The Valley Arts Council’s Gallery@37 recently hosted an opening reception to launch its latest exhibit, “Puppets from Grandpa’s Attic”, featuring the vast array of handmade puppets and marionettes by puppeteer and Hamden resident Richard Smith.
Smith has been creating his own unique characters and performing for over 40 years. He has also built an impressive collection of rare antique pieces from all over the world including China, India and Burma.
“Dick has been performing holiday shows on the green for the past several years, including our recent Easter egg hunt” said VAC President Rich DiCarlo. “When he told me about his large collection, we had the idea to put them on display and build an exhibit around them. Needless to say, they were a big hit.”
The funky space at 37 Elizabeth St. is teeming with all sorts of colorful characters, from “Peter & the Wolf” in the store window to “Jack & the Beanstalk.”
In addition, marionettes of all shapes and sizes, shadow puppets, as well as some interesting insights as to how they were created and used, round out the display.
“They have been getting quite a bit of attention,” DiCarlo said. “The opening was very successful and we had a tremendous turnout.”
Before the close of the exhibit, which was extended through April 11, over 100 Irving School, and local nursery school students toured the gallery.
Smith also presented a short lecture on his craft, which was open to the public.
This was another in a series of independent exhibits featuring out of the ordinary art forms, designed to draw attention and traffic into the council’s gallery and get people talking.
That concept is working wonders for the VAC’s continued success.
The next scheduled exhibit will be a three-day show featuring the paintings of watercolor artist and VAC board member Susan Carden-Flicker on April 23, 24 and 25 with the opening reception taking place on Saturday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Gallery@37.
To volunteer or join the Valley Arts Council please call: 203 – 516-0822 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
For more information about renting studio spaces, please contact Rich DiCarlo at: 203 – 906-4343 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit www.valleyartscouncil.org.
