Hotchkiss at Hotchkiss art show

SHARON — In 1893, Maria (Bissell) Hotchkiss donated the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon to the town. More than a century later, the library will host its first exhibition of the art of the Hotchkiss family through the months of June and July. The art on display will be the work of DeWolfe Hotchkiss, the second cousin of Benjamin Berkley Hotchkiss, and his sons J.D. Hotchkiss, Ben Hotchkiss and Joel Hotchkiss. The exhibit will feature the art of all three sons and their father, who was their inspiration to become artists. DeWolfe Hotchkiss started his art career as a commercial artist, designing a character called “Scuttlebut Sam,” and a painter of landscapes in the northwest Connecticut area. Ben, DeWolfe’s oldest son, became an abstract painter hailed by New York Times art critic Roberta Smith. Joel Hotchkiss is a sculptor who designs mobiles which hang and move. J.D. Hotchkiss, DeWolfe’s youngest son, is a graphic artist and art representative. He represents his brother Ben and has worked for D.C. Comics and Dark Horse Comics as an artist. In addition to the art exhibits, one of the cars manufactured in France by Benjamin Berkley Hotchkiss will be on display. The 1939 car was purchased by DeWolfe and J.D. Hotchkiss and was driven at the head of the Sharon bicentennial parade. An opening reception will be held at the library on Sunday, June 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. All three Hotchkiss brothers will be in attendance.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less