By Sarah Opdahl

The Candlewood League of Artists, a local, non-profit group of area artists, has spent the colder months holding art demonstrations and open studio sessions at the New Fairfield Free Public Library. While those were well-received and attended events, the artists are now shifting to outings and time in the outdoors for the late spring and summer seasons. A welcoming group, free of dues, they have a membership that hovers around two dozen, but they would delight in more participation from other local artists. The members thrive on learning through art and are continually inspired by each other and beyond.

“We are encouraging our members to go outside and capture the beautiful colors of summer,” Candlewood League of Artists President Suzi Mitchell said. There will also be group sessions to embark on, including “several field trips to possibly do some ‘plein air’ painting” at locations such as Stonecrop Garden in Cold Springs, NY and Donald Kendall Sculpture Garden in Purchase, NY. In addition, Mitchell shared that the group is planning “plein air mornings at CLA members’ gardens – full of flowers, vegetables, and glorious views of Candlewood Lake!”

The artists are enthused about the months ahead with trips planned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to see the Raphael exhibit and the Neuberger Museum at SUNY Purchase in New York to view its collection of American art. Mitchell and others are also thrilled that there is also a field trip planned to Olana in Hudson, NY to visit the exotic home of the famous Hudson River School painter, Frederick Church, and its collection of his landscapes that celebrate America.   

Founded in the early 2000s, the Candlewood League of Artists went into a hiatus until it was revived in 2017. Their mission is to “provide artists and art enthusiasts of all ages with opportunities to cultivate their talents and interests. We strive to encourage growth and development of artistic talent and appreciation of the fine arts, which we believe will have a positive impact on the Candlewood Valley area.” All types of fine artists are welcome to join—the current group includes primarily painters and sketch artists from New Fairfield, Sherman, and Danbury.

The group is financially backed by grants that were given by the late local artist Barbara Goodspeed of Sherman and an anonymous donor in New Fairfield. They are self-sustained and fall under a portion of the New Fairfield Community Foundation. Though expenses are few, they do hope to acquire the right studio space in the local area in the future. They also offer scholarships to high school students.

Watch the Candlewood League of Artists Facebook page for more details about their summer plans. If you are interested in joining, please email President Suzi Mitchell at mitchellinct@hotmail.com.