Earthplace ‘Sap to Sugar’ Program a Sweet Time for All

Earthplace ‘Sap to Sugar’ Program 
a Sweet Time for All

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

3/5/11

Westport, CT – With temps hovering around 60 degrees and the feel of spring in the air, it was an opportune time to break out the tap… the sap tap that is.

Saturday afternoon March 5, Earthplace at 10 Woodside Lane hosted “Sap to Sugar”, an hour-long program demonstrating how tree sap becomes maple syrup and offering samples of the sweet liquid. Other features of the event included a campfire, hot chocolate, marshmallow toasting, a coloring craft and storybook reading. The program was led by naturalist Margaret Ardwin. About two dozen families attended.

“We’ve been doing this every year since 1960,” said Ardwin at the outset of the event. “Kids really love seeing the sap come out of the tree. The campfire is also popular. Today is warm so the sap should really be flowing.”

Earthplace was founded in 1958 as a non-profit dedicated to promoting environmental awareness. The facilities provide numerous opportunities to explore the natural world with interactive exhibits in the Natureplace Museum and over two miles of trails in the 62-acre wildlife sanctuary. The facility also keeps live birds of prey, reptiles and native animals.

For Sue Tobia of Norwalk, attending with daughter Sara, 4, and nephew Jonathan, 7, the program and facility was a real find. “We were looking for something to do on the weekend. This looked educational and fun, and Sara loves syrup. At breakfast, she has more syrup than pancakes. It will be great for her to see how it’s made. This is the first time we’ve been to Earthplace. It’s a hidden treasure.”

The O’Gormans – Matt, Melissa and their children Nolan, 8, and Kaden, 5 – looked forward to the tasting and were happy to be enjoying some warm weather. “Nolan loves maple syrup and wanted to come see how it’s made and try it. We’re getting a little hint of spring today with the warmth, so it’ll be nice to enjoy the outdoors.”

Canadian-bred Ardwin, who grew up making maple syrup on her family’s barbecue, gathered everyone around a campfire adjacent to the parking lot and gave some background about the sap to syrup process.

“Sap comes from sugar maples,” she explained. “We take the watery sap and boil it down so there’s more sugar than water. The sugar the tree made last year is now coming up through the roots. The sugar feeds the tree buds.”

Ardwin said Native Americans were first to discover sap. “They watched animals and woodpeckers feeding on it. Children found the sap frozen as icicles, broke them off and ate them.”

With drill in hand, the naturalist led the group to a sugar maple near the facility’s front entry. “When we tap, we drill about an inch or two into the tree and insert a spigot,” she said. “The tree doesn’t draw sap uniformly. The side facing the sun is going to be flowing more readily and will be the best place to tap.”

As she inserted the spigot, it immediately began to drip sap, and Ardwin encouraged children pressed near to sample it.

“It tastes like vanilla,” said Brynn Fleisig, 4, of Westport, attending with her mother, Wendy Giffords.

Ardwin directed the group back toward the campfire and to a picnic table where small plastic cups containing refined maple syrup had been placed. Elana Faiman of Weston and her son Aiden, 1, took advantage of the samples. “We have it every morning,” Faiman said, “with pancakes and French toast.”

Other attendees like Stephanie Shapiro of Weston and her children Sadie, 5, and Kyler, 10, sampled hot chocolate from dispensers at the table. Kyler found the program particularly informative, noting, “I learned that the sap from the tree is edible before it becomes maple syrup, and that syrup only comes from a sugar maple.”

While half the group sampled, the other half toasted marshmallows over the campfire or split off to quietly read a themed storybook. At each activity station, student volunteers provided assistance. Ardwin explained that there were 22 of these volunteers in total, from grades 5 to 12, comprising a unit known as Earthplace Junior Staff members.

“They come every Saturday for a natural history seminar, provide community service and do some volunteering for us, like helping at programs like this,” Ardwin said. “Most of the kids stay with me for seven or eight years.”

