The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
For animal lovers
Submit your photos, view world-class artworks and enjoy a barn spider’s web talents
If you and your kids love animals, here’s three ways to celebrate them. We’ll start with Beardsley Zoo’s photography exhibit (because the deadline to participate is coming up soon).
Connecticut’s only zoo is accepting submissions for its second nonjuried show, “Photography Goes Wild.” It takes place online next month, but the deadline for submissions is Friday, July 31.
“Art is a natural way for people to express their love of animals and appreciation of nature,” says Gregg Dancho, the zoo’s director.
This is an opportunity for amateur and professional photographers to share their best works. Photographers are invited to upload submissions at beardsleyzoo. org/photography -exhibition.html. Judging takes place the first week in August, with a Facebook Live winners presentation held afterward.
You can submit up to three photos; there’s a $10 fee per photo. For the best viewing online, it’s recommended that images be 1,088 by 816 pixels with a maximum file size of 1 MB. Photos must include animals from Beardsley Zoo. They can be from the past or current year.
Milford Photo will provide three prizes, in the form of gift certificates to the store. First prize is for $200, second is $100, and third is $50. A “People’s Choice” award will also be selected. Vote for your favorite entries via a $1-donation per vote. If you have questions, email Jessica Taylor at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org.
Dancho’s hope is that the exhibit will help “showcase the stunning diversity of species at the zoo” and “encourage people to focus on preserving wild habitats and animal conservation in new ways.”
In preparation, a Zoom photography class will be offered by animal photographer and zoo volunteer Jack Bradley. See beardlseyzoo.org for details.
“Some pig!”: “Charlotte’s Web” to be screened
The children’s film, “Charlotte’s Web,” which tells the story of a special friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray barn spider named Charlotte, will be screened at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Wednesday, July 29, at 2 and 7 p.m.
“Charlotte’s Web” is based on E.B. White’s beloved book about a young girl named Fern, who rescues a runty piglet and raises it as her own. Dakota Fanning plays Fern in the film. Julia Roberts voices Charlotte, the gentle and wise spider. When Wilbur’s life is threatened, Charlotte vows to save it, and what she does is quite miraculous.
The screening takes place “in a socially distanced, safe environment,” says Ridgefield Playhouse. An usher will bring you to your seat. You can order treats from the concession stand via the venue’s mobile site.
Tickets are free for kids 12 and under. For more details or to purchase a ticket from home to make sure everything is touchless ($10 in advance online, or $12 at the door) visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org or call the box office at 203438-5795.
“Art and the Animal” at Stamford Museum & Nature Center
“Art and the Animal,” the flagship exhibition of The Society of Animal Artists, is on view at Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s Bendel Galleries through Sept. 7.
The collection features 50 diverse paintings, drawings and sculptures of animals from around the globe, including exotic birds, majestic cats, mammals and endangered species. The Society of Animal Artists is regarded as the world’s most prestigious artist membership organization dedicated to animals in art.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Everyone over the age of 4 is required to wear a mask. For further details, see stamfordmuseum.org.