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Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collection, 2015.196.260.1, Connecticut Historical S ...
Exhibit Displays: Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities: An Exhibit Celebrating 25 Years of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program
Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collection, 2015.196.260.1, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermined

Exhibit Displays: Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities: An Exhibit Celebrating 25 Years of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program

Date2016 August - November
Mediumborn digital images
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
CopyrightIn Copyright
Object number2015.196.260.1-.10
DescriptionArt works displayed in the exhibition, "Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities: An Exhibit Celebrating 25 Years of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program."

2015.196.260.1: Photo of a partial gallery view. Pictured left to right: Mas costume, Peruvian chair, Cambodian costume, and Polish folk arts.

2015.196.260.2: Photo of a partial gallery view of the occupational folk arts. Pictured left to right: duck decoys, decorative woodcarvings, handmade shoes, ornamental ironwork, and maritime knots.

2015.196.260.3: Photo of the display of maritime knotwork made by Matt Beaudoin and Mystic Knotwork Artisans.

2015.196.260.4: Photo of the ornamental ironwork made by Walter Scadden.

2015.196.260.5: Photo of the Burmese Karen woven textiles and clothes made by Hser Nay Paw (left) and Nu Wah (right).

2015.196.260.6: Photo of a partial gallery view. Pictured are: Newcomer textiles (left), musical instruments (foreground), and occupational folk arts (right).

2015.196.260.7: Photo of a partial gallery view. Pictured left to right: Native American, Finnish, Ukrainian, and Newcomer folk arts.

2015.196.260.8: Photo of a partial gallery view. Pictured are Lithuanian straw pictures by Aldona Saimininkas (left) and Norwegian rosemaling by Eldrid Arntzen (right).

2015.196.260.9: Photo of the Tibetan arts. Pictured are a butter sculpture made by Yeshi Dorjee, a woven rug made by Kunga Choekyi, and thangka paintings made by Jampa Tsondue.

2015.196.260.10: Photo of a partial gallery view.
NotesSubject Note: In 2016, the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CCHAP) at the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) marked 25 years of documenting the state’s diverse cultural traditions and sharing the artistic creations and community cultural practices of folk artists living here. To celebrate this achievement and honor their longtime partnership, the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) hosted a new exhibit curated by CCHAP. "Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities" displayed a fascinating variety of ethnic, occupational, and native arts that are thriving throughout the state.

"Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities: An Exhibit Celebrating 25 Years of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program" highlights the work of Connecticut folk artists whose creativity expresses the history, cultures, values, and beliefs essential to their heritage. Their skills have been learned from family and community members over years of observation, practice, and artistic participation. Artists included Peruvian woodcarver and furniture restoration expert Romulo Chanduvi, Polish iconographer and community folklorist Marek Czarnecki, Ukrainian pysanky (decorated eggs) master Paul Luniw, and Q Delpeche, creator of brilliant Trinidad-style Carnival costumes. Several skilled textile artists from newcomer groups including Bosnian, Burmese Karen, and Assyrian displayed their weavings, embroideries, and lace. The Finnish community from eastern Connecticut showed woodcarvings, weavings, and sauna decorations, and the Tibetan community displayed thangka paintings, woven rugs, and a sand mandala. Connecticut-based Native American artists displayed flutes, pottery, and finger weaving. Occupational artists from maritime, ironwork, decoy carving, and shoe-making traditions illustrated the crafts of working communities. Additional artists included Lithuanian artists Aldona Saimininkas and Asta Nenortas, Cambodian costume designers Sotha Keth and Sophanna Keth Yos, Ukrainian embroiderer Zirka Rudyk, Laotian community artists Khoutavong and Manola Sidara, Ugandan musical instruments made by Gideon Ampeire, and National Heritage Fellowship awardee Eldrid Arntzen.

"Connecticut Traditional Artists and Their Communities" was on display from August 11 through November 4, 2016, at the Gallery at Constitution Plaza, Hartford. The opening reception on August 11, 2016, featured food by Laotian chef Manola Sidara and music by Iraqi oud player Mustafa Adil. Several artists demonstrated their art forms and told stories about their cultural practices during a gallery talk held in November. Artists described their work at a public event held on November 3, 2016. The exhibit was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, and the Connecticut Historical Society.


Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
Status
Not on view
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