Karen Rossi’s ethereal work inspires children’s workshop
By Matthew Papanek

Photograph by Bruce Frisch

The fun did not stop after the classic car show in Norfolk on July 14. Later that day, up at the Norfolk Library, a parade of woodland creatures made their way through the art reception for Karen Rossi’s show “Woodlands Magic!” Rossi’s art works in metal always take on a magical quality, with sweeping lines and cheerful colors that bring a smile to the face and the inner child to the surface.
For her show, Rossi was first inspired by Robin Yuran’s group presentation at the library, “How Do You Come To Norfolk,” which focused on a poem written by Yuran, in which multiple artists interpreted the stanzas using their individual styles. Rossi was one of the artists involved. “I love telling stories through my work, and Robin’s words inspired me to create this exhibit.”
Initially, Rossi’s desire was to work with Yuran’s poetry again. However, as time went on, the focus of Rossi’s library exhibition changed from working with Yuran’s poetry to simply celebrating the magic of the woodlands. Rossi had always intended to involve Children’s Librarian Eileen Fitzgibbons, and after seeing Fitzgibbons dressed as a fairy at the winter farmer’s market, Rossi decided to put together a woodlands workshop to coincide with the library’s summer reading program.

Courtesy Norfolk Library

Rossi has been working with libraries throughout Connecticut to create special programs for children. “I’ve always enjoyed the collaboration of working with kids and with the libraries, because it’s educational and at the same time inspiring for the kids,” she says, “It’s a nice combination of talents.”
Rossi had shown some of her metal art at the library several years ago, but it had been a last minute entry when someone else had dropped out, leaving her little time to prepare. This time around, she spent time brainstorming with Fitzgibbons as to how they would go about including the children. The two of them decided that they would put on three workshops, combining costume design, building, and a dress rehearsal for a parade that would then take place during Rossi’s art reception at the library.
The first workshop was held at the library, where the kids drew out their woodland characters based upon a list of questions, such as, if you were a creature in the enchanted forest what would you be, where would you live, and what would your house look like? Would you have special powers and what would you do with them?
The following week, participants met at Rossi’s studio to construct their costumes.  It was a much larger group, with eighteen children in attendance, many more than had come to the design workshop.  Fortunately, Rossi was well equipped with supplies, and the parents pitched in to help the children create their costumes.
On the day of Rossi’s art reception, the parade began right on time, as the kids marched single file out of the Children’s Room and into the Great Hall, appropriately accompanied by fairy music. Draped in capes, faces framed by paper flower petals, they circled the hall, passing out fortunes to anyone willing to receive them. As they finished their final turn around the table of hors d’oeuvres, the children paraded out into the back garden of the library where they each shared their woodland names and their “special powers.”
For those children who could not make it to the art reception, or for anyone who missed the parade, there will be another opportunity to view the costumes. An encore presentation of these woodlands creatures will take place at the library’s Under the Tent event on Friday, August 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., to celebrate 25 years of fun family programs. There will be magic, face painting, a cake contest and ice cream. Everyone is encouraged to dress up to celebrate the magic of the woodlands.