RPAC Supplement 2 by Colabella Media

W H E R E ’ S C O N N E C T I C U T ’ S F I R S T C U LT U R A L D I S T R I C T ?

Spring 2021

RPAC ART CENTER AND ACADEMY RPAC GALLERY

Guy Stanley

PHIL O C H E New York Artist Supports the Ridgefield Arts Community

How to Buy and Sell Art RPAC Resident Artists The Future of NFTs

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Art Consulting & Curating

RPAC’s curating experts will guide you in creating a collection that reflects your lifestyle, personality, and surroundings from a wide range of talented artists. Curating Services Include: • Home consultations • Commissions • Live with the artwork for 3 days before you buy • Digital renderings of artwork in your space Visit us in person or tour our Virtual Gallery and explore the possibilites.

www.RPACgallery.com

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MAELSTROMMING, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, BY DANIEL WADE BARRETT

CONTENTS

The Art of Collecting:

How to Buy and Sell Art “As the owner of RPAC Gallery and an art agent for several artists, I often have collectors look to me for guidance in their buying decisions. My first question is always, what do you love? Finding art is as much about the value as it is about the way it moves your heart and mind. Start there and it is hard to go wrong.” —Dee Dee Colabella

8 Philoche 14 Guy Stanley

New York artist gives back

RPAC

Resident Artists See the latest art created by members of your own community

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Co-Founder’s Letter

Where’s Connecticut’s First Cultural District? You’re living in it!

NFTs Is This the Future of Art Ownership?

Who Let the Dogs Out?!

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WORKSHOPS RPAC Art Center and Academy is hosting workshops in Studio and Fine Art, Photography, Digital Art, and Graphic Design among others. Browse our selection of fun, creative, and interesting workshops. Find one you’d love to learn more about. Our workshops are taught by Artists, Instructors, and Professionals who have years of real-world experience and love sharing what they do with the community. You’d be surprised how much you can learn in just a few short hours with us.

Zendoodle Zen-Doodling is the art of drawing designs using structured patterns or ‘Zentangles’. When you draw a Zendoodle, you’re creating a work of art, but you’re also deliberately creating a mood, focus, and state of mind. Unlock this creative tool to help you refocus and break through creative blocks. Monday, June 28 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM From Thought To Creation Unlock your creative potential by engaging in a week long workshop exploring creative techniques such as Zen Doodle, Storyboarding, color studies and drafting to find your way to the desired completed piece of art. July 12 - 16 | August 9 - 13 Monday – Friday | 1:00PM – 3:00PM IPhoneography In this workshop, award-winning photographer Paul J. Toussaint takes you on a creative journey that starts with an introduction to powerful photography apps and leads you to discover myriad imaging effects that will allow you to turn ordinary images into sublime works of art. Tuesday, July 20 | 3:00PM – 6:00PM Composition & Other Steps To A Successful Painting Composition is key to the success of any painting in order to increase its attractiveness and perceived value. In this workshop the following techniques and hands-on exercises will be put to practice: 1) Selecting a subject and composition 2) Choosing values and hues 3) Balance and space 4) Other tips for painting success Thursday, July 22 | 11:00AM – 2:00PM

Stay tuned

for new workshops. More will be added throughout the year!

Illustrator’s Corner During this workshop we will choose from multiple manuscripts to create an editorial Illustration. We’ll work together as a group to go through the brainstorming, thumbnail, rough sketch, and final sketch phase of an illustration. Tuesday, July 27 | 4:00PM – 7:00PM Betrayed By Fear Feeling blocked? Recognizing and acknowledging different types of fears can be the first step to realizing what may be blocking your best efforts. In this interactive workshop we will explore various hands-on activities to identify what’s getting in your way and holding your creativity at bay. Thursday, July 29 | 3:00PM – 6:00PM Glazing In Acrylic Whether an avid painter or novice, whether one paints in a refined representational style or wild abstraction, integrating the use of multiple glazing layers can increase the depth and luminosity of the work. Saturday, July 31 | 10:30AM – 1:30PM How To Work And Create With Digital Cameras Part 1: Are you still using automatic settings? Then this class is for you! This introductory class is for beginners who would like to learn the basics of their digital camera and move into the manual control modes. Part 2: This 2 day workshop is a continuation of Part 1 where students improve their creative and technical skills, and through lectures and assignments, will explore the aesthetic and compositional aspects of photography. Part 1 | Tuesday, August 03 | 4:00PM – 7:00PM Part 2A | Tuesday, August 17 | 4:00PM – 7:00PM Part 2B | Tuesday, August 24 | 4:00PM – 7:00PM Glazing In Oil Attention will be paid to developing process strategies for each student. The painting techniques we explore are designed to enhance one’s own personal style with tools that encourage experimentation. Saturday, August 7 | 10:30AM – 1:30PM

