Featured artists: Teresa Oaxaca, Steven Assael, Kerry Dunn, Kristy Gordon and Lucas Bononi

Full roster of artists in Titania’s Ball:

Alayne Sahar, Anna Toberman, Ariane Kamps, Arthur Haywood, Astrid Gaszynski, Berk Gunay, Brad Kunkle, Carrie Barcomb, Erik Koeppel, Jen Bowen, Jessica Libor, John Murdoch, Kate Faulk, Kerry Dunn, Kristy Gordon, Kristin Eisenbraun, Lisa Stock, Lizzie Sweetie, Luis Alvarez Roure, Madelyn Taylor, Megan Schaugaard, Noel Yheaulon, Olivia Leona Roberts, Patricia Watwood, Rina Kim, Scott Woyak, Sofia Fotiadou, Stephanie Freese, Steven Assael, Teresa Oaxaca, Wendy Wagner and Zara Kand

Curator: Jessica Libor

The Inspiration

Swirling gossamer fabrics made of cobwebs glitter in the moonlight as the fairies dance under dew-dropped foliage. The moths and fireflies come out to play, and the alluring sounds of pan-pipes are heard in the groves now glittering with the dust of Titania’s court. For the Queen of the Fairies herself is hosting a ball!

Queen Titania, a character from William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, is a captivating and enchanting figure who has delighted audiences and inspired artists for centuries. In the play, Titania is the queen of the fairies and is known for her beauty, grace, and mystical powers. Shakespeare's literary descriptions of Titania showcase her ethereal presence and highlight her enchanting qualities.

Shakespeare describes Titania as having "a fairy vision of immense beauty" with skin as "fair as the lily" and "rosy lips." Her eyes are said to be "more bright than the stars," and her voice is described as being "sweet as music." These descriptions create a vivid and alluring image of the queen, making her a mesmerizing character to imagine and portray.

Titania's character in A Midsummer Night's Dream has captured the imagination of artists throughout history, especially during the Victorian era. Victorian fairy paintings, a popular genre of art during that time, often depicted Titania as a graceful, otherworldly being surrounded by flowers and celestial light. Artists were drawn to the delicate beauty and elegance of Titania, and these paintings were often rich in color and detail, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

The character of Queen Titania has endured the test of time, captivating hearts and minds with her enchanting presence. Whether through Shakespeare's vivid descriptions or the countless paintings she has inspired, Titania remains an emblem of the mesmerizing power of fairy tales and the enduring allure of the supernatural in art.

For this show, artists were asked to create a piece that related to Queen Titania or the characters within A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Reception

On Thursday, October 5th, between 5pm to 8pm, 2023, guests arrived at Tyler Arboretum, a private and beautifully cultivated garden of 650 acres of protected woodlands, meadows, gardens and trails. 

They meandered up the short path to the historically refurbished barn where the art show is held.  Along the way, attendees visit campfires and food trucks, beer stands and lawn games, as well as creative photo-ops along the trails. 

At the exhibition inside the barn, attendees browsed the beautiful original art by leading contemporary realist artists, inspired by the theme of "Titania's Ball".  Titania is the Queen of the Fairies in  A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, and the artwork all relates to some aspect of this famous play.  

The delicate sounds of a live professional harpist wafted through the air, the musician dressed in fairy inspired garb.

Inside the barn, the attendees were transported to fairy land through the beautiful artwork, and enjoyed the creative cuisine of locally made, organic JavaKava handmade drinks and food as they mingled with the other guests and artists.

After browsing the artwork, and perhaps collecting a magical piece of art, guests wandered through the vast and fascinating trails at the Tyler Arboretum, like the fairies in Titania's Ball.  Late into the evening , attendees hung out by the firepits with s'mores, watching the moon and enjoying the beautiful autumnal evening.

Photos by Tara Tanyan