“I knew when I was a little kid that I really liked to draw; I was terrible at everything else,” said Chast, who lives in Ridgefield. “Art is a way to communicate things. My choice was to become a cartoonist. If you can write and you can draw, it’s a shame not to do both.”
Chast’s new exhibition, “Cartoon Memoirs,” runs through Oct. 9 at the Museum of the City of New York.
Along with Chast, over 200 artists and Silvermine supporters attended the arts center's benefit.
“Silvermine Arts Center is a cultural engine that contributes to the art and local communities in the area,” said Rose-Marie Fox, Silvermine's board chair. “It is our great honor to present the awards. Each honoree is a leader in her artistic field and has made a distinct contribution to our communities. We look forward to continuing our effort working together to further expand this vibrant institution.”
Another award recipient, artist Constance Kiermaier of Norwalk, accepted Silvermine’s Guild of Artists Award for her work as an artist, teacher and mentor during the event.
“You heard me when I talked about being the oldest living emerging artist; that was only when I was 80,” said Kiermaier, to an outburst of applause from the crowd. “Now that I’m almost 89, I can’t say that anymore, because you have emerged me.”
Liana Moonie of Greenwich, a Lifetime Guild Member who, together with her late husband, Clyde, was a founding donor to Silvermine’s endowment, received Silvermine’s first Legacy Award.
Moonie recalled the moment when she and her husband made the decision to help establish an endowment fund.
“I was falling in love with Silvermine more and more. It is such an unusual place…I said to Clyde, now is the time to think of Silvermine…it will be for your children, grandchildren, for artists and for the community.”
Moonie said it is important for Silvermine to continue to grow in the community, encouraging others to donate to the fund.
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