First Fish Dun!

Farmington River Watershed Association. Fundraiser/Outreach program the beauty of fish, and the creativity of local artists. To engage local artists to decorate life-size carved wooden fish. The fish will be displayed in Pia Sjölin Design Gallery in Canton. At a gala opening of the 2010 fishing season, the fish will be auctioned to benefit the FRWA.

December Events

Thanks to everyone who came out for the XXL exhibit opening, the Thanksgiving weekend trunk show, and the reception for Joe Galiette's show. You have helped to fill the space with warmth, stimulating conversation, laughter, and music at these happenings. It's always a pleasure to have your company at our special events or when you drop in during the week. We look forward to seeing more of you during this busy season and into the new year.

*Special events at Pia Sjölin Design this month*

*Friday, December 11 through Sunday December 13
Jan Marek Raczkowski in residence at the gallery, with his hand-spun and -dyed yarns — and the hand-knitted garments made from them.
*The yarns and shawls, scarves, sweaters, and coats are the culmination of Jan's 25 years as a fiber artist. In either subtle or vibrant colorways, the yarns combine hues masterfully. In the finished garments, the play of color beguiles the eye. *

Sunday, December 13, 5 to 8 pm*
Celebrate St. Lucia Day, the traditional Swedish wintry feast day
Look for Lucia's arrival at about 6 pm
Share saffron buns, pepparkakor (gingersnaps), and glögg with Pia and
friends.

Friday, December 18 through Sunday, December 20
*Jan Marek Raczkowski returns *with his hand-spun and -dyed yarns and hand-knitted garments.

*Thursday mornings through December 17*
Bring your own mat for Gentle Yoga with Leslie Gordon Thursdays 9–10 am
Thursdays December 3, 10, 17
$10 per class, drop in

In the gallery through December 31
XXL, a group show of larger-than-life works in many media by more than two dozen artists, from Gilmor Glass's oversized green apple to large-format abstract paintings by Zbigniew Grzyb with commanding presence to Donna Forma's super-sized velvety brown interlocking puzzle of a waist-high wooden sculpture to Susan Bradley's fiber-art installation inspired by a wild beehive that comes complete with bumblebee yellow footprints on the floor that gallery visitors can follow to mimic the honey bee's dance.

FusionArtPhoto, mysteriously merged photographic images by Joe Galiette, in the Spotlight gallery niche

For more information about exhibits or events, call 860 693-4454.

About Us
Pia Sjölin Design is equal parts showroom for Swedish textile and glass designer Pia Sjölin and gallery for the work of other outstanding artists and artisans of the area. A large open space with a lofty 22-foot ceiling, the gallery displays work in fiber, glass, ceramic, and wood, as well as paintings and works on paper.

Hours at the showroom & gallery this season
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 10 am to 6 pm
Thursday-Friday 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday noon to 5 pm
Other hours by appointment

During special events, hours are extended till the end of the special event

Contact info
Pia Sjölin Design, llc
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike (Rt. 44), Suite 209, Canton CT 06019
860 693-4454
e-mail: pia@pia-us.com
web: pia-us.com
blog: piasjolindesign.blogspot.com

3-Day Trunk Show

Come meet the artists during the 3-day trunk show this weekend at Pia Sjölin Design!
An informal showcase for 18 artists who will display and sell their work at the start of the holiday season

Friday, November 27, 10 am-8 pm
In person at the gallery:Lory Barker, prints & mixed media
Bill and Linda Braun, pieced glass
Chris London, ceramic

Susan Prentis, painting & cards

Saturday, November 28, 10 am-6 pm
In person at the gallery:

Bill and Linda Braun, pieced glass

Sharon Faber, prints & cards (till 3 pm)

Tom Gregory, skirts (till 6 pm)

Gig Lavery, ceramic (till 6 pm)

Susan Prentis, painting & cards
Sunday, November 29, noon-5 pm
In person at the gallery:

