SPOTLIGHT:
Gallery
Wilson Avenue Loft Artists Depict “A Sense of Place” WALA’s Annual Exhibition and Open Studios offers an opportunity to view a great variety of creativity and envision 16 artists at work
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Written by Nancy Helle
Halfway between South Norwalk’s lively restaurant scene and the picturesque village of Rowayton, a former industrial complex has been transformed
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into a unique beehive of creativity – the Wilson Avenue Loft Artists, known as WALA. Fifteen studios with soaring ceilings, tall windows and a large exhibition space have attracted an outstanding enclave of 16 artists, mostly from Fairfield County with two from nearby areas in New York. WALA was founded in 2007 by two artists, Lori Glavin and Britt Bair. Bair’s Darien neighbor, David Genovese owned an empty factory building in South Norwalk with rentable space, and liked the idea of provid-
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ing a place for artists to work. WALA’s popular annual community event is a
For “A Sense of Place”, some artists have
group exhibition which opens on Friday, Octo-
depicted a special part of the world they trea-
ber 28th with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. and
sure, some are captivated by the sea, familiar
continues with Open Studios on Saturday and
landscapes or everyday objects, while others
th
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Sunday, the 29 and 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
envision imaginary landscapes and scenes or
The studios are at 225 Wilson Avenue (Rt. 136) on
share personal stories. As Nancy McTague-Stock,
the 2nd floor, but the entrance and parking are off
exhibition co-chair with Lori Glavin, says, “Place
Ely Avenue behind the building.
is a mindset of being in the moment; it can refer
The exhibition, “A Sense of Place” is curated
to a specific location or a specific state of mind.”
by Sophia Gevas, the former Director of the
According to curator Gevas, “A Sense of
Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart
Place” is an ideal theme to celebrate the inno-
University, current Outreach Education Director
vative and singular ways we all think about our
at Silvermine Arts Center and an Adjunct Faculty
own ‘places’, whether a personal interpretation
member at Housatonic Community College. She
or a particular location in our world. Viewing this
says, “Collectives like WALA provide stimulating
exciting group of diverse works will open up our
opportunities for artists to reflect and discuss
minds to possibilities, which is what all good art
their work with other creators. In addition to
experiences ensure.”
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making art, they often teach or volunteer, and
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with free public events like Open Studios, con-
For more information on WALA: email:
tribute to making Norwalk the culturally vibrant
Lori Glavin: glavin@optonline.net or Nancy
city it has become.”
McTague-Stock: nmsstudio1@aol.com
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Nancy McTague-Stock’s (1) archival pigment prints were created in Amsterdam, Holland, earlier this year. An area called Prisengracht inspired her “study of environmental observations, focused on perceptual illusions through movement”. Memories of New Mexico led to Erin Dolan’s (2) painting, Return’ to Taos, capturing “the intriguing contrast and connection between natural and urban places, and the colors, feel, mood and texture of moments which translate into visual stories that encapsulate the essence of the place.” “Water and skies have always been my passion,” says Vicki French Smith (3). “Creating movement and texture in my paintings takes me to places I want to be. I seek to create dramatic emotion using complementary colors, soft and hard edges and a variety of brushes, palette knives, and techniques.” Julie Van Norden (4) is constantly in awe of the endless blue created by the horizon where the sky meets the ocean. “There is nothing like the vastness of the sky and sea to make you realize how tiny and 4