Noelle Carr painting "Peaceable Hill" at Jesse Lee Day School auction

My painting Peaceable Hill (on left) was sold last night during the live auction Spreading Our Wings to benefit Jesse Lee Day School. This painting was in my "Flowers of Ridgefield" show in 2008, part of Ridgefield's 300th Anniversary Celebration. I was happy to donate the painting to benefit the school. Jesse Lee has been an amazing place for my family, and the staff and teachers are wonderful. Thank you to everyone who made the auction a success, and the staff of Jesse Lee!

Noelle Carr in Bedlam Show at Ridgefield Guild of Artists

Bedlam opens Saturday, April 4 at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. This show is a members show that is meant to showcase the creativity of the guild membership as a whole. My new painting "A Mother's Love" will be on exhibit at the Bedlam show until April 18. Pink carnations represent the pure love a mother has for her child, and that is why they are known as the Mother's Day flower. I painted this flower with that symbolism, and my love for my own children, as my inspiration. The flower was so soft and pure that I chose to stay in that theme throughout the work. There will be an opening reception and party on Saturday, April 4 from 5-7 pm.

Noelle Carr Art Class at Ridgefield Library

This week I taught a class in acrylic painting to a group of 1st - 3rd graders at Ridgefield Library. I love working with kids, and really enjoy their creativity. It is amazing to see a group of children, in the same class, given the same instruction and materials, and how they are each uniquely inspired to create their own work of art. Some were very thoughtful, watching the snow-covered trees through the window and painting a similar scene. Some were thinking about their favorite sport, baseball. Two young girls painted lovely colorful butterflies, while another carefully painted blue curving waves across her canvas. Watching these young people was just another reminder of how much I love art, and all its possibilities.

Lions International Peace Poster Contest

In November I had the opportunity to be a judge for the Ridgefield Chapter of the Lions International Peace Poster contest, along with Emelie Howard and Paul Gervais. Each year, Lions clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. This contest encourages young people worldwide to artistically express their visions of peace. The contest is open to children ages 11-13. I was very impressed with the works created by these talented young people, and their interpretation of the theme "peace begins with me." There were more than 350,000 participants in the contest worldwide and it was a pleasure to be part of a program that encourages artistic expression in young people. To view the winning work, and that of the 24 finalists, please visit the Lions Club website.

Noelle Carr in Festive Home Show at Ridgefield Guild of Artists

My paintings He Is Risen and Sing With Joy are on display at the Festive Home show at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Members of the guild were given 12 x 12" pre-stenciled canvases of birds or trees. Each artist then painted the canvases and donated them to the guild to be exhibited and sold at the Festive Home show as a guild fundraiser.

I painted the canvases to reflect the beauty of a bird at dawn, and of a bird singing. I felt that one was rising, and one was looking up toward Heaven, singing with joy. Please stop by and visit this show. It features handmade goods of all kinds, art, crafts, unique cards and gifts, and it is a holiday shopping experience filled with creative energy and different than anything else in the area. Festive Home runs from December 5 - 21 at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists.

Ridgefield at 300: A Celebratory Year in Pictures

Ridgefield Magazine has recently published a beautiful book titled Ridgefield at 300: A Celebratory Year in Pictures. The book documents Ridgefield's 300th Anniversary Celebration, and is a new part of our history. It really is a wonderful memento of a great year in the town of Ridgefield. I am very pleased that images of some of my paintings from the Flowers of Ridgefield show have been included in the book. Thank you Ridgefield Magazine for putting this book together!

The Gift of Art at Building Blocks Gallery

The Gift of Art opened at Building Blocks Art Supplies and Gallery on Sunday, November 23. The opening reception was well attended by artists, members of the Ridgefield Arts Council, and many other art lovers and friends. The show features 19 area artists, including me, my friends Tina Phillips, Robin Heit, and Amy Bock, and also Leo Ortiz, Janet Iffland, Michele RoFrano, Randy Carboni, Bobbi Eike Mullen, Michael Keropian, Janice Sweetwater, Daniel E. Kosh, Pam Ackley, Melody Best, Bill Moran, Annie Kosh, Mary Gates, Marie Lynch, and Tina Sturge. The show runs through December 28, 2008. Please stop by and view an interesting mix of work.