Bill and Linda Braun, pieced glass

Pamela Hunter, mixed media

Susan Prentis, painting & cards

All artists whose work will be on display for the trunk show, though some cannot join us in person this weekend:
Lory Barker, prints & mixed media (in person Friday only)
Bill and Linda Braun, pieced glass (in person all weekend)
Gwynne Everitt, ceramic
Sharon Faber, prints & cards (in person Saturday only)
Carol Frances, paintings & prints
Tom Gregory, skirts (in person Saturday only, till 6 pm)
Nancy Gworek, mixed media & scarves
Joan Zei Healy, jewelry
Pamela Hunter, mixed media (in person Sunday only)
Gig Lavery, ceramic (in person Saturday only, till 6 pm)
Chris London, ceramic (in person Friday only)
Dorothy Mackenzie, jewelry
Stefanie Marco, painting & cards
Susan Prentis, painting & cards (in person all weekend)
Jan Marek Raczkowski, hand-knitted scarves
Debrah Velasquez, cards & notebooks & mobiles
Ross Delano Wadsworth, blown glass
Kathy Wadsworth, prints

Other special events at Pia Sjölin Design this season

Friday, November 27, 7–8 pm
Claudia D’Occhilo: Reading & photo presentation
One of the painters showing in the XXL exhibit reads and presents photos from her new book Humility’s Garden.

Sunday, November 29, 3–6 pm
Artist’s reception for Joe Galiette’s FusionArtPhoto exhibit
Featuring vocalist Donna Gentile and the music of InfiniTango

Thursday mornings through December 17

Bring your own mat for
Gentle Yoga with Leslie Gordon Thursdays 9–10 am
(not on Thanksgiving)
Thursdays December 3, 10, 17
$10 per class, drop in

In the gallery through December 31

XXL, a group show of larger-than-life works in many media by more than two dozen artists

FusionArtPhoto, photographic images by Joe Galiette, in the Spotlight gallery niche

For more information about exhibits or events, call 860 693-4454.

About Us
Pia Sjölin Design is equal parts showroom for Swedish textile and glass designer Pia Sjölin and gallery for the work of other outstanding artists and artisans of the area. A large open space with a lofty 22-foot ceiling, the gallery displays work in fiber, glass, ceramic, and wood, as well as paintings and works on paper.

Contact info:
Pia Sjölin Design, llc
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike (Rt. 44), Suite 209, Canton CT 06019
860 693-4454

Opening: XXL, Saturday, November 21st, 6-9 pm

XXL exhibit opens Saturday, November 21, runs through December 31

In XXL, a group show of hand-crafted furniture and monumental works fills the extra-large gallery space of Pia Sjölin Design in Suite 209 of the Shoppes at Farmington Valley on Route 44 in Canton. From larger-than-life representations of real-world objects to supersized abstract paintings and sculpture, works by the participating artists play with our sense of scale.

Participating artists include
Susan Bradley, painting, sculpture
Barbara Katz, ceramic sculpture
Thomas Denton, furniture
Naomi Kravitz, blown glass
Steph D’Ascanio, furniture
Jeffery Leitz, painting
Mike Detelj, painting
Deborah Leonard, painting
Claudia D’Occhilo, pastel drawing
Larry Livolsi, glass sculpture
Miriam Eriksson, painting
Elizabeth Macdonald, ceramics
Jonathan Frechette, sculpture
Andrew Mailhot, photography
Donna Forma, sculpture
Kathi Packer, painting
Gilmore Glass, blown glass
Katherine Pearson, ceramic sculpture
Zbigniew Grzyb, painting
Mats Petersson, photography
Chris Hall, furniture
Robin DeMuth Schofield, fiber art
John Hutton, furniture
Dean and Eliska Smiley, glass sculpture
Richard Ivany, wood
Joe Yeno, sculpture

Works include a shimmering green blown-glass pear nearly two feet tall, created by Gilmore Glass, and a king-size bed by Thomas Denton. Among the paintings, a 17-foot vertical banner by emerging artist Mike Detelj incorporates influences from action painting to graffiti art.

