Local
Light at the End of the Tunnel – in more ways than one!
By Press Release
Jan 10, 2008 - 6:45:20 PM

Due to severe fire damage at the historic Art Place gallery in the Southport railroad station, the exhibition “Ancient Myths; Modern Messages”, prints and paintings by Donald Axleroad has been moved to the Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny Park at 681 South Avenue in New Canaan. Opening receptions are planned for both Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. and the show runs through January 27. As much of Axleroad’s work is inspired by Greek mythology, there will be Greek music, food and wine at both receptions to which the public is invited. “After all we’ve been through, the least we can do is offer opening receptions both days this weekend,” said Mr. Axleroad. The gallery hours are 12–4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1–5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Award winning artist Axleroad had just hung his new exhibition of prints and paintings at Art Place on January 3rd and was looking forward to his opening reception originally planned for Sunday, January 6th. On Friday, January 4th he received the devastating news that the Art Place gallery had suffered severe fire damage, and that only “some” of his works had been saved.

“The Light at the End of the Tunnel” has a double meaning in Mr. Axleroad’s story. Convinced that “the show must go on”, he thought about other possible spaces, his first choice being the Carriage Barn at Waveny Park in New Canaan where he had previously exhibited. He picked up the phone and called Cecelia Barnett, gallery director who graciously offered the space. The Carriage Barn was unexpectedly available through January 27th, the date for which Mr. Axleroad had already secured speakers for a special event in conjunction with his exhibition. The other good news was that when he went to retrieve his artwork, miraculously salvaged by the Fairfield firefighters and stored in the Fairfield police station, he discovered that 38 out of 40 works were in good shape or restorable with cleaning!

The second example of “Light at the End of the Tunnel” will be revealed at the January 27th event with that title, which had been planned since November and is being co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter. Some of Mr. Axleroad’s newest paintings were inspired by his personal encounters with Alzheimer’s through a family member and a loved one afflicted with the disease. He sees a parallel between the tragic figures in Greek mythology and modern day victims of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Both are affected by fate; the challenge of forces beyond human control.

While his artwork calls attention to the plight of Alzheimer’s victims, Axleroad wanted to add a positive note, the latest news on research and what is being done to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. He invited the Alzheimer's Association to participate in a special event on January 27th, the last day of his exhibition when he will host another reception. The Alzheimer’s Association has planned an informational program which includes a dynamic speaker, Dr. Stephen Jones, head of Greenwich Hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging, who will give an overview of Alzheimer’s, discuss results of current research on the disease and promising treatments, and address the question “Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?” The public is also invited to this program during the reception from 3 to 6 p.m.

The program will begin at 4 p.m. when Mr. Axleroad will discuss his work in the exhibition. Ana Nelson, regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association will then briefly discuss the organization’s Champion Campaign, the first national effort to dispel public misconceptions about Alzheimer’s and Julia Bronder, former chair of the Association’s Public Policy Committee, will highlight legislative successes at the State level and plans for the upcoming session. The program will conclude with Dr. Jones who has lectured nationally, served as a TV medical news commentator and was recently named one of the Top Doctors in the region.

Cecelia Barnett, gallery director of the Carriage Barn Arts Center said, “It is a pleasure to be able to provide the Carriage Barn’s gallery space for an important exhibition in the wake of the disastrous fire at Art/Place. The Carriage Barn’s mission is to promote community interests through the arts. In this instance we are not only lending a hand to a long-time member artist and to another area art organization, but also helping to shed light on Alzheimer’s. Don’s powerful woodcuts offer a compelling visual interpretation of the complex emotions of dementia’s cruelty. Using Greek mythology is a fascinating approach to examining a painful contemporary odyssey. He somehow finds the beauty and the humanity in the distress and counters destruction with creativity. With the additional program about Alzheimer’s research on the 27th, the exhibition is all the more important. We are glad to help get the message out.”

For further information call the Carriage Barn at (203) 972 – 1895.

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