2007 May – Artist: Fay Stevenson-Smith - Society of Connecticut ...

Newsletter of the Society of Connecticut
May, 2007 – Vol. 4, No. 2
SCS, Inc., P.O. Box 415, Essex, CT 06426
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN
From time to time, I think it is important to talk about our history. This is
especially meaningful for our newer members who have joined the group and
really don’t know much about us. It is also significant for people who are
thinking of joining our ranks. What is the Society of Connecticut Sculptors?
Who are the members and what is our mission?
The SCS was founded in the spring of 1992 in the studio of Jack Yerkes in
Tarriffville, a small town north of Hartford. The idea of forming a group based
in Connecticut for the advancement of figurative sculpture was the brainchild of Professor
Lloyd Glasson of the University of Hartford. Jan Loomis was the hard-working first president
of the group. Irean Oakley was next, and I took over the reins in 1996.
The membership continues to grow, and the emphais of our group is on “sculpture
derived from natural forms.” The range of subject matter, style and materials has expanded
considerably over the years. We believe in art that has the potential to uplift the human spirit.
We are a non-profit, educational organization with about 80 members. Exhibitions are
held throughout Connecticut and may be juried or not, depending on the particular
exhibition. We also host field trips, studio visits and demonstrations. Of course there is also
the newsletter that comes out three times a year.
Plan to join us, grow with us—and get involved!
I will be returning to Pietrasanta again this summer. Other SCS members who will be
there, too, include Master Sculptor Stanley Bleifeld, Irean Oakley Schreiber and Ann
Rosow-Lucchesi (who has spent her summers in Pietrasanta for many years). Sara Aldouby is
taking a group of her students to study there as well.
–John Molloy
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST – FAY STEVENSON-SMITH
Fay Stevenson-Smith has lived a very diverse life—and her work in sculpture reflects that diversity.
“My most recent pieces, she says, are inspired by issues that I feel strongly about like Africa and human
SCS Newsletter May, 2007
rights.” She has been working in Steffi Friedman’s studio for almost 20
years and has been asked to do a number of commissions. Fay says that
she has grown as an artist and sculptor under the nurturing support of
Steffi and the members of the studio.
Fay was born in Kentucky and then moved to Indianapolis for
high school. She went to Knox College, and although she was a
chemistry major, she took a course that helped steer her towards art
later on in life—a review class that included art history and music.
After college, Fay taught chemistry in Liberia, West Africa, for two
years under the auspices of the Ford Foundation.
Fay moved from teaching chemistry to getting a masters in counseling. Then
she worked as a film-maker for Black Journal and became a researcher and
producer. She was also an associate producer for a talk-entertainment
show. From there she decided to go to medical school and became an
ob-gyn. She had her own practice in Philadelphia before moving to
Connecticut. Two of her patients in Norwalk recommended Steffi
Friedman’s studio, and she began to work there more in earnest.
She finished about one piece a year until she retired from her
medical practice a couple of years
ago, but now has more time to
spend on her sculpture. Her
work is becoming recognized,
and she has shown at the City
Lights Gallery, the Lockwood
Matthews Mansion, National
Black Fine Arts Show in New York
City, Earthplace, the Rich Forum,
Rowayton Art Center (Her work
garnered a third-prize ribbon there), and
she presently has a piece in the Fairfield
Library Juried Exhibit. She was
commissioned to do a portrait bust of the President of Knox College
and bookends of Lincoln and Douglas. The bookends have been
bronzed, and copies are now being used as gifts to donors of Knox College and as a reward to encourage
donations from others.
Her latest commission is a portrait bust of Ruth Batson. It is being presented as the Social Justice
Award from the Harvard Medical School’s Office of Diversity. Fay has also gone back to teaching by
assisting Steffi in the Music and Art Center for the Humanities program in Bridgeport.
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SCS Newsletter May, 2007
Earthplace Hosts Another Show
There was a gala opening recently for a new sculpture show presented by Steffi Friedman at
Earthplace—formerly known as the Nature Center—in Westport. The show runs until the 15 th of June
and is open daily from 9 to 5 and 1 to 5 on Sundays. The Center is at 10 Woodside Lane. You may call
203-227-7253 for directions.
