Karen Rossi returns to Norfolk for much needed space

by Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo

A family of whimsical, welded and painted metalwork has found a new home on Estey Road in South Norfolk. Karen Rossi, the author of this collection in progress, is still unpacking artwork that was formerly housed in a 10,000 square foot studio in an old Windsor Locks warehouse building, to her Norfolk property.

Rossi’s sculptures, mobiles and murals can be found in public venues from London to California. On a smaller scale, her eclectic creations, including note cards, votives, puzzles and buttons, are available for purchase in museum gift shops, garden stores and, yes, the Norfolk Artisans Guild.

Seven years ago, Rossi purchased a small house on three acres. She first added a small shed and then a beautifully crafted barn to store her work and metalworking tools. All three buildings are stocked full of the artist’s hand painted ornaments, mobiles, wall hangings, menorahs, and sculptures. A metal-paneled wedding canopy, hand cut with personalized quotes and scenes plus other large pieces, are scattered on the grounds. Rossi’s work is an explosion of vibrant colors and objects in motion, clearly inspired by American folk art.

“I’ve spent too much time moving the past few years,” Rossi lamented. “It’s hard to create when you’re constantly packing and unpacking. For some reason, I kept forgetting about Norfolk as an option!” Rossi has a longtime connection to the area. Her great-grandparents settled on the Torrington-Litchfield line shortly after immigrating to the United States from Italy. Her father grew up in Torrington and her parents, Al & Peg Rossi, have a home in the artist’s backyard on Estey Road. Her paternal uncle, Luther Noss, was Dean of the Yale Summer School of Music & Art for 13 years.

“I love it here,” Rossi says about finally planting her own roots in Norfolk. She became engaged to her fiancé, Greg, at the Manor House on Christmas Eve four years ago. Rossi is inspired by the vast, open space to work in, evident in a series of pinwheels and wheel structures beginning to take form in a picturesque spot on the property, across from a small pond. Her offices are in Berlin, and are used to manage, among other things, the licensing of her products. Her residence is in Meriden, so it’s not surprising the artist still feels she’s settling into the Norfolk location.

Rossi has a philanthropic streak driven by her compassion and concern for disadvantaged children and for neglected pets. Always trying to give back to the community, Rossi would like to find a local non-profit group as a partner. On a recent Saturday, a group of children from the Channel 3 Kids Camp, which provides recreational and educational activities for disadvantaged kids, were invited to create ornaments in the artist’s barn, to raise money and awareness for an art building at the camp.

The artist also plans to have an open house on the second Saturday of each month. A friend of hers runs the Unfinished Projects Club, which gives guests an opportunity to work in a group environment, on the projects they cannot get done on their own. Rossi hopes to hold some of those sessions at her Norfolk location as well.

For more information on Karen Rossi and her artwork, go to Karenrossi.com

Photo, showing Karen Rossi with one of her many pieces of metal art,  courtesy of Karen Rossi.