Redding Resident of the Week: Kristine Holm

Name: Kristine Holm

Age: Somewhere between 40 and 80

Occupation: Artist

Tell us a little about yourself:

I was born in New York City. My dad was in the airline industry so we traveled often when I was growing up. We lived in Denmark for a few years and since there was no international school where we lived, I went to a Danish school. My mother was artistic and I think I became more interested in art at that time because it was the one subject where there was no language barrier. We finally settled in Connecticut in the late '60s and I have lived here most of my life, and love it.

I studied anthropology at the University of Arizona. However, art was my first love and I worked as an apprentice in an art restoration studio and later got a dream job as a production artist at Weston Woods Studios. I also met my husband, Dan Smith, there. He was an independent filmmaker at the time. We loved Redding, bought our home here in the 1980s and put down our roots.

We raised our two daughters—Sara, 23, is a flutist and music teacher at a public school in Norwalk, and Eliza, 21, is a senior English major at the University of Connecticut.

What have you gained and/or learned from being an artist in residence at New Pond Farm?

I have always admired the work of , the wonderful staff, the Board of Directors, and the volunteers at New Pond Farm. My own kids practically grew up there taking classes, as junior staff and day campers. I’ve seen the amazing transformation in all the kids as they go through the programs, discovering their connection with nature and learning to take responsibility for it.

I had been painting for years—my dad grew up on a dairy farm in Denmark, so I was naturally attracted to the subject matter—the beautiful rolling pastures and charming barnyard animals. About five years ago, I proposed to the Board of Directors that they invite a group of plein air painters to the farm and possibly put on a benefit art show. Sharon Coates asked me to be Artist-in-Residence and I said, yes, of course, and green became my favorite color.

Since this was the first time for all of us, we’ve been making it up as we go along. I think the position should suit the needs of the organization, so my basic goal here is to connect people to the natural world and farming traditions through art. So far, we’ve hosted two invitational art shows, in 2007 and 2009, and are looking forward to our third, From Farm To Canvas, this summer, from June 11 through June 25. The show features the beautiful artwork of 50 talented regional artists, some of whom have been working on location over the past two years.

New this year and running concurrently with the art show, we are hosting “Paint and Picnic Days” when the grounds will be open to the public for a community plein air event. We designed this event for the many people who have expressed an interest in creating art at the farm. It is open to everyone, beginners and professional, and participants will have the opportunity to display their work. It should be a really good time.

Being artist-in-residence at New Pond Farm is the perfect niche for me because it encompasses everything I care about—nature, farm life, education, and the arts. I have even more respect for this non-profit organization now that I see how hard they work to maintain this beautiful property and offer all these wonderful programs to the public. I am so lucky to be part of this organization, I just hope I can keep up with everyone!  

Tell us a little about your volunteer work.

I started out doing volunteer work in Redding while my kids were in school. I created bulletin boards at RES to promote reading, I was a room mother and also helped out in the art room or wherever I was needed. My kids loved the theater program at so I helped out backstage, with the cast parties, and had the chance one year to design the sets for Anne of Green Gables. I highly recommend doing volunteer work in town as a great way to spend time with your kids and make friends with other parents.

 What do you teach the children in your creative classes at New Pond Farm?

I just love having the opportunity to work with Kristen, the Program Director, and all the great kids who come to the farm. It’s a dream come true—I’ve always wanted to teach and I missed having my little kids at home to do arts and crafts with.

Our “green” classes are a hybrid of traditional arts and crafts using recycled materials. We always try to combine a craft project with a useful lesson. We made plant presses out of cardboard and newspaper and the kids learned a little botany and the protocol of plant specimen collecting. We made unique decorative bird feeders out of plastic storage containers and the kids learned about bird migration and proper timing and feeding of wild birds. The is a treasure trove of supplies. The staff there was kind enough to give us some valuable copper pipe left over from a plumbing project and we made some beautiful wind chimes.

I’m always on the lookout for new ideas for future projects—the materials really determine the project. Right now, I have a collection of styrofoam containers and meat trays growing in my kitchen. My family raises an eyebrow but knows better than to throw anything out before first asking, “Craft project, Mom?” 

How long have you lived in Redding?

Over 30 blissful years. I first lived in an antique cottage in Poverty Hollow in the late 70’s while working at nearby Weston Woods Studios. I used to ride my bicycle to work—up and down Redding Ridge and Giles Hill Road, around the Saugatuck Reservoir.

What is your favorite thing about Redding?

The rural character of the town, all the wild nature—from bluebirds to great-horned owls, chipmunks to bobcats--all that beautiful open space thanks to the foresight and hard work of the Redding Land Trust.

What is your best memory in Redding?

My first fond memory of Redding is coming up here as a teenager to hike the trails with my friends and have a Dilly Burger at the Redding Emporium.

What keeps you here?

All the same things that brought me here—the scent of the lilacs under our bedroom window, the bat living under the eaves of our house, the chorus of spring peepers in our pond, our family and friends.