Highlighted in the show are the works of Steffi’s students in Westport
and her pupils in the Music and Arts Center for the Humanities program
in Bridgeport. (Steffi is teaching there one day a week, assisted by Fay
Stevenson-Smith.) That program is for gifted inner-city high school
students who have a background in drawing and painting, and who
are now able to have their first exposure to sculpture under the
auspices of this program. Harold Levine is the Chairman, Dr.
Donald Rainone is the CEO and Frank Derico is the Daily
Operations Program Director. In the show, there are pieces as well by
the adult members of her studio.
EDITOR’S MUSINGS
I’ve just finished my first piece of sculpture whose subject is not human. It’s a
polar bear mother and her two cubs—a wedding gift for my niece and her new
husband. How intriguing to sense the intimacy of the animals’ relationship—mother
to offspring. I can wrap my mind around the human experience, but it was eyeopening
and more difficult to sense the warmth and love of an animal for its young.
My 4 ½-year-old granddaughter was over recently, and she created her own
polar bear cub. The excitement on her face as she showed it to her mom was infectious and inspiring! I
hope you are feeling your own excitement and enthusiasm for the work that you do—whether of a polar
bear or a person. It really can uplift the human spirit.
–Wendy Swain
Congratulations to Corinna Alvarezdelugo
The Pen and Brush Galleries in New York City hosted its 61 st
Annual Sculpture Exhibition recently, and SCS member Corinna
Alvarezdelugo was among the award recipients. Her work entitiled
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” received an Honorable Mention
Prize.
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SCS Newsletter May, 2007
The Pen and Brush was founded in 1894 and is a not-for-profit organization of women
professionally active in the literary, visual, and performing arts. Its goals are to promote women in the
arts, fostering high standards of aesthetics and craftmanship.
Exhibitions take place there throughout most of the year. Poetry, prose and play readings,
lectures, demonstrations, concerts and receptions are regularly scheduled. It is located in its own
brownstone in the heart of Greenwich Village. The address is 16 East Tenth Street. Phone 212-
475-3669 or, on-line, go to www.penandbrush.org.
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A Unique Opportunity—Home for Sale!
Jack Yerkes is selling his home, studio and gallery in
Tarriffville, Connecticut. Says Jack, “This studio saw the
founding of the Society of Connecticut Sculptors in 1992.
It would be great if a member of SCS continued to own it.”
It is a small two-bedroom cape, circa 1733, with attached
studio and greenhouse. There is a separate roof gallery plus
deck, and a barn-garage with possible guest space above. It is located on 2+ acres on the hillside of
Tarriffville Gorge State Forest. The house is convenient to the airport and railroad station. There are
kayaking, hiking and horseback riding nearby, too. Jack’s number is 860-658-0391.
(Editor’s note: We do not usually put this type of advertisement in, but we thought this one deserved special
handling!)
“There are moments in our
lives, there are moments in a
day, when we seem to see
beyond the usual. Such are
the moments of our greatest
happiness. Such are the
moments of our greatest
wisdom.”
--Robert Henri
Artist Deduction Bill
The Artist Deduction Bill supports individual
artists by allowing them to take a fair market value tax
deduction for works they donate to nonporfit
organizations.
Under current law, creators and collectos are
treated differently when they donate works to
museums, libraries, educational or other collecting
institutions. A collector may deduct the fair-market
value of the work, but creators may deduct on their
“basis” value—essentially the cost of materials such as
paint and canvas.
We ask that you support this important
legislation by sending a message to your member of
Congress and ask them to co-sponsor S.548 or H.R.
1524 which would allow artists to take a fair market
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SCS Newsletter May, 2007
value deduction of works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions.
The David in Shelton!!
“It is part of our human nature to create and produce…to dream and visualize…to be challenged. The
greatest levels of success are reached when people are surrounded with inspiration to go beyond the ordinary and
to reach toward new potentials. Art is inpiration, and Michelangelo’s David has touched the world for
generations. Not only is it a reminder of the genius of what one man can create,
but it is a monument to the human spirit. It speaks to the power of youthful
faith and the beauty of confidence with strength. But most of all, it is the
enduring reminder that good will overcome evil, and that Spirit will prevail.”
–from the Enterprise Corporate Park brochure
Out for a drive and want to see some lovely outdoor
(and indoor) sculptures? Shelton is a small community
on the Housatonic River, north of Stratford, and you
will be in for a pleasant surprise if you find your way to
Enterprise
Corporate Park,
located there.
