A provocative exhibit depicts personal stories of breast cancer patients, their caregivers and healthcare providers along with statements about the socio-economic conditions regarding treatment, healthcare, appearance, gender, age and race. Above image, “BOOB Tube” by Sooo-z Mastropietro.

Exhibiting artists include: Faith Baum and Lori Petchers, Robin Jopp, Karen Kalkstein, kHyal™, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Sooo-z Mastropietro, Tori Marsh, Lee Walther, Jahmane West and Francesca Winfield. Under the direction of Gaye Hyre of ArtBra New Haven local participants shared their time and creativity to make artful bra constructions on view, to support breast cancer patients. Help us hold an ArtBra Party, to raise funds for medical costs for breast cancer patients. Contact us at: clgallerybpt@gmail.com, 203.334.7748. See more about ArtBra below.

The exhibit runs through the annual Bridgeport Art trail and closes December 2, 2017.
Gallery Hours W-F 11:30 -5, Thurs open ’til 7, Sat 12-4 pm.

Lori Petchers and Faith Baum have complied a series of photographs called The OLD BAGS project. Brave women “of a certain age,” pose in their bra and skivvies with shopping bags over their heads. Images starkly express the sense of vulnerability and loss caused by the lack of recognition, decline of ‘sex appeal’ and a sense of anonymity via ostracism. The ’portraits’ present empowering images of hope by publicly exposing the feminine aging body for what is and becomes, breaking the prototype for the standard of feminine beauty and fashion.

Gaye Hyre is Executive Director of ArtBra New Haven, a community of breast cancer survivors, their supporters, and fine artists of the greater New Haven region. We collaborate to provide a creative emotional outlet for all survivors, and direct financial support for prescribed medical treatment for under and uninsured patients. Participants create both wearable and non-wearable art which is auctioned at our annual live runway event, modeled by survivors and supporters.

Shakespeare speaks of “The Seven Ages of Man”, from infant to youth, to maturity, through to old age. ArtBra New Haven and City Lights present “The Seven Ages of Woman” as seen through an interpretation of undergarments. From infancy in a ‘onesie’ and our first training bra, to blossoming youth and defining ourselves through our sense of sexuality, to nursing bras, warrior queens, maturity, the dreaded possibility of needing a mastectomy bra, to larger and more supportive garments in our later years, the Laundry Line of Life displays it all.

Join us at City Lights and the Golden Hill St steps to pin your art bra contribution on the line, or pin up a message of support, hope, honor, resilience, strength, and/or remembrance. Cloth and markers for writing massages, and clothes pins for hanging them will be available. Donations to the medical fund gratefully accepted.

Gaye Hyre says, “We’re all in this together, so don’t worry about airing your laundry in public. ArtBras will be on view at locations throughout the art trail.”

A $20 admission fee for this mini-Bridgeport Art Trail fundraiser includes wine and the usual small bites. If this is your first time to a City Lights reception, you will be pleasantly surprised by provocative art, good food and drink, and stimulating conversation.

Meet the guest speakers at a 4:30pm, presentation starts at 5 pm.

Sooo-z will discuss her artwork which explores sociological observations of the breast through anatomical structure. Her perspectives range from motherhood and breastfeeding to surgical technologist, working on breast reconstruction and mastectomy.

Dr. Camelia Lawrence will discuss her personal experience in treating women with breast cancer, why early detection is important, the impact of socioeconomic barriers, and how knowledge about the disease translates into empowerment and vigilance. City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail thanks Dr. Lawrence for recently joining the City Lights & Company board of directors.

kHyal™ A/K/A MEGAGLAM — an artist, writer, designer, marketing executive and entrepreneur — will discuss the implications of appearance; living in a female body; and the transformative power and therapeutic value of art and design.

Showing in the NEST Arts Factory Gallery is SPUN, a juried innovative fiber exhibit of 23 pieces by 16 artists from around the US and Canada, chosen by juror Jeffrey Mueller, Gallery Director of Silvermine Art Center.

An exhibit of paintings by Christa Forrest, curated by Patrice Barrett, is showing in the Passageway Gallery. All events are free and open to the public, refreshments served.

Ample onsite and street parking is available for all events. For more details about the NEST Arts Factory or about this or future events, please visit www.nestartsfactory.com

Housatonic Museum of Art is pleased to present SCROLLS, paintings by JOE ZUCKER, on view in the Burt Chernow Galleries at the Housatonic Museum of Art September 7 through October 15, 2017.

The exhibit features unique, double-sided paintings exploring the legends and lore of pirates. Images of cannon balls, sailing frigates, oceans, islands and the iconic Jolly Roger flag with skull and crossbones share the spotlight only with the materials themselves. Scrolls of varying sizes, evoke impressions of commerce raiders, seaborne warriors, and adventurers in search of booty.

“With inspired ingenuity, Joe Zucker has once again intertwined history, subject matter and the physical materials of his work,” said Robbin Zella, Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art, “to create an inventive iconography that aptly captures the swashbuckling energy of these infamous buccaneers.”

All artists are invited to take part in the annual NEST Arts Factory fundraising exhibit, 10 x 10, this November.

All artwork will be sold for $100, with $50 going to the NEST and $50 going to the artist. All artwork must be exactly 10″ x 10″ square and no more than 2″ deep. Work must be finished and ready to hang. If framed, the frame must be 10″ x 10″ square. All artwork must be original (no reproductions), but any medium is acceptable. The exhibit opens during the city-wide Bridgeport Art Trail and work will be sold, cash and carry, and then replaced during the show. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser will go toward operating costs for the Gallery and upgrades to support the NEST and its community spaces, which are available for public use.

Artwork for the 10 x 10 exhibit must be dropped off on Saturday, November 4 from 1-4 pm. There is no entry fee and entries are limited to 3 per artist. Local art supply store Artist & Craftsman Supply stocks 10” x 10” canvas and panel boards, and both Artist & Craftsman and IKEA sell 10” square frames, all at very reasonable prices.