Pequot Library's Art Show to Unlock Masterpieces

"Reflections on the Scream" and "Penny Candy" are among masterpieces that will be displayed at Pequot Library's 13th annual Art Show Gala Fundraiser the evening of Oct. 15.

The fundraiser, entitled "Unlocked: Masterpieces of the Private Collections," will include European, American Masters and contemporary fine art on loan from local collectors, art from four galleries, and "The Bestsellers," which the library says represents work from artists who have been popular in previous community art shows.

Robin Jerrild, Pequot Library's special events coordinator, said Tuesday that all of the art will be for sale, except for art on loan from local collectors. But Jerrild said that art, which will be on display only the night of Oct. 15, offers residents a chance to see art they normally would not see. "These masterpieces, it's something people would never be able to see otherwise, unless you're friends with these people," she said.

Tickets for the Oct. 15 preview party, which will include caviar, wine and croissants, are $125 and payable on the library's website, www.pequotlibrary.org, or at the door, Jerrild said.

The rest of the art show, which continues Oct. 16 and 17, is free and will include art from the four galleries and "The Bestsellers," a sculpture workshop and a jazz concert, both of which are on Oct. 16. All of the art on display Oct. 16 and 17 will be for sale, Jerrild said.

Proceeds from the art show will be used to fund programs that the library offers throughout the year, according to Daniel Snydacker, executive director of the 720 Pequot Ave. library. Pequot Library is privately owned, but is open to the public, and the library receives only 25 percent to 30 percent of its annual operating budget from the town each year.

Galleries that will be a part of the art show include the Cooley Gallery of Old Lyme, Southport Galleries, ARC Fine Art LLC, and Barrett Fine Art. "The Bestsellers" include Miggs Burroughs, Elizabeth Gaynor, Jill Kelly, Jak Kovatch, Karl Soderlund and Eve Stockton.

The galleries and "Bestsellers" will donate a portion of proceeds from sales to Pequot Library.

The sculpture workshop for "tweens" and teens, which requires advance registration, is scheduled at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 and will be led by Nina Bentley, an assemblage artist who will help participants create a unique piece of art.

The jazz concert, to be performed by the Greens Farms Academy Jazz Combos and the Julliard Concert Jazz Ensemble, will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 in the library's auditorium and marks a new collaboration between GFA and Juilliard, Jerrild said. Art from the four galleries will hang in the auditorium during the concert.

The art show and sale continues Oct. 17 with sherry in the library at 2 p.m. and a last chance to buy artwork on display.

Sponsors of the event include The Russell Agency in Southport and Petra Construction of North Haven, and additional support is being provided by Mumm Napa, California Caviar, Isabelle et Vincent Fine French Pastries, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, Diageo, Miller/Coors and Macallan Single Malt.

Hours for the weekend show are noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17. For information, call the library at 203-259-0346 or visit the website www.pequotlibrary.org.