Spectrum Art Gallery

This creative writing class invites participants to explore their personal experiences, dreams, and reflections on life through short stories, poetry, and personal essays. Whether you want to write about past adventures, future aspirations, or cherished relationships, this class will guide you with fun exercises that make storytelling accessible and enjoyable. Techniques and exercises used in class will be memory mapping (turning life events into stories); sensory writing (using the five senses to bring stories to life) and character building (drawing inspiration from real-life people). Suggested material list available upon registration. Dates: Sunday, March 30; April 6, 13, 27 and May 4th

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting.  Class includes demos and structured exercises.  Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home.  Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class.  This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration.  Instructor will work with you at your level even if you have taken watercolor in the past.  Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing […]

This creative writing class invites participants to explore their personal experiences, dreams, and reflections on life through short stories, poetry, and personal essays. Whether you want to write about past adventures, future aspirations, or cherished relationships, this class will guide you with fun exercises that make storytelling accessible and enjoyable. Techniques and exercises used in class will be memory mapping (turning life events into stories); sensory writing (using the five senses to bring stories to life) and character building (drawing inspiration from real-life people). Suggested material list available upon registration. Dates: Sunday, March 30; April 6, 13, 27 and May 4th

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents Good Morning/Good Night, an exploration of the beauty found in the transitions between day and night. From the soft glow of morning light to the mysteries of evening, this show highlights how light and shadow shift throughout the day, inspiring both contemplation and creativity. The exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, March 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, where guests can enjoy fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments. The Open House Weekend continues Saturday, March 22 (1 to 6 pm) and Sunday, March 23 (1 to 5 pm). The show runs through May 3 at Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. This exhibition features both new and returning artists whose work captures the interplay of light and darkness. Among the featured painters is Beth Pite, whose dynamic, color-infused pastels vibrate with movement and energy. Barbara Rossitto explores the interplay between realism and abstraction in her evocative pieces; she works in oil, watercolor and pastel with a variety of subjects, mainly representational. Joining is also Dianne Gorrick, an award-winning artist known for her luminous depictions of the ever changing light of clouds as they move from night to day. […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting.  Class includes demos and structured exercises.  Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home.  Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class.  This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration.  Instructor will work with you at your level even if you have taken watercolor in the past.  Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing […]

This creative writing class invites participants to explore their personal experiences, dreams, and reflections on life through short stories, poetry, and personal essays. Whether you want to write about past adventures, future aspirations, or cherished relationships, this class will guide you with fun exercises that make storytelling accessible and enjoyable. Techniques and exercises used in class will be memory mapping (turning life events into stories); sensory writing (using the five senses to bring stories to life) and character building (drawing inspiration from real-life people). Suggested material list available upon registration. Dates: Sunday, March 30; April 6, 13, 27 and May 4th

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents Good Morning/Good Night, an exploration of the beauty found in the transitions between day and night. From the soft glow of morning light to the mysteries of evening, this show highlights how light and shadow shift throughout the day, inspiring both contemplation and creativity. The exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, March 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, where guests can enjoy fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments. The Open House Weekend continues Saturday, March 22 (1 to 6 pm) and Sunday, March 23 (1 to 5 pm). The show runs through May 3 at Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. This exhibition features both new and returning artists whose work captures the interplay of light and darkness. Among the featured painters is Beth Pite, whose dynamic, color-infused pastels vibrate with movement and energy. Barbara Rossitto explores the interplay between realism and abstraction in her evocative pieces; she works in oil, watercolor and pastel with a variety of subjects, mainly representational. Joining is also Dianne Gorrick, an award-winning artist known for her luminous depictions of the ever changing light of clouds as they move from night to day. […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting.  Class includes demos and structured exercises.  Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home.  Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class.  This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration.  Instructor will work with you at your level even if you have taken watercolor in the past.  Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing […]

This creative writing class invites participants to explore their personal experiences, dreams, and reflections on life through short stories, poetry, and personal essays. Whether you want to write about past adventures, future aspirations, or cherished relationships, this class will guide you with fun exercises that make storytelling accessible and enjoyable. Techniques and exercises used in class will be memory mapping (turning life events into stories); sensory writing (using the five senses to bring stories to life) and character building (drawing inspiration from real-life people). Suggested material list available upon registration. Dates: Sunday, March 30; April 6, 13, 27 and May 4th

