For Immediate Release

October 1, 2026

Art at Emerson Hall: An Emerging Artists’ Showcase Comes to Downtown Stamford this October

Public reception to be held on Friday, October 16, from 6-8:30 p.m.

WHAT: Art at Emerson Hall: An Emerging Artist Community Showcase is a free three-day exhibition featuring 10 emerging visual and multidisciplinary artists from the Greater Stamford area, selected from 29 applications by a volunteer Selection Committee.

WHO: Presented by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stamford and Emerson Hall Foundation; made possible by a grant from the City of Stamford Arts & Culture Commission.

WHEN:

• Opening Night Reception: Friday, Oct. 16, 6–8:30 p.m.
• Public viewing: Saturday, Oct. 17, 12–6 p.m.
• Public viewing: Sunday, Oct. 18, 12–6 p.m.

WHERE: Emerson Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stamford, 20 Forest Street, Stamford, CT

COST: Free and open to the public.

Why It Matters

Stamford is often overlooked as an art destination, and this showcase makes the case otherwise — turning a historic sanctuary into a working gallery and a launchpad for artists who don't yet have access to traditional gallery opportunities. The show also showcases Emerson Hall, a historic hidden gem located in the heart of Downtown Stamford, as a community and cultural venue. 

Emerson Hall serves as a stop on Stamford Pride's LGBTQ Art Crawl on Friday, Oct. 2, during LGBTQ History Month, with the artists’ work remaining on display in Emerson Hall’s Community Room during Art at Emerson Hall.

Interview opportunities with select artists and members of the Selection Committee will be available during the opening night reception on Friday, October 16. 

Featured artists: Jamie Beckwith, Jaysha Ramirez, Kaya Kies, Natasha Ulyanov, Richard Rerra, Ann Pryor, Michael Hickey, Jenny Macias, Colette Gia, and Karen Robilotta. 

Selection Committee:

• Justin Weist — painter and instructor, Silvermine Arts Center
• Tara Blackwell (Malone) — artist and curator; administrator/educator, University of Connecticut
• Christine Irvin Ranhosky — President, Stamford Art Association
• Robin Konrad — District Content Leader of Visual Arts K-12, Stamford Public Schools
• Ana Gallegos — community advocate; Secretary, Stamford Mayor's Multicultural Council

Media Contacts: 

Taylor Carrier Smith, Art Show Project Manager & UUC Liaison: taylorcarriersmith@gmail.com

Katie Andriulli, Emerson Hall Foundation: katie@3183comms.com

About the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stamford

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stamford (UUC Stamford) is a liberal, inclusive religious community located at 20 Forest Street in downtown Stamford, centered around love, interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice.

About Emerson Hall Foundation

Emerson Hall Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that gives artists, educators, and those they inspire a home in Emerson Hall, one of Stamford’s most extraordinary spaces. Named for Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose belief in the power of ideas and creativity still echoes through its walls, the 1870 landmark is acoustically magnificent, architecturally irreplaceable, and alive with possibility. Our mission is to preserve the building and nurture it through music, arts, historical and cultural programming, and partnerships that benefit the Stamford community now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.emersonhall.org or email emersonhallfoundation@gmail.com.