Work That Is Deeply Grounded in Nature

Work That Is Deeply Grounded in Nature
Work by Don Bracken, including Out of the Ashes  will be featured in a show at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, Conn. Photo submitted​

The inspiration for Donald Bracken’s paintings made a 360 degree turn when he lost his studio on the 91st floor of the World Trade Center (where he was an artist in residence) and he came home to West Cornwall, Conn.

He had been painting New York City from hundreds of feet in the air, and studying the clouds that were sometimes below his feet. Now he is literally creating work from the ground up, and using dirt, stone and river sand from Litchfield County, mixed with acrylic gels. 

The resulting paintings are, of course, earthy — featuring trees and ponds and fields. 

The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, Conn., has a show of his work that opens with an artist reception on the lawn on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. Small groups may enter to see the work inside.

The show will remain up until Oct. 31. Call the library at 860-364-5041 or email request@hotchkisslibrary.org to make an appointment to come in and see the show.

To see a broad view of Bracken’s work, including his sculptures, go to www.donaldbracken.com.

Latest News

Mountaineers keep kicking in state tournament

Ava Segalla, Housatonic Valley Regional High School's all-time leading goal scorer, has takes a shot against Coventry in the Class S girls soccer tournament quarterfinal game Friday, Nov. 7.

Photo by Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s girls soccer team is headed to the semifinals of the state tournament.

The Mountaineers are the highest seeded team of the four schools remaining in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class S playoff bracket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - November 6, 2025

Legal Notice

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0303 by owner Camp Sloane YMCA Inc to construct a detached apartment on a single family residential lot at 162 Indian Mountain Road, Lakeville, Map 06, Lot 01 per Section 208 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - November 6, 2025

Help Wanted

Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.

Services Offered

Deluxe Professional Housecleaning: Experience the peace of a flawlessly maintained home. For premium, detail-oriented cleaning, call Dilma Kaufman at 860-491-4622. Excellent references. Discreet, meticulous, trustworthy, and reliable. 20 years of experience cleaning high-end homes.

Keep ReadingShow less