Farmington Valley Arts Center Hosts its 25th Annual Candlelight Opening"

Its been a holiday season tradition for 25 years, and on Friday, November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m., art enthusiasts are once again invited to browse and shop for beautifully crafted holiday gifts in two galleries and 20 artist studios, to enjoy live music and complimentary refreshments, and to share in the celebration as the Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) in Avon, Connecticut, hosts its 25th annual Candlelight Opening."

Farmington Valley Arts Center
25 Arts Center Lane, Avon, CT 06001-3746, (860) 678-1867
Contact: Kim Knox Beckius, Publicist
email: kimberlysk@earthlink.net telephone: (860) 678-1867, ext. 104

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meet Artists, Hear Music, Celebrate
as the Farmington Valley Arts Center Hosts its
25th Annual Candlelight Opening"

AVON, CT, October 8, 2002—Its been a holiday season tradition for 25 years, and on Friday, November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m., art enthusiasts are once again invited to browse and shop for beautifully crafted holiday gifts in two galleries and 20 artist studios, to enjoy live music and complimentary refreshments, and to share in the celebration as the Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) in Avon hosts its 25th annual Candlelight Opening." This kick off" to the holiday season is the Arts Centers most popular annual event, and visitors who follow the candlelit paths and walkways at this haven for artistic happenings will discover the seasons largest selection of unique, hand-crafted gifts.

Each year, a highlight of the Candlelight Opening is the opportunity to meet the 20 artists who work on-site, creating diverse and imaginative pieces for purchase including jewelry, textiles, pottery and paintings. While artists have come and gone over the years, New England landscape painter Melissa Meredith has welcomed guests to her studio for all 25 years that the Candlelight Opening has been held. Its a festive, happy event that has really changed very little over the years—thats whats amazing about it," Meredith said. Its an annual reminder that we are a group of artists and, best of all, we are available to the public."

Sister Sound, an a cappella womens singing group, will perform songs from a number of spiritual traditions throughout the evening, and visitors will be treated to a variety of refreshments as they explore the Arts Centers studios and galleries throughout the evening.

The Candlelight Opening also marks opening night for Brighten Your Spirit," the collection
of fine art and gifts for the holidays that will be featured in the FVACs Fisher Gallery through December 24. The Fisher Gallery offers a selection of contemporary crafts and art conceived and produced by a select group of North Americas finest artists. Holiday shopping hours at the Fisher Gallery and at the Visitors Gallery, which showcases the works of the Arts Centers own studio artists and faculty, are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

For those who are unable to attend the Friday night Candlelight Opening, the galleries and studios will also be open during an Open Studios Weekend on Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Farmington Valley Arts Center is located at 25 Arts Center Lane in Avon Park North, Avon, Connecticut. From Route 44, turn onto Ensign Drive, and Arts Center Lane is the second left. Parking is free. For additional information, call (860) 678-1867, ext. 105.

About The Farmington Valley Arts Center
The Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) is a 29-year-old, non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality education in, through and about the arts. The Arts Center offers ongoing classes for adults and children, rents studio space to and provides career development opportunities for professional artists, and operates two galleries featuring fine craft and fine art on display and for sale. It also conducts outreach programs with central Connecticut schools and social service agencies and offers an intensive summer arts camp. The FVAC is a vibrant and thriving arts community that enables visitors to experience the entire creative process, from professional artists at work to finished creations in a gallery setting to the skills necessary to create works of their own.

Source: Farmington Valley Arts Center
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