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CO-FOUNDER’S LETTER

Guy Stanley Philoche with Dee Dee Perrone Colabella at RPAC Gallery

Ridgefield’s New Friendly Faces

A Cover Photography Patrick Menard www.ZsPopEditing.com Hair and Makeup Kendall Dempster www.bykdempster.com

hhhhhh, after my second Pfizer shot, a light at the end of the tunnel…maybe. Ridgefield seems primed for some more positive energy! Just knowing that our town has been granted the state’s first Cultural District designation put our Covid depression in regression. That’s right, the mean streets of Ridgefield are soon to become an art hub in Connecticut. Next, we will control the world (evil laugh). Ridgefield already has the Playhouse, the Aldrich, and of course the RPAC Art Center and RPAC Gallery. Our town is pretty awesome. In this issue we feature Guy Stanley Philoche. Guy is one of the hottest artists in the country with his art going for hundreds of thousands of dollars. He’s also a master marketer — with television, magazine articles, and an incredible online presence. Anyone interested in any type of art whether it be fine art, illustration, or graphic design should truly read Guy’s article. Original works by the artists in the “Philoche Collection” will be exhibited at RPAC Gallery in an exclusive show from September 16th through October 17th. We also have an article on how to buy and sell artwork, spotlight our own RPAC Resident Artists, and much more. I hope you enjoy this issue, and welcome your support of Ridgefield’s art of all colors, sizes, and sounds. Sincerely, Greg Mursko Co-Founder of the RPAC Art Center and RPAC Gallery

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How Advice From An Art Dealer and a Collector

ave you come across pieces of art that inspire you to become a collector? Perhaps you are immediately pulled to an area from across the room and become fixed on artwork that keeps you firmly in place, or you find an abstract painting that would look perfect in your home office above your desk. The truth of it is, the minute you buy an original work of art, you have already joined the elite group of collectors and the exciting world of art has opened to you. “As the owner of RPAC Gallery and an art agent for several artists, I often have collectors look to me for guidance in their buying decisions,” said Dee Dee Perrone Colabella. “My first question is always, what do you love? Finding art is as much about the value as it is about the way it moves your heart and mind. Start there and it is hard to go wrong.” It’s important to first consider whether the value of the piece matches that price tag

on the gallery wall. This is where your local art gallery comes in. They will be able to give you the history of the artist and all the factors that go into determining the value of the artist’s work. This value depends on several factors, such as the selling rate and the artist’s reputation for originality, uniqueness and a strong identifying style. Social media presence and following may also play a part, as does popularity with other collectors. If the artist is established, their early work with a different distinguishing style may be more sought after and valued higher. The art piece itself can also appreciate in value depending on scarcity, such as limited editions. Even the location where the piece was found may be a contributing factor to its value. Be ready to ask your local gallery about these details when considering a purchase that keeps catching your eye. After becoming aware of what contributes to value, what if I told you that you can fill

Dylan Miller & Dee Dee Perrone Colabella Photography by Dylan Miller

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to Buy and Sell Art

Local Art Collector Ed Torres has invested in sculpture, paintings and even furniture so that just about everything in his studio apartment can be flipped for profit to support his love of art.

