The series is an invigorating and buoyant expression of movement that draws the viewer in with explosive color, pattern and shape. The idea for the project formed when Poland, who heads up Mystic Moves Dance Theater (MMDT), a small community dance project utilizing local talent, approached MAC’s Education Director Dawn Salerno about using Mystic Arts Center’s galleries as a venue for dance performances last year. Salerno, who remembered Walker’s winning piece, “Movement”, had the idea to put the two in touch with each other.

“Movement” by Lynn Walker

“Lynn’s piece really reflects the energy that dance has,” Salerno explains. “There are a lot of visual parallels like layering and pattern between art and dance. After I talked to Christine, the light bulb just went off,” she says.

From there, Walker and Poland embarked upon a project to produce a series of artwork and a dance performance that reflect each other.

“When you think about it, a choreographer is a painter with different tools. Both the [painter] and the choreographer are using ideas, one after the other, changing brush strokes or dance movements. The process is the same. If we are lucky, there will be a leap of imagination that will result in an original work,” says Walker.

This is the first time both artists have collaborated on a project like this. Walker’s artwork and Poland’s dance sequence began from a storyboard developed by Walker after a few brainstorming sessions. Once the dance came together, Walker drafted rough oil sketches while watching the dancers perform in rehearsal.

“It was kind of like describing a dance without words. I could do it, but it was going to take thousands of them. I am very happy with what I think is a great expression of the emotional range. This show is extra special. Working on these paintings has been exhilarating. I am very excited to show these pieces, and I am very enthusiastic with the result. I am hoping the feeling is contagious. However successful these works are, they represent a new [level] for me personally.” Walker adds, “I hope someone likes them. I do.”

“Green and Blue” by Lynn Walker

For Poland, the experience also proved challenging but rewarding. “For me, it pushed my limits and gave me new movement,” Poland says. “I am hoping the audience [will] walk away with an understanding and appreciation of how movement begins and how a dance is completed,” Poland says.

Poland’s goal for the dance is to use the intimacy of MAC’s galleries to give the audience and the dancers new perspectives in dance. “There are so many dance companies that perform on formal stages with lighting and costumes, which is fantastic, but seeing modern dance up close is a real treat. Hearing the breath of the dancers and seeing [the performance] without lighting shows the bare bones of what movement actually is. It teaches the dancer how to perform when there is someone two inches away from their face.”

Duet Dancers Sarah Griffin & Amy Holly. Photo by Larry St. Pierre.

Poland, a North Stonington native, graduated with honors from Roger Williams University with a BA in Dance Performance Studies. She was a founding member and managing director of Rocha Dance Theater in New York City. She has choreographed pieces for the US Coast Guard Academy and taught at the Dance Extension, Kiks Dance Studio, and The Writers Block.

Walker, a lifelong artist, grew up in Old Saybrook, CT. She attended Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme and discovered Mystic Arts Center when she studied with Mystic artist Dan Truth. She has been an Elected Artist member of MAC since 1994.

“Rhythm in Color” will be on view in the Liebig Gallery May 10 – June 22. Mystic Moves presents its accompanying dance performance on Thursday, June 6 from 6:30 – 7:30PM.

