Art For Haiti on display through this month features many Middletown Artists

Have you ever been in Eli Canon's Tap Room and thought, “Who makes all these funky looking flyers? What is up with this menu – did someone write this by hand or is this an actual font?” Have you ever thought, isn't there some place in Middletown I can go to see sunsets that look like the ones in the movies, the sunsets that people post pictures of on Facebook after returning from a trip to Florida or the Caribbean?” 

The answers to these questions and more might dawn on you at the Art for Haiti exhibit currently on display at Hartford ArtSpace Gallery on Asylum Street. The opening reception was this past Saturday night and the gallery was packed with a Middletown crowd including WESU FM radio station manager Ben Michael at the DJ table, Bum with Broom Fred Carroll, and a fabulous and delicious display by Nora Cupcake Company. The art on display showcases many different media and styles and includes the work of many Middletown residents.

Click here to see details about the artists and exhibit. This web page was created for the opening reception, which already happened, but the art will be on display throughout January. More information about the location is also available at http://www.artspacect.com/

Pictured at right: Middletown artists Pierre Sylvain and David Bauer. David's photography can be seen in the background. On the post to the right of Pierre's face there's a glimpse of a sign written by Phil Ouelette, the owner of Eli Canon's, who lent his distinctive penmanship to all the signs throughout the gallery describing the artwork. In the description he wrote for his own work, Phil noted that he does not consider himself to be an artist. His sculpture-collage-tower is on display so you can decide for yourself. 

The Art of Clean

Local artist Pierre Sylvain beautified Main Street last year with his colorfully painted recycle barrels. (read about it here).  He is once again mixing art and utility, this time by painting brooms. I asked Pierre about his motivations in this unique new endeavor.

KS – So Pierre, you're painting brooms these days?

PS – Yes that's right.

KS – Why?

PS – Because someone asked me to.

KS - If I put something else in front of you, will you paint it?

PS – Yes.

KS - Would you paint a shoe?

PS - Yes (Pierre lifts up one foot to show the painted shoe creation he's wearing).

KS – Is there anything you wouldn't paint?

PS – If the price is right, I'll paint it.

KS – Who asked you to paint a broom?

PS – Fred Carroll, the Bum with the Broom.

KS – Oh yes, I know Fred. I see him sweeping all over town. He really cleans things up! If I may be so nosy, how much did you charge him to paint his brooms?

PS – There's no charge for Fred. I want to support Bums with Broom in any way I can.

KS – Did Fred explain why he wanted a Pierre Sylvain original broom instead of just using his plain handled brooms?

PS – No, he didn't say. I guess he likes my work.

KS – And for the design of the broom, did Fred ask for a specific theme or design?

PS – When he first asked, he wanted me to put a tiger on it, but I said I couldn't fit a tiger on a broom handle.   So he said to just do anything. That's the way I like it - full creative freedom.

KS – Do you plan to continue painting brooms for Fred?

PS – I have my usual other projects going on, but yes, as long as Fred keeps sweeping and wants me to paint his brooms, I will. Fred is a very colorful character and that makes sense to have a colorful broom in his hand. He goes through a broom every week or two.

KS – What? Wow!

PS – Yeah he's a sweeping fool, that Fred.

KS – Didn't I read in Patch that Fred gave up Bums with Brooms, swearing he'd sweep no more?

PS – Yeah, I guess he did quit, but I guess he couldn't stay away.

KS – What kind of paint do you use?

PS – Acrylic.

Fred can be seen on sidewalks and corners all over Middletown providing his free cleaning service. The painted brooms provide the added function of making him more visible to drivers of cars when he's hard at work.  Pierre Sylvain's artwork has been displayed at Gallore Gallery on Washington Street and is now on display at Imperial Carribean restaurant in Cromwell, Fiore II italian restaurant on Main Street in Middletown, Nora Cupcake Company on Main Street in Middletown, Cypress Grill on Route 17 in Middletown, Giovanni Hair Design in West Hartford, and most recently installed at Tesoro on Main Street in Middletown where they can be viewed from the street. 

Art of Recycling Ceremony Highlights

A ceremony marking the installation of brightly painted recycling barrels on Main Street was held this morning on the South Green. Middletown resident and artist Pierre Sylvain designed and crafted the barrels, which will help the city decrease the amount of recyclables that get thrown in the trash. The project was Sylvain's idea and was a collaborative effort between Public Works, the Commission on the Arts, and the Recycling Commission.

In talking to Pierre, it is very clear that he is not accustomed to being in the spotlight. He modestly expressed that he is very happy to be a part of this project and that he thinks it brings an exciting and useful element to Main Street. The ceremony was well attended by many members of the Common Council, the Commission on the Arts and various other city departments. Spotted in the crowd were Kim O'Rourke the City's Recycling Coordinator, and John Hall and Susan Hall of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art.

During the ceremony, Joyce Kirkpatrick, former Arts Commissioner, called Pierre Sylvain the "Steve Jobs of Middletown" for his success in combining vibrancy and design with function. She thanked him for the "love, energy, and talent" that he put into the project. Director of Public Works Billy Russo said that it's important that we start recycling downtown, and that the barrels are already getting attention and comments about how they liven the area. Common Council member Ron Klattenberg compared the recycle barrels to the sculptures that once adorned Main Street, saying that they bring back some uniqueness to Main Street that he feels was lost when the sculptures were removed.

Mayor Giuliano, who is always so strongly supportive of the arts in his words and actions, had this to say:

“As far as I'm concerned, you can turn everything into a work of art... There was a time in the world where that was the culture. No matter what it was, it had to be a work of art... Even the public works projects of the last century, they had to be more than utilitarian, they had to provide an aesthetic benefit to everybody. I don't know if we ever lost that in Middletown. I think it's something we want to continue to encourage. When we have citizens that are willing to step forward and do that they really are owed a debt of gratitude by the community.”

The entire ceremony is available to watch online, in two parts, at the following links:

Click here to see Part 1, featuring remarks by Joyce Kirkpatrick, former Chair of the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Billy Russo, Director of Public Works, and Ron Klattenberg of the Common Council.

Click here to see Part 2, featuring remarks by Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, who makes some beautiful comments about the importance of art and how art keeps Middletown great.