Combined Gallery Show Attracts Dynamic Artistic Talent

The first was held Wednesday night amid , a scheduling issue that arose after the galleries selected the evening. In spite of the timing conflict, the walk was well-attended by art lovers from Middletown and beyond. 

"I have friends who live in the North End Artists' Co-op and knowing people in the community lets me know more about Middletown.

"A thriving arts culture is really important to making a city a great place to live, especially for young people," said Jesse Newman of Wallingford at the (Middletown Artists Co-op). Jesse's portrait was one of several that hung in the gallery, painted by Erica Hulme.  

At , Melissa Gionfriddo explained 90 percent of her wares were by Connecticut artists.  "I try to meet every artist in person," she said. Melissa is from Meriden.  

The art of the cupcake is featured at , just up the block from Tesoro. 

Artist Patrick Ganino's painting was featured in the Main Street "living room" of , business home of Dmitri D'Alessandro. "It's an opportunity for Middletown to become the entertaining city that it should be," he said.  

Hanging out was Bobbye Knoll, of NEAT, and Tate and Missy Burmeister from .  

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Co-gallery owners Samantha and Rory Moorer warmly greeted guests at their , in the LensCrafters block on Washington Street. With them were Gary O'Neil and daughter Kyle, artists who were featured on the front page of the Hartford Courant on Father's Day.  

"It was nice to hear all the wonderful feedback we received from that article," he said. Gary and Kyle's works are on display there now and soon the gallery will be the location for the 2012 Connecticut Women Artists Inc. juried show, July 1 to 27.  

The North End Gallery Walks will continue throughout the summer and will be held every third Wednesday night, with the next one scheduled for July 18.