Special Events at the LAA
Along with our annual schedule of gallery exhibits and educational programs, the Loft Artists host a number of special events throughout the course of the calendar year. Our late summer annual Juried Exhibition attracts over 125 artists annually. Our fall Open Studios weekend event features all of our member artists displaying their work and engaging in conversation with the visiting public. Fundraiser events and off-site exhibits and programs highlight the mission of the LAA as well as the talented artists who support the organization.
Learn MOre about EAch Event
Juried Exhibition
Our annual juried show is open to artists in many different areas of the country. Each year, a prominent museum curator or gallery director is selected to jury the exhibit. The juror determines a theme for the exhibit and helps develop the prospectus. Themes can be more tangible such as portraiture or nature, but also more abstract such as time, space, and memory. Each exhibit features an opening reception with an awards ceremony where the juror selects work of note.
Open Studios
Free and open to the public, Open Studios is a hallmark event of the Loft Artists Association. For many years, we have opened its doors for a full weekend in November. Studio artists are in their studios with completed and in process work on display for people to see and inquire about. Artists without studios exhibit their work in the gallery spaces and are also available to engage with the public about their work and process. Artwork is available for purchase in all spaces.
Fundraiser
Fundraiser events help to raise awareness of the mission of the organization and promote donor support. Cocktail parties, art exhibits and raffles as well as opportunities for supportive donors to speak on behalf of the LAA help to solicit financial support. These events have taken place in private homes, venues such as the Stamford Yacht Club and most recently at Workpoint – Stamford, which included an exhibit of artwork produced by the membership and a cocktail reception overlooking Stamford Harbor.
Off-site Events & Programs
The Loft Artists hosts and participates in offsite exhibits and other programs throughout the course of the year. The Loft Artists have exhibited artwork and offered children’s programs at the Museum’s Spring on the Farm event. Special exhibits have also taken place at venues such as UCONN Stamford, The Bartlett Arboretum, The Palace Theater and Stamford Downtown’s Art Walk. The LAA has more recently offered art classes and workshops for children at at Building One Community in Stamford.
Future Events
In 2022, the LAA will explore the theme of Art and Science. Both art and science are human attempts to understand and describe the world around us. The subjects and methods have different traditions, and the intended audiences are different, however the motivations and goals can often be fundamentally the same.
The artists will explore art and science by creating work that considers these two disciplines that have historical connections as well as future opportunities for increased integration. To capture this theme, each participating LAA artist will invite an outside artist to be their guest and the duo, together, will create one collaborative artwork celebrating the special connections between art and science.