VICKI FRENCH SMITH, PLEIN AIR ARTIST & INSTRUCTOR AT DAC, HOLDS ART SHOW AT TOWN HALL

Local artist and Darien Arts Center (arts.darien.org) instructor, Vicki French Smith is currently displaying her plein air paintings at the Town Hall through October 21st. Smith, who is an award winning oil painter and watercolorist, has studied at the Yard School of Art, Ducret University, Center for Visual Arts, and Silvermine School of Art, and is one of the Wilson Avenue Loft Artists. 

Smith creates plein air landscapes and seascapes in watercolor, oil and monotypes.  Her work has been viewed in boutiques along the New Jersey Shore, libraries, private collections and various galleries. She is co-president of Fairfield Plein Air Painters, a member of the Rowayton Arts Center, and has served on the board of Silvermine Guild Arts Center. Her latest studies of landscapes have been in the Loire Valley, Provence and Normandy, France, and Lake Como and Tuscany, Italy. You may also see her in PBS’ new series  “Landscape through Time with David Dunlop”.

Since she moved to Darien 16 years ago, she has been teaching children, high school students and adults. “Painting and photography has opened a new world to me. I see things through new eyes.  Photography captures the memory and painting lets me relive the experiences of my travels through recreating, reinterpreting and reinventing all the places I love!  My hope is to pass these rewards of inspiration on to others.” 

Smith is teaching “Fresh Applications of Traditional Techniques” on Tuesday mornings at the DAC where contemporary and traditional techniques will overlap, using oil, acrylic and watercolor. Demonstrations will encompass the development of landscape painting for all levels of adult students using their choice of medium.

Smith will also be teaching several workshops including “Modern Day Abstract Expressionist Painting”, “Paint with Your Mom”, and on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 9pm, “Pizza and Painting”, a family night for ages 8 and up. Family members will enjoy pizza while learning skills of master painters. This relaxing evening of creativity will include quick demonstrations on techniques that can include splattering like Jackson Pollack, swirling like Van Gogh, painting apples like Cezanne or following nature like Monet.

The Darien Arts Center also offers many other creative workshops to the professional and amateur artist. Children and teens can take drawing, painting, cartooning and sculpting, inspiring and fostering a lifelong appreciation of art. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Town Hall. To register for art, dance, music or theater classes go to arts.darien.org. For more information on programs, or to purchase paintings, call the DAC office at (203) 655-8683.

 Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit arts.darien.org.