Mark Twain Library In Redding To Hold Juried Art Show

REDDING, CT — The Mark Twain Library will hold its annual juried art show the first weekend in December.

Now in its 49th year, the event is a fundraiser for the library and participating artists. The art is hung in the library's art gallery and is also made available for sale in an online "virtual gallery." The show typically draws talent from well over 100 local and regional artists.

"Last year’s Art Show was a fantastic success despite the pandemic, and we expect that 2021's Art Show will continue to bring a wealth of quality artwork to our community of sponsors and patrons," MTL's Lisa Goldstein said.

For some of the artists, it's not only an opportunity to get paid, but pay forward. In the spirit of the season, artists donate a portion of the sale of their works to benefit the library. All the exhibited artwork is for sale, and the library retains a 35 percent commission.

Redding artist Kathy Anderson has been contributing on both sides of the easel since 1991.

"I got involved by being a participant for many years, and thought it was a good way to give back to the community in something I had a lot of experience with — hanging shows, the whole process of working with artists, entry requirements, et cetera. I'm still doing it for all the same reasons," she told Patch.

The addition of the competitive element in a juried exhibition forces the talent to ramp up their game, Anderson said. The 2021 juror is artist Jennifer Gennari.

"If an artist doesn’t get accepted, it's great to visit the show and see what the juror selected, and perhaps try and see why your work didn't fit with the juror's decisions, or maybe your skills aren’t up to par yet,"Anderson said. "Always keep in mind a work of art is chosen on the particular juror's criteria, and could get accepted in one show and rejected in another. As far as how to decide what to enter, the answer is always the same — your very best work you can do."

The Redding oil painter is currently exhibiting her work in the Salmagundi Club and National Arts Club in New York City; Trees Place Gallery on Cape Cod; Legacy Gallery, in Scottsdale, AZ; Turner Fine Art in Jackson, WY; Horton Hayes, in Charleston, SC; and Montana Gallery, Billings, MT, as well as the Mark Twain Library in Redding.

Anderson said the annual show, which always opens the first weekend in December, has become the official "kick off" to the holiday season in Redding.

"Everyone loves the opening, seeing old friends, and love coming back to see the work during the week," Anderson said. "The quality of the show goes up every year, with returning artists from the community, and many well known artists, too. I think it’s fun for people to collect artists they know and see new artists that join."

The library's high-rollers — those sponsors who have contributed $1,000 or more — may view and buy in person beginning Friday, but the Preview Reception for the general public ticket holders doesn't commence until Saturday at 7 p.m. A highlight of the evening is the live bidding during the Silent Auction. All proceeds from the auction go to supporting the library.

The Library Gallery, located at 439 Redding Road, will be open to the mask-wearing public Dec. 5-12 during library hours. All the work will also be viewable online during the same time.