Page 16 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 52 Winter 2025

by Beverly Sniegowski

“Ashlar Village Day of Arts and Accom- years earlier and it was still very dear to
plishments” was an event that surprised her heart.
so many attendees that day. Myself
and my Editor/Owner of the Walling- During our interview about a month lat-
ford Magazine, Tarn Granucci, were so er, I made a last-ditch effort, and Joyce
pleased and amazed at the extent of was still reluctant but thanked me once
genres displayed. again for my interest.
One such artist was Joyce Senesac. Her She and her husband had met at a mu-
numerous pieces of art comprised of tual friend’s wedding. She was, at the
100% watercolors, indeed My #1 choice time, taking guitar lessons from Sal
for smaller wall spaces. Libro in Wallingford. She eventually
joined her high school girl’s band and
ended up giving lessons as well at Li-
bros. Joyce’s husband served in the Air
along with residents on hand. Force in northern Maine as a mechanic
testing planes. They eventually moved
to CT. He became an elementary school
We chatted up her artwork, compli- Teacher; she worked at transcribing
ments abound. I slowly led up to the medical data for doctors through Quin-
clincher. Would she sell it to me? All nipiac College.
artwork in the room was NOT for sale,
it was strictly an opportunity for the Eventually they moved to East Hadam
residents to show off their wonderful into one of the town’s oldest homes
talent. built in 1799. The house was lovingly
Crafts, Photography, Paintings, Quilting, situated on the CT river. They took on
the task to rebuild, update and restore
Sculptures, Wood Working, Writing, rooms and it’s exterior. A room in the
Flower Designs, Pewter house eventually became a space for
and Hand-made statewide artists to sell their art-
Placed on one corner of her table was a Rugs. They also work, called Riverbend Gallery.
lovely framed picture I just had to have! had a Veterans
I was walking, slowly taking in table after table, a trophy Living at Ashlar, she is now
table of various art works when, Boom! table, and a teaching watercolor painting
I saw this beautifully framed scene of baby table. A one day a week for a total of
snow-capped mountains so far off in total of 65 en- six weeks. The class is free. She
the distance. A barn whose side boards tries to include has been generously supply-
were lashed with levels of harsh weath- a gentleman ing the bits of paint and canvas
er over time. A herd of sheep walking that carved a needed for her students. Be-
along a beaten line of fencing being led chess set which was cause it’s limited to 10, she has a
through the fluttering snow out to pas- a labor of love as it waitlist of anxious residents ready to
ture. A cowboy on horseback. Sounds was a ten-year project participate as spaces open.
typical? No! It was striking. It had depth, in itself! Beautiful.
soft morning greys, blues blended with Joyce enjoys living at Ashlar, has made
a hint of pastel. His hat tipped down Also, featuring hand- so many wonderful friends and tends
over his brow as if to keep the wind and made items including to her wonderful patio garden as
wisps of snow from chilling his weath- framed photos of them- well. Truly she is now at home.
ered face from the early morning air. It selves as little bundles.
had LIFE. Very cute! As I entered the Common Room
Oh, so, the paint-
that day, the first thing I saw was
So, that was that. I approached Joyce. ing. Nope. No Sale. draped in such a way that you could
a beautifully crocheted Afghan,
Darn! She was very
BTW, she is the head of this event along pleased that I was so in- fully appreciate the pattern and quality
with several other committee members trigued and impressed by her work. It of work. The creator of this wonderful
to organize and create display tables was something she had painted several warm comfort was Dot O’Neil.

16 Wallingford Magazine - Winter 2025