A Brief History
A hulking brick
factory built 100 years ago in the South End of Stamford, has for two decades
been the territory for a vigorous community of studio lofts where a surprise
outcropping of significant modern art has appeared. Painting, sculpture,
photography and crafts are now produced where Yale locks were once manufactured.
Young novice artists share the scene with veteran professionals whose biographies
are studded with solo exhibitions, major commissions, teaching careers and
local, regional and even international art awards.
This community has a removed, cellular aspect. For art is generally a solitary
affair. Anyone who pursues an art career must be prepared to go it alone.
Yet, in the old factory building a professional art association has been established
to form cultural and mutually beneficial ties between the individual and the
community. This organization, now in its twenty third year, has produced lecture
series, arranged studio tours for students and adult civic groups, supervised
public art projects in Stamford, and staged art demonstrations, poetry readings
and theatricals.
The loft community was founded by the late sculptor, James Jackson Burt, who
moved into the abandoned Yale and Town president’s office in 1978. He
soon brought in the internationally known artist Reuben Nakian. Before long
other artists moved into the old corporate offices among them the painter
Sophia Gevas, photographer Bob Baldridge, sculptor Tom Fertig, folk art curator
Dan Prince and the teacher, historian, Renee Kahn [known as "the architectural
conscience of Stamford"] who conceived the idea of a Loft Open House
Weekend during which the public was invited to tour the studios. Music, films,
and dramatic events took place. Guest attendance was far above expectations.
The Loft Open House has since been repeated every year. As many as 4,000 visitors
have come over a single weekend to roam through the lofts, meet the artists
and observe them at work.
In 1988 the loft artists were honored in a major group exhibition curated
by Dr. Robert Metzker at the Stamford Museum. The group has received substantial
grants from the Stamford Coliseum Authority, Pitney Bowes, Xerox, Heyman Properties,
Champion International, Lewis Kuriansky, the Hinda and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.
The LAA has participated in Stamford’s Festival of the Arts, its members
winning first prizes in watercolor, sculpture, pastels and photography, plus
several honorable mentions. Members also won the Festival’s Grand Prize
for an onsite installation entitled "The Wall" which was constructed
to benefit Stamford’s homeless. The LAA also participated in Worldfest
1998 by giving art demonstrations. The LAA has donated art to the Child Guidance
Center for three gala fundraiser auctions and to the Student Health Services
of Stamford as well. The group has also sponsored young South End artists
and local high school students at Open Studios.At the 1999 Open Studios the
LAA invited its neighbors, The Lathon Wider Community Center and Soundwaters.
Inc. to display the art work of the children participating in their programs.
Also, as part of the 1999, 20th Anniversary of Open Studios the LAA produced
a performance series, free to the public, featuring Chalasa Dance Performance,
comedienne Rosevelyn, poet and artist Iyaba Ibo Mandingo and film maker Paul
Yates. This program was funded by the CAPP grant from the city of Stamford.
Looking ahead, this vigorous art group will continue to advance its good neighbor
policy, built on the belief that though art is a private affair, there is
an enduring truth in the assertion of John Donne, that ‘no man is an
island.’ No matter how individualistic artists may be, few can divorce
themselves from their surrounding social environment. The LAA offers the community
a unique opportunity to go to where the "live action" is, see how
art originates and to meet the professionals who create it.
TIMELINE:
1978: Loft Artist Association Founded
The late sculptor, James Jackson Burt, co-founded the Loft Artist Association.
He moved into the abandoned Yale & Town Lock Factory and created a community
for painters, sculptures, and photographers. Today, young novice artists share
the scene with veteran professionals – whose biographies are studded
with solo exhibitions, major commissions, teaching careers, and prominent
art awards. For nearly 25 years, the Loft Artist Association has produced
exhilarating exhibitions, lectures, and now performance events to enhance
the community’s cultural life.
1987: "28 Windows Summer Party"(August 9, 1987)
The inaugural concept event began as the "28 Windows Summer Party. This
was conceived during the Stamford Industrial Park beautification movement.
This, festive community event featured the painting of 28 boarded windows
of Building 30. The day also featured an exhibit of Loft Artist painters and
sculptors … including a LAA slide show.
