Press Release

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Connecticut’s Historic Gardens

Announces Winner of 2021 Poster Contest

Connecticut’s Historic Gardens is pleased to announce artist Peter Kokoszka of Meriden, CT as the winner of the eighth annual Historic Gardens Day Poster Art Contest. “The Magnificent Garden” is a 16” x 20” acrylic and oil painting. Mr. Kokoszka states: “The painting is a tribute to the Historical Florence Griswold House, Barn, Garden and the flowers and wildlife found within Gardens of Connecticut that have inspired artists throughout generations to express their creative ideas of our beautiful state.”

This contest gives local artists a chance to showcase their talents while advertising CT Historic Gardens Day, an important, statewide event. The group began the contest to encourage Connecticut artists to visit and capture these historically significant homes with beautiful gardens. They hope that these sites will provide inspiring subjects for their art. 

Along with a cash prize, the winning artist receives widespread exposure – at each of the 15 Connecticut’s Historic Gardens throughout the year and at Connecticut’s Historic Gardens Day, an event that attracts garden lovers from throughout the state and beyond. This year’s Historic Gardens Day takes place on Sunday, June 20, 2021 from 12-4 pm; visit cthistoricgardens.org for details on activities offered at each site.

Mostly a self-taught artist from central Connecticut, Peter graduated from Waterbury State Tech with degrees in Computer Aided Drafting and Design. Peter has worked as an aerospace draftsman, mechanical process engineer, plant manager and inspector but his true passion in life has always been creating artwork. Peter states: “In an attempt to break away from the usual things I drew and to expand my horizons I began medaling with oil paints and other mediums such as acrylic, pastel and watercolors. I love the use of color and I love the spring and summer time so my current art tends to reflect this. Some of my favorite subjects to create are nature, ships, architecture, animals, abstract and technical illustrations. I like to do works of extreme detail as well as impressionistic works of art.”