New Canaan resident Tom Davies will give a Gallery Talk on Thursday, February 1st from 6:00-7:15 pm.at the New Canaan Historical Society. Mr. Davies is one of the curators of the new exhibit, Orientalism in American Art and The Silvermine Art Colony, currently on view at Society, and much of the show comes from his private collection.

The exhibit features American artists who traveled, painted and often lived for extended periods in an area that stretched from Morocco across North Africa, Egypt, The Holy Lands and Persia to India. In the 19th century, this mostly Islamic world became known as the “Orient.” The European and American artists who, beginning in the 1840s, ventured into this forbidden world were called “Orientalists.” The show includes more than 30 paintings and etchings plus furniture, rugs, jewelry and decorative objects. The work of four artists from the Silvermine Art Colony are featured. The exhibit runs through March 31st.

Tom Davies’ fascination with American Art as a collector, writer, lecturer and dealer began fifty years ago. As a sales trainee, he was assigned to the north shore of Massachusetts and its vibrant art colony on Cape Ann. Tom has written numerous exhibition catalogues and feature articles for national magazines and a comprehensive book entitled “Collecting Stories.” Over these years, he has enjoyed being an organizer and lender to 39 art exhibitions both in the United States and internationally. Many in town may know him from his “Art America” show, an extensive exhibit of his collection of American art at the Historical Society last spring.

Tom is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from Columbia University. He had a lengthy career at Colgate-Palmolive. He lives with his wife, Marianne.

The event is free and open to the public.

The New Canaan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840. (203) 966-1776 www.nchistory.org