Close your eyes. Darkness pervades and limits perception. Now slowly open your eyes. You will easily be amazed by the plethora of impressions you encounter, the swirl of colors, the magnificence of nature, the reflection of life brimming with excitement. Whether you are outdoors observing the sunny smiles of daffodils, the vibrant budding of new life on cherry blossom trees, the wispy white transparency of clouds or indoors observing a bookcase crowded with volumes of adventure, your cat curled in a sun warmed patch under a window or a favorite vase brimming with a kaleidoscope of rainbow hues, you will be suitably amazed by the world you see.
For the grand inventor, painter, scientist, mathematician and all around Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci, light was a challenging property he studied in the sun and the planets, artwork, snow on the mountains, simple shadows on windows and trees, with the human eye examining light in all its wondrous complexities.
For the 28th year the Eli Whitney Museum is holding its amazing Leonardo Challenge on Thursday, May 16th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its venue at 915 Whitney Avenue, in Hamden. Each year an object is chosen as the fundraiser’s theme, a deck of cards, a mirror, an ice cream spoon and artists across the country are challenged to create a piece that exhibits that vision, be it a painting, a game, a piece of jewelry, an article of clothing...you get the idea.
This year’s theme is LIGHT and it is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s canon of creations. The evening will include an exciting art auction, live music and a feast of food and drink provided by the Big Green Truck Pizza, Claire’s Corner Copia, Donut Crazy, East Rock Bread, The Soup Girls, Sanctuary Kitchen, J Cakes, Marjolaine, Black Hog Brewing Co. and The Wine Thief. Music will be provided by Cliff Schloss, a multi-instrumentalist on guitar, bass, drums, tuba, steel pans and vocals.
Proceeds from this unique and special fundraiser will benefit the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop for scholarships year-round for students to attend and learn.
According to Ryan Paxton, the executive director, “ I am very excited about this year's Leonardo Challenge. We already have many brilliant entries! 3 images are attached below. #12 is an entry from Centerbrook Architects Principal, Mark Simon in collaboration with Industrial Designer/Maker Patrick McCauley titled Seeing is Believing. #5 is a work titled Coup de Soleil (Sunburn) by New Haven Artist Jeff Ostergren. This work interestingly incorporates pharmaceuticals in the pigments. (Pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical-infused ink, pigment, hand sanitizer, and acrylic on Ablify promotional notepaper. #4 is a watercolor by Rita Kelly titled Edge of Woods. I especially like the darkness in the wooded area to the right. I imagine walking to the shaded area to cool off on a hot summer day."
For tickets ($85 and 5 tiers of sponsorship up to $5000), call the Eli Whitney Museum at 203-777-1833 or online at eliwhitney.org/exhibitions/leonardo-light.
Come support a wonderful cause and have a grand evening of celebration of creativity, with a banquet of great edibles, sparkling potables, an auction of artist’s entries and live music. Who could ask for anything more!
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