Mansfield Choral Society :: Summertime Jazz 2009

Mansfield Choral Society, which has been in existence for over 30 years, is a choir of just under one hundred singers. We meet weekly in Mansfield, produce three main concerts per year in Mansfield, Southwell or Nottingham, perform a very wide repertoire of traditional and modern choral music, and pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming.
Mansfield Choral Society was formed in 1973 by local conductor David Chamberlain, from a previous choir founded by Ethel Houseley. In the early days MCS performed an eclectic range of music from Smetana’s The Bartered Bride to Liszt’s Christus Oratorio, accompanied memorably by locally-born international pianist, John Ogden. They sang for the Children’s Society to mark the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday; and received praise for performances of Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Great satisfaction was gained from winning Co-op and Music Club Shields in Mansfield Music Festival several years running.

In 1991 David Chamberlain handed over the baton to Martin Pickering, ex-chorister from the Chapel Royal at Windsor. Under his stewardship, MCS continued to grow in size and musical scope. Involvement in ‘Hallelujah for Hospices’, the World’s largest simultaneous performance of Handel’s Messiah (involving over 150 UK choirs and 50 others around the globe) proved particularly memorable. Other special concerts included Vivaldi’s Gloria, the Stravinsky Mass, Haydn’s Creation, the Bruckner Motets, Benjamin Britten’s powerful and evocative War Requiem, and the concert version of Bernstein’s musical Candide.

MCS has a tradition of featuring, at its Summer concerts, winners of the annual John Ogden Scholarship Award. John Ogden was born in Mansfield Woodhouse and enjoyed a brilliant career as a concert pianist. — http://www.mansfieldchoral.org.uk/

For its “Summertime Jazz” concert poster, MCS chose Lena’s “Sympho-Jazz” artwork:

Fashion Design Inspired by Lena’s Art

My name is Rizwan Ahmed, 23 years old. My zodiac sign is Libra. Currently doing my hons. in Fashion Designing from Asian Institute Of Fashion Design located in Karachi, Pakistan.

This is a 4-years degree plan and in our last year we have to design a collection on single theme in which we have to make several different garments such as Cocktail, Daywear, Fusion, Evening and Ballgown.

I selected Lena Karpinsky as my final graduating theme and decided to design a collection on this theme.

My first Sub-theme was “Garden”. I designed a floral cocktail garment based on the “Sunset Dreams” painting.

For the second garment, I chose the “Music and Dance” theme, and based it on the “Toronto Jazz Festival” artwork.

Lena donates a painting to the Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities around the world (“House that Love Built”) provides the families of terminally ill children a place to stay free of charge while they have extended stays in the hospital.

Anita Kealey (The Design Studio) invited Lena to participate in the Designer’s SHOWHOUSE benefiting the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House in South Dakota.

Mrs. Kealey and a team of designers have totally donated all of their time as well all as materials to build and furnish a 8 bedroom Ronald McDonald House. Lena donated a large original Sunflowers artwork.

Thank you so much for your participation.  Everyone loved your painting! The theme of sunflowers was so perfect with fresh arrangements of “South Dakota” sunflowers in vases throughout.  (It is  our state flower!)  It is a very happy environment with your beautiful artwork.

Thank you for your support and friendship!

Anita Kealey, President
THE DESIGN STUDIO, Inc.

ART by LENA show on “Music In Summer – 2008″ festival

“Music In Summer” is an annual North Ontario music festival dedicated to chamber music. To many young musicians from Canada and USA, Music In Summer gives a unique opportunity to practice chamber ensembles and orchestra performances and participate in master classes with David Zafer, Lee Joiner, Mark Widner, Sharon Prater, Jacob Lakirovich and other well-known musicians.

Lena was invited to participate in “Music In Summer” this year with her “Chamber Music” series artworks exhibition. The show had a great success.

On the photo: a master class with Mr. Lee Joiner

ART by LENA as eBook / Audio book illustrations

Evgeny Yakubovich is a well-known Russian-speaking science fiction author whose novels are published by leading Russian, Canadian and Israeli magazines and newspapers, including the famous sci-fi magazine “Noon. 21st Century” by Boris Strugatsky.

One of Lena’s SCI-FI artworks is planned to become the cover illustration for Mr. Yakubovich’s new book. Mr. Yakubovich also used some of Lena’s paintings on his official website, www.Yakubovich.com

Lena’s painting as a classical music CD cover

European CD producer and distributor EUROPE RCD signed a contract to use Lena’s art for their music CD covers.

Lena’s painting “Body and Soul” has been selected by EUROPE RCD as the art cover for the music CD “Cello Cocktail” by Igor Rekhin.

Lena is among the Top 25 Toronto artists to be featured at The Distillery District’s “Fido Spot”

This year, Fido and the historic Distillery District in Toronto are getting together to celebrate and support a shared commitment to arts and culture. This partnership comes in the form of the largest outdoor projector screen in Toronto. The projector is located in the Distillery District’s Pure Spirits Patio (also known as the Fido Spot).

After having carefully reviewed numerous excellent submissions, six of Lena’s paintings were selected to be part of the slideshow that will run daily at the Distillery District during the month of July, 2008. The entire slideshow will be comprised of pieces from 25 artists.

ART by LENA on HGTV

Lena’s artworks, chosen by Anita Kealey for the Historic Pettengill Residence, will be featured on HGTV later this year.

“You are so talented and I am very happy with all of the pieces!” – says Mrs. Kealey, the President of THE DESIGN STUDIO, INC. (Sioux Falls, SD), – “We are delighted with your beautiful artwork!!! It is wonderful, we all appreciate the time and details you illustrated so colorfully! I certainly enjoy working with you and I have more unique projects coming up that I would like to have you paint more pieces for.”

“Ruth’s Chris” chooses Lena’s artworks for its three new restaurants

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is an international chain of upscale restaurants. Various listings have placed Ruth’s Chris among the best restaurants in the United States.

Each restaurant has a unique decor. Three new locations of Ruth’s Chris, Harrah’s New Orleans, Mohegan Sun and Fresno are now decorated with Lena’s original artworks.

Lena’s story in a Toronto newspaper

“Family life infused with music and art” is the title of the CJNews article about Lena and Eli Karpinsky (June 12, 2008).

“Lena Karpinsky’s paintings have taken over her house. Colours pop out from the upstairs hallway, petals peek out from the basement, and painted sunflowers dance from the walls.” writes CJN journalist Rita Poliakov – “But the paintings that best represent her life are the ones filled with [music] instruments.”