Who Are We

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisan Store | Fine Art, Sculpture, Photography and Unique Gifts | Pottery, Art This information and the links you can click on will help you to get to know us and what we do. If you are involved already then this information can serve to remind you to not only stay involved but also to continue to support us….take a class…volunteer…donate. It all counts!

Founded in 2003 by executive director Barbara Nair whose vision for the organization emerged during her nonprofit management studies at New York University. She has been directing the nonprofit since its inception as a small studio space offering weekend classes and has grown it with a small staff and volunteers to the present Spectrum Gallery and Artisans store in Centerbrook, Connecticut.


The Arts Center Killingworth is an IRS-approved 501 (c)(3) arts organization DBA Spectrum Gallery which organizes annual art exhibitions, weekly ongoing classes, and workshops for teens and adults at all levels, summer camps, and local area outdoor arts festivals. This programming attracts hundreds of people who have participated in events both on the Shoreline of Connecticut and throughout the state. The annual Arts Festivals occur on Father’s Day Weekend in the Essex Town Park, and on Columbus Day Weekend on the Madison Town Green. These events encourage artists to present and sell their work to a broader audience with attendance ranging up to 1,000 people.


The Arts Center has operated the 1,900-square-foot Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store in Centerbrook since 2014 where classes, workshops, and exhibits occur as well as runs an intimate art studio in Killingworth. The Arts Center and Spectrum Art Gallery support amateur and professional artists both in Killingworth and surrounding towns such as Centerbrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Old Saybrook, Chester, Clinton, Madison and beyond. Its reach is now into New England and the tristate area. Each exhibit includes 80-100 emerging and professional artists.


We love our artists, our customers, and the work we do. So, do visit us at Spectrum Gallery and/or at both of our two arts festivals. June 17-18th in Essex and October 7-8th in Madison. Have a lovely Summer!