1988: 2nd Annual Event – Entitled "Spring Fling" –
(May 14, 1988)
The "28 Windows Party" was renamed "Spring Fling" and
became a South End "art happening". To build upon 1987’s "window
painting" theme, 12 more murals were painted facing the loading dock
of building 30. The loading dock became a stage for three bands, running the
gamut from blues to rock to synthesized jazz, while the Brian Mecca Troupe
performed one-act plays in between sets. Meanwhile, the parking lot featured
a performance piece entitled "Hot Rod" – where three cars were
painted with audience participation. The event also presented a "larger
than life" sculpture and art exhibit showcasing large scale pieces and
murals as well as a LAA slide show.
1997: 17th Annual Open Studios
Chalasa Dance Theatre creates a temporary stage in space donated by landlord,
Heyman Properties to perform in. President Matthew Burcaw presents students
program from the South End Puppet Theatre
1999: LAA Receives Stamford City Art Partnership Grant for Performance
Series
Kevin Thomas, LAA president, saw a need and opportunity to showcase more LAA
performance artists. With a grant from the City Arts Partnership Program,
administered by the Stamford Cultural Development Corp., he put the wheels
in motion to include the performance series at the 20th Annual Open Studios.
He envisioned creating another outreach forum that enabled artists to exhibit
their live art and to show the public there is an energetic and diverse art
community right here in Stamford.
1st Annual Performance Series - Featured at LAA "20th Annual Open
Studios"
The Loft Artist Association 20th Annual Open Studios (November 1999) kicked
off the contemporary performance series. With space donated by the landlord,
Heyman Properties, a temporary stage was built. Kevin Thomas (LAA President)
with Reuben Bechtold (director of Chalasa) and Aaron Meadow (Lighting Designer)
transformed an empty loft space into a black box theatre. Performance Series
is produced again in 2000 and 2001 to standing room only.
2002: LAA Receives Grant for Open Studios Performance Series & Art Exhibition
President Lina Morielli receives grant for Open Studios Performance Series
and Art Exhibition and brings the production to the Rich Forum in Stamford.
2003: "Spring Fling – The 4th Annual Performance Series
(April 12, 2003 – 5:00pm to 10:00pm)
-- Thanks to the grants from the Stamford Cultural Development Corporation
and the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and funding from Pitney Bowes,
the Loft Artist Association re-launched Spring Fling. The event has been crowned
as the main platform for LAA performing artists.
-- Over the past four years, LAA’s performing artists have built up quite
a following. Last year’s attendance at Open Studios swelled to standing
room only. Due to the tremendous community interest, Spring Fling will be
presented at the Rich Forum in Stamford. The new venue allows LAA to expand
its audience and share with the public the diverse range of art talent available
right here in Stamford.
-- Spring Fling will continue the tradition by showcasing remarkable independent
films, ingenious dance productions, electrifying music, and a stirring one-man
show.
-- Featured performance artists will include: filmmaker Paul Yates, musician
Henry Jones, poet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, the "live" music of The Grapes
of Vaudevillian Fantasy, a satirical video by artist, Renee Kahn, and a dance
production by the Chalasa Dance Theatre. Students from The Ballet School of
Stamford will also be featured in a Chalasa choreographed composition entitled
Football.
-- Spring Fling kicks off with the Paul Yates "original" films screening
at 5:00 pm in the Leonhardt Studio, followed by an opening wine and cheese
reception from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Richard & Hinda Rosenthal Gallery
-- where visitors can view the group exhibit of over 50 Loft Artists (Art
Exhibition curated by LAA co-founder Sophia Gevas, Director of Contemporary
Art at Sacred Heart University). The Performance Series immediately follows
at 8:00 pm in the Rich Forum’s main stage theater.
--
The
Rich Forum is conveniently located at 307 Atlantic Street in downtown Stamford,
just a few blocks from I-95 Connecticut Turnpike and the Metro North Railroad
Station.
Admission is $15.00 for adults, $7.50 for children, and $7.50 for seniors
and students with ID on show day.
--
For
ticket information, call the Rich Forum box office at 203-325-4466 or visit
www.onlyatsca.com
--
To
learn more about the Loft Artist Association, visit www.loftartists.com
--
Spring
Fling is sponsored by the Stamford Cultural Development Corporation, Pitney
Bowes, Crystal Rock, Sobe, Stamford Wine & Liquor, Connecticut Commission
on the Arts, and Stamford Center for the Arts.Please direct all media inquires
to LAA publicist Rebecca DiPanni
at Small Business Marketing - (203)-845-0510
E-Mail: Rebecca@smallbusinessmarketing.biz.