Rich in History, 57th Annual Darien Art Show & Sale Seeking Entries

The Darien Arts Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015, is encouraging artists of all ages to participate in its 57th Darien Art Show and Sale being held Saturday, May 30, through Saturday, June 6 in the DAC Weatherstone Studio at 2 Renshaw Road, behind town hall.

The show, which has a long history in Darien, was originally held outdoors in the Goodwives Shopping Center parking lot and then on Corbin Drive, before it was moved indoors to the town hall building as part of the DAC. Early volunteers executed all aspects of the show with support from the town and Darien High School.

Work included getting sponsors for prizes, receiving artwork entries, and hanging pieces of art on outdoor racks for the then one-day show. Pat Atkin designed and silk-screened posters for many of the early years of the show, then called the Darien Art Festival.

Today’s Darien Art Show and Sale, which offers cash awards and a solo exhibit to the winner of Best in Show, is open to DAC students and children and adults who live or work in Darien. Nonresidents may enter the show with a donation to the organization.

The show will be open for public viewing every day from May 30 through June 6, from noon to 5pm. Prizes will be given in many categories at an opening night reception from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, May 29th, where the Ginny Wright Scholarship will also be awarded.

Entries are welcome in a variety of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, drawing/pastel, mixed media/printmaking, sculpture, color photography and black & white photography. Artists can register at darienarts.org from April 13 through 7 p.m. on May 26 and can drop off entries on Tuesday, May 26 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Artists may enter up to two pieces of artwork, with an entry fee of $20 per submission for adults and $10 per piece for children. Adults submitting two pieces must designate at least one for sale. A 25% commission on each sale will benefit the DAC.

All pieces must be ready to hang with a wire on the back, or, if needed, the DAC will provide assistance with wiring at the drop-off site for a small fee. For more information about the 57th Annual Darien Art Show and Sale or to register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.