The Absolut Gallery at the Inn at Newtown presents an exhibition of acrylic paintings and limited edition prints by New Milford's own Chris Osborne. The show, entitled "Starlight Drive", consists of a series of legendary Hollywood stars, and music icons, with the cars they owned, drove, appeared in film with, or wrote about in prose or song.
This exhibition will open on Sunday, February 17 and run through April. The public is invited to the opening reception on February 17 between 2pm and 4pm. Entertainment will be provided by saxophonist Matt Garrison and Guitarist Dave Kain. Free hors d'oeurvres and themed cocktails will be served.
Artist Chris Osborne is a Recipient of the 2007 National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic (NSPCA) Prize, the Classic Car Club of America 2003 Fine Art Award of Excellence, and the Glenmoor Gathering (Ohio) 2007 Best of Show award.
In "Starlight Drive" Chris Osborne pays homage to the American automobile by way of the art of portraiture. "There are key things in American culture that absorb my attention, the fabulous cars of decades past, the colorful people who drove them, the Hollywood Golden Age, and the true American musical genres, Jazz & Blues. Any combination of these elements may appear in my work. After exhaustive factual research and the use of figurative models, I like to apply an imaginative view of history, bringing to the present a candid moment in time shared with the viewer."
Gallery sales on art commissions will be donated to 'HEALING NEWTOWN', a Newtown Cultural Arts Commission project in association with the Cultural Alliance of Western CT & CT Office of the Arts... healingnewtown.org
Opening Reception Entertainment will be provided by Saxophonist Matt Garrison with Guitarist Dave Kain.
Matt Garrison
With confidence, lyricism, and a tonality that is suffused in warmth, saxophonist Matt Garrison fervently pursues the art form of jazz as reflected in his own words, "I like to think that I am a translator of sorts. A jazz musician, in my opinion, is supposed to interpret the world around them and convert those situations and feelings into music." This is the essence of Garrison's voice and music.
Dave has appeared on The Classic American Guitar Show and has appeared twice on WVOX radio as a featured artist. Dave's music is also about to be published in a book entitled The Jazz Guitarists Fakebook alongside other guitarists Sheryl Bailey, Jack Wilkins, Leni Stern, Doug Wamble, and Jesse Van Ruller. Dave formed the Dave Kain Group to create a jazz band that would not be restricted to playing jazz standards but instead could flex its muscles with original jazz music.
Free hors d'eurvres and themed cocktails will be served courtesy of Executive Chef Carlos Marquez and Absolut Vodka. Special Cocktails themed to the event have been created by the Absolut Mixologists, including the Newman Sting, the McQueen Bullet, and Sex On The Backseat.
Chris Osborne has exhibited widely in galleries and art associations in the Northeast and New York City, along with invitational exhibits at annual Collector Car events such as the Kruse Auction in Auburn, Indiana, the Louisville Concours d'Elegance, the Hamptons Concours d'Elegance, the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles, the Las Vegas Concours d'Elegance, the Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, and the Classic Car Club of America annual gathering in Hickory Corners, Michigan.
Chris was the CCCA poster artist for 2005, and the 2011 Dayton Concours poster artist. In April & May of 2006 the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum and Kruse Museum in Indiana exhibited her work in a solo show. The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists honored her with a 2010 Award of Merit.
The Inn At Newtown: The Social Center of Town
The Inn starts with a sense of obligation to their neighbors in Newtown. The Inn occupies a historic setting in the center of town near the flagpole and next to the library. It is the geographic center of town and The Inn strives to be the social center of the town as well; a place people can happily go for a drink with friends, or a quick lunch, or a fine leisurely dinner; a place to celebrate special occasions or hold meetings; a trusted venue to have family and friends stay overnight.