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting.  Class includes demos and structured exercises.  Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home.  Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class.  This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration.  Instructor will work with you at your level even if you have taken watercolor in the past.  Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing […]

This creative writing class invites participants to explore their personal experiences, dreams, and reflections on life through short stories, poetry, and personal essays. Whether you want to write about past adventures, future aspirations, or cherished relationships, this class will guide you with fun exercises that make storytelling accessible and enjoyable. Techniques and exercises used in class will be memory mapping (turning life events into stories); sensory writing (using the five senses to bring stories to life) and character building (drawing inspiration from real-life people). Suggested material list available upon registration. Dates: Sunday, March 30; April 6, 13, 27 and May 4th

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting.  Class includes demos and structured exercises.  Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home.  Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class.  This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration.  Instructor will work with you at your level even if you have taken watercolor in the past.  Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing […]

Class time focuses on simple Still-Life set-ups ~a bottle, a bowl with fruit, etc. Objects are studied from a tabletop perspective. How to create volume, depth and weight are introduced as participants investigate the power of thin and thick line applications which help to create the shape and mass of objects. Individual attention will be given to each student at their skill level. In the third week participants bring photos or objects from home to draw in an effort to improve how they see and, therefore, their drawing skills. Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he had a solo show […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting. Class includes demos and structured exercises. Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home. Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class. This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he […]

In this class enter the Art of the Abstract using mixed mediums, fluid acrylics, acrylic ink, neocrayons, pencils and permanent markers. This requires some self-examination and exploration to find your visual inspiration to actualize the art and to create a finished work by the end of the 5-week session. Start with a couple of small 5 x7 mat boards doing fast, fun, instinctual exercises and small expanding scribbles and doodles. Then graduate to a larger substrate and with some guidance go through the steps to complete your abstract work of art. Supply list available upon registration and instructions for caring for your new supplies to use them again and again. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract. These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons. Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe. While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as […]

Class time focuses on simple Still-Life set-ups ~a bottle, a bowl with fruit, etc. Objects are studied from a tabletop perspective. How to create volume, depth and weight are introduced as participants investigate the power of thin and thick line applications which help to create the shape and mass of objects. Individual attention will be given to each student at their skill level. In the third week participants bring photos or objects from home to draw in an effort to improve how they see and, therefore, their drawing skills. Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he had a solo show […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting. Class includes demos and structured exercises. Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home. Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class. This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he […]

Create beautiful botanical illustrations in pen and ink! Each week will focus on a different botanical study. Participants will learn how to observe, and utilize ink to capture the subject matter with detail and accuracy. Colored pencils are used to enhance the black and white drawings. No previous experience is necessary. Come enjoy a creative and fun class! Nancy Bentivegna is a botanical artist who received her training at the New York Botanical Gardens through the Botanical Art and Illustration Program. After completing the program in 2010, she relocated to Boston. For the past eleven years she has been teaching a variety of botanical art classes in Boston and the greater Boston area. These courses are based on the instruction she received at the NYBG and include colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and watercolor pencil. Nancy prefers to work in watercolor pencil combined with colored pencil for depth and detail. She does custom pieces for clients both in the Boston area and New York. She recently relocated to Essex and will be offering classes at the Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook. Dates: January 30; Feb 6, 13, 20

In this class enter the Art of the Abstract using mixed mediums, fluid acrylics, acrylic ink, neocrayons, pencils and permanent markers. This requires some self-examination and exploration to find your visual inspiration to actualize the art and to create a finished work by the end of the 5-week session. Start with a couple of small 5 x7 mat boards doing fast, fun, instinctual exercises and small expanding scribbles and doodles. Then graduate to a larger substrate and with some guidance go through the steps to complete your abstract work of art. Supply list available upon registration and instructions for caring for your new supplies to use them again and again. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract. These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons. Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe. While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as […]

