Kick off the holiday shopping season and give back to the community at Sip and Shop Night at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The museum is located at 141 East Avenue next to the Norwalk Health Department, in the red brick house with blue double front doors. Parking is available at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue. Shop for one of a kind holiday gifts, meet local artist/designer Karen Ponelli and pay it forward by donating to our women’s “Suit Drive” benefiting Dress for Success. The event is free and includes a wine and cheese reception. RSVP: [email protected].

Local artist/designer Karen Ponelli will discuss how her contemporary art techniques are transformed into scarves and accessories. She will be selling unique silk and textured scarves from her new line of contemporary artwork. Some of her scarves were created by a California based company using the artists’ paintings and designs to produce wearable products. In addition, Ponelli will have her one of kind scarves available that she creates from start to finish, which includes selecting and hand-dyeing the fabrics. Shop her hand-dyed silk flower accessory pins, framed and matted artwork, hand painted gift wrap and stationary as well as other unique, artful items great for gift giving.

Get into the Holiday spirit of giving back by supporting our women’s “Suit Drive” benefiting Dress for Success, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Donations of clean in-season “interview appropriate” clothing, handbags and accessories, no more than three years old will be graciously accepted. Donations must be on hangers and tax-deductible receipts will be provided upon request. For a specific list on what to donate please visit www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org.

More treasures await in the Norwalk Historical Society Museum Gift Shop, where you’ll find a collection of locally hand-made items. A perfect place to find unique holiday gifts produced by Connecticut artists and artisans. Round out your evening with wine, cheese and a peek at the museum’s three exhibits: Norwalk Collects: Celebrating Four Historic Collections; Norwalk: Portrait of Diversity and Eating off the Landscape: The Farrington-Lockwood Dessert Service.

Photo Credit: Susan Borgen & Karen Ponelli

For more information visit www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org, e-mail [email protected] , or call 203-846-0525.

The Norwalk Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For information: [email protected] or 203-846-0525.