Holiday Artist Market – Nov. 16th-17th

The very popular Ashford Area Arts Council’s “Holiday Artist Market” event will be in its 8th year, with more than 20 local artisans both days. With joyful with upbeat acoustic music on the stage, enjoy a holiday shopping experience and see what our ample community of artists and craftsmen has been creating. So much variety and all of it inspired, well-made, beautiful, and unique. Shop local & support our arts community. Continue reading “Holiday Artist Market – Nov. 16th-17th”

A Summer’s Palette – June 29th, rain date June 30th

Our third annual Summer’ Palette will again be held at Westford Hill Distillers. Artists, Live Music, Food Trucks, Drinks and gorgeous flowers in bloom – this event has it all!

Browse through the gardens of this historic property, and talk to more than 20 local artists about their work.
Enjoy a craft cocktail from Westford Hill Distillers while you enjoy a snack  or lunch while listening to local musicians.

Event is free; donations to the Ashford Area Arts Council are welcome.

Michael W. Hughey

 Michael Hughey, a Craftsman and Artist in letterforms and the book arts has had a love affair with beautiful letters and beautiful books since childhood. Originally from Asheville, he lived for many years in NC but now resides in Northeast CT. His calligraphic works are published both nationally and internationally and collected in public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum, NYC, and the Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa, Israel. He feels that even in an age of increasing technology, “…there is, indeed, an important place in human society for the warmth, beauty, and grace that calligraphy can bring to our lives.”

He exhibits note cards, limited-edition prints, and original calligraphy at the Ashford Farmer’s Market. He also teaches both calligraphy & handwriting privately.

Steve Gerling

Steve Gerling has been doing relief woodcarving since the mid-1970’s. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UConn, with a major in sculpture. After school, he was drawn to the additional challenges of relief carving. Not only did an object have to be sculpted but it had to be skillfully distorted
in scale, perspective, and space to create an image convincing to the viewer.
Traditionally, most relief work was intended as decoration or embellishment to works of architecture or fine cabinetry. Steve chooses to make the carving the primary object. While much of the work were objects of fine woodworking, using them as a utilitarian frame, the main focus of attention has always been the carving.

Contact Steve via email.

Joe Burger

After retiring from a Mechanical Engineering career in 2009, I began my art journey with drawing and painting classes with a number of local instructors. I dabbled in pastel, oil, and colored pencil, but my preferred medium is watercolor, and my works are usually in the traditional realistic style. I belong to a number of art groups and am grateful for the many friends and acquaintances that art has brought my way. Sometimes I do commissions, everything from fighter jets to homesteads to puppy portraits and anything in between. Currently I teach watercolor at the Windsor Locks Senior Center.   

“The Vermonter,” traveling northbound over the Warehouse Point railroad bridge.
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 20 x 26

“Wave Watchers,” a scene on a Florida beach.
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 23 x 19
Price:  $250

“Somethin’ Fishy,” a work boat returning with the day’s catch.
Medium: Watercolor
Size:  26 x 21
Price:  $300


“The Art Show”
Medium: Watercolor
Size:  14 x 18, framed
Price: $270

“Old Dogs,” buddies on Crane Beach in Ipswich MA.
Medium: Colored Pencil & Watercolor
Size: 14 x 17
Price:  $500

“The Ocean Calls,”
Medium: Watercolor
Size:  16 x 20, framed
Price:  $300

“Glory Days,” a Lockheed Super Constellation in Lufthansa markings.
Medium: Watercolor
Size: 39 x 14
Price:  $400

To purchase originals or prints, please contact Joe directly.
Click on a pic above to see slideshow.

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