Bob Scinto, who
is a builder and
developer in Fairfield County, is a lover of fine
sculpture, and he has amassed a wonderful
collection that he shares with the public on a daily
basis. If you visit on a weekday, you will be able
to walk into the towers and the other office
buildings on the premises to see his indoor
collection as well.
The “David”—the replica, of course—
stands tall near the entrance to the tower
buildings. (It was the center of a controversy a
couple of years ago
when a parent objected to his daughter’s having
to see the David every day when
she got off the school bus. The final result was
that the school system moved
the bus stop to another location, and the David
got to stay in his original
spot!) (With no fig leaf.)
Jerry Geier’s lifesize terra cotta figures sit in
the lobby—in perpetual waiting
mode. There’s a 1989 Stanley Bleifeld “Mother and Child” in the lobby of another building on the
premises. Twenty-four sculptures are listed and pictured on the pamphlet which showcases the works.
And you might conclude your visit with a stop for a drink and/or dinner at Il Palio—a wonderful Italian
restaurant just down the street with a sculpture worth seeing there at the front of the building. It’s of
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SCS Newsletter May, 2007
racing horses; the restaurant is named for a famous
horse race in Siena.
A quote on the pamphlet says, “Success is more
than just a solid bottom line.” Bob Scinto embodies
that in his commitment to the arts. For directions, you
can call 203 929-6300. You can also request a
brochure.
Preparing for the Future
The SCS will be cooperating again this year
with the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme by
joining together for an exhibition in the months of
November and December. This will probably be a
juried show, so you might begin early to consider
what pieces you would like to submit.
THE ART OF ANATOMY
“The study of human anatomy is so much more than the naming of parts and the understanding of
their function; it is the celebration of our wondrous physicality in the world. The biological complexity
of the body can be weighed against its aesthetic beauty, so that the life that drives us is seen to ripple
and pulse above and below the boundary of skin. Art is the perfect tool for revealing such knowledge.”
–Sarah Simblet
On that theme, note that an incredible exhibit is now in New York City, at the South Street Seaport,
until the end of August. It is called BODIES (1-800-888-9bodies – Entrance fee is around $25.) and it
gives the viewer insight into the human body using real bodies (from morgues in China) that have been
treated with acetone and then silicone. It is eye-opening and well worth the trip.
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“…the Arts –
Sign-posts on the way to
what may be –
Sign-posts to greater
knowledge.”
--Robert Henri

SCS Newsletter May, 2007
SURVEY & MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Please return to:
Harold Wright, 81 Green Hill Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06419.
SCS Newsletter May, 2007
Society of Connecticut Sculptors, Inc.
P.O. Box 415
Essex, CT 06426
Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address: ______________________________________________________________________
_____I have been a member of SCS for ____________ years.
_____I would like to become a member of SCS. Benefits include newsletters, venues for exhibiting work,
social events with other sculptors, etc. (Individual membership is $45 per year. Please send a check
made out to SCS to: Society of Connecticut Sculptors, Inc., P.O. Box 415, Essex, CT 06426)
_____I would be interested in writing an article for the newsletter or suggesting a focus for future
articles.
_____I have the following talent(s) that I would be willing to share with SCS members:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_____I would be willing to find paid advertiser(s) for the newsletter.
_____I would like to participate in future exhibits.
_____I am interested in attending social events—field trips, evening soirees, demonstrations or lectures.
Comments:____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
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A Members’ Summertime Exhibit
Thanks to the efforts of Louise Wiley, John Molloy and
Harold Wright, the Society of Connecticut Sculptors has a
new venue in which to showcase their work—the Acton
Library in Old Saybrook from July 2 to August 30. It is a
lovely spot to have an exhibit, and the librarian says that there
are almost 4,000 visitors to the library in July and August, so
our work will be viewed by many people.
The show is open to any member of the SCS in good
standing and for the first time in a long time, prizes will be
awarded. There will be no fee to have your piece included in
the show. Look for more information in the mail and by email
when we get closer to the date. (The library has asked that the
sculpture not be of nudes. We need to respect that request.)
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Society of CT Sculptors
Board of Directors
John Molloy, President
Harold Wright, Treasurer
Susan Zurles, Vice President
LeaAnn Cogswell, Secretary
Members at Large
Ken Bujnowski
Steffi Friedman
Rosemary Gurpide
Helene Johnson
Maurice Maultz
Fred Richman
Fay Stevenson-Smith
Wendy Swain
Louise Wiley – membership
Jack Yerkes