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your walls with pieces you love from artists that inspire you and make money from it? Art is a worthwhile investment as well as an alternative source of income. “What’s great about investing in art, is that it’s so much more than a number,” said Ed Torres (Leo), an art collector who works in Ridgefield. “You buy it, and you can enjoy it in your home for a few years before you are ready to sell and ready to make another purchase. This is how I was able to start buying from my favorite artist, working my way up from lithographs to originals and finally to my own commissioned piece.” Torres started small, with figurines and designer furniture that he determined would rise in value as the artist became more popular. He was

estate. Art is more likely to retain its value, as it follows a different pattern of market inflation by intangible market drivers, such as demand and acceptance within the art world. For example, if an artist was selling their work at $5,000 on average but became more popular and was able to start selling at $10,000, the value of their previously sold pieces would go up as well. The genre as a whole would also go up in value if other artists are selling well within that genre. Among other factors, this creates a safety net to help circumvent a depreciable situation despite the state of other markets. This is precisely why it’s good practice to always keep a bill of sale and certificate of authenticity while you support local artists; you never

price,” said Colabella. “A smart investor will help to nourish the artist and help that artist connect with other buyers, which in turn creates more value as more people collect. The more the art becomes the new ‘must have’ in that world, the more investable the artist becomes. Another smart move to increase the worth of a collection is to work closely with a gallery or art agent. This gives you access to a world of artists and their work that may not be shown.” When you’ve had enough time with your artwork, the process of selling is easier than you might think. Seeing a return on your investment isn’t difficult and you can use the same outlets to acquire the artwork. “If you believe it’s time to test the market for a potential sale of the piece, have the piece appraised,” said Colabella. “This will give you an idea of what to expect. You may decide that holding onto the piece that has appreciated is a better move. When you are ready to move forward, then it’s time to engage professionals to help you to sell the piece such as auction house representatives and/or art agents.” As you continue to visit your local art gallery or engage in the art community, consider your role as a collector and what benefits are within reach. No matter what kind of collector you choose to be, however, it’s important to always follow what you love. Art collectors who follow their passion will be rewarded not only by the investment aspect, but with beautiful pieces of art that add value to their life. There’s never a guarantee that artwork will appreciate in price, but with research and dedication, art collecting can be a fulfilling addition to your portfolio.

When you’ve had enough time with your artwork, the process of selling is easier than you might think. Seeing a return on your investment isn’t difficult and you can use the same outlets used to acquire the artwork. able to flip some of these early pieces to purchase more valuable artwork and build his investment from there. Torres was recently able to acquire a commissioned piece from one of his favorite artists, Edgar Plans. “You can’t find Edgar Plans pieces in galleries, there is a wait list to purchase each piece as soon as he makes it so it’s never waiting on a wall for someone to buy it,” he said. “That’s why it’s so important to have a connection with your local gallery and I am so thankful they were able to make the impossible possible for me.” Art is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio as it does not correlate to the ups and downs of other traditional markets, such as real

know what their work may be worth one day! After the work appreciates in value, you can sell and use the proceeds to support yourself, or of course, buy more art! So, all your walls are now filled with art pieces, you have a flourishing connection with your local gallery while becoming well versed in the art world and know which artists are ‘hot’ and coming up. What’s left? If you decide to take it further, you can start to make money beyond simply sustaining your art collection. “Collectors know what a piece of work is worth and make sure to document the piece and its original

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The beautiful painting behind Leo is called Marvel and DC, 2020 created by Edgar Plans. It is 39” x 39” mixed media on linen.

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alking into the New York City apartment of Guy Stanley Philoche, his walls are covered top to bottom in artwork. The Philoche Collection, as he calls it, has been growing for over 20 years, but quickly expanded by the hundreds over the past year. “Art saved my life, and I owe it a debt that I’ll never be able to repay,” Philoche told RPAC. “I moved to New York City with two duffel bags and a dream, and the process was really difficult. I never had anyone open the door for me, I had to go through the back door or the window, until I found a way in the room by myself. But once I was in the room, people began to take notice.” Born in Haiti, Philoche’s family immigrated to the United States when he was a few years old. He quickly found his passion for art by watching and drawing his favorite cartoons, in what he calls his “little escape.” For Philoche, as soon as he entered his first museum in New York City, he knew art was his calling.

