Ten local artists are represented in the new exhibition at Avance Esthetique.

"All About Newtown" is on view at the day spa, now located within The Villages at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road, through November 30. Salon owner Melanie Allen and curator Rosemary Rau invited The Newtown Bee to visit the show last week, while Mrs Rau was putting the final touches on the latest event in the salon's "Art with A Heart" series.

"All About Newtown" celebrates exactly what its title implies. Paintings and a few pieces of sculpture depict "Newtown past and present," Mrs Rau said October 24. "Some of the works were also inspired by the town."

Those viewing the exhibition will recognize some of the locations in the works. Paintings clearly depict familiar places including Newtown Meeting House, Fairfield Hills, and scenes along Main Street and Queen Street.

Others pieces include views of lesser-known or unfamiliar places including three paintings by Joanne Conant showing different sections of Lake Lillinonah's shoreline, and one of Anne Marie Foran's vibrant paintings, "Autumn Glory on Cavanaugh Pond."

Finally, some works feature or incorporate roosters, one of Newtown's unofficial symbols.

In all, there are 29 works on view in "All About Newtown."

In addition to the aforementioned, artists represented include Warren Curtis, Pam Danneman, Aline La Pointe, Adele Moros, Glen River, Roberta Shea, Joe Sorge, and Debbie Terenzio.

"I love curating art shows," Mrs Rau said. "It is such a joy for me to gather a group of talented artists of all levels to create a mosaic of beauty, color and art."

Additional Benefits

"Art with A Heart" is an ongoing series of special events and exhibitions that also raise funds for different nonprofit organizations. Previous events have benefited The Newtown Fund and Newtown Woman's Club.

The beneficiary for "Art With A Heart: All About Newtown" will be the Newtown's food pantries, the Salvation Army Food Pantry at Newtown Social Services and FAITH Food Pantry at 31 Pecks Lane.

During the opening reception on Sunday, November 13, from 3 to 5 pm, a miniature shopping cart will be set up at Avance and guests are encouraged to "Fill The Cart" with donations, either financial or nonperishable items.

All are invited to view the show and enjoy light refreshments that afternoon.

According to Ms Rau, the current wish list for the Salvation Army Food Pantry at Newtown Social Services includes canned pasta and soups/stews, crackers, paper goods, pet foods, soups, tuna, and toiletries.

Ms Rau also spoke with Lee Paulsen, the president of FAITH Food Pantry. The current requests for that pantry include everything mentioned above, as well as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, pet foods, canned vegetables, pasta, and sauces.

In addition to the art on view, the salon is one of this year's host locations for sales of the 2016 Newtown Woman's Club Christmas Ornament. Depicting Hawleyville's Union Chapel, the historic building at 31 Old Hawleyville Road (currently home to Sound Center for Arts & Mindfulness), the pewter ornaments are still being offered for $10 each.

A few collections of the pewter series are also available at the salon.

Proceeds benefit the local woman's club.

Beyond the opening reception, "All About Newtown" can be viewed any time the day spa is open: Monday, 10 am to 4 pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 11 am to 8 pm; Wednesday, 10 am to 6 pm; Friday, 9 am to 6 pm; and Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. For additional information call 203-270-8911.

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