MAC volunteer Karen Ohren

MAC: Where are you from? How did you come to live in the area? 
Karen: I was born and raised in a small town on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio. I met my husband, had three wonderful sons and lived most of our time near Ann Arbor, Michigan. We relocated to CT in 2007 because of his job and to also be near his family and currently live in the Montville area.
MAC: How did you find out about Mystic Arts Center (MAC)?
Karen: I’ve always been interested in art, especially photography. When I moved here from Michigan, I heard a lot about the Mystic area and MAC. I visited and really enjoyed all the great local artists’ work. I also was interested in some of the classes offered at MAC.
MAC: What do you like most about volunteering at Mystic Arts Center?
Karen: I love being around the art and the artists. I’m always amazed at how creative and talented people can be. At some point, I would love to have one of my photos make it into an exhibit.
MAC: What is it like interacting with visitors at MAC?
Karen: I love talking with the visitors about how they heard about MAC, what they came to see and just before they leave, hearing their comments. Many people say how beautiful the work is, but also how great of a job MAC does choosing and displaying the art.
Every time I’m at the reception desk it’s different. I met a gentleman once that came to take a picture of his grandson’s work that was on display and had won an award. He wanted to buy it, but it had already been purchased! I also met a young man that came to pick up his sculptures thinking that he didn’t get into the show to find that not only had one piece been displayed but two! He was beaming with pride and surprise. I think I enjoy most seeing the families that bring their children in to see the art exhibits. I met a young family from Hartford that just could not say enough wonderful things about the art work and MAC. Their young children had lots of questions for them and me. I’m so glad I found this volunteer opportunity.
MAC: Is there an experience you’ve had so far at MAC that stands out in your mind?
Karen: When I started volunteering at MAC during the “Young At Art” exhibition, I met an incredibly talented young painter with obvious handicaps. Meeting this wonderful artist and her mother was a profoundly moving experience that really helped me to understand the power of art in people’s lives. Although this young artist’s work did not make it into the exhibit, she and her mother spent a very long time viewing the displayed work. I spoke to them at one point and her mother was actually moved to tears because of the amazing art on display. She said it’s hard to believe there are such amazing and talented people in the world, and I more than agree.
MAC: What do you like to do in your free time?
Karen: One of my favorite ways to spend my time is to get out and explore this beautiful state we live in, as well as all of New England, with my camera. I enjoy nature photography the most and this is the perfect place for that. I also love spending time in my yard, watching the birds and occasional wildlife venture through. Spending any time I can get with any of my three grown sons is a blessing. We enjoy dinners, board games and just goofing around, having fun. In the summer, you will find us getting out to one of the beaches as much as we can.
MAC: Are you an artist? If so, what is your favorite medium? (Photography, painting, drawing, etc.).
Karen: I never called myself an artist until moving here to Connecticut. Since being here, I started doing photography and painted my first acrylic painting, ever! I guess I just needed the inspiration of New England to get motivated. I really enjoy trying to capture the world around me with a click of my camera.

“My Front Yard” by Karen Ohren

MAC: Who and what inspires you?
Karen: I find inspiration from many different sources. I love to see how other artists view the world and then compare that with my own world view. A consistent source of inspiration for me is the amazing beauty of the Eastern Connecticut and New England land and seascape.
MAC: Do you spend time in Mystic outside of volunteering at MAC? What do you usually do/ where do you go?
Karen: Yes, I love Mystic! It is always the first place I bring visiting family and friends. First of all I think it’s the rich history, architecture and being near the water that I love most. A wonderful day in Mystic for me would start with a walk through the shops, stopping by MAC to check out the newest art exhibit, then a pomegranate martini and stuffed mushroom at the Captain Daniel Packer Inn. Winding down the day with an ice cream cone from the Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream store and – if lucky – some live music at the Mystic River Park. Of course if the drawbridge should happen to go up while I’m there, that’s even better!

Stop by and say hi to Karen on Fridays at Mystic Arts Center. Learn more about volunteering on our website.

1st Prize: 
“Behind The Old Mystic Mill,” an original oil painting by Dennis Sirrine (Value $3,000).

2nd Prize: 
4 tickets to Garde Arts Center presented event and a $200 gift certificate to Dog Watch Café.

To Enter:
Tickets $10 each. To purchase raffle tickets, visit Mystic Arts Center, 9 Water Street, Mystic. Drawing will be held at 100th Anniversary Gala on June 15, 2013 @ 9:45 pm. Participants need not be present at drawing to win.

BONBUZZ,LORIPETE

SHALOM DORLDORIM

For more information and application instructions, see our internships page online. 

MAC Volunteers Isabella Nowakowski (left) and Maggie Adams (right).