by Breanna Suden Photography by Patrick Menard • www.ZsPopEditing.com Hair and Makeup by Kendall Dempster • www.bykdempster.com

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“My big ‘Aha!’ moment was when I was taken to a museum and saw the masterpieces – the Monets, the Van Goghs, the Pollocks – they were amazing,” said Philoche. “The paintings were so beautiful, I remember wanting to reach out and touch them, but the security guard told me I couldn’t. Right then and there, I knew I wanted people to be able to touch my work.” So, when Philoche created his first series, Untitled Series, he did just that. The series is abstract, featuring blocks of complementary colors contained with thick black lines, giving a geometric grid to his work. Pulling in aspects of symmetry, composition, textures, and the balance of color, it allows the viewer’s eyes to move from section to section. With this series, Philoche wanted people to be able to physically touch the work and feel the layering, creating a journey into the senses. Fast forward 20 years later, Philoche’s years of hard work and talent earned him an impressive resume of solo exhibits, corporate and celebrity collectors and a catalog of paintings which sell for northwards of $100,000. He is now represented by Cavalier Gallery with locations in Greenwich, “Before I knew it, I was receiving hundreds of Instagram DMs a day from artists across the globe. What started as a $15,000 budget quickly became $30,000, then $50,000 and now I’m at around $150,000. I have no plans on stopping any time soon.” CT; Nantucket, MA; New York, NY; and Palm Beach, FL. Following his success in the art world, Philoche is committed to supporting other artists, purchasing a painting whenever he sells a painting, which he took to the extreme when the COVID-19 pandemic hit early last year. Philoche had just come off a sold-out show with Cavalier Gallery and wanted to treat himself to $15,000 Rolex when he received a call from a friend and fellow artist who had lost his job due to the pandemic. He was worried he wouldn’t be able to provide food for his family or necessities for his newborn, and asked Guy for help. With his friend in need, Philoche met him at his studio and purchased two of his pieces. “It wasn’t until after I went home that I realized now isn’t the time to spend money on a watch, I could use that money for good,” said Philoche. So, in March of 2020, Philoche shared a video on his Instagram handle calling out to 10 • RPACgallery.com

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his fellow artists. Philoche shared that he was looking to purchase as much artwork as possible and encouraged viewers to send him their work. “That’s when it really exploded,” said Philoche. “Before I knew it, I was receiving hundreds of Instagram DMs a day from artists across the globe. What started as a $15,000 budget quickly became $30,000, then $50,000 and now I’m at around $150,000. I have no plans on stopping any time soon.” The Philoche Collection is continuing to grow and Philoche is continuing to lend his support to his community. This September, a handful of artists from the collection will be exhibited in an opening co-curated by Philoche and Dee Dee Perrone Colabella, owner and director of RPAC Gallery and RPAC Art Center and Academy in Ridgefield, Connecticut. “I’ve been receiving a lot of messages from people saying they love my collection and if it’s for sale,” said Philoche. “And while I’d never sell my collection, I do want to continue to bring attention to these amazing artists who I’ve had the pleasure of building relationships with over the past year. So, “We believe in maintaining a rich and diverse collection of works for the community to enjoy.” when Dee Dee suggested we do a show together, it was a no-brainer.” RPAC Gallery and RPAC Art Center and Academy opened in September 2019 with the mission to create, promote and exhibit the working, emerging and student artist while providing a supportive and creative environment. The gallery provides space for resident artists to showcase their work and increase their exposure in the art world. “We believe in maintaining a rich and diverse collection of works for the community to enjoy,” said Dee Dee Perrone Colabella. “With over 30 years of experience in the arts, I know how to foster the creative process and development and have a keen eye in discovering talented emerging and midlevel artists. The goal is to help evolve each artist’s career, whether it’s preparing a portfolio, helping develop their artistic vision or finding the perfect collector. I love art in all forms and believe in the artists whom I represent.” The exhibition will feature works from 10 artists included in the Philoche Collection and will be open to the general public for one month beginning on Thursday, September 16.

