July 13 – September 23, 2007

Old Saybrook glass artist Mundy Hepburn creates fanciful large-scale blown glass sculptures that he fills with gas mixtures including xenon, argon, neon, and krypton. He then activates the sculptures with high frequency static electricity. The resulting light sculptures seem to come “alive” with changing colors. And yes, for those who are wondering about his famous last name, Mundy Hepburn is the nephew of the late Katharine Hepburn.

This thought-provoking exhibition of Caribbean and Latin American art, so rarely on view, is co-curated by art historian Gustavo Valdes and features paintings, photographs, sculpture, and drawings from Ortiz’s private collection. Artists represented include both emerging artists and internationally-known masters from the Caribbean islands, Central America, and South America. The works on view are part of a collection that spans over three decades. Benjamin Ortiz acquired his first work of art at the age of twelve at a Connecticut consignment shop. The little oil painting he felt so passionate about turned out to be a wonderful example of the work of one of Puerto Rico’s most illustrious landscape artists, Don Miguel Pou (1880-1968). This 75 cent-purchase marked the beginning of Ortiz’s ever-growing involvement with the arts. This exhibition and related programming is sponsored in part by Centro de la Comunidad.