Westport Book Shop This Month To Feature Works By Staples High School Artist

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Book Shop will feature local artist Dhilan Patel, a Staples High School senior, as its guest exhibitor for March, the shop announced. Patel's work will be displayed at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place, and includes archival prints of his paintings and drawings.

Patel began painting in first grade and considers art one of his favorite hobbies, stating that his creative pursuit has been instructive.

"While art has primarily been a hobby for me, it also teaches important qualities," Patel said in a statement. "Painting, for example, has taught me the importance of forward planning and patience (literally waiting for layers to dry). Also, when people see your work they see the end result, but not the uncertainty and mistakes along the way, which art also teaches you to deal with. My first true art instructor, Mr. Jenya, always emphasized that not every stroke has to be perfect and not every action has to have the desired outcome; he encouraged me to work with what's there and move forward. In hindsight he was instilling qualities such as humility, trust in the process, and openness to possibility."

— Dhilan Patel stands next to his art, which will be on display at the Westport Book Shop through March. Photo credit: Westport Book Shop

In addition to oil painting, Patel has explored calligraphy and sumi-e, a traditional Japanese ink painting technique. Some of his artworks have been selected for a national anthology published by CelebratingArt.com. His works have also won awards at the Ridgewood Art Institute’s Young People’s Exhibit.

The Westport Book Shop, which is at 23 Jesup Road, will host a reception for Patel and his exhibit from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 19. Space for the reception is limited; those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to the Book Shop by phoning 203-349-5141 or emailing RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.

Patel’s artwork will remain on exhibit at the Book Shop through March 31. All displayed artwork is available for purchase. The exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s regular business hours, which are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m.

The Westport Book Shop is a nonprofit independent used bookstore. The Drew Friedman Art Place is a dedicated gallery space within the store that features community artists on a rotating basis. Local artist Miggs Burroughs, a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, and a founding member of The Artists Collective of Westport, curates the exhibits.