One year after opening Branford Art Center (BAC) Gallery & Workshop, Yvonne Gordon invites you to help BAC celebrate one year of bringing the arts to the community in the heart of downtown.

The window-fronted gallery at 1229 Main Street will be celebrating Sat. May 14 from 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. with an Open House One Year Anniversary Party. With this month’s warm weather comes the chance for passerby and visitors to enjoy hearing the event’s live jazz music, played by John Brasil and friends. Gordon invites all to stop in for great food, tasty beverages and of course another amazing display of art by local artists and artisans.

As a special anniversary highlight, Gordon’s thrilled to announce BAC’s gallery space will feature “previously unseen art” from visiting artist and teacher of the arts Marc Massaro of Branford Art Studio.

“Marc will unveil five life-sized portraits of American icons,” hinted Gordon. “This is the first time they will be shown together.”

The May 14 Open House event also feature raffles, prizes and, as Gordon says, “community.” BAC has been fulfilling Gordon’s intention of supporting the arts in the community through participation in many worthwhile programs over the past year, from putting up a Young Artists clothesline show as part of Branford Early Childhood Collaborative’s “Week of the Young Child” in April to ongoing collaborations with Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance which began last year.

In addition to the Open House, BAC’s wonderful spring show will also be underway May 14, featuring works by fine local artists and artisans in mediums including painting, photographer, collage, pottery, woolens, glass in jewelry.

For more information, visit BAC Gallery and Workshop, 1229 Main St. Branford, call (860) 334-4642 or email 1229bacgallery@gmail.com