Ridgefield Arts Council's The Generator to be held September 25 at Whip Salon

The Ridgefield Arts Council invites local artists and creative professionals to the next installment of “The Generator.” The networking event will feature three speakers discussing their respective artistic endeavors, and will be held at 7:30pm, Monday, September 25^th at the Whip Salon.

During the event, artists, writers and performers gather with the goal of learning, sharing, and networking with others to enhance both their creative process and their careers.  The events are managed via the website Meetup.com and feature innovative speakers, arts demonstrations and presentations geared toward the creative community.  

Ellen Gordon, a Stamford based mixed media artist, will be discussing her creative process and will bring in work samples and drawings and talk about how the magic happens. Gordon holds an undergraduate degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from Baruch College, NYC.  She has exhibited regionally and is the recipient of many awards, including Best in Show 2013 in the 96th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Bendheim Gallery of the Greenwich Arts Center and the 2009 National Faber Birren Color Award Exhibition at the Stamford Art Society as well as the George W. McClellan Award for Watercolor from the Greenwich Arts Society at the Flinn Gallery in 2011.

Alexa Donaldson, owner and director of Sharps and Flats Conservatory in Ridgefield, will be discussing how music crosses cultural boundaries and its ability to bring humanity into focus.  Alexa studied cello and opera at the University of Rochester, the Eastman School of Music and Historical Musicology at Hartt School of Music, where she has taught courses in Opera and Music History. Alexa is a member of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra's Board of Directors.

Emily Ranson, Makeup Artist of Whip Salon, will discuss the creative process and the art of creating a client's makeup look. There's so much more that goes into it than meets the eye! Ranson began her career using her self-taught skills on friends and family and later trained at Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School, using her knowledge and education on hair to expand her expertise in styling and creative color as well as makeup application. Ranson has worked at a total of 6 salons throughout her career, all in various areas of Connecticut

Following the brief presentations, members of The Generator will be encouraged to mix and mingle with presenters and each other.  Creative types who live in and around Ridgefield are welcome to attend.  Cost of attending The Generator is $5 for pre-registration (via meetup.com/The-Generator-Ridgefield-CT) or $10 at the door, which covers the cost of wine and light snacks.

The Whip Salon is located at 23 Governor Street in Ridgefield. For more information about the Ridgefield Arts Council, visit their Facebook page.