‘Visions From The Heart’—

Over 60 Artists With Disabilities From 15 States Participating City Lights Gallery Event

BRIDGEPORT — An evening of great art, light fare, cocktails and lively conversation. Artists with disabilities throughout the country will be showcasing their artwork at “Visions from the Heart,” a juried art exhibition presented by The Barnum Festival and The Kennedy Center at City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport. Over 60 artists will be participating in the show that will be unveiled on Wednesday, June 20. Nearly 125 works will be on display from 15 states.

“Last year was our first year and it was a great success,” said event chairman Fred Biebel. “This year we have a highly selective show with a mixture of new and returning artists. Encouraged by the response, we have decided to make the show an annual event and to eventually become a weekend of art in downtown Bridgeport celebrating the work of artists with disabilities.

“Our boundaries have expanded this year to include artists across the country and we are very excited to have applicants entering from as far away as California and Texas,” he continued. “Many of these artists’ works have won notable art awards and are now owned by private collectors.”

“The Visions from the Heart” Artists Reception and Cocktail Party will debut under a tent located on Markle Court, which will be set up adjacent to City Lights Gallery from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45 per person or $75 per couple for this pre-opening reception.

Proceeds will benefit The Kennedy Center Therapeutic Arts program that utilizes expressive art, including music, dance, poetry and art as therapy. For example, the art program has made it possible for artists with disabilities to participate in juried shows and be published in the “Unique Perspective” Calendar and a line of notecards.

First, second and third place cash prizes and three honorable mentions will be awarded at the reception to participating artists recognized for their exceptional artistic ability. The show features collages, mobiles, sculptures, watercolors, and drawings.

Jurors include Margaret Anderson, a professional appraiser of fine art for over 25 years; Margaret Bodell, who has owned and run galleries for 20 years in New York City and Connecticut showcasing both outsider and contemporary art; and Kelly Futerer Gingras, the owner of the Outsiders Art Gallery/Museum in Litchfield and the agent/owner of TheOutsidersArt.com and HandforgedArt.com.

The art exhibition will then be open to the public from June 21until July 21 at City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.

Contact Jo Ann McMullan at The Kennedy Center, 203-365-8522 extension 229, for ticket information about the artists’ reception. Additional information is also available at TheKennedyCenterInc.org, CityLightsGallery.org, and Visions-from-the-Heart.com.