ARTIST RECEPTION ~ Monday, July 22nd ~ 5:30-7:30pm
Meet our July artist, Shepherd Myers, at an opening reception on Monday, July 22nd from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in our Gallery. Light refreshments will be served. Come and see the July exhibit entitled Ants: Earth’s Terrestrial Landlords, and then meet the talented artist behind the highly technical drawings. Learn about Shepherd’s experience as an entomologist, and how his curiosity and creativity gave rise to these beautifully detailed illustrations currently on display.
About the exhibit & the artist:
On display in our Gallery this month is a collection of technical illustration prints by Shepherd Myers of ants that can be found throughout the world. The drawings reveal in great detail the characteristics and uniqueness of these small but mighty insects. More commonly noticed as pests when they interfere with human activity, these scaled up illustrations of ants reveal the vast array of morphology (morph = form, ology = to study) of all the individual species. This exhibit is educational, informative and beautifully rendered. It will be on display in the Gallery for the month of July.
Ants are among the most dominant organisms of the world and make up 10 to 15 percent of the entire animal biomass. The approximately 8,800 known species can be found from the arctic circle to as far south as Tasmania – only some Polynesian islands east of Tonga have no native ant species. Their role in terrestrial ecology is vast: they turn more soil then earthworms, are channelers of energy, and dominatrices of other insects as lead predators of other insects and invertebrates. As invasive pests they are some of the most destructive insects of Central and South America, damaging crops to hospitalization from stinging. As eusocial colonies or superorganisms they live in complex caste systems, with division of labor including a queen for reproduction, soldiers, workers and minors who strictly tend to the brood.
Shepherd Myers is an entomologist and illustrator who previously was the Collection Manager at the The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum for over a decade in Honolulu. At fourteen million specimens, it is the largest Pacific Rim and the third largest insect collection in the United States. He has done extensive science outreach with school groups, class room visits, at fairs, festivals, etc, and enjoys teaching as much as working with research and collections. He has also had his illustrations, photos and technical figures published in peer-reviewed journals.
ARTIST RECEPTION ~ Saturday, June 15th ~ 12:00-4:00pm
Meet our June artist, Sandhya Paladugu, at her opening reception on Saturday, June 15th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm in our Gallery. Everyone is invited to come and see her beautiful and exquisitely detailed work. In addition to the framed pieces that are on display in the Gallery, Sandhya will be bringing additional painted items including bottles, eggs and small seeds!
Artist statement:
My name is Sandhya and I immigrated in 1992 to Windsor, CT, during which I studied to receive my masters at UConn in civil engineering. After finishing my studies, I traveled around the States, including Texas, Illinois, and Minnesota. However, my love for the New England seasons brought me back to Connecticut and I have loved being a resident of Farmington over the past two decades. While working as a software engineer at Aetna, I discovered a new passion and hobby during the COVID. I became very interested in acrylic canvas art and miniature/jewelry art. From last year I expanded my art to include painting on egg shells ( Pysanky) and also into painting on small seeds.
‘Annapurna Creations’ is dedicated to my maternal grandmother and after the Hindu Goddess Annapurna ( goddess of nourishment). My grandmother’s name translates to “full of food”, signifying her desire to ensure everyone that came across her path was taken care of and had the proper necessities. Food is considered sacred in Hinduism, and prayers are offered before consuming it. Annadanam, the donation of food, is highly praised in Hinduism. I am planning to contribute some of my proceedings to charity. In my art, I hope to translate the message of ‘Annapurna’ to others especially because it helped support and raise the majority of my childhood. I hope you enjoy my painting in your home as the values it represents contribute to a major part of my upbringing. Please contact me at AnnaPurna.Creations.USA@gmail.com if you are interested in any of my art prints.
Avon Arts Association ~ Holiday Art Show Reception
Sunday, December 3rd, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Please join us in the Gallery for an afternoon reception featuring holiday music and refreshments! The Avon Arts Association invites everyone to join us to celebrate the opening of their Holiday Art Show, on display in our Gallery during December. There will be light refreshments and music, featuring pianist John Brighenti. Stop by and meet the talented members of the Avon Arts Association!
April Art Exhibit: NOW & THEN by Constance Patterson
A show of new work & work from the past ~ A creative journey through the pandemic
ARTIST RECEPTION: Sunday, April 2nd, 2:00pm – 4:00pm in our Gallery
Please join us in the Gallery for an afternoon reception and meet the talented artist on display this month, Constance Patterson. Light refreshments will be served, and all are invited to stop by!
February Art Exhibit: AVON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Now on display in our Gallery through February 28, 2023
Artist Reception: Thursday, February 2nd, 4:30pm – 6:00pm in our Gallery
Please join us in the Gallery for an afternoon reception and meet the talented artists from Avon Middle School on display this month. These 7th and 8th grade students have filled our Gallery with their creative, colorful and cool work – you won’t want to miss it! Light refreshments will be served, and all are invited to stop by!