LEIF NILSSON
SPRING STREET STUDIO & GALLERY

10/21/25 STUDIO NEWS
and more about
Life and Art from Leif

A recent video of me explaining myself!
https://youtu.be/afsFx-aN8r8
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Please join us for the next
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CHESTER FIRST FRIDAY
NIGHT ART STROLL
November 7th, 2025 from 5 - 8 pm.

Please join us for an interesting and engaging Book Signing and Reading of “Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd” By Erik Hesselberg Author of: “Night Boat to New York” while enjoying some of the oldest and newest paintings of my home and travels in the gallery for a happy hour or two with interludes of live traditional and original Irish, Scottish and American fiddle tunes by the author and Paddy Whack
Photo by Matthew Male



“Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd”
By Erik Hesselberg
By Erik Hesselberg Author of: Night Boat to New York. The camera king George Eastman has been called “the father of the snapshot,” bringing photography to the masses with his cheap, easy-to-use Kodak and Brownie cameras, introduced to the world in 1888 and 1900, respectively. But years before Eastman’s Kodak No. 1 was even an idea, a Haddam-Connecticut-born inventor had devised ingenious hand-held cameras with more sensitive film emulsions to freeze action that had previously been a blur. Already in 1875, George Bradford Brainerd, a civil engineer with the Brooklyn water department, was using his new “instantaneous” cameras to capture not only Gilded Age glamor, but also the city’s gritty street life— traveling musicians, street peddlers, artisans, newsboys, burly dock workers, and even beggars—laying the groundwork for photojournalists like Jacob Riis, Louis Hine, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Yet, despite leaving behind some 2,000 glass negatives, George Brainerd, a true pioneer of 19th century photography, today is virtually unknown. The author of Night Boat to New York; Steamboats on the Connecticut 1815-1931, Erik Hesselberg has been writing about the Connecticut River for 30 years. Starting out as beat reporter for the Middletown Press, he rose to become Executive Editor of the Shore Line Newspaper Group in Guilford CT, where he oversaw weekly newspapers and magazines from Old Lyme to Stratford. Erik was a past President of the Middlesex County Historical Society, and developed the awarding-winning exhibit, “A Vanished Port,” on Middletown’s forgotten connection to the slave trade. He lectures widely on Connecticut history and has taught courses at Wesleyan University’s Wasch Center for Retired Faculty. Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd is Erik’s second book. He lives on the Connecticut River in Haddam, CT.
The camera king George Eastman has been called “the father of the snapshot,” bringing photography to the masses with his cheap,
easy-to-use Kodak and Brownie cameras, introduced to the world in 1888 and 1900, respectively. But years before Eastman’s Kodak
No. 1 was even an idea, a Haddam-Connecticut-born inventor had devised ingenious hand-held cameras with more sensitive film
emulsions to freeze action that had previously been a blur. Already in 1875, George Bradford Brainerd, a civil engineer with the
Brooklyn water department, was using his new “instantaneous” cameras to capture not only Gilded Age glamor, but also the city’s
gritty street life— traveling musicians, street peddlers, artisans, newsboys, burly dock workers, and even beggars—laying the
groundwork for photojournalists like Jacob Riis, Louis Hine, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Yet, despite leaving behind some 2,000 glass
negatives, George Brainerd, a true pioneer of 19th century photography, today is virtually unknown.
The author of Night Boat to New York; Steamboats on the Connecticut 1815-1931, Erik Hesselberg has been writing about the
Connecticut River for 30 years. Starting out as beat reporter for the Middletown Press, he rose to become Executive Editor of the
Shore Line Newspaper Group in Guilford CT, where he oversaw weekly newspapers and magazines from Old Lyme to Stratford. Erik
was a past President of the Middlesex County Historical Society, and developed the awarding-winning exhibit, “A Vanished Port,” on
Middletown’s forgotten connection to the slave trade. He lectures widely on Connecticut history and has taught courses at Wesleyan
University’s Wasch Center for Retired Faculty. Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd is Erik’s
second book. He lives on the Connecticut River in Haddam, CT.
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I will be a part of
"A Free Chester Historical Society Cracker Barrel Discussion about Musicians in Chester"
Sunday, November 16, 2025 starting at 4 pm.
at the Meetinghouse
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How Chester Became a Destination for Artists: A Conversation with Five Artists
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Today Chester is recognized regionally, throughout the state, and even nationally
as a prominent arts community, It was not always so. The Chester Historical Society will present a panel discussion by five figures who played (and still play) a central role in that rise to prominence in the arts world. Nationally acclaimed basket maker, Sosse Baker, innovative artists, Janet Cummings Good, Richard Ziemann, and Leif Nilsson, along with creative and unique jewelry designer, Dina Varano, head up a panel discussing their careers and roles in helping Chester to become the arts community that it is known as today. Following this the artists will respond to questions and observations from the audience. Along with their presentations, some examples of each of the artists' work will be on display.
The panel discussion took place at 5:00 p.m. on April 13 at the Chester Meeting House at 4 Liberty Street. Video Link.
art
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On the Easel
http://www.nilssonstudio.com/leif/19/3947/Essex-from-the-cockpit-.html
CAT# 3947
Essex from the cockpit
oil 12 x 16 inches
Leif Nilsson summer 2025 ©
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Front Page of the May Issue of INK Magazine
ink
Article written by Ellen Lessard
https://inkct.com/
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From the Archives
___________________________________________ On the Easel Calves Island, Old Lyme oil 9 x 24 inches Leif Nilsson summer 2024 ©
CAT# 1828
Chester Center - Autumn Afternoon
oil 24 x 30 inches
Leif Nilsson autumn 1995 ©
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CONCERTS IN
THE GARDEN 2025

garden
Seasonal concert series of eclectic international and local singer songwriter artists from cool jazz to blue grass.
$20 suggested donation - BYOB and picnic -
Outdoor Bistro Style Seating in the Amphitheatre
Rain or shine!

Choose your favorite bottle at the Chester Package Store across the street, get your picnic from any of Chester's fine restaurants and grab a growler from the Little House Brewing Company next door.

The 2025 Season
Saturday Nights 7 - 9 pm

7/12/25 - Shorebreak

7/19/25 - Arrowhead & Paddy Whack
& after hours birthday jam

7/26/25 - The Bargain

8/2/25 - Alex Kratzert & The Gibbons

8/9/25 - Christopher Abbott and co.

8/16/25 - Someone You Can Xray

8/23/25 - Old Dog New Trick

See you next year!

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Sorry, no pets or unattended children allowed.
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Spreading a bit of Joy

The June 21, 2022 Midsummers Night Dream Video
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Print of the Week!

Griswold Point - Golden Rod #3952
Signed limited edition of 250 fine art prints, from an original oil painting 20 x 16 inches. Image size unframed, 20 x 16 inches, $450.00
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For reliable in depth local news and listings:

http://www.zip06.com/

http://icrvradio.com/

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LEIF NILSSON
SPRING STREET STUDIO & GALLERY LLC
One Spring Street
Chester, Connecticut 06412

Open by appointment, chance and weekends
860-526-2077
 
 
 
 

 

 


 



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