Exhibit Space

Do you have artwork or a collection you'd like to showcase at WTML? Submit a proposal for a feature in our Art Gallery or Display Case! Click here for more information on our exhibit spaces.

 

Art Gallery

The Works of David Magee (1938-2020) Thursday, September 5—Monday, October 28, 2024

Former Glastonbury resident Dave Magee (1938-2020) lives on in his artwork, including hundreds of paintings, limited edition prints, and sculptures made from metal, wood, tiles, and found items. Known mainly for his local scenes rendered in watercolor, Dave painted, sculpted, and filled sketchbooks with line art in Glastonbury for forty years, as well as making art in Ireland, France, Croatia, Slovenia, and hundreds of locations across the United States, including his home town of Brooklyn, NY, and several U.S. Marine Corps bases. Commercially, he produced signs for many businesses, many still visible in Glastonbury today, all conceived, designed, produced, and installed during the time he made South Glastonbury, CT his home.

Dave Magee was a superb watercolor instructor, encouraging students with gentleness, kindness, humor, and skill, and encouraging the aspirations of other artists, a number of whom became quite skilled themselves. He also inspired many non-artists, filling over 20 sketchbooks with his drawings of landscapes and musicians, sometimes framing copies for sale, and on at least a few occasions giving copies to the Jazz Musicians he enjoyed sketching live for their use on self-produced albums. Magee believed in fostering community involvement, whether playing on pick-up volleyball teams, organizing and running the popular “Kids’ found-items sculpture tent“ at the Audubon on Earth Day events; offering the “5-cent” Saturday drawing class for kids; painting murals at the Audubon with Kasha Breau, or his multiple trips daily to the coffee shops in town for convivial conversation. Dave loved meeting people and always arrived with a positive attitude about life, believing everyone should live their lives to the fullest. Dave was also passionate about community causes, creating a painting of The Welles Turner Memorial Library, with accompanying prints, which were sold to help raise money for the first major library addition. Dave, a Vietnam era U.S. Marines veteran, did the same with a painting honoring Portland’s veterans. The three-stone granite memorial was conceived and spearheaded by his dear friend Reg Farrington, retired U.S. Army Colonel, to raise money for a Veteran’s memorial commemorating local veterans who served in any of the five branches of the armed forces during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and efforts in The Persian Gulf. The completed granite memorial was installed and dedicated on Memorial Day, 2007. It was a major community achievement.

Art installations and receptions made possible by the Second Century Fund Upcoming Exhibits: - November/December 2024: Dennis Stuart - January/February 2025: Roy Wrenn Click here for previous exhibits.

Display Case

First, Not Last: Portraits Celebrating Individuals Who Broke Political Barriers in 2020 by Sarah Schneiderman Wednesday, September 4—Saturday, November 2, 2024

In the wake of the transformative events of the 2020 election and the subsequent federal appointments of 2021, a wave of fresh faces has emerged, reshaping the landscape of local, state, and federal governance. Among these trailblazers, a remarkable cohort stands out – individuals breaking barriers as the first of their "group" to ascend to political office. Sarah Schneidermann’s art breathes life into what society discards, crafting a breathtaking tapestry of beauty from the overlooked and discarded. She uses trash as her medium, a unique approach that not only adds an exciting layer to her art but also brings attention to the beauty found in unexpected places. Within the discarded remnants of our daily lives, she uncovers and weaves together the narratives of these political pioneers, inviting viewers to explore the beauty in the unexpected.

Her artistic practice serves as a poignant commentary on the historical neglect and marginalization of communities consigned to society's metaphorical garbage heap. More importantly, it is a celebration of the resilience and determination of these leaders. Against the backdrop of this history, they use their voices and bodies to shape the course of our government and faithfully represent their constituents. Through her creations, she seeks to illuminate our progress while underscoring the imperative to forge ahead. She emphasizes the need to move from a cisgender white male representation that often excludes or marginalizes certain groups to one that mirrors the rich tapestry of the American experience. This change is not just a cause for optimism, but a necessary step toward a future where diversity and inclusion reign supreme in the halls of influence and decision-making. Sarah Schneidermann can be reached at Schneiderman.studio@gmail.com or (860) 324-3239. The Erley Display Case is located on the second floor of the Library just outside the Gallery. The display case is available for community groups or individuals for the display of visual arts, crafts, collections and other educational, cultural and information exhibits. Use the Exhibit Application at the top of the page to apply to create a display of your own. Upcoming Exhibits: - November/December 2024: TBD