Dee Dee Perrone Colabella with Charles Gulbrandsen’s painting, “Blue Shift” in the background

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Resident Artists

1. Escape Brandy Perrone Price: $600.00 Size: 20” x 16” Acrylic on Canvas “The inspiration for my art work has been the ebb and flow of life.” Escape was recreated after the death of Brandy’s mother. rpacgallery.com/brandy-perrone

2. Cow Barn with Long Summer Shadows

Gail Buggy Price: $1,475.00 Size: 36” x 36” Acrylic on Canvas This painting shows an old cow barn which appears to be simply peaceful and bucolic. Upon second glance however the vibrancy of the greens and blues, brushstroke of the sky and field and long stretching shadows reflect the energy pulsing through nature. It is a testament of the ability to be calm and energetic, absolutely still and humming with quiet power at the same time. rpacgallery.com/gail-buggy 3. Looking In, Looking Out Daniel Wade Barrett Price: $4,100.00 Size: 20” x 60” Acrylic on Canvas Inside and outside are typically conceptualized as separate, non-overlapping spaces. Yet, the barriers that seemingly divide the two are always permeable, if only at the subatomic level. Moreover, to which does the barrier belong? The perspective from this abstraction feels equally “right” whether is it considered as looking in through a window at a thought, a dream, a scene as looking out from the stance of the thought, dream, or scene. rpacgallery.com/daniel-wade-barrett

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4. Amulet Charles Gulbrandsen Price: $3,000.00 Size: 48” x 60” Oil on Canvas Charles’ Amulet oil painting resembles a beautiful flower growing in a blue garden. rpacgallery.com/charles-gulbrandsen

5. The Obelisk Brent Arrowitz Price: $750.00 Size: 12” x 16” Acrylic on Canvas This is based on a photograph by 1930s fashion photographer Andre Durst. rpacgallery.com/brent-arrowitz

6. Heavenly Cloud Lily Fertik Price: $6,000.00 Size: 60” x 48” Acrylic Paint with Glass Beads, Resin Sand, Granular Gel & Silver Leaf on Canvas You have the wings to fly. You found your freedom amongst the clouds above the treetops & high buildings of the city. You feel the peace and the gentle rain dew that dampen your clothes. Your heart smiles for you know that this is the ultimate feeling of heaven. rpacgallery.com/lily-fertik

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Resident Artists

7. Fire on the Mountain

Jim Malloy Price: $2,500.00 Size: 20” x 16” Acrylic on Canvas | Framed Often associated with death and destruction, fire can also be the catalyst for rebirth and regeneration in nature. Old forests never die, they just burn away and begin anew. rpacgallery.com/jim-malloy 8. Sunset Vibes Alissa Leigh Cahillane Price: $7,000.00 Size: 60” x 60” Acrylic on Canvas This painting was inspired by a family vacation to southern Utah a few summers ago. The sunsets were absolutely breathtaking, every single night. A full range of colors were on full display, from reds to yellows, and beautifully set against the dark blues and grays of the clouds. rpacgallery.com/alissa-leigh-cahillane 9. Indoor Dining 35% NYC Dave Konig Price: $6,000.00 Size: 48” x 36” Oil on Canvas They are having coffee with milk, but there doesn’t seem to be any milk on their table. Did the waiter pour the milk for them, then take it away? Did the artist simply forget to paint the milk? A mystery! rpacgallery.com/dave-konig

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10. Interstellar Synapse (SOLD) Leslie Luciano Price: $3,000.00 Size: 26” x 38” Mixed Media | Framed Everything is truly connected. Your brain is the most complex, mindblowing organ in the universe. It is estimated to have over 100 billion neurons, which is about the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. Each neuron is connected to other neurons by up to 40,000 individual connections (called synapses) between cells. Multiplying 100 billion neurons times 40,000 synapses is equivalent to the brain having more connections in it than there are stars in the universe! rpacgallery.com/leslie-luciano

