Different perspectives fill Wilton Library’s walls beginning Feb. 3

From sharply penciled figures to bold strokes of color, Wilton Library’s art exhibition, “Perspectives: The Work of Four Female Artists,” runs the gamut of styles, medium and subject matter as diverse as the artists themselves. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and features Pam Ackley (New Canaan), Sarah Phillips (Wilton), Skye Riss (Wilton) and Dara Tomeo (Fairfield). From illustrations to sea and landscapes, from pastels to explosions of color, the four local women infuse the library’s gallery and walls with impressions that will stop viewers in their tracks. The reception is free and open to the public.

The artists featured in the exhibition are:
Pam Ackley of New Canaan received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from New York University. Ten years ago, Pam began her artistic journey by studying at Silvermine School of Art and has worked with several renowned artists. She also was classically trained by instructors from the Florence Academy of Art. Pam is co-founder and model coordinator for the New Street Guild of Artists. NSGA meets twice weekly at their Wilton Studio and is exclusively dedicated to painting the model from life. She continues her artistic study privately with a master artist. She has had several solo and group shows in Connecticut including Wilton, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Ridgefield and New Canaan and her work is in several private collections.
Sarah Phillips of Wilton began her career as a couture designer with her successful collections featured by Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Fred Heyman, Neiman Marcus as well as in exclusive boutiques across the U.S, Canada and Hong Kong. She launched her first collection in 1989 and recently turned to working with private clients. Phillips attended, and is an alumnus of, the prestigious Parsons School of Design, and as a versatile designer worked with such important houses as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Ralph Lauren in both men’s and women’s wear divisions. At the heart of her works are the fashion-inspired eye-catching pastel and charcoal illustrations which will be on view in the exhibition.
Skye Riss of Wilton is a “driven artist who sees the world around her as a force from which to create positive experiences.” She began painting at a very young age and continued that passion to earn degrees in painting, art history and graphic design Cum Laude (University of Hartford). According to Ms. Riss, this foundation “contributes to bringing out the best of my abilities to inspire and discover new energies in painting and in life.” She works in mixed media — oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal and more.
Dara Tomeo paints from her home in Fairfield where she and her husband raised their three daughters, and at the Studio of Leona Frank in Westport where she is immersed in a community of creative artists. She has taken many classes and workshops at Silvermine School of Art, New Canaan where she met her mentor, Phyllis Rutigliano. Dara received a BA from Wheaton College, Norton, MA and an MAT from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield. Dara noted that her series, Treescapes, “captures the essence and beauty of trees in varying seasons and light, and my compositions of paths in the woods entice the viewer to take an enchanted journey into my paintings.”

The exhibition runs through Feb. 23. The majority of the more than 50 works are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. For information and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334.

Images: Dara Tomeo (Fairfield)—River Path, Pam Ackley (New Canaan)—Rudy, Sarah Phillips (Wilton)-GoldenWoman, Skye Riss (Wilton)–Energy 11