Ardwin stressed the importance of activities like the “Sap to Sugar” program. “A lot kids don’t get out to have fun outside. Very often, they go from the car to the house to the store. This gives them an opportunity to do things with their families and see that being outside is fun.”

Girl Scouts Learn Biz Lessons at Hobbytown Sleepover

Girl Scouts Learn Biz Lessons 
at Hobbytown Sleepover

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

3/5/11

Fairfield, CT – Pretzels, check. Sleeping bags, right. Toothbrushes, roger. Local entrepreneurs and a big old hobby store. Huh?

Call it a Girls Night In, with a couple of twists. The girls in this case were eight fifth graders who are members of Stratfield School Girl Scout Troop 33136. The occasion was a sleepover Saturday March 5 in none other than Hobbytown USA at 847 Post Road. And the entrepreneurs were Kevin Carroll and Steve Mark, inventors of the new dice game Tenzi, who had been invited to introduce the game and share some business insights.

“The girls were dying to have a winter campout – or camp-in in this case,” said Cheryl Eustace, one of the troop leaders. “We brainstormed with the girls and one of them, Grace Vanderlip, thought Hobbytown, which her family co-owns, would be a fun site.”

The format could have been a straightforward one, with some gameplay, junk food and overnight, but it was agreed more value could be injected.

“We decided to teach the girls what it’s like to own a business, run it and be an entrepreneur,” said Celeste Vanderlip, Grace’s mother, a part-owner and manager of Hobbytown. “To add another level, we invited the inventors of Tenzi to make a presentation. They came to the store back in late October with their game and I said, ‘If you can explain it to me in less than two minutes and I can understand it, Hobbytown can sell and promote it, both in the store and through associated events like this sleepover.’”

Vanderlip said the game has really taken off. “We’ve sold over 300 units since October through our Post Road and Stamford stores. This game is a phenomenon, as any age can play.”

Co-troop leader Trish Pavoni said the overnight was very unique for the group. “This is our sixth year with the girls and we always look for a variety of things to do with them. In the past, we’ve done girly girly things, community service, a jump rope clinic, weekend camporees… This is the first time we’re spending an overnight in a retail store. The girls are very excited, and have been talking about working the register and stocking the shelves, and learning about Tenzi.”

Carroll, introducing the game to the group as they sat down at two long tables placed end to end, said, “We had heard that some of the big game companies wanted things with dice. We both bought an odd assortment of dice and went off and played with them. Steve really came up with a good idea: using 10 dice, see how fast you can roll the same number. The first to show all the same number yells Tenzi. We added more elements, like building Tenzi towers.”

As the girls and scout leaders threw down the colorful orange, green, blue and yellow dice and went head to head, Vanderlip shared her excitement about the gamemakers. “How great is this? A Fairfield County business helping a Fairfield County business. And now the Girl Scouts getting involved. What a dynamic!”

Mark pointed out Tenzi’s advantages, noting, “It’s not like the Monopoly syndrome where a game takes hours. Each Tenzi round is done in a minute, seconds even.”

To that regard, Carroll said, “My daughter holds the Tenzi record – 6.9 seconds. Are you ready for the challenge?” The provocation set up a Tenzi frenzy as the girls – and moms – battled it out to beat the clock and Carroll kept time.

All throughout the gameplay, Carroll offered business advice. “When you’re trying to sell an idea, don’t let turndowns stop you at all. But it also takes people like Celeste to have vision and encourage you.”

As the gamemakers departed, Vanderlip initiated part two of the business-oriented sleepover, leading the girls on a tour of her day-to-day activities -- from the moment she walks in the door and turns on the lights and computers, to organization and display of merchandise.

“I’ll tell you a little secret about retail,” she said, as the girls shuffled behind her. “When people come in the door, they never go down the first aisle. Human nature tells you to go to the middle of something. So we put trinkets and impulse items at the front of the store.”

