Best of the Gold Coast: Silvermine Arts Center Wins in Two Categories

For the second year in a row, Silvermine Arts Center has been voted "Best Art Gallery" and "Best Art Classes" in Moffly Media's Annual "Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut", which includes Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan/Darien, Stamford, Fairfield Living and At Home in Fairfield County magazines. This is the ninth annual issue. Silvermine was previously voted "Best Art Gallery" in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011 and the school of Art won "Best Art Classes" in 2008.

As stated by Moffly Publications, "Silvermine is the kind of place that simply draws in artists and art enthusiasts. If you don't consider yourself one, but always had an interest, you might want to check out the classes, which are praised by our readers."

"The Silvermine Arts Center community is thrilled to again be recognized as the Best Art Gallery AND the Best Art Classes, says Leslee Asch, Executive Director. "To receive this double recognition two years in a row reflects the quality of our exhibits and our faculty, as well as the diversity of special events, performances, and lectures we offer to the community. This is an exciting time for Silvermine. We celebrated our 90th anniversary in 2012 and we will be celebrating the School of Arts' 90th anniversary in 2014! There are wonderful events and new exhibits in the next few months," continues Ms. Asch, "including exhibits opening on July 28th featuring a collaborative exhibit, "Kites," with New York City artist Charles Hinman, and master printer Gary Lichtenstein and a Guild Group show entitled "Where are We (going)?" curated by New York artist Emily Cheng. Our third annual Silvermine ArtsFest will be held on August 10th from 2pm-5pm, featuring a free performance of "A Tale of Two Nations" featuring Maracatu Nação Estrela Brilhante and Nation Beat. One of Brazil's oldest and most respected music groups, Estrela Brilhante ("Bright Star"), performs traditional maracatu, a propulsive Afro-Brazilian rhythm. There will also be hands-on activities led by the Silvermine School of Art faculty that will entertain all ages."

Artists have been drawn to Silvermine ever since visionary sculptor Solon Borglum moved here in 1908 and established it as a place for artists to gather. The Silvermine Guild of Artists was founded in 1922 and formally incorporated as a 501(c) (3) organization in 1924 when the School of Art was established. Today, the Silvermine Arts Center is comprised of a Guild of over 300 professional artists, five galleries presenting new exhibitions every six weeks and sponsoring prestigious regional and national competitions, an art and fine crafts shop, a School of Art providing a wide range of classes for all levels of experience and ages, public programs, and outreach programs in the Norwalk and Stamford schools.

For more information about the many events, exhibits and course offerings, call 203-966-9700 or visit their website at www.silvermineart.org.