Our Mezzanine Gallery is open during events & most art is for sale.
Scroll down to learn about artists featured in the current exhibit.
The Klein Mezzanine Gallery
Artists in the present exhibit
Benjamin Casiano
Artist and Curator
Native New Yorker, Benjamin Casiano is an accomplished creative director, designer & painter. He received his BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Painting was always his first love. Inspired and influenced by the great masters worldwide, But it's the women also played a crucial role in his life, which is why he pays tribute to them with his paintings.
Casiano’s work fuses expressionism and pop-cubism. Although he uses geometric and abstract shapes in his artwork, a prominent focal point is the one-eye figurative. “Most of my one-eye figurative are a reflection of my alter ego and a self-portrait of my subconscious,” says Casiano. “Im blind in one eye, but the irony is I was painting figures with a single eye years before losing my vision.”
Casiano always had a love for strings and classical music. “Music and art go hand in hand. I never learned to play but I at least paint my favorite musical instruments with the ladies,” he says. For Casiano, painting has proven to be a positive emotional outlet. His works have been exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and as far away as China. Recognized with numerous honors & awards. Casiano is currently exhibiting in New York City, Philadelphia & Paris. Numerous pieces are owned by corporations and private collectors.
His goal is to simply add something not seen in modern-day culture. Something different, something beautiful, one painting at a time. One exhibition at a time.
John Anthony Bright
Iryna Chaboryk
Born in Ukraine, Iryna Chaboryk was raised with a family history in fine art. With art as a constant background (her mother and grandfather were artists), she became interested in fashion and landscape design. In 1998 she graduated from Kalush State College of Art and Culture, majoring in Folk and Decorative Art. In 2004 she earned a degree in Art and Landscape Design from the State University of Senior Personnel of Culture and Art in Kiev.
Upon immigrating to the United States in 2007, Chaboryk had taken a keen interest in the role of a fine artist, fusing her previous learnings to give a unique vision and breath to a canvas. Chaboryk is now a multi-disciplinary artist currently working with multitudes of media: paintings, sculptured light installations, and digital media. Her artwork is featured in many galleries and group shows in the US and Europe and she has received numerous awards and publications.
Her broad knowledge and infinite range of artistry give her the ability to stretch her art beyond the bounds of a singular canvas. Iryna’s work is extremely expressive and highly symbolic, focusing on interpersonal psychology and a woman’s attempt to find individuality.
Jane Forrest
Herm Freeman
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Herm Freeman earned a degree from Queens College (City University of New York) in 1969 and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Indiana University in 1971. He studied painting with several major American artists, including Fairfield Porter, George McNeil, James Brooks, James McGarrell, and Richard Serra.
The artist draws his landscape inspiration from the motifs of Soutine, Cezanne and Courbet. He is represented by Phil Demise's 'a' gallery in NYC, and exhibits his paintings primarily in NYC and the Northeast. Recently, he was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the prestigious Silvermine 51st Art of the Northeast USA Annual Exhibition.
Herm Freeman shows and sells his work primarily in the New York/New England area, but has also shown and sold work in Europe and the planet of New Orleans.
In addition to his emotionally charged landscape painting, Herm Freeman has pursued his musical muse throughout the years; he played guitar, keyboards and vocals in the infamously obscure N.DoDoBand during the late 70's and early 80's. These days, Herm plays music with lifelong friend and collaborator Phil Demise Smith.
Herm Freeman has been teaching art in Connecticut since 1973.
Donna L. Hargrove
Fairfield County Connecticut Artist
Primary media used: Graphite, acrylic and watercolor.
Katia Jirankova Levanti
Katia Jirankova Levanti has been permanently in travel between two continents since 2007, living between the Atlantic coast in Connecticut and in Prague. Under the title "Subconsciounalism" (channeling the subconscious journey) she has exhibited in Prague, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, Massachusetts, Denver, CO., New York, Nashville, TN., and is represented in many private collections throughout America and Europe. Her book of paintings is part of the library of the Carl Jung Institute in New York.
"I came up with the title "Subconsciounalism" when I tried to describe the process of my intuitive painting, which in a certain state of meditation brings you to the spheres of universal memory and touches moments and dimensions in the existence of the universe, and its various beings. During my studies of philosophies, mythologies, comparative religions, cosmology, and quantum physics I am discovering in my paintings fragments of this living mosaic."
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones is based in Norwalk, CT. Starting in 1973, Jones developed a career as a painter in New York. In 1988, he put his career as a painter aside in order to raise a family. He is now painting full time, picking up just where he left off. His work is available for purchase.
Education: MFA, Washington University 1972, Bachelor of Architecture 1970, Washington University. Member of the Silvermine Guild of Artist, the Artist collective of Westport and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists
Alexa Luft
I’m Alexa Luft! I am a mixed media artist and performer from Fairfield County, Connecticut.
With 2 decades of performing experience, I love to incorporate layers of storytelling and emotion into my artwork… whether I’m painting
local scenes from the Bridgeport area, murals, portraits… I always put so many layers of depth, emotion, and connection into what I make.
