For over 20 years, the Easton Arts Council has presented a Winter Celebration of the Arts Member Art Show and Reception. It has been one of our most well-attended events as our local artists get together on a winter’s night in January to admire (and perhaps purchase) art, meet one another, enjoy refreshments and the lovely piano tunes of Dr. Michael King.
All the food is donated by the Arts Council as well as the entertainment, and the event is free. Once in a while, we run out of food or liquid refreshments, and once or twice we have had to reschedule the event due to winter storms, but we have always had it.
Unfortunately this year, all that has changed. Although we know the library is open, our event usually draws crowds of close to occupancy, and we know that would not be safe. We also wanted to protect everyone as having up to 75 artists arriving with their art to hang could qualify as a super spreader event!
So this year, as was done with our Annual Photo Contest, we decide to have a virtual art show. All of the artwork was sent in online and was curated by member Kris Lynch. We have 53 artists from five states including Connecticut, New Jersey, Kansas, Massachusetts, Arkansas, and Washington DC. That is one benefit of an online show. The art show is now “hung” online and available for viewing at eastonartscouncil.org.
One nice thing that our technology guru, Kit Briner, included was to have the artists comment online about their artwork. I for one especially enjoyed this, as we get to experience the process they went through while creating their works. These works include acrylics, concrete, glass, mixed media, oils, pastels, pencil, photographs, porcelain, and watercolors; they are abstract, impressionistic, or realistic…something for everyone.
Also, you can view everything from the comfort of your home; you do not have to brave the winter elements to go see it. Of course, we will all miss our favorite event of the season, The Winter Celebration of the Arts Reception, enjoying good food, music, and the company of our fellow artists.
This pandemic has changed our lives so much, but occasionally some new innovations come out of the roadblocks that have been set up. One innovation is that we can leave the show “up” indefinitely on our website. All the artwork is for sale with a few exceptions, and a portion of the sales go to benefit the Easton Public Library.
For more information and upcoming events, please visit our website, EastonArtsCouncil.org, or call 203-261-9160.
Photo at top: Easton Arts Council Member Show 2021, Len Grayek, artist
