The Mattatuck Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Dancing in the Moonlight: Nocturns by Charles Yoder, a solo exhibition of works by artist Charles Yoder on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

The exhibition, which remains on view through March 2, 2014, takes us on a walk through the forest at night, moving between trees to find your way in these mysterious places filled with dark shadows and changing light. Charles Yoder started creating these natured-based paintings because of what he saw in his backyard one winter’s night. This vision of the light from a full moon shining down through pine boughs, and the shadows it made on the snow covered forest floor inspired Yoder. The very real, abstract shapes evoked the question, “How can I paint this?” and he has been following that thought ever since.

Charles Yoder, born in Germany in 1948 and raised in the States, is an artist living in Tribeca. His college education began at the University of Maine (Orono) and he graduated with a BFA from Pratt Institute (Brooklyn) with honors.  Over the years he has supported his art making habit with various jobs including director of Castelli Graphics and curator to the artist Robert Rauschenberg. Presently he paints full time and teaches printmaking part time at the School of Visual Arts.

The opening reception is free with Museum admission; RSVP is requested. Wine for the opening reception is provided by Tribeca Wine Merchants. Please register in advance at www.MattatuckMuseum.org or by calling (203) 753-0381, ext. 130.

Visit www.MattatuckMuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381 for more information on all of the museum’s adult and children’s programs, events and exhibits. The Mattatuck Museum is operated with support from the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, CT Office of the Arts which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and is a member of the Connecticut Art Trail, a group of 16 world-class museums and historic sites (www.arttrail.org). Located at 144 West Main Street, on the green in Waterbury, CT the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Free parking is located behind the building on Park Place.