On the waterfront

Last week I stopped by the opening of the Stonington Printmakers Society annual exhibition at Cate Charles Gallery in Stonington, Connecticut. With a 2005 grant from the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation, artists Mara Beckwith and Sadie DeVore bought an intaglio press, set it up at Stonington High School (where DeVore is the art teacher), and began offering printmaking classes to the community. The show, curated by Slater Museum director Vivian Zo�, features prints made in the workshops. Although the prints are uneven in quality, the fact that Beckwith and DeVore have engaged the community in the process of printmaking is fantastic. Out behind the gallery, across the patio, marine painter Russ Kramer has a small gallery/studio where he paints images of America’s seafaring past. Maybe it’s my Mystic upbringing, but I’m always impressed by artists who paint the ocean well. Kramer will be giving a lecture on his process at the Mystic Seaport Maritime Art Gallery today at 4 pm.

Russ Kramer at work in his Stonington studio.

I also ran into artist Paul Centore. Paul has organized two life drawing sessions in Mystic and wants to get the word out. Who knew Mystic was such a hotbed of life drawing? For those who want to work from the figure and might like to take a drive to the water before the tourists arrive, here are the details:

The Cove’s Edge life drawing group meets Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., to draw from a nude or clothed model. They typically have several quick poses, followed by one longer pose. The artists work in many media, including pencil, pastel, watercolor, and charcoal. Easels are available onsite. The cost varies from $4 to $10 per night. The group operates on a drop-in basis, so no signup is required. Just show up at Cove’s Edge Studio at 91 Noble Ave., Noank, ready to draw.

The Hollow life drawing group meets Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:30 paint, pastel, watercolor, and charcoal. Easels are available onsite. p.m., to draw from a nude model. They typically have one pose for consecutive weeks. The artists work in all media, including oil. The cost is $10.00 per night. The group operates on a drop-in basis, so no signup is required. Just show up at the old white the entire evening, and sometimes extend a pose to last two schoolhouse at 115 Welles Rd., Mystic, ready to draw.