While their specific skills and talents are a much appreciated attribution to the festival every year, one must ask themselves what the creative scene in Connecticut is all about.

The young talent Connecticut offers is undeniable. With well over 20 colleges and universities throughout the state, there is a wealth of creative minds that go through programs that have helped build their talents and exhibit their work.

Shelton native, Shawn Lasse started drawing with markers as soon as he could hold one.

Shawn Lasse at Gallery 305K in Bridgeport

“I was around five-years old when it was already clear that all I wanted to do was draw. My favorite part about being creative is the raw freedom of it; the expression of subconscious movements all coming together in the end for an amazing result,” the 26 year-old said.

Lasse creates his artwork using Sharpies, highlighters, and micro pens, and has recently exhibited his collection at the Connecticut Fauxchella Indie Music and Arts Festival which took place mid-April.

“I want my art to be out there for the masses. I want to start getting more shows in line.”

When it comes to exhibitions, Connecticut artist, Cara De Angelis has gotten it down. The New York Academy of Art graduate has seen her works both nationally and internationally — France to be exact.

De Angelis in the studio

“My first foray into the magic of oil paint was when I was 8 years-old and I got a paint-by-number kit with pretty pictures of horses that I got to fill in with already mixed ‘oil’ paints,” the 26 year-old Norwalk resident said. “I remember feeling like it was an eternity before they finally dried days later, with finger smudges on them from me testing to see if they were dry, and carrying them around to show everyone. I think that may have been when this obsession started.”

De Angelis uses two major themes in her works, the Tragic and the Infantile, which she embodies with the use of roadkill.

“Connecticut has obviously deeply inspired me and formed who I am. It definitely has a lot of roadkill to offer, and driving around CT — and all of America — I’m consistently fascinated with how the domestic and wild are clashing and colliding on our roadways all the time. Roads are one of those strange places that draw both wildlife and the extremely domesticated, and one of the few ways in which they still sometimes meet. Albeit with fatal outcomes.”

Big Bird with Roadkill by Cara De Angelis

At different ends of the artistic spectrum, both Lasse and De Angelis express themselves through the unbiased canvas, allowing them to tell a story that defines their passion.

Altiplano may not call Connecticut their home, but a Vibes vendor since the 2001 Red Hook venue in New York, the homegrown Vermont company will be back at Seaside this July.

Altiplano owners Shari and John with their children

Owners John von Wodtke and Shari Zarin say it was their first visit to the South American country that inspired them to start a shop.

“Our first visits to Guatemala were magical, and the incentive to start our business was in finding the means to return! We made some very special connections with the people here, and found the Mayan people, culture and craft very inspiring. The traditional textiles are world class, which made it very natural to work with them,” said Zarin.

Altiplano sells handmade jewelry, ceramics, shoulder bags and totes, hand-carved woods, recycled mouth blown glass pieces, and more, all inspired by their travels.

Huipile Patzun Passport Bag by Altiplano

“Back in those days, John and I would tour with the Grateful Dead when we were in the country. At the time, I crafted my own beadwork to sell, and we found the textiles of Guatemala to be a perfect compliment,” Zarin explained. “These days, we work with hundreds of artisans [in Guatemala] who make our Altiplano collection.”

Keeping in step with the theme, the Altiplano owner’s inspiration for creating comes from the sheer pleasure of the craft.

“I find great enjoyment in working with my hands, and in creating and reflecting beauty. My creations are particularly meaningful, because they support so many wonderful and dedicated people. My design work is done in a very intensive and retreat-like format.”

These inspiring works are a testament to the need to create as a release; as a passion and as a way to tell a story.

The Connecticut art scene is quickly expanding with youth-organized exhibits seen at venues such as Gallery 305K, and schools like the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and the Paier College of Art in Hamden. With the abundance of universities, museums, artisans and exhibits in New York City, mixed with the rural beauty of Connecticut, inspiration will continue to dwell in the hands and minds of individuals from all generations who continually strive to share their love of all art forms.

“It is so important for people to stay creative because it is one thing that deep down, I believe humans need,“ Lasse ended. “That is why I feel the music and art scene go so well together, they are both pushing the same thing- love of what really matters in life.”

You can find out more by heading over to their websites, Altiplano.com, CaraDeAngelis.com, and Facebook.com/Shawn.Lasse

—Sarah Mastroni

VibeTribe, are you as psyched as I to have Kung Fu returning to the festival for the second year in a row? This Connecticut-based quintet has been blowing up the scene over the past year-and-a-half; word on these cats is spreading fast as they’ve just returned from a nationwide tour and this month hold a Monday night residency at the Brooklyn Bowl.

Did you have the chance to see/hear the band play live on tour recently? Did they blow you away? The band includes the sinewy guitarist Tim Palmeri, and drummer Adrian Tramontano, both formerly of CT band the Breakfast, Deep Banana Blackout’s Rob Somerville on sax, Todd Stoops (of RAQ), and David Livolsi on bass guitar. Not hip to Kung Fu’s nu-funk or fusion yet? Check out this video of the band performing Contraption’s “Letters From Bobby Portugal” on the Green Vibes Stage last summer. Let’s call this the official roll call for Kung Fu’s performance this year. Who’s going to be there? Chime in below and show your support for this great local band.

So our weekend entertainers have been announced! We can’t wait to hear your thoughts about the line-up for GOTV 2012! Is there a particular band you are surprised to see on the line up? Is there a band you are excited to have returning to the festival? Or maybe you’re most pumped about a band whose music you’ve heard but have yet to see and hear play live? Share your thoughts below (keep ‘em clean, VibeTribers!) with the rest of the Tribe and let’s discuss…

Once again, Vibes is pleased to bring back every surviving member of the Grateful Dead, over the course of the weekend. It will be wonderful to have Phil Lesh and Friends back at Seaside Park. And what Dead Head wouldn’t be excited to hear what Bob Weir has cooked up with keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and saxophonist extraordinaire Branford Marsalis

And percussionist Mickey Hart returns with his namesake band fresh off the release of his latest recording, Mysterium Tremendum, with a band that includes Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools. And drummerBill Kreutzmann returns to Seaside with 7 Walkers, the first time this band has performed at the Vibes.

He’s back!!!! Yup, Vibes regular Les Claypool returns with the original Primus, and now the funky trio has been touring for two years and comes to us tight and practiced and it should be an inspiring set once again. Also returning this year is Zappa Plays Zappa, led by Frank’s son Dweezil, and the renowned reggae band Steel Pulse.

Yours truly is genuinely excited about the bluegrass bands at this year’s festival. Both, Carolina’s The Avett Brothers and Colorado’s Yonder Mountain String Band are among the very finest in festival performers, putting on enthralling and energetic, riveting performances. Expect to kick up some earthy dust when either band is on stage.

And Connecticut is well represented as always, with Bridgeport’s own Deep Banana Blackout making its perennial performance at the Vibes. Also of local note is Max Creek, the renowned Jam Band that has been performing for more than 41 years, prog rock experimentalists Kung Fu, and indie pop duo, Mates of State, who will be making the trip to the event from their home just down the road in East Haven.

But that’s enough from me. What about you, VibeTribe? Which band or artists are you most excited to see and hear at the festival this summer? We’re so excited to bring you another diverse and exciting line up and can’t wait until we see you all again in July at Seaside Park!

Billy Cliff
VibeTriber since 2005