Class time focuses on simple Still-Life set-ups ~a bottle, a bowl with fruit, etc. Objects are studied from a tabletop perspective. How to create volume, depth and weight are introduced as participants investigate the power of thin and thick line applications which help to create the shape and mass of objects. Individual attention will be given to each student at their skill level. In the third week participants bring photos or objects from home to draw in an effort to improve how they see and, therefore, their drawing skills. Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he had a solo show […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting. Class includes demos and structured exercises. Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home. Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class. This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he […]

Create beautiful botanical illustrations in pen and ink! Each week will focus on a different botanical study. Participants will learn how to observe, and utilize ink to capture the subject matter with detail and accuracy. Colored pencils are used to enhance the black and white drawings. No previous experience is necessary. Come enjoy a creative and fun class! Nancy Bentivegna is a botanical artist who received her training at the New York Botanical Gardens through the Botanical Art and Illustration Program. After completing the program in 2010, she relocated to Boston. For the past eleven years she has been teaching a variety of botanical art classes in Boston and the greater Boston area. These courses are based on the instruction she received at the NYBG and include colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and watercolor pencil. Nancy prefers to work in watercolor pencil combined with colored pencil for depth and detail. She does custom pieces for clients both in the Boston area and New York. She recently relocated to Essex and will be offering classes at the Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook. Dates: January 30; Feb 6, 13, 20

In this class enter the Art of the Abstract using mixed mediums, fluid acrylics, acrylic ink, neocrayons, pencils and permanent markers. This requires some self-examination and exploration to find your visual inspiration to actualize the art and to create a finished work by the end of the 5-week session. Start with a couple of small 5 x7 mat boards doing fast, fun, instinctual exercises and small expanding scribbles and doodles. Then graduate to a larger substrate and with some guidance go through the steps to complete your abstract work of art. Supply list available upon registration and instructions for caring for your new supplies to use them again and again. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract. These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons. Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe. While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as […]

Class time focuses on simple Still-Life set-ups ~a bottle, a bowl with fruit, etc. Objects are studied from a tabletop perspective. How to create volume, depth and weight are introduced as participants investigate the power of thin and thick line applications which help to create the shape and mass of objects. Individual attention will be given to each student at their skill level. In the third week participants bring photos or objects from home to draw in an effort to improve how they see and, therefore, their drawing skills. Material list available upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he had a solo show […]

This class provides step-by-step instruction for those seeking the fundamentals of watercolor painting. Class includes demos and structured exercises. Participants learn color mixing, dark and light and basic color theory principles. Different brush stroke techniques are addressed for specific effects i.e. wet on wet & dry stubble applications. Participants paint from still life setups and/or photo references from home. Everyone is encouraged to work on an ongoing painting at home to help solidify techniques learned in class. This piece may be brought into class on the last day for an open critique session. Material list sent upon registration. Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design. Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist. He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he […]

Create beautiful botanical illustrations in pen and ink! Each week will focus on a different botanical study. Participants will learn how to observe, and utilize ink to capture the subject matter with detail and accuracy. Colored pencils are used to enhance the black and white drawings. No previous experience is necessary. Come enjoy a creative and fun class! Nancy Bentivegna is a botanical artist who received her training at the New York Botanical Gardens through the Botanical Art and Illustration Program. After completing the program in 2010, she relocated to Boston. For the past eleven years she has been teaching a variety of botanical art classes in Boston and the greater Boston area. These courses are based on the instruction she received at the NYBG and include colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink and watercolor pencil. Nancy prefers to work in watercolor pencil combined with colored pencil for depth and detail. She does custom pieces for clients both in the Boston area and New York. She recently relocated to Essex and will be offering classes at the Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook. Dates: January 30; Feb 6, 13, 20

In this class enter the Art of the Abstract using mixed mediums, fluid acrylics, acrylic ink, neocrayons, pencils and permanent markers. This requires some self-examination and exploration to find your visual inspiration to actualize the art and to create a finished work by the end of the 5-week session. Start with a couple of small 5 x7 mat boards doing fast, fun, instinctual exercises and small expanding scribbles and doodles. Then graduate to a larger substrate and with some guidance go through the steps to complete your abstract work of art. Supply list available upon registration and instructions for caring for your new supplies to use them again and again. Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract. These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons. Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work. Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe. While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as […]