“We are a happy group who paint together every Wednesday for 8-week blocks and have the privilege of studying with Peter. Each block consists of a “still life” set up by Peter. We choose a viewpoint easel and remain there for the duration of each 8-week session,” says exhibit curator, Lucy C. Pierpont. “Our group enjoys the camaraderie and skills that we learn from Peter, and also just love being with each other and painting together,” she continues.

Woodbury resident, Peter Seltzer, has been enjoying teaching art to adults for thirty-three years. His paintings in oil and pastel have been exhibited at numerous public venues including the Butler Institute of American Art (OH) where his work has appeared multiple times in their annual Mid-Year Exhibit and other group shows. Peter’s pastel paintings were also featured in a solo exhibit at the Butler. He has exhibited his paintings at the New Britain Museum of American Art (CT), the Noyes Museum of Art (NJ), Canton Museum of Art (OH), National Arts Club (NYC), National Academy of Design (NYC) and the Salmagundi Club (NYC). His work is represented in the permanent collections of the Butler Institute of American Art, the New Britain Museum of American Art, Harvard University (MA) and the New Haven Paint and Clay 100+ year collection (CT).

Among his 100+ awards, many have been at the Pastel Society of America’s annual exhibition in NYC.  Among these he was awarded “Best in Show” three times.  He has also been awarded four Gold, five Silver Medals, and a Bronze Medal in national and international exhibitions for his work. He has also been selected by the Pastel Society of America as the 2022 Hall of Fame Honoree. More paintings in oil and pastel can be seen on his website: PeterSeltzerfineart.com.

“I enjoy teaching. For the last thirty-three years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping people realize their potential as artists. It is so rewarding to be witness to their arc of development,” notes Peter.

Featured in this exhibit are thirteen of Peter’s past and present students/artists and their work. They live in the surrounding area and include: Becky Butler, Woodbury; Pam Cassidy, Danbury; Nancy Cronin, Newtown; Sandie Daignault, Woodbury; Rachel Gerowe, Woodbury; Beth Holland, Newtown; Lisa Johns-Elmy, Oxford; Lucy Pierpont, Woodbury; Barbara Ripps, Bridgewater; Beth Schweitzer, Newtown; Frances Thome, Woodbury; Grace VanAkin, Roxbury and Tamara Willoughby, Bethlehem.