Do you keep a journal? As a kid, I always had what back in little-girl-world was called a diary. My earliest creative memory was one where I stood in my backyard composing thoughts and ideas on paper pretending to be a news reporter. I think it was that particular moment when I knew I would be a writer when I grew up.

Despite that fact that I did grow up to be a writer, I no longer keep a journal. I’m not entirely sure why that is, but I spend so much time typing on a laptop that the very act of handwriting has become foreign to me.

You could do it online. Or you could go to Walmart, Macy’s or Saks. But this year I propose a happier idea for your Christmas shopping pleasure. This year it’s more important than ever to give your loved ones the gift of buying something truly special from your local merchant or gallerist. Let me paint you a christmas picture with words.

Now I’m not saying go out and buy your sweetheart a $5,000.00 piece of art, although you certainly can if you want to, but what about the rest of those people on your Christmas shopping list? They might want something special, something unique and inspired too. They might better appreciate something which doesn’t come from Walmart.

I’ve worked with artists and galleries for over 10 years and I can promise you that if you walk into a gallery or artisans shop this Christmas, you will be most warmly welcomed. Galleries and local shops have treasures to offer you this year and besides being economically wise, it can be such a romantic experience from start to finish.

Friday night was the culmination of all that is good and right in the Connecticut art and design scene. The opening of The Center for Public Art and Design, directed by Margaret Bodell, was a smashing success with a great venue, good people, excellent music and stellar installations. What made it even better was the knowledge that this beautiful space is also the first of AIGA Connecticut’s satellite locations.

Featuring Ann Willoughby at Billings Forge Community Works, Hartford Connecticut

As creatives, we put design thinking into practice every day with clients. But, what happens when we apply that thinking outside of the office to other places and spaces? Inspiration that leads to transformation.

AIGA CT, in coordination with Sappi Fine Paper and Billings Forge Community Works, invites you to spend an evening with nationally respected designer Ann Willoughby of Willoughby Design as she shares stories of unique spaces and how they deepen our work and play, change lives and shape a community. This event includes dinner of handmade pizza that you and other guests will create with the wheat grown and harvested (all by bicycle!) by Billings Forge artist-in-residence Ted Efremoff of Bread Cycle Works.

Hartford, CT:  Hartford artist, Balam Soto, participated in the October 25-26th Maker’s Faire at the NY Museum of Science, bringing home an “Editor’s Choice” award for his project entitled “The Cube v.2.5”.  The Maker Faire brings together scientists, engineers, artists and other lovers of the DIY (“do-it-yourself”) culture into a science-fair-type celebration of innovation and creativity.

Balam is a new media artist who skillfully combines the worlds of art and technology by creating interactive installations that incorporate hardware and software that he develops.  His winning piece, “The Cube v.2.5”, links tangible and digital reality.  The installation focuses on a projected cube that is manipulated by a physical cube that sits in front of the display.  Attendees of the event this weekend were delighted to realize they had become part of the installation when they discovered a realtime video of themselves in the projected cube.

Balam’s Maker exhibit was partially supported by the City of Hartford Arts and Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Pedro E. Segarra, Mayor with funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-R) funds allocated to the City of Hartford through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Like border violators, graphic designers Jan Cummings and Peter Good have crossed the line that separates personal subjective visual art and public objective visual communications that serve the needs of businesses and institutions. Sometimes, for Cummings & Good, the distinctions between art and design become ambiguous. A fortunate condition for us who love creative visual arts.

Join Cummings & Good in their gorgeous new gallery space, Posters & Prints, for AIGA Connecticut’s 3rd Breakfast Epiphany as the design team discuss forty years of “Turning Design into Art and Back Again”.

Together, Cummings & Good can be described as: Design legends, AIGA Fellows, illustrators, painters, entrepreneurs and pillars of the community.

October 13, 2010
7:30am to 9:00am . . . but you know how good conversations can get…
Coffee and light breakfast fare will be served.

Cummings & Good, Chopin Leaf Poster

Cummings & Good
3 North Main Street
Chester, Connecticut
860.526.9597
www.cummings-good.com

This event will be limited to 15 attendees only and we expect tickets to go fast.
Register today at:
www.connecticut.aiga.org

The AIGA Connecticut Breakfast Epiphany Series is an open, intimate conversation with a thought leader and 10 new friends. Topics are designed to traverse the borders of business, creative and nonprofit communities for eye opening and unexpected discussions. With a creative or industry professional leading the way, these mini-events are hosted throughout the state and cap at a maximum of 10 guests. This is not a lecture series. This is an opportunity to start your day with inspiration and good conversation.

AIGA Connecticut Presents A New Morning Series: Breakfast Epiphany - Creative Inspiration and a Cup of Joe.

We are pleased to announce a new morning series by AIGA Connecticut. Breakfast Epiphany is an open, intimate morning get-together with a top level graphic designer, creative or thought leader, and 10 new friends. Topics are designed to stimulate imaginative thinking and inspiration and will traverse the boarders of creative and business industries, and nonprofit organizations. Attendees can be assured of some eye opening discussions.

With an industry professional leading the way, these mini-events are hosted in prime locations throughout the state once a month. To keep it intimate, events are capped at a maximum of 10 guests. This is not a lecture series. Nor is it a workshop. This is an opportunity to start your day with inspiration and lively conversation.

IN THE PINK
A Celebration of Women’s
Strength, Beauty, and Healing
Artwork of Family, Friends and Survivors
of the Breast Cancer Experience

Opening Reception: Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Show runs: September 29 – October 23, 2010
Hygienic Art Annex Space
13 Golden Street
New London, CT

A call to artists to participate in a show of works that express the breast cancer experience and the healing process from the point of view of survivors or that of friends and family.
We welcome all to this celebration to begin Breast Cancer Awareness Month and enjoy the Hygienic Art Galleries and Art Park.