An opening reception kicks off the exhibit, Saturday, November 21, 6–9 pm at the gallery.

Concurrently, in the Spotlight gallery niche, Fusion/Photo/Art showcases more conventionally sized photographic fusion images by Joe Galiette.

Fish For The Farmington:

FRWA draws on the New England folk-art tradition to inspire Watershed stewardship

The Farmington River Watershed Association is excited to introduce a new Fundraiser/Outreach program inspired by the natural diversity of the Watershed, the beauty of fish, and the creativity of local artists.

The Fundraiser engages local artists to imaginatively decorate life-size carved wooden fish. The folk-art fish will be artfully displayed in the beautiful new Pia Sjölin Design Gallery in Canton. At a gala opening to coincide with opening day of the 2010 fishing season, the fish will be auctioned to benefit the Farmington River Watershed Association’s watershed education and water quality monitoring and restoration efforts.

Fish will also swim into area schools and scout groups as we initiate an artistic educational outreach. We will present a short program on the importance of protecting the River and preserving the Watershed and then give the kids an opportunity to decorate their own small fry.

We are looking for help in several ways. We are putting a call out for artists to decorate the fish. Sponsors are needed to help defray the cost of the Fundraiser: a large fish can be sponsored for $25.00 and a school of small fish (for school and scout groups) can be sponsored for $50.00. We will auction off the large fish decorated by the artists and the schools of smaller fish will be exhibited and released to the children. Sponsorship is tax deductible. We need a core group of people willing to help with graphic design, public relations, and help creating the exhibit. If you know of art teachers/ artists/ scout leaders/graphic designers who may be interested please let us know or have them contact Carolyn Smith at csind@optonline.net. If you are interested in decorating a fish they can be picked up at The Pia Sjölin Design Gallery, The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, 110 Albany Turnpike (Rt.44) Suite 209, Canton or at FWRA headquarters, 749 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. (Fish are free to artists creating art for the fundraiser auction however a small refundable deposit is required to assure that all fish find their way home).

Sponsor Fish in your friends and families’ names for the holidays!

Jungle Mural by Pia:

November Events:

Wednesday, November 4 6:30 PM

Another colorful Panel Discussion

Join folks to hear and be heard.

Business - How to be creative in a challenging time

Panelist include:

Walt Hampton :Managing partner, Hampton Law / photographer

Jeffrey Leitz, FSA :CEO & CIO, Walbridge Capital / fine art painter

Denise Robidoux :Business owner/manager at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley

Walt Hampton’s and Jeffrey Leitz’ artwork will be on display in the Spotlight Gallery Nov 4 - Nov 14

Saturday, November 21 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Opening Reception for Extra Large

This unique show will take full advantage of our Extra Large gallery! The results will be bigger than…, – well, let’s just say BIG!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 27, 28, and 29 all day!

Trunk Show! This is a special happening with artists showing and selling their work for the start of the holiday gift giving season

Friday, November 27 7-8 PM

Claudia D’Occhilo will be reading and presenting pictures from her new book “Humility’s Garden (here painting will be part of the XL show)

Nov 29-Dec31 Spotlight Gallery at Pia Sjölin Design

Joe Galiette: Fusion Photo Art Nov 29-Dec 31

Artist reception: November 29, 2009 3-6pm

more details on the blog: piasjolindesign.blogspot.com

Gentle Yoga with Leslie Gordon 9-10 pm

Thursdays Nov 12,19 Dec 3,10,17

Concert of Diasporic Proportion: 11/11/09 NYC

Calabrian singer-songwriter Peppe Voltarelli in NYC Concert Debut Italo-Argentine Crooner Tony Vilar to make Rare Guest Appearance Montreal Italienne Marco Calliari Opens

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleeker St (@ Thompson St), New York, NY
Concert starts @ 10:00PM (Doors open @ 9:30PM)
Tickets: $15.00
Info: LePoissonRouge or (212) 505-3474
Tickets: LePoissonRouge or 866 55 TICKETS

