Current Exhibit
The Kershner Gallery in the Fairfield Public Library invites the public to “Shades of abstraction”, a reception for the artwork of J. Neil Bittner and Michael Brennecke on Thursday, August 31 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm. pm. The artists will talk about their work at 6 pm. The show can be seen from August 26 to October 21 during library hours. For questions, email bskgallery@gmail.com or call 203-246-9065. Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road in Fairfield.
J.Neil Bittner has the equivalent of an Associate degree in Industrial Design and a Bachelor degree in Art Education from Bridgeport University, a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking from Michigan State University. He then went on to study Color Photography at Bridgeport University, then Graphic Design at Post Perfect in NYC, and then Graphic Design at Lehigh University.
Neil states, “I believe a work of Fine Art should stand on its own merits, not its exhibition history. As an example I believe Van Gogh only exhibited in his brother Theo’s gallery and was rejected from all the established galleries at the time.
After eight decades of evolution through the portal of art, I believe art is love. Your Passion should stir the soul, evoke emotion, arouse your heart. The artist should bring forth creativity, push the envelope, believe in something, change the world. In my work I tell a story, transcending time, to create a moment to change people’s thoughts, values, and to cause a full spectrum of reactions, sometimes pleasant, sometimes disturbing. I believe an artist should take risks, exceed people’s expectations.”
With professional artists in the family, Michael Brennecke started drawing and painting very early. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and received a BFA from Tufts. After briefly teaching, in Newton MA middle school, he worked in advertising and continued painting at home. Now he paints full time.
Michael shows continuously in the area as a member of Silvermine, The Ridgefield Guild, Carriage Barn (New Canaan), Rowayton Art center and the Artists Collective of Westport. He had recent solo shows at the Keyes Gallery in Stony Creek and at the Westport Library. He has also shown at the Gordon Gallery in Westport.
Michael states, “My work is abstracted from impressions of nature; geological, vegetative and figurative. The compositions are amalgams of organic, sometimes convoluted textures and light, of both land and water. I experiment and push the properties of oil paint to emulate the seeming accidents and intricacies of the natural world. What results is what I sometimes call mental landscapes. I like the fact that people have different perceptions of what they see in my paintings…”
Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers are welcome to assist in the gallery operation. Tasks include curating exhibits, selecting artists, attending monthly meetings, helping with opening receptions, and other various administrative tasks. Art experience preferred for curating and selecting artists. Please contact Liz Tardif, Gallery Manager, at 203-246-9065.
Click here for information about showing your work in our gallery (.pdf). Information pamphlets are also available in the gallery at the library.