THE ART GUIDE'S FEATURED june 2008 GALLERY :: RUGGIERO GALLERY
Ruggiero Gallery
33 Wall St, Madison, CT
Ruggierogallery.com
As an alumnus of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, owner Kimberly Ruggiero learned to paint in this time-honored tradition. When she expanded her studio to include a gallery, she invited teachers and former students from the Lyme Academy to exhibit their work.
The Lyme Academy, which grew to become a college of fine arts, began as a small community of artists who embraced the tradition of the master’s method of scrupulous observation and dedication to draftsmanship and color concepts. It is a tradition furthered by the arrival of such renowned American artists as Child Hassam, Willard Metcalf and William Chadwick who made this area a center for the American Impressionist Movement. That same level of artistic endeavor and enthusiasm continues today as evidenced by the quality of paintings exhibited in The Ruggiero Gallery, but these classical-realist artists employ a truly contemporary vision in both content and expressions.
Ruggiero’s painterly and somewhat abstract style often finds it way in representations of weathered beach cottages and coastal scenes painted en plein air throughout New England and Florida. They, like her powerful figure paintings, have a sense of serenity and delicacy of theme, composition and color.
Gallery artist Jerry Weiss, an instructor at the Lyme Academy, creates lavish and vigorously painted landscapes and sensual figures paintings. His work on display though June as part of his solo exhibition titled, “Observations From Life: Temporal & Timeless.”
Nationally acclaimed artist, Hollis Dunlap, brings strong notes of drama and eloquence to his still life, portrait and landscape paintings. Evocative color notes, emotional-laden construction and confident execution mark his work.
Other gallery artists include: Paula Billups, Jack Montmeat, Ross Albrighton, Ken Dorros, Andrea Fenn, Robert Schweizer, Adrian Waggoner and Patricia Collins,
“The entire cadre of gallery artists brings an extraordinary level of creativity and competency to both serious collectors and newcomers. In addition, we offer a commission program that features portraiture, landscape, architecture and marine paintings to both individual and institutional collectors,” says Ruggiero.
“The goal at my gallery is to unite fine locally-based artists with the community. For new collectors purchasing fine art may seem unnecessarily intimidating. My goal is to make every purchase an exciting and affordable journey for both veterans and newcomers,” adds Ruggiero.
Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment. The Ruggiero Gallery is located at 33 Wall Street, Madison (behind the Nosey Goose).
Shown Here:
Surf Club Dinner is by Kimberly Ruggiero, Portrait of Anne is by Jerry Weiss.