Southern Italian singer-songwriter, composer and actor Peppe Voltarelli will make his New York City concert debut on Wednesday November 11, 2009 at (Le) Poisson Rouge. Born in Italy¹s Calabria region, the 40 year-old Voltarelli¹s work is a modern Italian¹s musical take on the diaspora of tight-knit Calabrian immigrant communities that continue to thrive throughout Europe and the Americas. At (Le) Poisson Rouge Voltarelli will offer a set drawn from his first solo album, 2007¹s ³Distratto ma però²(Distracted But However), a project which the Rome-based musician has supported with over 200 live shows in Italy and Europe, the results of which were released on his 2008 live album ³Duisburg, Nantes, Praga². This New York appearance is part of Pan-American tour which will see Voltarelli perform for the first time in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal.

New York filmgoers have already had the opportunity to see Peppe Voltarelli in a leading role in the 2006 mockumentary feature ³La Vera Leggenda di Tony Vilar² (The Real Legend of Tony Villar), which showed in official selection at the 2007 TriBeCa Film Festival. The semi-biographical plot follows the path of a contemporary Italian singer (Voltarelli), on the trail of a crooner from his Calabrian village (Vilar), who found fame and fortune in 1960¹s Argentina and eventually disappeared into anonymity in the Bronx¹s Italian community along Arthur Avenue. Directed by fellow Calabrian Giuseppe Gagliardi, ³La Vera Leggenda di Tony Vilar² will be screened on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at NYU¹s Casa Italiana as a preview to Wednesday¹s (Le) Poisson Rouge event. Voltarelli and Gagliardi previously collaborated on ³Doichlanda², a 2003 documentary about Italian immigration to Germany -- their ongoing music and film relationship producing numerous award winning video clips.

Peppe Voltarelli is a founding member of "Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti"(The Birth of the Heavy Clouds) one of Italy¹s seminal bands of the 1990¹s, whose style is a mix of rock and Calabrian folk traditions. Voltarelli¹s path as a touring musician has lead him to collaborations with other cutting edge Italian artists exploring similar mixes of old world and new world sounds, such as the German-born Italian raised Vinicio Capossela, Sicilian Roy Paci (Manu Chao) and Neopolitan Daniele Sepe. The Calabrian musician has twice been recognized in Italy¹s prestigious Tenco Prize event.

Voltarelli has also contributed music and text to Italy¹s theatrical stage with a 2001 work on the life of Domenico Modugno, the multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter who penned one of the most well known Italian popular songs in the world, 1958¹s San Remo Festival winning "Nel blu dipinto di blu², more commonly known as "Volare". Along with the Florence-based Krypton troupe, Voltarelli composed the original music for "Roccu u Stortu" (Rocco the Crooked), the anti-war saga of a Calabrian soldier¹s desertion in WWI. An active pacifist, Voltarelli traveled to Iraq in 2003 to participate in a peace concert held in Bagdad¹s Palestine Hotel, an account of which can be seen in the documentary "Sotto il cielo di Baghdad" (Under the Baghdad Sky). Voltarelli is also a published author with a collection poetry and songs in Calabrian dialect with English translation.

The opening act for Peppe Voltarelli¹s (Le) Poisson Rouge date is the Montreal-based Italo-Canadian singer-songwriter Marco Calliari. The Calabrian-born, one time Latin American star, now based in New York, Tony Vilar will make a special guest appearance in Peppe Voltarelli¹s set.

Peppe Voltarelli Web Site

Peppe Voltarelli MySpace

Art & Culture: iItaly

Music: Dana Pomfret and Dirty Laundry

On Saturday, September 19 we kick off our first double-bill show at Pia's magical gallery in Canton!
Two Bands!
Dana Pomfret, with Stefani Langol, Tim McDonald, Jon Peckman and special guest, Danny Kortchmar and "Dirty Laundry" - Danny Kortchmar, Tim McDonald, Jon Peckman and Ed Corvo (with occasional harmonies from Dana Pomfret and Stefani Langol).

