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From the Chamber: Getting ready for the Torrington Yarn Bomb

4/18/2016

By JoAnn Ryan
POSTED: 04/17/16, 2:00 AM EDT

The bears are in hibernation (the colorful, artistic ones) and the trains are on track, hopefully becoming more visible in our area!

Once again, thousands of residents and visitors will have the opportunity to become involved with another very unusual and exciting endeavor.

No reason to “drop a stitch” or get discouraged because Torrington Yarn Bomb is on its way due to the genius of Judy McElhone and Noel Croce of Five Points Gallery and Ginger Balch from In Sheep’s Clothing. They very enthusiastically tell me that: “The Sky’s the Limit”, “It’s Fun for all Ages” and the “Possibilities are Limitless”.

If the message has “slipped” your desk, here is some information that will help you consider becoming a yarn bomber. Incidentally, I am told that one does not need to be an experienced “knitter” so there is hope for all
of us.

Five Points Gallery opens Torrington incubator space

4/9/2016

Five Points Gallery opened a new initiative, the Incubator Space, on March 15.

The 470-square-foot studio was developed to accommodate emerging artists by allowing them to rent space at an affordable rate.

"We are excited to offer another opportunity which enriches, educates and inspires the artistic lifestyle of a talented and diverse community," Judith McElhone, the gallery's founding executive director, said in a release. "As we add another layer to the arts and culture community of downtown Torrington, our hope is that the enthusiasm will spread and encourage the repurposing of other spaces for the arts."

The Incubator Space is at 5 Water St., directly above Five Points Gallery. The space is currently occupied by three local artists. A waiting list has been started for other artists who may be interested when space is available.

For details, call 860-618-7222.

Torrington gallery exhibits the work of 3 artists infatuated with the line

3/25/2016

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Linear transformations
BY TRACEY O'SHAUGHNESSY | REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Friday, March 25, 2016
Image caption: Nancy Lasar- “Long Sound Series #1” 2015, (10” x 10”) Monotype with Encaustic on Panel.

The line is where it all begins.

It is the basis of imagination, the ballast of form, the inspiration for all gesture — architectural and artistic.

Its permutations bring us chaos and enlightenment, tranquility and terror. Five Points Gallery in Torrington has gathered three artists together whose work is united in its infatuation with line: Nancy Lasar, David Borawski and Maggie Jay Horne.

2nd annual ‘Portfolio Day’ in Torrington lets students’ art shine

3/14/2016

POSTED: 03/12/16, 9:47 PM EST | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO
Image right: Pam Bramble, an associate professor of art at the University of Connecticut’s Waterbury campus, examined the colored-ink drawings of Evan Adamcik, 16, of Torrington during the 2nd annual “Portfolio Day” at the Five Points Gallery at 33 Main St. in Torrington Saturday morning.N.F. Ambery — Register Citizen

TORRINGTON >> Pam Bramble, an associate professor of art at the University of Connecticut’s Waterbury campus, told the audience of 45 young and old aspiring local visual artists: “The term ‘art’ is from the Latin ‘to make,’” Bramble said. “You are all makers.” She added later, “You have so many options sitting here because you like to make things. You are devoted to try and make this thing become your vision.”

Bramble and other art educators talked about aspects of what it means to be an artist during the 2nd annual “Portfolio Day” at the Five Points Gallery at 33 Main St. Saturday morning. Faculty from the Hartford Art School; the University of Connecticut; and Northwest Connecticut Community College in Winsted gave attendees feedback and information on furthering their art education at the event during a panel discussion and during one-on-one sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Formal portfolios were not required; often attendees brought in one or two artworks for advice.

Torrington gallery offers students career advice, education on Portfolio Day

3/9/2016

POSTED: 03/09/16, 12:55 PM EST | UPDATED: ON 03/09/2016

TORRINGTON >> Five Points Gallery, 33 Main Street, Torrington, invites the public to attend Portfolio Day, a free event at the gallery on Saturday, March 28. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Representatives from the three consortium colleges affiliated with Five Points Gallery, including University of Hartford/Hartford Art School, University of Connecticut and Northwestern Connecticut Community College, will be on hand to answer questions on college programs and career opportunities. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a presentation “What it Means to Be an Artist Today.”

