Local Illustrator Creates Original Cover Art for Magazines in West Hartford, Glastonbury

West Hartford illustrator Christy Corey describes her art as “rooted in community through a love of collaboration and connection.” This month, residents of West Hartford and Glastonbury will receive a first-hand connection and a glimpse at her latest artwork delivered to their mailbox, courtesy of two local publications.

West Hartford Lifestyle and Glastonbury Lifestyle, published monthly and circulated throughout each community’s residents and businesses, commissioned original art by Corey to appear on the magazine’s covers.

As owner & publisher Gary Perrelli explained in an introductory column in each edition, “You might notice something a bit different about this month's issue of Glastonbury & West Hartford Lifestyle Magazines. We decided to have a little fun and try an illustration for October, which is our food issue.”

Corey, who grew up in West Hartford, is an artist and illustrator specializing in food and travel-related artwork. She is an assistant professor of fine arts at the University of Connecticut, and has also taught at the University of Hartford, West Hartford Art League, Farmington Valley Art Center and the New Britain Museum of American Art. Her work has been featured at the Joseloff Gallery at the University of Hartford, where she earned a Master’s in Fine Arts this past spring, and she previously earned First Place for a children’s book illustration at the annual Raab Associates Prize for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

“The cover is her unique take on some of the dessert items offered at Gather55, a Hartford restaurant that grew out of a soup kitchen run by the nonprofit Hands on Hartford,” Perrelli explained. Each magazine includes an article about Gather55, written by Eileen McNamara. Gather55, located in a historic space in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, partners with local chefs to create an upscale dinner menu with an innovative pay-what-you-can business model.

“I had so much fun working on these covers – I was so inspired by the Gather55 restaurant,” Corey said recently in an Instagram post.

Original art by local illustrator Christy Corey is featured on the cover of this month's issue.Photo bycity lifestyle

West Hartford Lifestyle also includes an article on local food-related start-ups, written by Annisa Teich, founder of the Small Business Collective; Glastonbury Lifestyle includes features on the flavors of fall and a local couple who have started an indoor vertical farm growing leafy greens and herbs.

West Hartford Lifestyle begins its second year of operations with the current issue; Glastonbury Lifestyle is in its fourth year of monthly publication. Send an email to http://www.support@citylifestyle.comto be added to the mailing list or to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Promoting joy in every delicious bite of life, Christy Corey’s delectable creations draw inspiration from cherished food memories, vibrant landscapes, and quiet moments. She finds contentment, excitement, and fulfillment in the creation of freshly painted passages in watercolor and acrylic and savors the opportunity to pass those feelings along. In addition to her editorial, food and beverage, and travel illustrations, she has worked on a variety of custom projects, including portraits of cherished pets, wedding signature cocktail illustrations, and restaurant menu signage.

More of Christy Corey’s work can be seen at her website, ChristyCoreyArt.com or on Instagram at @christycoreyart or facebook.com/ChristyCoreyArt. To learn more about the magazines, visit citylifestyle.com/westhartford and citylifestyle.com/glastonbury.

On the distinctive and unique October issue covers, Perrelli adds, “Check it out and let us know what you think.”