The Loft Artist Gallery in its New Home @ 845 Canal Street
Celebrates Women’s History Month
with
"GREAT DAMES IV"

Featuring the art of the women of LAA
To Benefit the Sexual Assault Crisis & Education Center (SACEC)

Stamford, CT, February 12, 2008 – The Loft Artist Gallery celebrates women in the arts and Women’s History Month with an exhibit titled “Great Dames IV", which will run from Thursday, March 7, 2008 through March 30, 2008.  All participating artists will donate 20% of their sales to the Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center (SACEC).

An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Friday, March 7, 2008, from 6-9 pm.  Members of the public are invited to attend.  This annual exhibit features the work of the Loft Artist Association (LAA) women, and was created by past LAA president Dana Scinto as a way of celebrating women and art.

“Women embody the strength and compassion which anchors our society.  This exhibit honors all women who stretch themselves to make our world a better place, often in the face of great obstacles and little outside support”, says Scinto.

The unique partnership between LAA and the Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center, Inc. (SACEC) started more than seven years ago, at the time when both organizations came together for "Art in the Yard", an art show and sale hosted by Cathy Malloy, Executive Director of the Center, and her husband, Mayor Dannel P. Malloy. Mayor and Mrs. Malloy have been supporters of the arts in the community and in their personal lives and Cathy Malloy is well known for her advocacy for victims of crime, most particularly those victims of sexual violence.  

 "The relationship that the Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center, Inc. has enjoyed and developed with the LAA has really been a win-win for both organizations." says Malloy. "We feel very strongly that Art has a very significant role in the healing process for those individuals we work with at the center, and that freedom of expression through art can be incredibly liberating. The Great Dames Show is another opportunity for us to partner with such an incredible organization and to applaud the wonderful female artists in our community. Emphasizing the artists’ ability to express their own identity and purpose can serve as an inspiration to all women seeking to discover their strength. We welcome the artists’ efforts to support SACEC by publicizing and strengthening our organization".   

A new supporter of this year’s event is Yoga Space founder and director, Silvana Stein.
Yoga Space shares an address with the LAA, and there is a certain confluence between the two organizations.  Says Stein, “The ability to slow oneself down, intensifying one’s focus while strengthening purpose and resolve, is a quality shared by artists and those who practice yoga.  The more we can relegate the everyday distractions and worries to the background of our consciousness, the greater our ability to focus on our own strength and to positively impact our world.”

Funded in part by the City Arts Partnership Program Grant, Dannel P. Malloy, Mayor.
Sponsored in part by Antares Investment Partners and Harbor Point, Yoga Space, Kim Harris, The Kuriansky Foundation and The Rosenthal Family Foundation. Wine donated by UST.

The Loft Artist Association, a non–profit organization, has resided in the south end of Stamford for over 30 years.  This year the group, with the support of Antares Development and Dannel Malloy as well as the NRZ, moved to their new home on Canal and Ludlow Streets.

The Loft Artist Gallery is at 845 Canal St, Stamford CT.
Gallery hours are Friday – Sunday, 12-5 pm.
Visit www.loftartists.com for more information and directions.

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