Our Current Display: Breathe in Nature by Kirsten M. Walker

I love art, literature and nature and play outdoors as much as possible and this inspires me in much of my work. I wanted to be artist since I was a little girl. 

I graduated from Southern CT State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education. Since that time I have had careers in Art Education, Retail Sales, Freelance Reporting, Nature Education and even as a Maple Sugar Maker. But honestly, my most fulfilling career has been as a wife and mother. My husband and I have been married almost 45 years and we have four grown, married children and 13 grandchildren.

I completed by share of art projects alongside my children, sewed holiday outfits and Halloween costumes, did artwork for community groups and our church. It was fun to create unique one of a kind art works to gift to family and friends too. As the children got older and I had a bit more time to myself, I took a refresher painting course through the Hamden Arts Commission. The instructor, the late Charles C. Gruppe said to me, “Why haven’t you been painting for so long?” I replied, “4 little interruptions.” He laughed heartily. 

Since then I’ve been painting more and more, trying new techniques, accepting commissions that stretch my limits and learning new things. It’s a true joy to share my vision of a scene before me and translate it onto a canvas for others to enjoy. 

Thank you for supporting local artists such as myself. 

– Kirsten M. Walker

Information for Artists about Exhibiting at the Cheshire Library

Art exhibits featuring the work of local visual artists are part of the Cheshire Public Library’s cultural mission. The library welcomes submissions for consideration in the library’s display areas. 

Area artists are welcome to apply, with priority being given to those living or working in Cheshire. Our Art Exhibits Selection Committee consists of four members of the Cheshire Performing and Fine Arts Committee (CPFA) who evaluate works for technical and artistic quality and the contribution to a lively and varied program for the year. Potential exhibitors should fill out the online application and submit it along with 4-6 digital images of works they plan to display. Artists may also include links to their websites or social media pages. Exhibits are generally displayed for one month. All exhibits must be appropriate for family viewing. Children’s programs are held in the Mary Baldwin Room, a shared community programming space. As a result, any subject matter deemed inappropriate may be excluded at the discretion of the art selection committee and/or the library. 

The committee meets twice a year to select art for the exhibits. The deadlines for submissions are December 31 and June 30. 

There are two display areas in the library, a wire grid hanging wall in the lobby and the Mary Baldwin Room. The lobby display area is 12’ by 5’. The Mary Baldwin Room has a hanging system which offers 55 linear feet of space. Paintings may be hung one above the other. An exhibit can utilize both spaces or just one. Artists are encouraged to visit the library to assess the space. 

ART EXHIBIT GUIDELINES