Color In January, Amid Snow

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown opened its annual “Color in January” art show and sale last weekend. Hosted by Lexington Gardens, the nine-day event will continue daily through January 30.

In addition to works by the artists’ group, one of the show’s biggest draws is the demonstrations of four artists, one on each Saturday and Sunday of the show’s run. Shortly after noon on Saturday, the artist Dick McEvoy of Newtown painted a vibrant pastel for the convening group. All enjoyed the demonstration and marveled at the speed at which the landscape unfolded.

“He went quickly, and he did a great job,” commented fellow artist and longtime SCAN member Ruth Newquist. “We had a large turnout, even with the weather.” As SCAN hosted the opening day of its tenth annual non-juried presentation by the Newtown-based artists’ collective, the Northeast was bracing for what became the largest snowstorm of the season so far. While many people braced for the imminent snow storm, dozens of art lovers stuck to their plans to attend Saturday’s opening at Lexington Gardens.

“Following the demonstration, we moved the reception up a little so that everyone could enjoy it,” Mrs Newquist mentioned early this week.

Over 200 works of art have been hung, representing seventy artists from near and far. People showed interest in the many mediums – collages, colored pencil and mixed media as well as pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. By late afternoon, the predicted snow chased everyone home, but most promised to return during the week.

The show’s second weekend will feature Nancy Warwick, who plans to work in oil on Saturday, January 29, and Richard Ochs, painting in watercolor, on January 30. Both artists will begin at 12:30 pm. Admission to the programs, and the show, is free.

For additional show details call 426-6211.

Show hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily. Lexington Gardens is at 32 Church Hill Road in Newtown.