In the storeroom area, Vanderlip noted, “Every day, Fed Ex and UPS comes through. We don’t keep tons of inventory, only what we need. Things come in and go out very quickly.”

It was a worthy lesson in business inspiration and operation that the girls took to heart as they dove into bowls of snacks and candy, a quick bite before bedding down in an alcove of this hobby haven.

ChiFit Program Shows Kids Qigong Practices

ChiFit Program Shows Kids 
Qigong Practices:

Pequot Library hosts 4-session 

pilot for grades 3 – 6

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 3/8)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

3/7/11

Fairfield, CT – They soared like cranes, squatted like bears and stretched like tigers, and in the end, they all felt more energized and relaxed.

Late Monday afternoon, Southport’s Pequot Library hosted the first of four sessions of a program called ChiFit for Kids, designed to introduce children in grades 3 to 5 to the ancient Chinese practice of Qigong. The program was made possible through an Adults & Children Together (ACT) grant provided by the Town of Fairfield that allowed Qigong instructors Julie Moffat and Darryl Manning to offer it to the community as a free pilot. In the hour-long introductory class, fifteen students learned movement, breathing and self-massage exercises and sampled health beneficial foods.

“Literally translated, Qigong means to practice or cultivate energy,” said Manning at the start of the class to participating students seated on the floor around her in the library’s auditorium. “With a few simple exercises, we are going to show you how to keep your energy strong during the day. We will imitate cranes with our arms becoming wings, and we’ll become ponderous bears and strong tigers. We will embody the spirit of these ancient animals.”

The animals Manning mentioned were part of a five-spoke qigong system called Animal Frolics, which also includes the monkey and deer. The system is meant to develop strength, grace, flexibility and balance and provide an abundance of healing benefits.

“We want to learn from what animals do to keep themselves in shape,” said Manning. “You never really see unhealthy animals, do you?”

As a first step, Moffat briefed the group on frequently used terms of the discipline. “’Dantian’ is the word for the most important energy centers in our body,” she explained. “The lower dantian is the area around the navel and pumps energy through the body. The middle dantian is found around the heart. And the upper dantian is found between your eyebrows, like a third eye. ‘Lau Gong’ is the area in the center of your palms. It’s where energy enters. When your palms are sweaty, that’s the lau gong working.”

With a recording of traditional Chinese folk music playing in the background, the instructors led the class in warm-up exercises, having them vigorously jump around and shake their arms to get their energy moving. Then students rubbed their hands together and, once warmed, applied them to each key dantian area.

“Qigong is about taking care of the inside of your body,” said Moffat as she showed the class how to tap these same areas. “Tapping the heart draws compassion and love to the body. Then we brush away any impure qi.”

Following the warm-up, Manning introduced the group to crane movements. The routine involved spreading one’s arms while poised on one leg. The benefits include relaxation, balance, opening the joints and strengthening the heart and lungs.

As they concluded their crane exercises, Manning asked, “How did you feel being cranes? You looked beautiful.”

“I feel a lot energy,” replied Juliette Savarino. “My arms feel like the wind.”

“Now, we’re going to be bears,” Manning announced. “The bear is kind of the opposite of a crane. They have to store up a lot of energy to survive the winter, so bear movements are about keeping energy inside. The focus is on the kidneys and keeping them pure, and on bones and keeping them strong.”

“The bear is also a wonderful teacher of deep sleep,” added Moffat.

The final exercise focused on the tiger, with movements designed to increase strength. As she introduced key gestures, Manning asked, “What do we know about tigers? They’re very strong and courageous aren’t they? The tiger is the most supreme of the animal elements.”

Students flexed their fingers like tiger claws, squinted their eyes and even roared fiercely.

Following a cool-down, students sat in a circle to share how they were feeling and sample ginger tea, radishes and pieces of ginger coated in sugar. The latter provide benefits to major body organs.

