Located in the lower level of the Kent Memorial Library (KML) is the Pinney Gallery. It is a multifunctional room, and every month the walls exhibit another talented artist/s work.
The person responsible for securing artists every month to showcase their work is Mr. Fran Milliken of West Suffield, the Vice President of the Suffield Arts Council.
Since 2001, due to Mr. Milliken’s longevity in the art communities and his reputation, he has been able to reach out to artists, ensuring that every month there is an artist’s work displayed in the KML. One day each month the KML host a reception to meet the highlighted artist of the month in person.
Mr. Milliken was instrumental in setting up the exhibit and the sale of the great art works of Peggy McKinnon. The sale of her work was donated to The Suffield Observer. The Suffield Observer is extremely grateful to her for that generous gift and to Mr. Milliken for coordinating the entire process.
Mr. Milliken is well known in the local art community as the 10-year President of the Tobacco Valley Artists Association (TVAA) and is an award-winning watercolor artist. He refers to himself as a late bloomer, beginning his hobby in his 60s. During his term as President of TVAA, the membership grew from 35 members to 170.
The Suffield Arts Council and the Kent Memorial Library in November displayed the works of Impressionist artist Laraine Percoski. In December the papercutting works of Landi Hau will be displayed. In January Art Scholz will display his watercolor works.
Hundreds of artists have had their work displayed in the Pinney Gallery. The gallery is open to interested artists and Mr. Milliken assists them throughout the process.
For those artists who are interested and would like more information, you can contact Fran Milliken at 860-668-7282.