Gregorski’s ‘Surroundings’ At Booth Library

Currently on exhibit in the lower meeting room of Cyrenius H. Booth Library is “Surroundings,” a collection of watercolor and oil paintings depicting familiar scenes of New England and surrounding areas. Local barns and fences, graceful neighborhood homes, flowers from area gardens, and area storefronts and street scenes are among the artwork by Anita Gregorski on display.

Having lived all her life in Connecticut, Mrs Gregorski’s paintings successfully capture the colors and atmosphere that are so much a part of this area. Many of the barns that have been painted over the years have disappeared, streets have changed and storefronts modernized.

“I like to find that bit of nostalgia, record that weathered look and feel, catch the light on fresh fallen snow and the new bloom on the flower,” says the artist.

“A paint brush and a few props, and a painting gets created. Some days I wrestle with the paint brush, and other days I hang on to the brush as the painting paints itself,” she continued.

Mrs Gregorski has won numerous awards and her work has been exhibited at many area juried shows. She has also had work at Salmagundi Club in New York City, Northeast Watercolor National Show, and Connecticut Watercolor Society shows. Many of Ms Gregorski’s works are in private and corporate collections.

She has chaired and juried several art shows, and is an active member of the art, humanities and civic communities.

Mrs Gregorski is an active part of many art organizations, serving as officer, committee chairmen and director. She has been a judge and member of the selection committee for numerous competitive award shows. She has been the chairman of juried shows and participated in choosing scholarship awards for aspiring artists.

She is an active member of Academic Artists, Connecticut Watercolor Society, Kent Art Association, Lyme Art Association, Watertown Art League, SCAN, and an associate member of American Watercolor Society and Northeast Watercolor Society.

Mrs Gregorski received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, and an associate degree in accounting from CCSU. She is the mother of three and grandmother of four, and she lives with her husband in Middlebury.

Mrs Gregorski is an active member of the community, working with non-profit organizations such as the Allocation Committee of the Greater Waterbury United Way, as an officer and Board Member of the Naugatuck River Watershed Association, school, church and civic groups, as well as investment and social organizations.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533. Regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm; Friday, noon to 5 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm.