The hunt is on for artsy bears

WINSTED — Artists and art enthusiasts have been formally invited to start their own bear hunts — not for Northwest Connecticut’s commonly spotted black bear, but for newly painted ceramic bears created for this year’s “Bearlieve it or Not†fundraiser, sponsored by the Northwest Connecticut Cahamber of Commerce.

A wine and cheese party held Friday, Sept. 10, at Laurel Hill Health Care helped kick off the “bear hunt†theme, with Director of Admissions Janet Bush playing host to an enthusiastic crowd. Bush introduced the “Lake-Ness Bear,†which the facility has sponsored, painted by local artist Cheryl Bartley.

“I wanted to have an event to spur interest and to officially introduce the bear and the artist to the community,†Bush said. Even though this wasn’t an official Bearlieve It Or Not fundraising campaign event, Bush and Bartley teamed up to host the party to build excitement for the Chamber of Commerce’s “Going on a Bear Hunt†program. They said they hoped sponsors of other bears will follow suit.

The hunt began Sept. 1 and runs through Oct. 29. There are 26 bears in various locations, and reportedly a few “rogue bears†along the route.

“It is really a great thing to do as a family, with the kids — go out on an adventure, visit different towns, different businesses, have the kids think of it as a treasure hunt,†Bartley said.

Participants use special “bear maps†marking the location of each painted bear across Litchfield County. Bear hunters can visit each destination, noting the title of the painted bear, and enter the information on a contest form. Raffle prizes will be awarded at a Bearlieve It or Not Auction Nov. 13 at Lippincott Van Lines, 171 Rowley St., Winsted.

At the auction, the bears will go to the highest bidders, with all proceeds benefitting collaborating organizations the Litchfield County Association for Retarded Citizens (LARC) and the Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation.

Both Bartley and Bush expressed their hopes that Lake-Ness Bear be purchased locally and stay in Winsted near Highland Lake.

“We’d love to have the bear stay at Laurel Hill Health Care, overlooking the lake. Some of our employees have expressed interest in holding a fundraiser to purchase our bear so it can remain here with us permanently,†Bush said.

Bush sought out Bartley as a local artist to paint a bear as a tribute to Winsted. Bartley used her folk-art style to paint a bear highlighting traditional events and celebrations in town and at Highland Lake. In keeping with Winsted’s “Laurel City†nickname, the bear is adorned with mountain laurel around its neck, arms, and legs.

For more information, visit bearlieveitornot.com or call the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 860-482-6586.

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