Waterford Historical Society (CT)
Download the ART IN WATERFORD 2022 poster!
View the Art In Waterford 2022 slide show, featuring artworks by 32 local artists.
The Waterford Historical Society’s fourth annual “Art In Waterford: Past + Present + Future” event took place on Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day on Jordan Green in Waterford. The event was family friendly, free and open to the public. (Donations to Waterford Historical Society, Inc. are always gratefully accepted.)
In addition to the exhibits of artwork by local area artists from the past, present and future, there were en plein air artists creating artworks on site while visitors toured the historic buildings and observe the blacksmiths working the forge. Vintage cars ranging from 20th and 21st-century Corvettes to a 1930 Model A Ford were parked on Jordan Green. The Waterford Public Library provided an arts-and-crafts booth for younger visitors. A specialty ice cream truck, the Jumping Cow, offered cool treats for sale, and local musicians played a range of musical styles from jazz to pop throughout the day.
Artist of the past: Waterford’s Roger Dennis, the "Dean of American Impressionism"
This year's artist of the “past” will be Roger Dennis, often called the "Dean of American Impressionism," whose skills were highly esteemed by fellow artists and collectors. Roger Dennis was born in Norwich, Connecticut, a few years too late to paint with the original Old Lyme art colony. While mostly self-taught, he sought out many of the aging colonists as a young man in hopes of gaining insights and learning techniques. History places Roger among the second-generation of Old Lyme painters and his talent places him firmly among Connecticut's best Impressionists.
Widely recognized art connoisseurs Jeff and Betsey Cooley selected many of his paintings for exhibit in the 1838 Beebe-Phillips House. Dennis lived most of his life in Waterford, where he painted local landscapes and seascapes, portraits of his neighbors and more. A few of his paintings were for sale during this event, giving visitors the opportunity to acquire a piece of Waterford’s past. (Dennis's paintings can be seen at the Cooley Gallery.)
Artists of the present: 32 regional artists in a juried show
The juried art show of 35 works of art by 32 regional artists was on display in the Stacy Barn and Miner Education Center, including watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, photography, and sculptures in wood and bronze. One selected contemporary artist creates her art with the unique colonial technique of quilling paper. Jurors Jack Montmeat and Amy Kurtz-Lansing had a sizeable task earlier in the spring considering this year’s extraordinary number of high-quality submissions. Most of the artwork is available for sale. (Contact the Society directly if interested in the artwork.)
Artists of the future: secondary school students’ artwork on display
Since history is a continuum, artwork by budding artists of the future, local students from Clark Lane Middle School, Waterford High School and The Williams School, displayed their art in the Society’s 300-year-old schoolhouse on Jordan Green.
Drawings to win a seascape painting and a hand-forged item from the blacksmith shop
Visitors could buy tickets to enter drawings to win a seascape painting donated by local artist Pat Kelbaugh or a hand-forged fireplace poker from the blacksmith shop. Proceeds from sale of these items benefit the Waterford Historical Society, Inc.’s programs and activities.
While there is no cost for admission to Art In Waterford, to enhance their experience visitors are encouraged upon arrival at Jordan Green to go to the main tent to purchase a program booklet with biographies and background on the artists. At the main tent, there is also hand-forged items by the blacksmiths, local history books, note cards and art supplies for sale. Donations to the Waterford Historical Society, Inc. are gratefully accepted to support programs and building restorations.
Free Parking nearby
Parking for the handicapped is allowed in the paved area off of Avery Lane. Free general parking is available behind the Waterford Public Library and in the Waterford Community Center lots on Rope Ferry Road, a short walk from the event.