wallingford, CT, the Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA, The Bruce Kershner Gallery at the Fairfield Library and the Katonah Museum among others.
 
A PART OF THE STORY is free and open to the public, and runs March 11 - March 27, with a chance to Meet the Artist on Sunday, March 13, from 1pm - 4 pm. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 1pm - 4 pm, or by appointment. During regular hours, visitors are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing protocols. For the reception, proof of vaccination will be required for entry, and masks are required. For further information please contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org, www.city-gallery.org.

Art competitions formed part of the modern Olympic Games during its early years, from 1912 to 1948. The competitions were part of the original intention of the Olympic Movement's founder, Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin. Medals were awarded for works of art inspired by sport, divided into five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_competitions_at_the_Summer_Olympics#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DThe_competitions_were_part_of%2Cmusic%2C_painting%2C_and_sculpture.?wprov=sfla1

To create public works that truly serve our shared experience, we must maintain that community organizers and city-appointed art directors are sitting at the table as peers, not outweighed by power or pedigree but rather equalized by their lived experience.

Imagine that public space put the ideas of the artist at its center, with urban transformation, public infrastructure, and civic architecture as its foundation. In such a space, creative culture would be championed by the public and be financially supported by those who understand that art is essential to social advancement. In that world, hasty cycles of development would become more thoughtful, collaborative civic movements that represent people from all backgrounds and abilities...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/public-art-the-case-for-a-cultural-heart-transplant ;

The City of New Haven Department of Arts Culture and Town Green Special Services District are seeking a New Haven- based Artist (s) to design temporary 2-dimensional artwork for display on windows of City Hall next to the Amistad Memorial at 165 Church Street (see website). Artwork should reflect the importance of black and brown lives, influences and culture on our New Haven communities.
 
Budget: $2500 for artist(s) and supplies
 
Deadlines
Work Sample Submission Deadline: July 7, 2020
Artist Selection Announcement: July 14, 2020
Artwork Production Deadline: August 4, 2020 
 
Interested artists should submit 3 samples of artwork, contact information, and a brief description of the artwork they propose for transforming the windows around the memorial to kfutrell@newhavenct.gov by Friday, July 7, 2020.
 
Final Artwork Display Specifications
The windows are located on the ground level of City Hall and border the Amistad Memorial (see photo). Final artwork dimensions should be compatible with window measurements.:
 
(3) 66"w x 71"h
(1) 54"w x 82"h
(3) 54"w x 70"h
 
Questions should be directed to Kim Futrell, kfutrell@newhavenct.gov or 203-946-7172.
 

The arts can be a source of joy in a child’s day, and also come in handy for memorizing times tables.

Pam Bailey, NeighborWorks America blogger | 10/1/2018 2:31:22 PM

San Francisco’s Chinatown faces a number of challenges, stemming back to its origins: Chinese immigrants to the city were often limited to living in the neighborhood due to discriminatory policies and practices, reinforced by a natural desire to seek out supportive environments. Over time, a strong sense of community developed. Today, however, residents face a constant threat of eviction and displacement due to San Francisco’s hot real estate market.

https://www.neighborworks.org/Blog-IdeaWorks/Putting-creativity-into-community-development-facilitates-many-goals

ECDC is looking for sponsors for our upcoming premiere of

"If You Knew You Then"

March 31, April 1, 7, 8

shows at 7pm & 9pm 

Lyric Hall | 827 Whalley Ave 

New Haven

Tickets $25 pre-sale $30 door

More about the work HERE

WHY SPONSOR OUR PREMIERE? 

1) "If You Knew You Then" is an original ECDC production featuring 6 dancers in new choreography inspired by adolescent themes. The work has a lot of feeling and a lot of action!

2) ECDC’s audience is hip, active, involved, and interconnected.

3) Sponsorship will provide visibility for your organization with ECDC’s audience, supporters and community. 

Click HERE to find out how you can sponsor ECDC!

WHY SPONSOR ECDC? 

ECDC’s Mission: 

Elm City Dance Collective is a New Haven based organization that provides a platform for an experiential and collaborative approach to dance creation, education and performance. 

Who We Are and What We Do: 

ECDC is a 501(c)3 charitable arts organization that contributes to a thriving arts community in New Haven by creating original dance productions, as well as offering dance performance opportunities, classes, and workshops. To learn more about us, please visit www.elmcitydance.org.