C. Sperry Andrews III, a prolific landscape artist, lived and painted from his home in Wilton, Connecticut, for nearly half a century. Selected works from the late artist’s collection spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s will adorn the walls of Wilton Library in December. The opening reception is Sunday, December 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
Andrews worked primarily in oil, watercolor, charcoal and pencil producing over 10,000 works during his lifetime (born in 1917; died in 2005). The library will present many of his en plein air paintings and drawings from Connecticut, Block Island and New York State. A Willys Jeep Wagon with all but the driver’s seat removed served as his mobile studio for many years. When at home he worked from a farmhouse and two studios once occupied by J. Alden Weir, the American Impressionist and by the sculptor Mahonri Young. Andrews and his wife Doris, also an artist, bought the farm in 1957. Through their efforts, 60 acres of Weir’s original farm became the Weir Farm National Historic Site in 1991. Today Weir Farm is one of 393 parks that tell the story of America and the only one dedicated to American painters and painting.
According to Ed MacEwen, “When Ballard Andrews, the artist’s son, presented the idea of exhibiting his father’s works I knew that Wilton Library was the right place given his connection to the area. We are delighted to be able to showcase such an important exhibition with a nationally-renowned and creative painter such as C. Sperry Andrews III.”
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Andrews received numerous awards and honors during his career including a Salmagundi Club Award for a U.S. Citizen, Audubon Artist, 1962 and was elected to the National Academy of Design in 1994. His works have been exhibited in galleries throughout Connecticut and New York and are found in permanent collections of museums in Connecticut, New York and Ohio.
There will be more than 80 artworks on display, many of which will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Wilton Library. The exhibition runs through Friday, December 28. Library hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 10 to 8; Fridays, 10 to 6, Saturdays, 10 to 5 and Sundays, 1 to 5. The library will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. For information and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.
