Danbury Museum to Unveil 'Fair Days' by Thom Montanari

From The Danbury Museum & Historical Society: The Danbury Museum & Historical Society will host a very special event on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in Huntington Hall, our exhibit space.

Artist and Ridgefield native, Thom Montanari will be unveiling his latest painting, “Fair Days,” the long awaited follow-up to his last fair-inspired work, “Danbury Racearena – Remember When.”

While completing his last year of art school in 1981, Montanari knew that something very special was being lost forever. Thom attended the last day of The Fair on a crisp, clear fall day with camera in hand to capture a piece of our local history with a notion that one day he would create a tribute painting. “My creative inspiration and ideas are most often hatched long ago and ferment until it’s time to bring them to life,” Montanari stated.

In addition to sharing the original painting with Danbury Fair enthusiasts, Montanari will be releasing a limited edition print of the same. Collectors of art and Danbury Fair memorabilia should note that this full color print measures 33” x 26” with a white border is signed titled, numbered and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The entire edition consists of 681 prints, the first 81 of which are the Artist Proofs; also signed, titled and numbered.

“The Danbury Museum & Historical Society has been integral in the planning and creation of the painting. Because of this community partnership a percentage of the sale of every print is being donated to the museum,” Montanari stated.

“Thom's painting captures much of the iconic imagery of the Great Danbury State Fair, a much loved and admired part of Danbury's history. We're so pleased that he chose to use the museum's Danbury Fair photo archive for inspiration. We're grateful for his commitment to donate a portion of the sale proceeds for the prints to the museum, we hope you'll join us.” stated Brigid Guertin, Executive Director and Danbury City Historian.

"My focus on the automobile, landscape, and nostalgia subject matter evolved naturally - it is has been my life-long passion for cars, the outdoors and reverence for the past that drives my creativity. It all began while attending antique car shows as a young boy in my Dad’s Model B pickup and spending summers on Cape Cod. I have always believed that the automobile will leave an indelible footprint on our global history and culture." Born and raised in Connecticut, Thom now makes his home and studio with his two children in Hopewell, New Jersey.

If you're unable to attend the official release event, prints can be purchased on-line by visiting here.

Image via the Danbury Museum and Historical Society