I paint mostly in acrylic and oils and I LOVE collage. I’m currently teaching and working at the Norwalk Art Space in my one year Artist Residency program. In everything I do and create, I aim to
inspire and bring more JOY into this world!
Lauri MacLean
Lauri MacLean, celebrated dance innovator with more than twenty years’ experience at the helm of her own dance studio, is recognized in the regional creative community for her significant contribution to the field as both an artist and educator. Lauri now turns her creative vision to the canvas where she choreographs paint.
The subconscious surfaces through this process of visual alchemy as the subliminal emerges to create equations of line, color, shape. The parallel to dance is both obvious and engaging. There is great joy in translating the technique and passion of a dancer/choreographer to the movement of paint. Long inspired by the great Abstract Expressionists, I find myself compelled to bring forth my own vision. My goal is to create an evocative experience for the viewer. May my work serve as a catalyst for your own creativity.
Edmarie Martinez
Edmarie Martinez, born and raised in the exotic island of Puerto Rico. As a child she was always surrounded by art and creativity. However, it was not until the year 2021 that she discovered her true passion. On her way to discovery, she listened to her inner voice, grabbed her old sketchbook and decided to complete an unfinished drawing. Little did she know that this simple act would ignite an undeniable spark within her.
This desire to expand her artistic abilities led Edmarie to find the Milan Art Institute. With unwavering belief in her talents, she made the bold decision to enroll in the Mastery Program. It was here that she truly honed her skills and discovered her true potential as an artist.
As Edmarie fully immersed herself in the world of art, her life underwent a remarkable transformation. She began to see the underlying beauty within herself and made a conscious choice to believe in her abilities. Her journey towards self-discovery and creative expression became a powerful force that shaped her identity. By opening the doors to endless possibilities, she has embraced her true self and is ready to explore all that the world of art has to offer. With unwavering passion and a newfound sense of purpose, Edmarie Martinez has embarked on a creative journey that knows no limits.
Jill Morton
Jill Morton is an abstract expressionist artist. She grew up in Australia and left there in her twenties to pursue travel and art. Jill studied clay in Europe and textiles in Asia. Later she ended up pursuing an art education in the U.S. In New York City she obtained a B.F.A. in painting from the School of Visual Arts and two Master’s Degrees, one in art and one in art education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
She resides in Connecticut where she previously taught children’s art for 23 years in public school. Jill maintains a studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She has exhibited in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Her works reside in private collections across the U.S.
Rich Patton IV
Richard Thomas Patton IV is an international contemporary abstract artist. His artistic process began at an early age. As a child, he showed an interest and talent in drawing, which later grew into a career and life as an artist. Richard majored in Art in Graphic Design from Western Connecticut State University, School of Visual and Performing Arts in Danbury, CT.
His art work is owned by private collectors in the U.S and internationally. Also part of public collections such as Yale New Haven Health’s Park Avenue Medical Center and The Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center.
Nicole Salva
Nicole Salva, a passionate and lifelong artist, is set to grace the exclusive arts show with her profound talent and distrinctive work. Born and raised in Connecticut, Nicole brings the essence of her love for the ocean and her passion for creating art into each piece she crafts. Her fascination with the sea and its many mysteries can be seen in her mastery of the traditional Japanese printmaking process known as Gyotaku.
As the mastermind behind the well-known Reeled Ink, based out of Oxford, CT, Nicole's work echoes her profound respect for nature's immense beauty and her dedication to her craft.
Nicole's acdemic achievements include a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Western Connecticut State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Illustration from Paire College of Art. These accomplishments have only enhanced her natural talent and have further established her standing in the art community.
Over the years, Nicole's unique approach to art has led to civic commissions and multiple exhibits that have earned her numerous awards. Yet, she remains as dedicated as ever to nurturing the next generation of artists. Currently, Nicole teaches Art & Color Theory, sharing her wealth of knowledge and boundless enthusiasm for art with her students.
Nicole's admiration for the sea and the art she creates is the beating heart of Reeled Ink. The fusion of her passion and craftsmanship manifests itself in the beautiful and inspiring pieces of art. It is her journey, her interpretation of nature's wonders, that breathes life into the canvas, inviting everyone to share in the majesty of the ocean as seen through her eyes.
Janice Sweetwater
I attended the Chicago Art Institute, studying painting and sculpture. It was at The Institute where I was inspired to paint in oils and acrylics. Being primarily a landscape artist I frequently explore New England looking for Mother Nature's best work to transpose and interpret, sketching and photographing on location and then returning to my studio to put brush to canvas.
I recognized my passion for art early in high school and with encouragement from my art teachers and artistic family, I began to transform my surroundings into landscapes of Color as Light.
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The Klein is sustained by the generosity of our community. We offer a wide range of programming and the ONLY tuition- free after school arts program in Bridgeport, Klein Theatre Arts. The Klein is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible.
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