New Oils on Exhibit at Bethel Library

BETHEL, CT --- As a winter-wounded Bethel staggers into spring, the Bethel library hopes to jump-start art lovers' hearts with a variety of media on display in its many galleries.

A new show of artist's Dianne Vinopoll's oils on canvas has been installed into the first floor Morton Gallery. The exhibit joins a collection of photographs captured by Ed Simmons.

In the Maria Parloa Community Room, an exhibit of vibrant watercolors is on display, created by local artist Mary Jane Magoon. In the first-floor display case, visitors can learn something about the pen-and-ink skills used by Kathryn Olsen to create her small works, also on display.

On the second floor in the Morris Gallery, the playful, colorful mixed media collages of Jan McLean are on display. The Morris Gallery is part of the Accessible Art Project sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. The initiative helps to promote art to the community and to increase opportunity for visual artists to show their work. As a result, approximately 25 arts exhibits take place in Danbury, Bethel and Newtown each year through this effort.

The Bethel Library's P. T. Barnum collection, assembled over many years, is a permanent exhibition installed in the Seelye House. It includes important letters and correspondences, many of which highlight significant personal and pivotal events of the great showman’s life. Also featured are rare broadsides, photographs, and cartes-de-visite, as well as artifacts from General Tom Thumb, Jenny Lind and Commodore Nutt.

Beginning in May, the Community Room will showcase the work of a local artist inspired by the work of famed "Painter of Light," Thomas Kinkade.

All exhibit spaces generally are accessible during the Library’s hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 10-8; Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10-5; and Sundays 1-5 (from September to June only).