‘Connecticut Contemporary:’

A Showcase For Visual Artists At Wadsworth Atheneum

HARTFORD — The diversity of talented visual artists living and working in the Constitution State will be celebrated by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art with its exhibition “Connecticut Contemporary,” on view April 19 to August 12.

“Connecticut Contemporary” will showcase 24 artists, ranging from Sol LeWitt, a founder of Minimal and Conceptual Art in the United States, to emerging and mid-career artists. In addition to LeWitt, confirmed participants include, in alphabetical order: Rachel Berwick, Johanna Bresnick, Ellen Carey, Aletheia Chamberlain, Susan Classen-Sullivan, William DeLottie, Barkley Hendricks, Eva Lee, Qimin Liu, Kathryn Myers, Janet Passehl, Joe Scanlan, Jessica Schwind, Gil Scullion, Joseph Smolinski, Jessica Stockholder, Tavares Strachan, Robert Taplin, Max Toth, Rachael Vaters-Carr, Peter Waite, Mark Williams, and Pawel Wojtasik.

More than seventy works, encompassing painting, drawing, and sculpture to photography, video, and digital animation, will represent the artists. 

Unlike exhibitions organized by a curator or selected by a jury, “Connecticut Contemporary” has been developed cooperatively. Joanna Marsh, associate curator of contemporary art at Wadsworth Atheneum, chose eight artists to show their work and asked each to nominate one other Connecticut artist for inclusion in the exhibition. The second group was asked to repeat the process.

“This approach allows for a multiplicity of perspectives and media which reflect Connecticut’s thriving art scene, and many of the prevailing stylistic and thematic trends of today’s art world,” said Ms Marsh. “In addition, the method of organizing the exhibition provides insights into the tastes of the artists themselves.  Some have nominated individuals whose work they admire from afar, while others have chosen students, assistants, neighbors, and spouses.”

Quick to say that this exhibition concept is not new to the Wadsworth Atheneum, Ms Marsh points to its landmark show of 1983, “Connecticut Painters 7+7+7.” Two artists represented in that earlier exhibition, Barkley Hendricks and William DeLottie, are included in “Connecticut Contemporary,” a fact that demonstrates the lasting influence of their work. 

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is located at 600 Main Street. It is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. On the first Thursday of each month the museum remains upon until 8 pm.

Regular admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens (62+), and $5 for students (ages 13 through college with student ID). Children ages 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

Also, after 5 pm on the first Thursday of each month, admission is $5 for ages 13 and up. Group rates and reservations are available; call 860-838-4046.

Visit WadsworthAtheneum.org or call 860-278-2670 for further information; TDD is 860-278-0294.