Where:
Pia Sjolin Design -The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT
860.693.4454: Suggested donation $10. If you can't pay it, no worries: come enjoy the music free of charge!
7-11PM

Please BYOB.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dana P.

A Little Background on "Dirty Laundry"
Danny Kortchmar was an integral part of the 70s and 80s music scene. He recorded, toured, wrote with and produced such artists as James Taylor, Carole King, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne. Danny wrote "Dirty Laundry," "Honey Don't Leave LA," "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" and more.
Tim McDonald relocated to CT from California about 9 years ago, and instantly became well-known for his incredible vocals and guitar playing. Featuring a wonderful rhythm section, Jon Peckman on drums and Ed Corvo on bass, this is going to be a great show!

Faux Painting: TOTEM COATINGS Classes, Septemebr 17 and 18

Class Description: Two day class on TOTEM COATINGS® Lime Plasters,
green friendly synthetics

Instructor: Joe Greco

Host: Pia Sjölin Design
110 Albany Turnpike (Rt 44) Suite 209
Canton CT 06019
Phone 860 693-4454

DATE: September 17th and 18th. 2009
Class Hours: 9 to 5

Outline: Student will learn all the fundamentals of Lime Plasters and green friendly synthetic materials.

• Preparation
• History and process of manufacturing
• Uses and advantages over lime
• Mixing color and tools needed
• Uses of Waxes, Lime sealers and Metallic
• Basic application of the following
•
o Marmorino 3 samples
o Stucco Marmo 2 samples
o Cocciopesto 1 sample
o Lime Paint 3 samples
o Velvet Plaster 1 sample
o Stone 2 sample
o VP Antico 1 sample
o Travertino 1 sample

TOTAL BOARDS COMPLETED 14 16”X16”
Fee: $275.00

Things to Bring: Open Mind, Trowel, Japan Scrapers, brush and your choice
of stencil.

If you require a trowel please contact TOTEM
COATINGS AT 905-488-0535 OR VISIT their website.

Panel Discussions: First Panel Discussion Tonight!

Local, Local, Local !!!

First Wednesday of every month:

Panel discussions at Pia Sjölin Design

Join folks to hear and be heard.

The first Panel discussion to be held on Wednesday Sep 2 at 6:30 pm

Topic Art,

The creative processes

Panelist include:

Zbigniew Grzyb, painter Kathi Packer, painter

Michael Shortell framer/gallery owner

Coming panelist will include a variety of disciplines

Some of the subjects will be

Business, Education, Environment, Medical, and more

October panel Wednesday the 7th at 6:30pm

Business

How to be creative in a challenging time

Conversations will begin with the individuals on the panel and will continue with comments and questions from you.

You are all Welcome to

Pia Sjölin Design

The Shoppes at Farmington Valley

110 Albany Turnpike suite 209 Canton CT 06019

Phone 860 693-4454

Upcoming Classes: July and August 2009

To Register Call: 860-693-4454
Or visit Pia Sjolin Design at
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike
Canton, Connecticut

Friday, July 18:
Hand Block Printing Steve Soklin
2:00 – 4:00 pm Free demonstration!

Tuesday, July 21:
Drawing Zbigniew Grzyb
10:00 am – 12 pm and 4:00 – 6:00 pm Fee: $35

Saturday, July 25:
Drawing Zbigniew Grzyb
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Fee: $35

Wednesday, July 29:
Imaginative Photo Alterations Lori Barker
A class for all artistic skill levels
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Fee: $50

Saturday August 1:
Faux Finishes Dana Herbert and Pia Sjölin
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Color Washes and ragging Fee: $35
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm Marble and Stone Finishes Fee: $70

Tuesday, August 4:
Woodcarving Workshop David Holzman
For first time carvers and artists who want to experience this ancient art.
Children 8 years old and up! Fee: $35 each class
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Saturday, August 8:
Woodcarving Workshop David Holzman
-Same as above- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Fee $35

Wednesday, August 12:
Faux Finishes Pia Sjölin
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Color washes and ragging Fee: $35
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Graite and Marble Finishes Fee: $70
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Color washes and ragging Fee:$35

Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 14, 15, 16:
Portraits & Conversation Jonathan Frechette 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Watch as he sketches and listen as he talks about the process as he captures the
energy and personality of his subjects. Demonstration is no charge. Charge for portraits varies.

