IMAGES features the work of local photographer Charles Ruger and the 4^th Annual Juried Photography exhibition celebrating the work of talented regional photographers.

Charles Ruger studied art history and politics at Connecticut College and Columbia University. He is a self-taught photographer whose work figures into private and corporate collections internationally.

He lives and works in New York City. For more information on Ruger’s work, view his site: http://www.charlesruger.com/aboutthework.html

Come help us celebrate the 20th anniversary season of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival! Enjoy readings by major American poets, live music, writing workshops, poet talks, film and drama, museum tours, Poetry on the Trails, contra dance, book sales and signings, food vendors...picnics are welcome! 

Admission:  OPENING WEEKEND, June 1–3: $10 per person, per day, or $25 per person for the weekend. WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, and August 1: $5 per person, children ages 12 and under free. Parking is free.

Guest poets include: Suji Kwock Kim, Bessy Reyna, B. Yung, Richard Wilbur, Minton Sparks, Toi Derricotte, Dana Gioia, Christian Wiman, Marilyn Annucci, Natasha Trethewey, Sue Burton, Donald Hall and Tony Hoagland.

For more information: http://sunkengardenpoetry.org/

Zoo Patrol is an exciting summer activities program offered for children. Situated on Zoo grounds, children participate in talks and activities with Zoo staff, play animal-related games, and participate in arts and crafts.

Each day’s activities vary and may include preparing an animal enrichment item, going on nature walks, and getting a glimpse behind the scenes.

Sessions run Monday through Friday.

Each week is $130/child for Zoo members and $155/child for non-members.

Week one is for children ages 6 – 8; week two is for children ages 9 – 11; week three is for children ages 12 – 14. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register, please call 203-394-6563.

HUGE 37th Annual Book Sale in Newtown July 14-18 at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane, Newtown.  120,000+ books, CD's,  DVD's, LPs.  All fiction alphabetized by author.  Children's books organized by reading level.  Prices can't be beat, so you can stock up for the summer or the year. Find collectible signed-by-author children's books this year in the Rare and Collectibles Room. Admission of $5 charged Saturday only (17 and under FREE).  Monday (1/2 price day), Tuesday ($5/bag day), Wednesday (Free day).  For more info go to www.boothbooksale.org or call 203 426-4533.

Donate your gently used furniture for the Amherst Survival Center's annual fall used furniture sale! See www.amherstsurvival.org, email furniture@amherstsurvival.org, or call 413-549-3968 x252 for information or to arrange pick-up or delivery. All contributions are tax deductible, and donations will be collected through the end of August so we can set up for the sale at the Survival Center September 7th and 8th. The sale supports Survival Center programs that provide food, health care and clothing to over 4,000 of our neighbors in need in Hampshire and Franklin Counties in MA each year.

 The exhibit uses historic photographs, artifacts, and first-hand accounts to explore 260 years of Cornwall’s relationship with its forests, showing how and why the town transformed from forest to farm and back to forest. The exhibit will also explore changing attitudes about the forest, from the 18^th century view of woods as a source of timber to more recent concepts of the forest as a setting for recreation and as a vital ecosystem.

In the Rio Grande River Valley of central New Mexico and eastern Arizona, the Pueblos, a people spread over 19 communities, continue to practice their ancient art of pottery-making.  Descendents of the Anasazi, the Pueblo People, still use the traditional coiling methods and decorative patterns that have distinguished their work for centuries..

This exhibit compares and contrasts the unique style of each Pueblo community and highlights individual artists who have shaped this timeless craft.

 The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm* and Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm *      *Last admission 4:30pm

All-Star Driver, Connecticut's leader in driver's education, is open in Norwalk! Classes will be offered at the Norwalk location during afternoons, evenings and on weekends. The new All-Star Driver facility is located at 430 Main Avenue (across from Merritt 7 about a mile from the DMV) and is now open for business!

July 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30, 31, 2012

Visit us for story time, a special craft and even an animal encounter each weekday. Free with Zoo admission. Families with children under age 6 are welcome.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo will host Toucans/Two Can Days in partnership with local food banks to help feed hungry families in the greater Bridgeport region. Two can visit for the price of one with a donation of two cans of non-perishable food. This promotion applies to general admission rates only and may not be combined with other offers. Donation bins will be located by the Zoo's ticket booth.

Opening Reception: Friday, August 10, 6-8pm

Artist Demonstration Day: Saturday, August 4^th, 1-3:30pm.

Please see attached images.

The Connecticut Pastel Society, a statewide fine arts organization with national

outreach, is pleased to be returning to the Lyme Art Association for their 2012

Signature Member’s Exhibition.  This juried exhibition of more than 50 paintings

created by the Society’s premier members will be on display and for sale from

August 3 through September 22 in the Goodman Gallery at the Lyme Art

Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. Tuesday-Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday, 1-5pm.

This year’s exhibition will include a first time ever trio Artist Demonstration Day

on August 4^th, 1:00-3:30 pm.  The public as well as fellow artists are encouraged

to attend this free opportunity to see how a painting comes to life.  You will have

the opportunity to either experience a still life demonstration by Alain Picard,

a cityscape by Janet A. Cook and a macro landscape by Karen Israel.  The

artwork created by these three well known artists, will be graciously

donated and offered for sale at our premier silent auction throughout the six weeks of the

exhibition.  Bids will commence at the Opening Reception on August 10th at 6 pm

and end at 4 pm on the final day of the exhibit, September 22^nd.  Bids will be accepted

throughout the exhibit, either on the auction bid sheet accompanying the

paintings or by phone to the LAA at 860-434-7802.  All proceeds

from the auction will benefit the Connecticut Pastel Society.