• Home
  • Posts
  • Greenwich Comes Brightly Alive With ‘Art to the Avenue’

Greenwich Comes Brightly Alive With ‘Art to the Avenue’

artstoavenue1-5-12
The Allegra Dance Company, performing in front of Restoration Hardware, gave an intriguing performance of contemporary and classical dance during the opening of this year’s Greenwich Arts to the Avenue event. Artists from around the area have their work up and down Greenwich Ave. for the remainder of the month. (John Ferris Robben photo)

By Mike Verrico
Sentinel Correspondent

The 20th annual Art to the Avenue, the Greenwich Arts Council’s annual spring celebration, went off splendidly with its opening night last Thursday. Each May, with the overwhelming support of the Greenwich business community, the Arts Council turns Greenwich Avenue into a strolling gallery.

With stores hosting exhibitions with food and refreshments, Greenwich Avenue became alive with spring in the air and warmer weather on the way.

Local artist Louis Crescenti shows off his art during the annual Art to the Avenue event that took place Thursday night up and down Greenwich Ave. (John Ferris Robben photo)

Opening Night had an eclectic and intriguing roster of musicians and performers on the avenue. The Greenwich High School Band, directed by John S. Yoon, performed a lively set of jazz standards on the Greenwich Arts Council Lawn. The Allegra Dance Company, performing at Restoration Hardware, gave an intriguing performance of contemporary and classical dance. Those who enjoy folk and acoustic music were thrilled by the sounds of singer-guitarists Andy Lee, Nadine Greco, and Judy Ficala, each of whom performed sets at St. Mary’s courtyard. The Blue Sky Band gave a rousing performance of country and folk numbers in front of TD Bank.

The Exception performed a wide range of cover songs at Pickwick Plaza. Those who like a Big Band sound got a taste from Vinny Nobile at Berkshire Hathaway. Music that anyone can dance to was performed by Exit 5 at Richards. Those who like jazz flocked to Dan & Jazz Mariners at People’s Bank. A cappella was represented very well by the stirring sounds of the Grace Notes at the corner of Lewis Street and Greenwich Avenue; JD Southard Band performed at the same venue.

Local artist Louis Crescenti shows off his art during the annual Art to the Avenue event that took place Thursday night up and down Greenwich Ave. (John Ferris Robben photo)

The after party, held at the Greenwich Arts Council, was headlined by the incomparable Anitra Brooks and backed by wonderful accompaniment from Bob Ramos and Chris Mariner.

Most of the more than 100 participating stores on Greenwich Avenue hosted receptions for visitors who attended the preview of works by 100-plu area artists. The art selected by the retailers remains in place through Memorial Day, so there is ample time for viewers to experience the “gallery” portion of Art to the Avenue. All the art on display is for sale, and a 30 percent tax deduction for the purchaser benefits the GAC. These proceeds support the important arts and outreach programs organized by the GAC in the public schools.

GAC President Leah Marmon stressed the importance of Art to the Avenue’s value to the artists and the community as a whole.

“Art to the Avenue is vitally important to the artists and the merchants in Greenwich, as both benefit from so many people visiting the Greenwich Avenue and side street venues for the month of May to see the art in the stores and restaurants and also to see the store inventory and purchase an item or two, or to buy dinner in a participating restaurant,” Marmon said. “This year is our 20th anniversary of Art to the Avenue and there are 100 stores and restaurants participating and over 100 artists as well.

“The artists receive 70 percent of the sale of their artwork displayed and Greenwich Art Council receives 30 percent of the sale, which goes toward our wonderful art programs for youth in schools in our area and our terrific varied programs for youth and adults at GAC. Many of the artists are local, and by displaying their art in a venue on Greenwich Avenue and the side streets, they become better known for their work.

A piece of art in the window of Betteridge Jewelers on Greenwich Avenue. (John Ferris Robben photo)

“The map that is produced each year for Art to the Avenue shows all the stores that are participating and the names of all the artists displaying their work and the location,” added Marmon. “People come to Greenwich from all over the area to walk the streets, visit the stores, shop and view the wonderful art. Many stores that are not well known become better known due to the map and the people who come to view the art and visit the Avenue keep the maps for reference. It is a wonderful collaboration that truly benefits the stores, restaurants, artists, and Greenwich Arts Council.”

Founded in 1973, the Greenwich Arts Council is a 501 (3) non-profit membership organization formed to promote the visual, performing and literary arts in our community by encouraging artists and building audiences for the arts.

At its facilities in the Old Town Hall Building, the Greenwich Arts Council manages the Greenwich Arts Center, where its serves as an umbrella organization to provide space for six other major arts and cultural organizations in Greenwich.

The GAC also presents a full roster of programs, including an annual schedule of its exhibitions in its Bendheim Gallery (with over 2,000 square feet of exhibition space in the heart of downtown Greenwich, the Bendheim Gallery hosts major exhibitions every six weeks. The selection process of local, established, and emerging artists is overseen and hung by the gallery curator Tatiana Mori.), public arts festivals, outreach arts education in the public schools, lectures, performances and workshops.

Related Posts
Loading...