Two Art Displays To Showcase 'Pride' And 'Family' At Canton Shopping Destination

Courtesy of The Shops at Farmington Valley

CANTON, CT — A local shopping destination is also a destination for inclusivity and pride, according to two art exhibits being showcased this month and next.

Throughout the fall, The Shops at Farmington Valley, at 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton, will “Celebrate Family” as part of their campaign, "A Place for Pride, A Place for Art," with two special art installations.

One is an interactive art display at Kindred and Crew (November) followed by a special John Guthrie Sculpture reveal in December).

According to The Shops, the "exhibits honor the people, art and experiences that bring pride and joy to our community."

In support of National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) and in honor of GLADD Spirit Day (Oct. 20), guests at The Shops at Farmington Valley were encouraged to participate in a fun interactive art project throughout the months of October and November.

This art project is titled “Celebrate Family,” which invites people to reflect on what “Family” means to them.

Throughout October and November, this art experience will be featured in the window of locally owned boutique, Kindred and Crew, aptly a family-matching boutique.

To participate, guests can stop by Kindred and Crew, get a colorful post-it note, and write a few words about what family means to them, or draw a picture, then add it to the window.

All month long, the post-it notes will be on display in the window for people to view.

The art exhibit will lead-up to the Main Event in December, which is the unveiling of a special work of art by Boston-based queer abstract artist, John Guthrie.

This work of art is a sculpture titled “Family,” which will be unveiled to the public in December. The reception will be open to the public and will feature special guest speakers.

The sculpture will be over 6 feet tall, composed of aluminum, and located in The Shops courtyard by Jim Brook.

This bright abstract piece will be the first work of public art at The Shops at Farmington Valley and part of a collection of works unveiled in the WS Portfolio from Boston to Madison, Wisc.

“We all come from diverse backgrounds, with different experiences and ‘family’ situations in our lives, and each one of us can tell a different story about what family means to us,” said Elizabeth Ackerman, general manager at The Shops at Farmington Valley.

“The art project at Kindred and Crew is a fun way to celebrate those who we consider family. We are honored to be among one of the locations to display Mr. Guthrie’s new artworks and can’t wait to celebrate with everyone at the end of the month.”

Guthrie’s artwork was first on display at The Shops this past June, through a digital art collaboration in partnership with WS Development.

For more information about The Shops at Farmington Valley visit the link.