11. Weathering the Weather Steve Liker Price: $1,600.00 Size: 24” x 36” Acrylic on Canvas | Framed New York City takes on a different look after a rainstorm. Light from streetlights, traffic lights and signs bounces off wet streets and sidewalks creating a warm, dreamlike world. rpacgallery.com/steve-liker 12. Some Enchanted Evening Will Cook Price: $1,800.00 Limited Edition Print 36” x 24” Long Exposure Photograph with Light Painting on Metal This tube photography shot was taken at the Annsville Paddle Club in Peekskill, NY. The round shape behind the model was created by attaching a flashlight to a soft white tube and spinning it during a 1 second exposure. rpacgallery.com/will-cook

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Resident Artists

13. Succulents Meredith Mulhearn Price: $3,000.00 Oil on Canvas Size: 30” x 40” Part of the “New Light” series. One of my earlier works, Succulents encourages the viewer to experience a common plant in a new way. Seemingly mundane, and despite my greatest efforts to create a raw and aggressive portrayal of these plants, their inherent beauty continues to shine through. rpacgallery.com/meredith-mulhearn

14. James Pesature Stained Class King Price: $3,800.00 Size: 48” x 36” Acrylic on Canvas I started this painting in 2015. It began with a pour but I would go on to finish it by hand, putting in 200+ hours over the course of 5 years. It has served many purposes. Starting as a creative outlet in the beginning, I would later return to it for therapeutic reasons. I finished it during 100 days of isolation throughout the pandemic as it once again became a creative outlet. rpacgallery.com/james-pesature

15. Dylan Miller

Forest in Spring Price: $1,200.00 Size: 36” x 26” Limited Edition Macrophotography Print on Mid-Gloss Metal A lush forest is formed in only days as snowdrops break through the thawed soil. Although young, the forest is already thriving with greenery and life. It is vast for those that inhabit it. rpacgallery.com/dylan-miller

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16. The Flash Domenic Colabella Price: $750.00 Size: 36” x 24” Photograph Print on High-Gloss Metal Domenic Colabella uses his camera as an extension of his eye. When he sees a moment, the light is right, the subject is interesting, he captures that moment with the lens. rpacgallery.com/Domenic-Colabella

17. Uncertain Ground Dee Dee Perrone Price: $1,500.00 Size” 16” x 20” Multimedia on Glass This piece was inspired by a poem called Cracked Ice. The poem speaks about how living life is like walking on cracked ice. That every decision either brings you closer to safety or danger; that life is uncertain. A girl sits quietly as the ground is cracked beneath her and even though she is calm, there is the uncertainty of future represented by the angle wings in the distance.. rpacgallery.com/DeeDee-Perrone 18. No Limits Andrea Rowan Price: $4,500.00 Size: 40” x 30” Oil on Canvas Be your true authentic self. Opportunities for personal growth are out there. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. rpacgallery.com/andrea-rowan

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RIDGEFIELD CULTURE

You Are Here...

Ridgefield Becomes the First “Cultural District” in the State

hile we all know that Ridgefield is overflowing with arts & culture, the state has now given our town a standing ovation. Ridgefield has been designated as the first “Cultural District” in Connecticut! This designation recognizes that our town has an artistic and economic center of cultural activities that makes it extraordinary. From historical to contemporary, Ridgefield has it all. Some of the sites within the new Cultural District are the Keeler Tavern Museum, Ridgefield Playhouse, ACT (A Contemporary Theater), The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Theater Barn, Guild of Artists, West Lane Inn, Ballard Park, Thrown Stone Theater Company, RPAC Art Center and Academy, and RPAC Gallery. “The people of Ridgefield have long appreciated the abundance of arts and culture in town. We are thrilled that the state also recognizes all that Ridgefield has to offer, by giving us the first Cultural District designation,” stated Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of the Town of Ridgefield. The first-in-the-State Cultural District will help to promote tourism, encourage artists and creative businesses, strengthen the distinctive character of our Town, highlight the culture and history of our community, and contribute to the state’s cultural assets. With this new designation, Ridgefield’s Cultural District will be promoted and marketed by both the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the town. “Receiving the first Cultural District designation in the state not only spotlights how many exceptional cultural wonders we have in our town, but also highlights the teamwork of the arts & culture for-profit and nonprofit organizations that worked together to submit and promote the town’s application for the designation to the state,” explained Glori Norwitt, Commissioner

