A big night for art in Norwalk

NORWALK — The Artists' Open Studio's newest exhibit, Visions Revealed, opened Saturday with a full house and a record number of art sales. Director Lindsey Esker said the crowd filled the East Main Street gallery for an evening that celebrated local creativity and community spirit. "We had a great time Saturday for our Opening Reception of Visions Revealed," Esker said. "Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate our artists — and to those behind the scenes who helped get everything ready." The studio — which provides a space for adults with developmental disabilities to express themselves through art — reported that 54 original art pieces sold during the opening night, the most ever on a single day since the nonprofit moved to its uptown Norwalk location in 2020. The exhibit features work from more than 40 regional artists, ranging from long-time contributors to first-time exhibitors. Pieces span painting, photography, ceramics and mixed media — each offering a unique interpretation of the show's theme: the inner "visions" artists reveal through their work. Esker said the turnout reflects how far Artists' Open Studio has come since its early days in the late 1990s. In recent years, the studio has received community support through grants — including a $7,500 donation from the Norwalk Elks Lodge — and hosted popular themed exhibits like the Solar Eclipse show earlier this year. "It's inspiring to see this level of enthusiasm for local art," Esker said. "Each exhibit builds new connections and new energy — and this one has been especially rewarding." Visions Revealed will remain on display through Nov. 1 during regular gallery hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Esker added that the gallery is also showcasing a few Halloween-themed works — "spooky, seasonal pieces that fans of fall will love to see, or even take home."