"Come Celebrate our NEW STUDIO"

Annual Holiday Trunk Show and Open House @ Luckey & Merrill Studio  181 Main Street, Branford

December 14 Prosecco & Pizza Party! 5 - 8 pm December 15 Open House 10 am - 4 pm

Open Studio and Trunk Show featuring Owen Sea Luckey, a textile artist and Kristin Merrill, a jeweler and sculptor. While the lines and structure of Owen Sea Luckey's creations are familiar she pushes the boundaries of what you expect, incorporating holes, bright pops of color and funky embellishments.Those eclectic interests and skills weave together to become RE-DO, a line of whimsical re-imagined sweaters. Luckey transforms recycled garments into wearable art using traditional craft techniques— knitting, felting, sewing, embroidery. Each one-of-a-kind sweater enjoys unique embellishments: antique buttons; repurposed fabrics; hand-knit accents."I love to create one-of-a-kind pieces that people can't wait to wear, " Owen says. Kristin Merrill's sculptures incorporate pieces of driftwood indigenous to the Short Beach shoreline. To them she adorns pearls, hand-cast sterling elements, copper and symbolic found objects. "The driftwood goes through a metamorphosis at the end of its life and falls into the sea, and finds its way to the shore. By resurrecting it in my sculptures, I create a new phase in its life". The same transformation echoes in her jewelry, where individual elements - sterling silver, semiprecious stones, amber, pearls, and driftwood - join together to become something new and different. Celebrate both artist's new studio at an opening "Prosecco & Pizza!" party on Friday, December 14 from 5 to 8 pm. Open House Saturday, December 15 from 10 am to 4 pm. December hours are December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20 from 10 am to 2 pm, or by appointment. Free and open to the public. 181 Main Street, Branford. 203-481-1100. www.owensealuckey.com, www.kristinmerrill.com

Dear Friends:

Don't forget to come visit us this weekend at our NEW STUDIO located at 181 Main Street, Branford (across the street from Richlin). Kristin  and I  are two of the 47 artists from Branford, Guilford and Madison that are participating in the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 17 & 18. Please join us in our from 10 am to 4 pm each day.  We are #1 on our brochure map. Artists will be showing works in cut paper, engraving, fiber, found objects, glass, goldsmithing, jewelry, metal, paint, pastels, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, stained glass, and textiles in their studios. 

During Open Studios Weekend, the distinctive yellow “Open Studio” signs will point you to all of these artists and studios. For specific locations and more information about events, discount offers and participating artists, pick up a copy of the Shoreline ArtsTrail map, available in libraries, town halls and visitors’ centers in Branford, Guilford and Madison, as well as at the Guilford Art Center and the various studios or email me and I will mail you a copy. Visit  www.shorelineartstrail.com and its sister blog for more information.

We hope to see you! Owen

Thomas W Luckey -Obituary

Thomas Walker Luckey, an artist, sculptor and architect renowned for his one-of-a-kind climbing sculptures, died Sunday, August 19 at Yale New Haven Hospital at the age of 72 from complications of pneumonia. A graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, Tom’s fascination with movement and his desire to create positive spaces inspired a diverse portfolio including merry go-rounds, a convertible staircase/slide, and the iconic “Luckey Climbers” that have delighted children and adults alike, in cities across America and the world.

Tom Luckey was a visionary, a creative genius, a legendary optimist, an exuberant showboat, and an infamous fun-maker. He was an avid collector of friends, regardless of age; all that mattered was whether you were willing to take a leap with him towards his ultimate goal: superlative joy.

Tom was born on January 6, 1940 in Quantico, VA, on the Marine Corps base where his family was stationed. His parents were Cary Dabney Walker and Robert Burneston Luckey, Lt. Gen. USMC. His grandparents were General Merriwether Lewis Walker and Edith Colby Carey (maternal) and George B. Luckey and Alice Owens (paternal). Tom was the quintessential military brat, moving frequently throughout his childhood.

Even in those early years, Tom showed a unique ability to envision and bring to life imagined forms. He was always working with his hands and led by his dreams. From simple carvings, he built up to larger projects including a little cottage on Martha’s Vineyard, which he built when he was 16. He eventually settled in Branford, CT, where he subjected his house to imaginative additions and modifications for more than 35 years.

Throughout his career, Tom welcomed challenges and was stimulated by obstacles. He embraced uncertainty in his art and adapted to unanticipated hurdles. Most recently, he suffered a tragic accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.  This was a change in his life most would find impossible, but Tom was often heard to say that “falling on my head was the best thing that ever happened to me.” It was a brave statement that he somehow made believable with his remarkable wit and optimism. Indeed, his career took off and his social life flourished during the final chapters of his life, testament to his remarkable talent and insatiable curiosity.

Tom leaves behind his second wife, Ettie Minor Luckey, and their children, daughter Kit and son Walker, as well as two older children, daughter Owen and son Spencer from his first marriage to Elizabeth M.Possidente. He is also survived by his sister, Laura, brother, William, and three grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 8, 3:30 p.m. at Battell Chapel, Yale University, New Haven, CT, followed by a reception at 200 Meadow Street, East Haven CT. All are welcome.

Check out the Shoreline paper article!!

Thank you Susan !

http://www.shorelinetimes.com/articles/2012/01/17/life/doc4f16138c0ca0c761085303.txt