Meet Local Artists and Authors This Weekend

Two local Milford businesses celebrate their Grand Opening under one roof in this weekend.

and will host several local artists and authors whose work is featured at the newly opened shop at 16 Broadway.

Florist and wedding coordinator Tyyne Catapano has owned Wild Expressions for nearly 15 years, 14 of which were spent on New Haven Avenue near Pop’s Donuts.

Susan Shaw has owned Collected Stories at 12 Daniel St. for six years, adding a second location at 16 Broadway four years ago.

When Catapano decided it was time for a location change, Shaw suggested her space on Broadway.  Shaw said she always felt it to be a “pretty space” and, at the time, it was being “underutilized.”

Now that space, at 16 Broadway in Walnut Beach, across from , is an even prettier space, bright and colorful, filled with books, flowers, photographs, and unique gift items, all under the original tin ceiling that likely dates back to at least the 1920’s.

Catapano said she “always wanted to do books and flowers” and Shaw agrees that there is a “great synergy” between the two.  That synergy between books and flowers extends to the personalities of the two business owners, as well, reflected in the shop’s comfortable and inviting feel.  The two women agree that Walnut Beach needs more recognition and with more successful shops, more will follow.

This weekend’s Grand Opening will spotlight local artists and their work on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. including:

Jamie Vega, a Milford painter; Maria Gaffney, a Milford custom jewelry designer; Dmitiry Tucker, a Milford flower photographer, and Linda Gibson whose “Weddings of Design” business creates custom wedding card money boxes.

Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. the focus turns to local authors CherylAnn Fernandes (“A Hip Chick’s Guide to Friendship”), Frank Juliano (“Milford: A Brief History”), Michael Dooling (“An Historical Account of Charles Island”), and Thomas MacDonald (“Next Stop! Tips & Tales From A Train Commuter").

Linda Gibson, whose wedding card money boxes began as an idea she had while perusing Ebay, has several of her boxes on display at the shop. Gibson’s custom designed boxes, each of which takes about a day to make, range in price from $60-$150 depending on size and complexity.

A published poet, Walnut Beach resident CherylAnn Fernandes has just published her first book, “A Hip Chick’s Guide to Friendship” and plans to do a series of “Hip Chick” guides. 

“Each quote in the book was inspired by a friend,” Fernandes explained.  “I appreciate each of my friends more and more as I get older.”  She says the book talks about pure, honest friendship and makes a great gift for any woman.  Fernandes hopes to have her next “Hip Chick” Guide out this summer.

The featured artists and authors will be dropping by – including some special guests – and the authors will be available beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday to discuss and sign copies of their books.

Live music from Tim Payson and Phillip Givens, in addition to food and beverages, and a raffle (Sunday at 4 p.m.) round out the festivities.

Editor's Note: Pam Landry's photos will also be displayed.