High school students, freshman through senior year, and community college students interested in transferring to four year schools are encouraged to attend as are adults who would like to learn more about college art programs as they pertain to career change or personal enrichment.

A formal portfolio is not needed; attendees may bring in as little as one piece for feedback and advice.

In addition, those attending will have the opportunity to talk with current college students of all ages who can tell you what to expect in college art classes. Professional artists will also be available to share information regarding art and design careers in the 21st century.

Sponsored by Five Points Gallery, Portfolio Day is supported by the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts, and with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about Portfolio Day and Five Points Gallery, visit FPG on Facebook, fivepointsgallery.org or call Five Points Gallery at 860-618-7222.

Torrington Yarn Bomb project workshops planned

1/28/2016

Register Citizen Announcement | POSTED: 11/13/15, 1:00 AM EST |
TORRINGTON >> Five Points Gallery announces a new public art project – Torrington Yarn Bombing — which will be on view in Downtown Torrington in the summer of 2016. Torrington Yarn Bombing is supported in part by the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Partners. Partners in this project are: the City of Torrington, In Sheep’s Clothing, NW CT Chamber of Commerce, Kids Play Museum and VLC Images.

Yarn bombing is a form of temporary street art where yarn in any form (knit, crochet, latch hook, cross stitch, braided, wrapped) is attached to an object in a public space. Public art of this type first appeared in the United States about ten years ago and within the last decade, has become increasingly popular and has spread worldwide.

Review: Martha Armstrong’s Nature Scenes at Bowery Gallery

1/13/2016

New York Times Review / by Roberta Smith, Sept. 24, 2015

Martha Armstrong at Five Points Gallery, January 2016 "In and Of The Land Part II".

Bravo! Five Points Gallery is also honored to have Martha Armstrong in the January 2016 exhibition, "In and Of The Land Part II"..."Painting from various forms of life has become a thing — as they say — in the hipper reaches of the contemporary art world." Click for full review.

‘Obsessive Realism’ on display at Five Points Gallery in Torrington

12/22/2015

By John Fitts, The Register Citizen
POSTED: 12/22/15, 4:30 PM EST | UPDATED: ON 12/22/2015

Image: Budding artist and 2013 Torrington High School graduate Phillip Tanner with his former teacher Victor Leger. Photo by John Fitts

As a painter, Victor Leger can find a wealth of subject matter right outside his door. The woods behind his house, the field across the street, and nearby Lake Winchester alone offer a wealth of material, especially when one is patient enough to let the sun create a wealth of textures.

“It never gets old looking out the window here,” he said. “I see the seasons change week to week.”

Seeking beauty in madness Avery Danziger at Five Points gallery

12/11/2015

Harlem Valley / Wingdale Project #0415 Building 34, Power Plant

BY TRACEY O'SHAUGHNESSY REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

If in every saint there is a little sinner, in every horror, there is a little beauty. It may be the horror that lends a shivering sense of sublimity to what should be repellant. Or, it may be that what we consider hideous is merely the other side of gorgeousness.

Whatever it is, Avery Danziger captures it.

CORNERED: Multimedia Artist Gene Gort on his current show, Venetian

10/13/2015

Artscope
By Sarah Rushford
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015, 2:54 pm
Featured, Visual Arts
Photo: Multimedia artist Gene Gort’s “Installation Venetian,” on view through October 17, 2015 at Five Points Gallery in Torrington, Connecticut.
Torrington, Conn. – Five Points Gallery in Torrington, Connecticut is a non-profit contemporary art gallery showing professional regional, national and international visual artists. The gallery presents exhibitions in three renovated exhibition spaces in a historic downtown building and the lively events and receptions draw large crowds from a community of artists, educators, collectors and an engaged public from across the region.