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Each performance season the Merryall Center board of directors nominates an artist from the Northwest Connecticut region to showcase their work throughout our space.
For our upcoming 75th anniversary season, we are pleased to feature artist Joan P. Ivler (@artinpieces.jpi) of New Milford, CT. Ivler’s collection, Art in Pieces will be on display from May 9 - Oct 4, with an opening scheduled on Saturday, May 30 in conjunction with Merryall Center’s Community Potluck Picnic.
Ivler’s work is a unique journey into the world of storytelling through collage. With an assortment of colors and textures, Joan marries a unique blend of soft-core pencils, acrylic paints, and charcoal to create layered compositions rich in color and emotion. The result is artwork that feels both intimate and familiar, while simultaneously moving beyond the ordinary.
We hope you’ll take time before or after a performance to enjoy Art in Pieces. For more information about Ivler’s work or to purchase a piece, please contact info@merryallcenter.org.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES
CUT PAPER COLLAGE
Merryall Center's 2026 Artist in Residence
Artist Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES - Cut Paper Collage
Artist
Artist Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES - Cut Paper Collage
Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES - Cut Paper Collage
Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES - Cut Paper Collage
Artist Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.
Joan P. Ivler
ART IN PIECES - Cut Paper Collage
Artist Statement
Collecting art, visiting galleries and roaming the halls of museums, I have been drawn to both the old and the new.
Creating art was something that seemed beyond my reach. I took my first art class, discovered the world of collage and all of that changed.
Suddenly, I was able to be creative in a way that felt natural and intuitive. I loved the way I could combine different images, textures, and colors to create something that felt familiar.
I had been staring at our own personal art collection for years. I imagined the artists putting down layer after layer building upon each layer until a wonderful complete image materialized. Those familiar works from our collection became my first attempts at doing something artistic. Different colors and textures of paper, using soft core pencils, acrylic paints, charcoal, having no experiences with any of these mediums, started my journey.
Since then, I have been immersed in the artistic world of collage. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials. Whether working on a small, intimate piece or a large, ambitious project, I strive to create something that is familiar yet unexpected.
Over time I am beginning to feel more adventurous. Still guided by the incredible artists before me, I am developing my own compositions which are unique and I hope relatable.