The Gloria Cachion Gallery at the Southbury Public Library will showcase the art of David Merrill from Wednesday, January 3, 2024 through Tuesday, January 30, 2024. David Merrill was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1935 and raised in nearby Monroe. Growing up in this rural setting influenced his career as a professional artist. David began with a “paint-by-number kit” while he was in the US Army stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky in the 1950’s. He received his more formal art training at the Famous Artist School in Westport and at Western Connecticut State College in Danbury.
Before devoting his time exclusively to painting, he worked in many capacities. While studying art, he worked for Dolan Steel Co. in Bridgeport, and later became vocational instructor in the arts at Southbury Training School. He has conducted evening courses in the adult educational program at Southbury High School, mentored Newtown High School students and has given numerous lecture presentations for various civic organizations.
David’s career spans over a half century and more than 3,000 paintings. He is known for his many murals in Newtown, Monroe, Southbury, and surrounding areas. He has also had his work printed on the labels of many wine bottles from DiGrazia Winery in Brookfield. His original paintings are part of the collections of numerous banking and higher education institutions, corporations, hospitals, museums, historical societies and the rich and famous, including Robert Redford.
David’s love of New England inspires his paintings, capturing a nostalgic view of the area. His paintings often include woods, meadows, brooks, stone walls, barns and historic homesteads, and churches. He includes detail, realism, feeling, every season, and every mood in his work.
David lived for seventeen years in Newtown and currently resides in Southbury.
The exhibit will be open during regular library hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm. A sample of photos will be posted online in the virtual gallery.
Please visit us at www.southburylibrary.org to view a sample of photos virtually and for any updated hours and information. Or you may call us at 203-262-0626.
David’s Bio: https://www.southburylibrary.org/using-the-library/spaces/art-gallery
The gallery: https://www.southburylibrary.org/gallery
