New London Art Stroll highlights talents of local artists

New London ― New London resident Julia Tunucci on Saturday admired a collection of geometric, brightly colored artwork, called Color Blind, by artist Melody Smith on display at The Golden Owl."They're beautiful. They're really pretty," said Tunucci, who was visiting the New London Art Stroll with her sister Peta Madry. The event featured more than 30 artists displaying their artwork at more than 20 venues in the city.Smith, who is color blind, said she learned how to differentiate colors at the University of Connecticut Health Center. She said for a long time, it was hard for her even to make art because she had been told in school that she wasn't an artist and that the type of artwork she did wasn't good enough.Smith said her artwork makes her happy and helped her find another path, after she fell and tore her ACL. She experienced nerve damage and had to retire from her career as an emergency room nurse. Artreach, a Norwich-based organization, encouraged her on her artistic path, and she also performs in plays and comedy acts.She said it's important to share her artwork and experience with others."No matter how old you are, you can change your direction and you can do what you love," said Smith.Eddie Long, co-chair of the New London Arts Council, said the first art stroll, held last year, drew 17 artists who displayed their work at nine venues. This year's 0.7-mile-long stroll, which the council held in partnership with the New London Cultural District, has grown significantly with more than 20 venues, including businesses, nonprofits, and galleries, and more than 30 artists.He said local artists came up with the idea to create the event.The art stroll creates opportunities for artists to show their work in spaces where they feel comfortable, and also brings people into local businesses, Long said.Sarah Falman-Florez, visual arts representative on the arts council, said next year, the stroll may likely expand to also include restaurants.The Golden Owl participated as one of the venues to help highlight the talents of local artists, said Peter Shoesmith, who does musical bookings and helps out at the store owned by his wife, Wendy Vincent."We're a big advocate of involving as many people in the community as possible, and New London is full of a plethora of incredible artists, and we love bringing them together and really showing their talents," said Shoesmith.Outside the Washington Street Coffee House, Jessica Zimmer, a fine artist and painter, displayed paintings of doughnuts, oysters, and salmon inspired by her love of the coastline, especially dining along the coast.Zimmer said the art stroll is a community builder, and it's nice to go into the community and have conversations with people when the artwork resonates with them.Nearby, Sarah Bishop, artist and owner of Waterford-based Ember Hawk Studios, who had ceramic sculptures on display, said she has done national shows and is excited to be a part of the local art stroll and get to know her community more."I think it's important to share what you're doing with your neighbors and to get involved," she said. Cristin Rivera, a member of the arts council and one of the co-owners of The Annex, which was offering screen-printing and heat press sessions on Saturday, said The Annex tries to participate in as many New London events as possible and she enjoys seeing new customers. At The Annex, Lucian and Gianna Varela of New London were excited about a custom-made T-shirt for their son, Leo, who is turning 4 this month. The T-shirt was in his favorite color, yellow, and said "Love," the first word he learned to read after his name."We're enjoying ourselves," said Lucian Varela. "This is a great event that the arts council puts on, and we're excited to be here." "Supporting local businesses is really important too, especially in New London because we have amazing local businesses here that these kinds of events bring out and just people need to stop by more and appreciate the local businesses," he added. k.drelich@theday.com