Tuesday, August 18:
Basket Weaving Phillip Allen
10:00 am – 12:00 and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Fee: $35 each class

Tuesday, August 18:
Flower Arranging Phillip Allen
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm No Charge

Wednesday, August 29:
Faux Finishes Pia Sjölin
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Color washes and ragging Fee: $35
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Granite and Marble Finishes Fee: $70
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Color washes and ragging Fee:$35

Upcoming Classes: May and June 2009

To Register Call: 860-693-4454
Or visit Pia Sjolin Design at
The Shoppes at Farmington Valley
110 Albany Turnpike
Canton, Connecticut

May 16, 2009:
Woodcarving Workshop with David Holzman
Time: 1-4 PM
Fee: $60

David Holzman offers woodcarving workshops that allow first-time carvers and artists a chance to try this ancient art. Using the format of relief carving he teaches the basics of creating decorative plaques, signs and original imagery. By simplifying the process and providing all the tools and materials David will introduce you to woodcarving in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Students are guided from initial drawings to transferring the designs to the carving techniques used to bring the design to life. Every participant goes home with a unique art object and a new appreciation of this artform.

David Holzman has been teaching art since 1980. Currently on the faculty of Simsbury Public Schools and Central Connecticut State University, he has been a practicing artist since the early seventies, specializing in wood carving, sculpture, painting and printmaking. David has conducted woodcarving workshops in a number of different settings such as privately in his own studio, in summer camp programs and in congregations in the area.

May 23, 2009:
Make Your Own Hat with Hat Designer Agneta Persson.
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Fee: $120

During this one-day course in millinery, you will learn the foundations of traditional hat making and create your own, beautiful, personally designed hat, from start to finish. You will learn how to block straws, mix materials, use millinery stitches, ways to pinch, pleat and otherwise manipulate the straw into exiting shapes that will fit your personal style and liking.

We will use the finest parisisal straw capelines, panama and paper straws.

You will finish your hat by using feathers, flowers, beads, pearls and ribbons for decoration.

Agneta Persson Hauser has had her millinery company in New York City, since 1998.

Her hats and accessories have been featured at Bergdorf Goodman and other upscale boutiques in USA and Europe. The use of unusual shapes and sense of whimsy distinguish her designs.

Students should bring a notebook, pencil, hand towel, hair dryer and any objects of desire to embellish their design, for this class.

Pia Sjolin, Agneta Persson, Dana Herbert

May 30, 2009
1st in a Series of Spinning and Knitting Workshops with Jan Raczkowski
Time: 1-4 PM
Fee: $40 per class or $100 for all three.

Learn basic knitting skills while making a scarf!

June 6th, 2009
Miniature Basket Weaving with Phillip Allen
Time: 1-4 pm
Fee: $50 + $10 for materials.

Learn basic techniques with a variety of materials! Fun for all levels of experience. Beginners welcome!


June 13th, 2009
2nd in series of Spinning and Knitting Workshops with Jan Raczkowski
Time: 1-4 pm
Fee: $40

Learn how to knit a vest! Sample patterns provided.

June 20th, 2009
New featured exhibition:
Midsummer in Canton the Scandinavian Way
Opening Reception 6 pm to 9 pm

June 27th, 2009
3rd in series of Spinning and Knitting workshops with Jan Raczkowski
Time: 1-4 pm
Fee: $40

Grand Opening Photos

Photos by Chris Monroe

Announcing GRAND OPENING: April 4th 6-9 pm

Progress Photos . . . .