“At the beginning of the class, I was nervous and stressed, but now I’m calm and relaxed and looking forward to what we’re going to do in our next class,” said Michael Holtz, 9.

“If you feel stressed during the day, remember your exercises,” advised Manning. “Shake out and reenergize and you’ll be able to focus better in class or if you’re helping your mom at home.”

The balance of program sessions through March 26 will teach Chinese brush painting, healthy eating and other relaxation and stress reduction exercises.

“Ideally, we would like to continue and expand this as an afterschool program throughout Fairfield County,” said Manning. “The whole field of mind body/mindfulness is growing throughout the country. The meditative practice really helps students improve attention span, relax and improve their academic and sports performance.”

“Teaching kids now gives them a foundation for knowing how to take care of themselves,” added Moffat. “That’s what Qigong is all about.”

Children of the American Revolution Holds 85th State Conference

Children of the American Revolution Holds 85th State Conference:

Burr Mansion hosts young patriots, honors Freedom Fighters

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 3/6)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

3/6/11

Fairfield, CT – Dressed in conservative attire or costumes that recalled Colonial times, scores of children from all over Connecticut gathered midday Sunday to celebrate their roots and support the cause of freedom.

The draw was the 85th State Conference of the Connecticut Society Children of the American Revolution, hosted by the organization’s local chapter, the Thaddeus Burr Society, at the Burr Mansion on Old Post Road. In addition to conducting standard business such as electing next year’s officers and reporting on operations, the group memorialized relatives and military servicemen that died over the past year. An additional highlight included a wreath dedication honoring Hungarian Freedom Fighters.

Founded in 1895 by Harriett Lothrop, the C.A.R., a branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is the nation’s oldest and largest patriotic youth organization, offering membership to anyone under the age of 22 lineally descended from someone who served in the Continental Army or gave material aid to the cause of freedom in the American Revolution. Members pledge to carry on their descendants’ work and use their influence to create a deeper love of country, a loyal respect for the Constitution and a reverence for its flag, among young people. In Connecticut, the C.A.R. includes 365 members.

In the fall of 1956, Hungarians, led by students, revolted against the People’s Republic of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies. Over a two-week period, protesters and State Security Police clashed countrywide until Soviet troops crushed the uprising and installed a Soviet-led government. In the process, 2,500 Hungarians were killed and 200,000 fled the country. A monument dedicated to the freedom fighters stands in the Burr Mansion’s gardens.

“Their cause parallels our country’s own fight for freedom, and the grandmother of our state chaplain, Taylor Fischer, was one of the protesters that fled the country and was lucky enough to be relocated to America,” said Teri Fischer, the Senior State President of the C.A.R. “We really recognize any freedom causes while building leaders and citizens and asking what we can do today.”

Each annual conference is themed. This year’s had a pirate correlation to convey the message of “treasuring the past”. It was conceived by Lauren Bacon, 16, State President of the C.A.R. and a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Bradford, who said, “I wanted to get younger members involved in a fun, kid-friendly way, that makes a meeting like this more appealing.” To this regard, a “Camp C.A.R.” room was set up where young children could don pirate hats and enjoy crafts and coloring.

Helping organize the pirate-themed activities was C.A.R. Senior State Chaplain Stephanie Pruitt, 30, who has been a member since she was 10. “My relevant descendant is John Carroll Adams who fought in the American Revolution,” she said. “It’s nice to feel that your family was part of something special and I’m glad that C.A.R. reinforces that importance and connection.”

The registrar of the Fairfield-based host chapter, Betty Oderwald, said her group supports the mission of respecting veterans and instilling patriotism, through a host of outreach efforts. “In the past year, we made Valentines for Homes of the Brave veterans homeless shelter in Bridgeport, hosted a scavenger hunt in the Burr gardens and handed out favors at the town Christmas tree lighting.”

