Connections

September 16 through October 28, 2023

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 16th 5-7pm

Windsor Art Center announces Connections, an exhibit featuring paintings by two Connecticut artists, Jeanne Manzelli and Gary Jacobs. The show opens September 16th and runs through October 28th. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Saturday, September 16th from 5-7pm to enjoy light refreshments, meet the artists and, at 6:30 pm, hear the artists’ remarks..

Gary Jacobs and Jeanne Manzelli are teaching colleagues at Tunxis Community College. They connected through shared experience and a personal need to expand their work to reach a wider audience. They decided to see how they might work together to meet those individual goals.

At first glance their work looks very different, yet it feels comfortable together because the artists reflect each other’s intent, not imagery. Mutual benefit, artistic freedom, incorporeal spirit and intellectual respect connect these two powerful artists. This show is about that Connection.

About the Artists:

Gary Jacobs is an esteemed artist, teacher, and speaker renowned for his mesmerizing artworks that emanate a radiant glow. Working primarily with oils, his paintings exude a luminosity that captivates viewers and transports them to ethereal realms. With a rich educational background and extensive teaching experience, Jacobs has become a guiding light for aspiring artists seeking to explore the realm of abstraction.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Jacobs’ artistic journey began at the prestigious Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1988. Fueled by his passion for creative expression, he further honed his skills and deepened his artistic understanding at Brooklyn College, New York, where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1991.

Jeanne Manzelli, a Connecticut-based artist with roots in Massachusetts, draws inspiration from her experiences at the National Audubon Society in Lincoln, MA, where she discovered a deep appreciation for conservation and the natural world. Through the Audubon Society, she learned to see and recognize forms in nature; birdsongs, tree shapes, the reason tomatoes are red, and breathtaking patterns. Throughout her career, she intertwines her passion for teaching and art by exploring our connection to nature in intimate landscapes. Her latest body of work, created over the past few years, delves into the profound human longing, seeking to create art that connects on a non-visible level and transfers energy, bridging cultures and spiritual disciplines. Jeanne’s commitment is to learn through the creative experience because it “connects to a stream of consciousness going back to the beginning of time”.

Events:

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 16th, 5-7pm (Free and open to the public)

Artist Talk: Sunday, September 24th, 2pm-4pm (Free and open to the public)

Artist Led Workshop – Abstract Painting to Music workshop: Saturday, October 7th, 4pm – 6pm (Registration Required: Fee: $20 SIGN UP NOW)

Artist Led Workshop – Watercolor Botanicals: Sunday, October 22nd, 2pm-4pm (Registration Required: Fee $30  SIGN UP NOW)

Mythology Project Performances:

Thursday, September 28, at 7PM

Friday, September 29, at 7PM

Saturday, September 30, at 7PM