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It’s Official I

n 2018, Ellen Burns, co-owner of the downtown Ridgefield bookstore “Books on the Common,” approached then-State Representative John Frey with an idea she had learned from a friend in Massachusetts; pass a law which allows cities and towns to apply to the state to be designated as a “Cultural District” if they met certain specific criteria, such as having a walkable area of concentrated cultural venues. Mr. Frey researched the matter, wrote a bill and garnered public support. The bill subsequently was approved and became effective in October 2019. In December of that year, on behalf of the town and the Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC), ECDC Secretary Glori Norwitt began organizing materials to apply, although the process soon slowed down due to the Covid19 pandemic. Per the process requirements, an Advisory Council Subcommittee was formed, comprised of a diverse mix of town organizations and businesses, with representation from the Board of Selectmen (BOS), the Historic District Commission, the Ridgefield Arts Council, the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, the Ridgefield Playhouse, the Ridgefield Library, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Thrown Stone Theater Company, the Ridgefield Historical Society, the Ridgefield Guild of Artists, TownVibe Media, and the West Lane Inn.

Governor Lamont speaks at the cultural district designation celebration and the unveiling of the official logo.

and Secretary of the Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC), who organized the Town’s efforts. The ECDC plans to market this new Cultural District, and encourages all businesses and organizations within it to do the same. Signs will be placed on the north and south side of Main Street, and perhaps in other locations, to mark the Cultural District for visitors. This new designation will be valuable for tourism both locally and in the region. The ECDC hopes that the State’s formal acknowledgment of the plethora of activities and sights in Ridgefield will encourage visitors to stay for a weekend, instead of just one night. Theaters, museums, shops, galleries, superb restaurants, and countless outdoor activities including hiking and biking…there’s just too much to do!

A Public Hearing was held in August 2020 during a BOS meeting, where the BOS voted unanimously to support the ECDC’s Application to the State. The CT Office of the Arts later had a “virtual visit” with the Advisory Council Subcommittee, First Selectman Rudy Marconi, and the ECDC, which included a virtual walking tour of the proposed Cultural District. The virtual tour can be viewed at vimeo.com/509357299

“It’s like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” says ECDC Chair Geoffrey Morris. “It’s a significant accomplishment for the town.”

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THE BUSINESS OF ART • by S. McGee

Is This The Future of Art Ownership?

recent art piece sold for $69 million — while that may be reason enough to raise an eyebrow the fact that it was a purely digital piece was the real reason for the importance of the event. By being purely digital the ownership and provenance can be permanently recorded on a blockchain (A transparent, persistent, absolute digital ledger that records information that makes it impossible to change, hack or cheat the system). Wikipedia defines a non-fungible token (NFT) as a unit of data stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain that certifies a digital asset to be unique and therefore not interchangeable.

NFTs can be used to represent items such as photos, videos, audio, and other types of digital files.” An esoteric definition to be lost on most people and surely does not allude to the fact that one would sell for $69m at Christie’s such as Beeple b. 1981, EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS, pictured above. Traditionally, physical art ownership is determined by possession of the specific piece of art with validation done by a licensed professional to attest to its authenticity. Digital art is evolving and with it the challenges of what determines authenticity, which is an issue when digital works can be copied so easily. An NFT defines

ownership through an entry in a ledger as opposed to physically owning an original tangible piece of Art. So regardless of the number of digital copies, there is only the designated token owner or owners (such as in a limited number of prints) as shown in the immutable digital ledger (blockchain). Ownership of this type can be easily transferred through a sale or gifting simply by having the current owner of record passing the ownership to the new owner on the blockchain. The blockchain

