The Niche

TOM SMITH, BEWILDERNESS

November 1, 2018 – January 7, 2019

Reception on Thursday, November 8, 5-7 p.m. in Pegasus Gallery

“Vitis Rectangulus,” 2018, rendering.

Tom Smith’s sculptures and paintings are produced in dialogue with the natural world. Smith describes his practice as “observing and chronicling the infinite works of nature—in particular, the minutiae of sticks.” Line is employed here as an evocative structural device that permits simultaneous readings of containment and of infinite outward growth. Sculpture of bent, twist-tied, wrapped and painted branches form open cocoon-like matrices where complex structural form is amplified by light and cast shadow. Paintings resemble thickets and nets of segmented arabesque. Gestural marks resemble the irregular jointed structures of branch and vine forms. Smith’s work imparts an interior perspective of human and environmental interactions that are imbued with intimacy, sensitivity and flux.

Tom Smith has led a 20+ year career as an architect, teacher and freelance illustrator. He attended Virginia Tech School of Architecture, Hampshire College, Pratt Institute, and the Rhode Island School of Design, and he lives in Colchester, CT.

The Niche is located in Founders Hall across from the Registrar’s Office.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

ART & MEDITATION SOUND HEALING WORKSHOPS

September 14th – October 19th, 2018

Zach Gomez, mixed media.

Sponsored by the New Day Fund

In these workshops students have experienced the magic of making art through the prism of guided meditation and sound healing. The vibrations from both the instruments and spoken word establish a higher, more organic state of receptivity in the minds of the participants allowing for the spontaneous imprinting of psychic energies and emotional states into corporeal art forms.

These art processes represent a total departure from the typical studio art class as the students are not following a prescribed lesson for a given learning outcome. Rather they are directed to follow their intuition through a responsive manipulation of the media based entirely on their own stream of consciousness. In so doing the students are engaged in a process of mindfulness that allows them to trust their intuition and gut instincts.

Art techniques utilized include alcohol inks, Dr Martin’s Dyes, acrylic, watercolor and alcohol inks. Because all of these water-based art techniques are distinguished by their inherent qualities of fluidity and movement, the attendees have been able to observe the impact of subtle paint manipulations on emerging imagery. The sound healing instruments utilized include chakra bowls, chimes, a gong and healing forks.

Through these workshops students have learned to appreciate the benefits of a meditative state of mind for attaining greater academic and personal success.

The Niche is located in Founders Hall across from the Registrar’s Office.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Back in the 1950s, some women didn’t attend college right after high school, and while MxCC alumna Sally Smith liked to learn, she began college much later in life.

Originally from East Hampton, Sally grew up in Meriden and graduated from Meriden High School in 1958. Her father initially discouraged her from going to college or joining the Navy like her brothers. Instead, she started her own family. But years later, Sally was divorced and, because her children were still small, she had to sell her house and go on state aid. In order to get off Medicaid, Sally became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) through the Vinal Tech program in Middletown in 1973. While working as an LPN in a nursing home, Sally met a patient in her eighties who was a talented painter and always wanted to exhibit in her own art show. Sally simply went ahead and arranged an art exhibit and reception for her in Cheshire, where the patient even sold two paintings. “She was beside herself with joy!” recalled Sally. By the 1980s, Sally’s kids were grown and she explored the idea of attending college. She first attended Southern Connecticut State University, but that campus experience was not for her. Instead she decided to audit an algebra class at Middlesex Community College. She then enrolled in more classes and worked with a tutor to improve her grades. For a while, she lived near the former MxCC Meriden Center and also took classes there. She even reconnected with old acquaintance in one of her classes, Betty Berger. They knew each other previously when their kids were in dance class together. After attending MxCC part-time into the 1990s, Sally earned her associate degree in human services. “I had a very good experience at Middlesex. I enjoyed being there, and the teachers were great,” she reiterated. While still working as a nurse, Sally met an elderly male patient of Irish descent, who said he never had been to Ireland. She talked with his daughter to see if this was even physically possible for him to travel. She agreed, so Sally again proceeded to see how to arrange this for him. She spoke with other senior wish agencies that told Sally she would have to do all the work. If that was the case, why not start her own foundation with the mission of fulfilling the dreams of senior adults? In 2007, Sally and her friend Betty launched a nonprofit organization called Seniors Have Dreams, Too. The group’s purpose is “to make a difference in the lives of the elderly and create opportunities for seniors with limited resources to experience a lifelong dream.” The nationwide program is offered to seniors 65 years of age or older, living below the poverty level, and physically and mentally able to experience a wish. Receiving no grant money, the group operates on individual donations and holds an annual arts and crafts fundraiser. Recently, the organization granted several wishes—a 78-year-old woman with cancer living in Las Vegas went to a concert for the first time; a Connecticut woman’s dream was to visit the casino again with her friends; a woman in her eighties received piano lessons and recorded a CD; a former airline hostess rode in a helicopter—all made possible through the work of Sally’s organization. “No matter how old you are, you should always have something to look forward to. None of your memories should be old,” she said, who now lives in Wallingford. Sally still takes her nursing job very seriously. “ I love my job working in nursing homes. This is where I belong. I love working with the elderly and kids with disabilities. I’m getting things for nothing, and so I have to give back,” said Sally emphatically. What is Sally’s dream? “To complete a bachelor’s degree before turning 90 years old,” she said. “But now my job is to make people smile.” To donate, sponsor or apply for a dream, or attend the December 1 crafts fair, visit www.seniorshavedreams.org. October 2018