One look at Alanna Fagan's paintings immediately shows that she truly loves art. But much of her joy is tempered since one of her favorite paintings apparently was stolen from the New Canaan Library.
"It's something irreplaceable to me," Fagan said. "It's something I created."
Fagan's "Bay Window," an 8-inch by 10-inch oil painting inspired by a home she has visited in the Bahamas, was taken Friday from the library's H. Pelham Curtis Gallery. Police said the theft occurred at about 3:30 p.m. The painting is one of 17 works by Fagan in her INTERIOR SPACE(S) exhibit. The library hosts eight exhibits a year at the gallery, which was created by the Friends of the New Canaan Library.
Library Director Alice Knapp said this is the first time in the library's history that artwork was stolen from the Curtis Gallery. She said it's upsetting to think someone could steal from the library.
"We are just heartsick about this," Knapp said. "It's a beautiful piece, and it would look great in any living room. But why someone would take it, I can't even imagine it."
Laura Einstein, president of the Friends of the New Canaan Library, said the group would add security measures to protect artwork in the gallery. "It's just horrific sadness," Einstein said. "It's sad that someone would be compelled to take a painting."
A "missing" poster now hangs in the place of the painting. Fagan hopes whoever took the painting will find it in their heart to return it soon. Anyone with information on the painting is asked to call the library at (203) 594-5005.
"It hurts everyone when something like this happens, " Fagan said.
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