C.A.R. has had a definite impact in the life of 16-year-old Taylor Fischer, who affixed a white rose to the Freedom Fighters’ wreath in honor of her grandmother. “It has made me more interested in my past and what I can do for my country. It’s also good for developing leadership qualities, as we all need to give speeches. And you get to meet people from all over the country and learn everyone’s connections to the past.”

Fellow member Alex Kimble, 11, had a particularly relevant connection to the proceedings, as a descendant of Thaddeus Burr, who established Burr Mansion. “It’s kind of interesting to learn about my own history and meet other people with histories like mine. I have a good time at these meetings.”

Carol Bauby, State Registrar for the Daughters of the American Revolution, stressed the importance of groups like the C.A.R. “It’s a great start for children to learn love of country and good citizenship. My relevant ancestors include Christian Stauffer, who served under General Anthony Wayne and fought at the decisive Battle of Yorktown 250 years ago. It’s important to honor these key ancestors who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Garden Expo Staked for March 19-20 at FLHS

Garden Expo Staked for March 19-20 at FLHS:

Event supports 44-year-old River-Lab environmental 

study program

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 3/6)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

3/1/11

Fairfield, CT – The passionate stand of a concerned environmentalist and subsequent formation of a river basin study program 44 years ago inspired the creation of The Garden Expo, which will mark its 13th year this March.

Presented by the Mill River Wetland Committee, the Expo will be held March 19th and 20th at Fairfield Ludlowe Middle School at 785 Unquowa Road. Saturday hours are 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. Over 90 home and garden related exhibitors will present their wares and services.

The event is a major fundraiser for the Committee’s River-Lab program of environmental study for grades 3-6 in all public schools in Fairfield. Funding provides for classroom materials and activities for students, study-trips to the Mill River and town estuaries, extensive training for study-trip guides and professional development for teachers. Each year, more than 160 volunteers guide over 3,500 children through more than 650 study-trips.

Joy Shaw is the founder of the Mill River Wetland Committee and author of the River-Lab program. A Vassar College graduate with a rudimentary science education, she moved to Fairfield in 1956 and began renting historic Perry’s Mill, which had just been converted to a residence. The original grist mill was built in the 1640s by Richard Ogden but burned to the ground 50 years later. The Perry family, who were living in what is now known as Ogden House, had the ability to reconstruct the building and carry on the business and was invited to trade properties with Ogden.

In 1966, ten years after Shaw settled in the Mill, two local conservation groups arranged for Mill Hollow, a six-acre parcel of land below Sturges Road Bridge and along the Mill River (adjacent to the Mill), to be deeded to the town as open space and a plan for wildlife improvement to be pursued. Little did they know that a town ordinance called for removal of trees along the river’s banks 150 feet out from the center of the river to either side. The removal was called for based on a fear that jam-ups would cause flooding to properties for which the town would be liable.

“Destruction was in process when I returned from a meeting and I ran and stood in front of the bulldozer,” said Shaw. “The operator thought I was crazy and was quite annoyed.”

Shaw managed to get the work suspended, founded the Committee and began studying all the ecology of the land – plants, animals and the history of its use. She decided to create a program for children that would help teach the value of the flood plain in its natural state. She initially approached Mill Hill School, got the principal’s endorsement and trained nine volunteers from the Sasco and Fairfield Garden Clubs to provide study-trips. The River-Lab program launched in Fall 1967.  

Shaw wrote all the initial education materials and, for the first 15 years of the program, trained guides at the Mill while study-trips were conducted in open space across the river. In the late 90s and early 00’s, guides Alex Moran and Anne Weinrod took the lead in revising the materials and program to formally adapt it to the Fairfield Public Schools system and meet No Child Left Behind guidelines.

Meanwhile, guide Gay Gasser conceived of the Garden Expo as a way to raise funds for program operation and curriculum development. “Gardens are usually very absorbent areas, allowing any precipitation to be readily absorbed into the watershed,” said Shaw. “It was suitable for us to encourage gardening to align with our program.”

