Willimantic was expecting more snow tin February.  Alaska: Culture & Art exhibit took the community by storm with featured artwork in our Main Gallery by local Windham Artist, Gina Prewitt. An opening reception was held on Valentines' Day evening Feb. 14^th, from 5-7 p.m. during the community gallery Art Stroll in Downtown Willimantic as part of the opening activities of the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival.  Ms. Prewitt gave a gallery talk explaining her creative process, and the exhibit  The exhibit was on display from February 9^th to 28^th, 2008.

Prewitt, is originally from Connecticut, but at the age of two her family moved to St. Mary's, a Yup'ik Eskimo village in Western Alaska. She spent the next sixteen years there and studied the Yup'ik language, as well as, traditional Eskimo crafts. After graduating from high school, Prewitt, returned to Connecticut to complete her education at Quinebaug Community College before moving on to Eastern Connecticut State University to receive her B.A. in Studio Art. She has studied under regionally recognized artists Imna Arroyo, Eric Goldberg, Shirley Bernstein, and many others.     

This exhibit will show the public how Prewitt's work has been deeply influenced by her experiences in the Eskimo village for so many years. Her work will include portraits of Eskimo people, their traditional arts, animals, and their environment through drawings and paintings, handmade clothing and accessories (traditional and everyday), and other Eskimo cultural items.

Gina Prewitt's work in this solo exhibit, Alaska: Culture & Art, will remain on display through February 28^th in the Windham Arts Main Gallery, located at 866 Main Street, in Willimantic, CT. A meet and greet reception is planned for Thursday, February 14^th from 5-7 p.m. during the Art Stroll in Downtown Willimantic. This event is free and open to the public.