Residents Participating In ‘Farm to Canvas’ New Pond Farm Invitational Show

WEST REDDING — As part of its 25th anniversary celebration as an environmental education center with a small working farm, New Pond Farm will celebrate the opening of “From Farm to Canvas” on Saturday, June 11.

An invitational art show, the exhibition will feature work by 50 regional artists who have created paintings and sculptures inspired by the beauty of the 102-acre property. The collection will remain on view until June 25.

Among the artists participating in “From Farm To Canvas” are Newtown residents Martha LaMarche, who says her work for the show is “quite a departure from my usual,” and Ruth Newquist, a signature artist in the National Watercolor Society.

While Ms LaMarche is known for her portraiture work, she decided to create a five works for the New Pond event, four of which depict animals in place of people and using styles familiar to art history students. Ms LaMarche, a native of Indiana who now lives in Newtown, has studied with artists Alexander Shundi, Susan Ferri and others. She works primarily in oil, but also enjoys mixed media.

Ruth Newquist is known for her cityscapes set in New York City’s SoHo section s well as New England rural and urban landscapes. She paints in both oil and watercolors, and is a multiple award winning artist.

“From Farm To Canvas” will open with a preview party on Friday, June 10, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is $25 and reservations are requested; call 203-938-2117.

The show will then be on view Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sundays from noon to 5 pm, at the farm’s Visitors Center, 101 Marchant Road. Two rooms will be filled with artwork and portfolios.

The farm will also be open daily for Community Plein Air Events from 9 am until 5 pm. All are welcome to bring art supplies and picnics and continue to celebrate the inspiration found at the farm. Participants who display their artwork in the Learning Center may enter a raffle for an artist’s easel.

Painting demonstrations will be offered during the run of the exhibition, beginning on Saturday, June 11, at 2 pm, with a program by the award-winning watercolorist, clay artist and teacher Sally Aldrich; Wednesday, June 15, at 9 am, with Adele Moros; and Saturday, June 25, with the contemporary impressionist painter Catherine M. Elliott.

Additional special events include a President’s Tea and Art Lecture on Wednesday, June 15, at 2 pm. Learn what goes into a botanical drawing with artist Sally Fine, sample home baked treats by the farm’s president, enjoy the artwork on display, and take a chance on a raffle and door prizes. This event is free, but reservations are requested by Monday, June 13.

Closing Night, on Saturday, June 25, will include a reception from 5 to 7 pm, the announcement of winners from the silent auction and raffles, and final sales and pick-up of exhibition artwork. Participating artists have promised to donate at least 30 percent of all sales during the show to support the mission of New Pond Farm.