Now the Expo is a town fixture. As Gasser best described it, “This is a huge group effort – a happy dance for spring. It’s very visual and sensual with food and demos. It’s not like a trade show in a box. We keep it moving and exciting.”

Garden Expo admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Parking, lectures and demos are free.

Curio Cottage Thrift Shop Tag Sale March 11 & 12

Curio Cottage Thrift Shop Tag Sale March 11 & 12

(Appeared in Westport News 3/4)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

3/1/11

Westport, CT – Kicking off the tag sale season and supporting great local causes, the Curio Cottage Thrift Shop’s annual tag sale event has had an impressive rise in stature in its ten years and offers another bounty of quality merchandise this spring.

Located at the Westport Woman’s Club 44 Imperial Ave. headquarters, the shop will conduct its annual tag sale in the WWC clubhouse on Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. All proceeds benefit Fairfield County-based charities.

The sale will offer a whole range of merchandise including furniture, vintage collectibles, china, glassware, housewares, home accessories, hostess gifts, small appliances, linens, artwork and games. Donations of saleable items (in good condition, no clothing) are tax-deductible and may be delivered to the clubhouse on Tuesday – Thursday, March 8-10, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Karen Eickhoff, chairman of the shop, said the Curio Cottage’s beginnings were quite modest. “Back in 1999, a member had an idea to use an existing building space here on the Club’s property to house a thrift shop and offer tax-deductible donations for sale. We pulled items from our homes to stock the shop and opened in June that year in conjunction with the Yankee Doodle Fair, Westport’s 4-day, old-fashioned festival.”

In August 2000, the shop held its first tag sale. “We put a few plastic tablecloths out in the parking lot and placed a few items on them including costume jewelry, straw baskets and miscellaneous kitchenware. We were panicky that we wouldn’t have enough items to sell. I think we made $66 that year,” said Eickhoff.

“It was a humble start but encouraging,” Eickhoff added and, as the shop attracted more shoppers and donors – often curious stop-ins who became regulars – the annual tag sale grew in size and scope.

Six or seven years ago, a decision was made to shift the timeframe of the sale from August to March, which yielded several advantages. Explained Eickhoff, “The timing coincides with the beginning of the tag sale season, we’re not competing with a lot of other events and we capture some great donations as people are starting to do their spring cleaning.”

The sale was also moved indoors to avoid any weather issues.

The sale now commands extensive set-up time and the efforts of a number of volunteers, who give their time generously and enthusiastically. “What used to take two hours to set up now takes about four full days,” said Eickhoff. “There are so many items offered, they’re uncountable. We fill the entire auditorium in the main clubhouse.”

While the shop itself is a permanent revenue stream 52 weeks a year, the annual tag sale is a key fundraising opportunity, which takes in about $7,000 on average. Proceeds benefit over 40 organizations and charities including the Mercy Learning Center, Christian Community Action and Staples’ scholarship program. The Community Services Committee of the Woman’s Club handles the decision-making on funds distribution. “We try to spread it out as widely as we can to all the groups,” said Eickhoff.

At this year’s sale, visitors can expect to find quality items at great prices as well as eclectic unique items that are rarely seen, according to Eickhoff. “This year we received a lot of holiday items for all holidays throughout the year. We’ll also have a lot of wonderful artwork that would look lovely in any home.”

In summary, Eickhoff shared Curio Cottage’s motto: Where Shopping is Giving. “This is a fantastic resource that provides a great community service.”

For more information about the tag sale, call 203-227-4240.

CRASH Lands at Southport Galleries

CRASH Lands at Southport Galleries:

John Matos’ pop art prints to be on 

view thru March 28

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 3/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

3/4/11

Fairfield, CT – You might call it a crash landing, but without any debris or injuries. In fact, the only after effects were smiles and amusement.

