Cooper and Sylvain Exhibits to Open at Art League

The Art League of New Britain will hold a reception for two shows on display at its studios, by artists Cynthia Cooper and Pierre Sylvain.

In the League’s Lacey Gallery, Cooper’s exhibit, entitled “Immersion”, the League says,

features paintings from her pool series which was conceived as an underwater environment to immerse viewers in the work that has been immersing her. With her paintings of lane lines in a swimming pool, she plans transport viewers not only under the surface of that pool but also under the surface of her artistic practice. She imagines being surrounded by these paintings, not to reproduce the pool itself, but to be enveloped into that experience.

Sylvain’s exhibit, “”A Thousand Pieces,” on display in the League’s Low Gallery, the League says,

is an opportunity to bring an age old craft “Mosaic” into a contemporary light. Pierre is the founder and curator of “Art for Haiti” a group of who have been working with nonprofit organizations to raise money to support Haitian schools and hospitals post earthquake.

The League says that both artists have won numerous awards for their creations. Sylvain’s, “works are held in private collections as well as in the permanent collections of Wesleyan University and Middletown City Hall,” while Cooper’s, “work is held in private collections as well as in the permanent collections of Penn State University and The New Britain Museum of American Art.”

The opening reception for the exhibits is to be on January 10, 2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Art League.

“The reception including refreshments is free,” the Art League says, “and the public is warmly welcomed.”

The Art League of New Britain has said that it,

a non-profit organization, is the second oldest art league in the United States. Founded in 1928, its original mission was as an art school holding both day and evening sessions. In 1934 it transitioned into an art club where artists could work together and gather for social affairs.

The Art League’s building is tucked away down a long driveway, shared with other buildings, off of Cedar Street. The building is steeped in local New Britain history. The League has said that its

home first served as local industrialist George Post’s stable and carriage house. In fact the names of the horses are still above each stall door and the horse shoe cut out still remains at the peak of the main gable. Post’s daughter sold the barn to A. J. Sloper who in turn sold it to William C. Hungerford. The late Judge Hungerford had granted the use of his stable to the League for some time before his death, and after his death his widow deeded the property to the League along with the surrounding land.

A volunteer organization, the League has said that it is always looking for people willing to join their volunteer efforts. It invites people to join as members of the League and has a web page where people can apply to join.

The League also says that, “Donations are always welcome,” and it has a web page where it accepts donations.

Art League’s address is 30 Cedar Street.