Hartford Art By A Hartford Artist

Footguard on parade

Sad City is always happy to support local artists. It's even more of a pleasure when that artist's work is a inspired by and incorporates Hartford. Recently we were introduced to Beth Pite, a local artist specializing in pastels often inspired by what she sees in our city. This Thursday, September 1, the Charter Oak Cultural Center (21 Charter Oak Drive) is hosting an opening, City Place, Beach Place, featuring her works and the works of Alan Bisbort. The opening runs from 5:30-8:30 Thursday evening. For those unable to attend the exhibit will run until September 23.

Ms. Pite is a 30 year Hartford resident who in addition to working in insurance and for nonprofits has been active in the community and local arts. She chaired the Mayor's Commission on Cultural Affairs under the late Mayor Mike Peters, was on the boards of both Real Art Ways and Hartford Preservation Alliance, and served on the board and executive committee of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Ms. Pite was a "Friend of" Betances School for years, mentoring and doing 6th grade field trips, and currently chairs the Knox Foundation making small grants to nonprofits that benefit Hartford residents.

In the art world Ms. Pite's work has been accepted at juried shows at the West Hartford Art League, Mystic Art Association, and the Slater Museum. She has had solo exhibits at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, Reservoir Financial in Mansfield, Studio 33 in New London, France Ameriques in Madison, and Hartford's Butler-McCook House.

The Charter Oak Cultural Center is of course a great place itself, contributing to the community not only with art, but story hours for neighborhood kids, modern dance performances, Spanish theater, gardening, and discussions focusing on current social issues. This is a great event and a chance to support a local artist and a local cultural center while at the same time  enhancing ones culture by checking out some art. Perhaps even adding a piece to your collection. Sad City will certainly be looking for that unique piece to add to our burgeoning art collection. See you Thursday!

The Sad City collection