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Non-Fungible Token

then records each ownership as a transaction so that not only the current owner is known but also the history of ownership. It is this history of ownership that makes it very exciting for the original artists. As by the use of smart contracts (also known as digital agreements), which work on top of the blockchain interacting with it, future sales of the same work can be set up to pay the creator a fixed amount of each new sale. Thus, the original artist can benefit from their work on all future sales hence thus

providing royalties in perpetuity. Thus far we have been discussing digital artwork, so how do NFTs apply to the physical world of paintings, sculptures, and other mediums? This is a more difficult question to answer as ownership has now crossed the barrier from the digital to the physical. The concept of creating an NFT as a tangible physical piece of art is still evolving through one approach that has been more widely adopted. Create a digital image of an original work of art and create an NFT

from the image. This would offer the artist many options in which to generate income such as selling it with the painting so the buyers have ownership of the NFT version or sell the physical and keep the NFT to sell by itself. Either way, it is not without risk as this space is still in its infancy with fraud and theft of digital assets a rising concern. With the introduction of NFTs, the artist’s world has become much more exciting, and profitable as this new art concept and ownership mature. RPACartcenter.com • 23

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LAST WORD • by Dee Dee Colabella

Dogs Out? Who Let the

DOGS

Thanks to all our Sponsors Title Sponsor

Exceptional care. Without exception.

Best in Show Sponsors Ridgefield Pet PET SUPPLIES, PET CONTAINMENT & WATERSCAPES

Puppy Kisses & Little Cuddles Sponsors Caraluzzi’s Market Dee Braaten - Keller Williams Realty Loree Egan - Keller Williams Realty David & Lisa Lee - Keller Williams Realty Tama Murphy - Keller Williams Realty Victor Vescera - Keller Williams Realty Amy Mosley - Keller Williams Realtyr Matt Rose - Keller Williams Realty Debi Orr - Keller Williams Realty Main Street Florist & Gifts Redding Veterinary Hospital Anonymous Brandy Perrone PetValu

rtFul let the dogs out! ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative is a non profit that supports the artist community. ArtFul provides scholarships for art students and subsidized programs for working artists who can apply for studio space, materials and promotional dollars. ArtFul’s inaugural public art event is the Bow WOW Art Dog event. You will notice these lovable pooches “beggin’ ” for your attention around town. Thanks to our sponsors and artists, we can lead all of Ridgefield and it’s visitors on a walking tour to find their favorite Art Dog. Maps are available around town and in RPAC Gallery. Each artist who created one of these “Bowutiful” art dogs was chosen by their sponsor to create a one-of-a-kind themed dog statue. Each dog has been placed around town for the summer months. We wonder, who is your favorite dog? Take a picture with your phone and tag ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative @artfulgives on Facebook or Instagram for your chance to win a painted pooch of your very own! In September, the dog statues will “fetch” a good “fur-ever” home at the Leader of the Pack Auction at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Want to adopt one of these dog statues yourself, it’s easy! Simply look for the QR Code on the Sponsor Plaques and you will be led to the auction site. Having trouble, stop by RPAC Gallery and they will assist you. “SQUIRREL!!!” As the summer progresses, you will get notification if someone is trying to snatch your pooch from under your paw! All proceeds from the auction will go to the following organizations. ROAR Animal Shelter, Ridgefield Guild of Artists and ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. Find out more by “sniffing” your way to artful-gives.org or email us with inquiries, info@artful-gives.org.

“Tiffany” was created by RPAC’s Steve Liker and Meredith Mulhearn for Sky Myofascial Release PT and Wellness.

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Find out more about our mission and how you can support

the arts.

For more information visit www.artful-gives.org Contact us at (203) 894-5609 or email info@artful-gives.org

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Scan To Donate ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative is a Connecticut 501c3 Non Profit Charitable Organization

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RPAC Art Center and Academy offers numerous classes for all skill levels in both Digital Design and Studio Art. In-person and online classes are available.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS GENERAL INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT STUDY PORTFOLIO REVIEW & CREATION RPAC offers a fun and creative environment that allows artists and students a place to express their creativity. Students learn from talented instructors with years of real-world experience while working in a space surrounded by professional artists.

Artwork by: Gail Buggy

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