Visions Of World Peace By Artists Young & Established

NEW CANAAN — “Visions of Peace 2010” is the latest group art show organized by New Canaan restaurateurs Rose and George Nammack with artist and curator Joanne Keane. Featuring the work of painters and sculptors from Brooklyn to New Haven and many places in between, the artists bring their diverse visions together in an exciting and urgent visual manifesto for a peaceful planet.

The group exhibition will have its opening event at Rosie, a café-gallery at 27 Elm Street in New Canaan, on Friday, March 26, from 6 to 10 pm. There will be live music and refreshments served. Many of the artists are planning to attend the opening. Adjoining Elm Street Books will stay open later that evening to accommodate overflow.

Among the participating artists are Jon Waters and Emilia Dubicki from New Haven; Joanne Keane from Newtown; Donna von Holdt of Ridgefield; Joleen Grussing of New Canaan and Ali Dowlatshahi from Stamford. Manhattan artist Dahlia Hierro and Williamsburg, Brooklyn graffiti artist Miles Wickham are also contributing works.

Also participating is a class of third grade students from New Canaan’s East Elementary School. Their body of work will command its own wall at Rosie.

“I can tell you all the children were so excited to do this project. They all had a definite vision of peace in our world,” reports class mother Renée Fill. Mrs Kingston’s class will enjoy a cupcake reception at Rosie earlier in the evening just for them.

Rose Nammack, the chef and owner of eponymous New Canaan café Rosie, conceived the theme and offered her space as a venue, inviting artists to express their visions of peace for 2010.

“I was returning home from Vermont one evening and as I crossed a bridge I was struck by the light of the sunset glittering on the Connecticut River,” said Mrs Nammack. “It was a moment that left me with an overwhelming sense of calm, and peace. Later, I knew I wanted to somehow bring the light into our café and share the experience with others. I realized that I could do it with this art show.”

Curators George Nammack and Joanne Keane contacted the artists, organized their submissions and will oversee the installation of the works by the artists on March 19. Some of the paintings and sculptures in the show are playfully political, offering provocative social commentary along with a good helping of pointed humor. Among the most subversive are the works that embody stillness itself and seem to suggest a moment of quiet concentration. This is not the idea of peace suggested as a goal for humanity, but peace as an actual experience.

For additional information including directions to the restaurant, call 203-966-8998 or visit RosieNewCanaan.com.