Local artist Amy Oestreicher will be at an afternoon meet and greet on Sunday July 26th from 3pm to 5pm, at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT. Her work is currently on display in the Museum’s Artist Gallery.
Amy Oestreicher is a twenty-eight year old artist, actress, musician, orator and writer residing in Westport, CT. The fulfillment of her dream to act was shockingly interrupted when, at the age of eighteen, she suffered a blood clot that left her in a coma for months and unable to eat or drink for over three years. Almost thirty surgeries later, Amy is still courageously fighting medical setbacks, and uses her painting and mixed media creations to transcend ten years of emotional and physical trauma.
Her art demonstrates her journey into daylight and into a life of normalcy, which she is still traveling. Amy’s work explores complicated themes of betrayal, leaping into the void, uncertainty, fate, flight, and rising up from ashes.
In addition to her commitment to art, Amy’s passion for life has driven her to start her own chocolate business, write a food blog, star in musicals, train in karate, teach nursery school, and write a play as well as an autobiography. Refusing to allow her medical circumstances to impose limits on her passion for life, she accomplished her biggest dream to date, which was to tell her story in the medium she’s always loved best – the theater.
In 2012, she wrote and starred in “Gutless & Grateful: A Musical Feast” – a one- woman musical about her unique journey. After being nominated for a Broadway World Award for “Best Cabaret Debut”, she reprised her show the following year at Stage 72 (NYC), The Bijou Theatre (CT) and Barrington Stage Company (MA) as part of William Finn’s Cabaret Series. Most recently, Gutless & Grateful enjoyed a sold out run as part of the United Solo Festival in NYC, an international showcase of one-person performances. Oestreicher’s art portrays her mission to keep her spirit alive, as well as her quest for knowledge, joy, and experience. She specializes in acrylics, mixed media and collage.
Her first solo art exhibit, Journey Into Daylight (Westport Women’s Club) featured over 70 original works, spreading her message of hope in the darkest of times, and the celebration of life. Since then, Oestreicher has mounted solo exhibits at Blue Lemon, Beechwood Arts Gallery, City Lights Gallery, Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee, Temple Shalom, G & B Cultural Center, Carriage Barn’s Art in the Windows, Wendy Nylen’s Picture This Gallery (Westport, CT), and her show “Finding heART, Coming hoME,” honored the grand opening of the Prescott Tavern in Amherst, MA. Her work has also been featured in various boutiques such as Palooza in Fairfield CT, in juried art shows (Hall-
Brooke at St. Vincents) and featured on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda.
Oestreicher’s work is currently for sale on her personal website www.amyoes.com and her Etsy Shop, AllspiceAndAcrylics. Oestreicher is currently studying art education and expressive art therapies at Hampshire College. Amy’s mission is to tell her story while sharing an inspiring message of hope, determination, perseverance, and strength, in the face of unforeseen adversity. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, July 26th, Discovery Museum, in Bridgeport, CT. The public is invited to enjoy food and drink and an artist’s talk. Oestreicher’s work will be on view through September. More information can be found at www.amyoes.com and at http://www.discoverymuseum.org/.
The Discovery Museum is located at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, CT. from 3pm to 5pm, at the
