Local Man Enjoys Bringing A Bit of Paris To Plantsville

After opening one year ago, Paris in Plantsville owner Sean Michanczyk continues to increase the versatility of art within the downtown studio.

In such a short time, the small but modernized studio has become a hub of sorts for the local art community. The studio holds art classes, showcases art displays and holds events like wine tastings and film screenings, and this month music lessons will be offered.

"So far the response has been good, we're getting a lot of returning students for the art classes, and I feel like we're making progress," Michanczyk said.

In love with art since he could remember, Michanczyk, 24, said he and friends like Paris in Plantsville General Manager Jordan Deschene decided it would be fun to open a studio in his hometown.

Michanczyk graduated with a degree in illustration from the University of Hartford in 2008 and opened Paris in Plantsville in February 2010.

"As soon as I could pick up an artist took I began drawing, getting in trouble for drawing on the walls, doodling on all my school stuff, it was really the only thing I grasped," Michanczyk said.

Displaying a diverse mix of art, puppets, paintings, portraits, murals and much more have blanketed the walls of the studio, which also offers drawing and painting classes Tuesday through Saturday. An Introduction to Non-Traditional Art History and Practice is also taught by instructor Joe Bun Keo on Thursdays.

Resident artist and film maker Jon Bristol has been selling his puppets at the studio since it began. He said he enjoys watching the positive response to those visiting, and hopes Paris in Plantsville will continue to enrich the local community.

"One thing I've noticed when people come in here they're really happy to see what we have," Bristol said. "It's definitly a good feeling to sell you're work, because it means people like your stuff enough to want to bring it home with them."

Bristol helped draw a crowd of 70 at the studio last month for a screening of one of his films.

Upcoming events and displays include a display of Michanczyk's paintings depicting historic photographs of Southington, with a contemporary twist, and a exhibition by an archaeological illustrator and student from Yale.

"We don't like to pigeonhole art, what is art and what isn't, so we're really trying to cover the bases of what we display," Michanczyk said. "We're just hoping we can get people to appreciate different kinds of art, and sell enough to keep the place going. So far, it's been good."