The “crash” in this case is graffiti artist John “Crash” Matos, whose uniquely personalized iconic work touched down Friday March 4 with an opening reception at Southport Galleries, 330 Pequot Avenue. Nearly 30 prints in all are being shown in the exhibit, which will run through March 28.

“We introduce a new exhibit the first Friday of every month,” said gallery co-manager Sarah Biggers. “Our advisor, Dr. Philip Eliasoph, at Fairfield University, suggested we book Crash given the popularity of his exhibit at the university early last year. We, as a gallery in conservative Southport, CT, could easily exhibit boats and seascapes, but we really want to be more edgy and surprising. We’ve started showing more contemporary work, which is still family friendly.”

Matos, who gained his nickname after causing a glitch that affected his school’s computer system, got his start in the South Bronx, graffiti tagging subway trains and streets. He took the work mainstream and experimented with oil paints, acrylics, pastels and watercolors to effect unique pop art that puzzles and plays on the imagination.

Matos’ work has even extended to the faces of guitars, which have hence been dubbed “Crashocasters”, spurred on by noted musicians like Eric Clapton.

Matos’ breakout show occurred at Real Art Ways, a loft space in Hartford, CT, in 1981. Fast forward 30 years and the 49-year-old remains committed to his craft and pushing the envelope with his unique expressionism.

Studying Matos’ work, Ryan Drake of Bridgeport, attending with Shawn Rafalski of Fairfield, said, “We both teach at Fairfield University and Crash exhibited there last year,” said Drake. “When we heard about this, we wanted to come and see additional pieces that weren’t included in that show. I like the dynamism, violence, juxtaposition and starkness of the work. It’s very interesting. These are not quiet contemplative pieces by any means.”

Gallery co-manager Katherine Cissel said Matos’ work was a new path for the gallery. “We don’t have anything like him here. I love pop. Lichtenstein is one of my favorite artists. Crash takes that type of work in a new direction and adds his own spin.”

Matos, himself, agreed with Cissel’s assessment. “When I was delivering the work last week, I noticed it’s very different from the current art here. I wasn’t sure it would work, but it blends well. The last couple of months, I’ve had a new resurgence in my painting, which is to be expected at a certain age. At 50, hopefully you don’t have to rush anymore. There’s enough of a body of work so you can kick back a little.”

Matos added, “I think you have to go for it, change up your style. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s never a failure… all a learning process. You stop learning, you start dying.”

Kristen Matos, 17, John’s daughter, was on hand for the opening. “I really love living with a dad that’s an artist, and telling people my dad is an artist. I’m inspired by his work, but right now I’m drawing for fun. My real expression is through dancing, art of the body.”

Matos’ wife, Margarita, was also present and spoke about the artist’s process. “John does his work in his own space, but shows me as he completes things. He says, ‘What do you think about this?’ Whether I like it or not though, doesn’t matter. I actually inspired a piece when we were first dating, that he titled ‘Margie’. That was kind of neat.”

Admiring a piece titled ‘Piece Fire’, Shelly Harvey of Fairfield said, “I know his work and lived in NYC when Keith Haring was huge. That was my intro to graffiti art. Crash carries on the tradition. It’s fantastic to have him in our backyard with his show. I really like his use of color and the comic feel of the work. It’s reminiscent of comics from the 40s.”

Show attendee Tracey Thomas of Fairfield, co-founder of VENU Magazine, said, “I’m a huge Crash fan. We featured him as our cover story in our debut issue. This is a completely different show than the university show, which was three-dimensional and spray paint on canvas. I like the prints, particularly the piece on aluminum. It’s so cool.”

Dr. Eliasoph, who introduced the artist to the gathering, summed up how far Matos has come. “Can you imagine it’s 1968 and he’s running down the tracks with a can of spray paint in his hand fleeing the transit police and now world collectors are chasing him for his work.”