“Staff Favorites of 2015” lists The Day’s features staff’s favorite releases, programs, events and other moments in the arts and entertainment world. As we can’t possibly take in everything that’s been released or performed this year, we can only call these selections “favorites.” Here, staff writers note their favorite local exhibits from 2015.

“John Meyer of Norwich: An American Original” at Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich; through Jan. 15

This exhibition is great fun for folks who remember the classic John Meyer of Norwich clothing that was so popular in the 1960s — and for local fans who shopped those famous Meyer factory sales. But this show also eloquently explores how the era informed Meyer’s styles.

— Kristina Dorsey 

"Peter Halley: Big Paintings" 

Florence Griswold Museum; Feb. 6-May 31 

The Florence Griswold Museum went big and bold with this exhibition of the works of American contemporary artist Peter Halley. The paintings' monumental nature and striking colors impressed, and so did Halley's thinking behind it. He uses iconography and symbols to look more closely at the way we live our daily lives — in particular, the enclosures and barriers between individuals. 

— Kristina Dorsey

"Water, Water Everywhere" at AvS Art Gallery; opened Sept. 6

One of the most significant roles art plays is its ability to get us to focus on issues that affect us both globally and close to home. In September, the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at UConn Avery Point in Groton hosted a fascinating multimedia exhibition titled “Water, Water Everywhere: Paean to a Vanishing Resource.”

The traveling exhibit curated by Jennifer Heath — an award-winning cultural journalist and activist — was comprised of 30-second to 30-minute films by 41 artists worldwide. They ranged from documentaries to animated or acted works that were educational, serious and sometimes even humorous.

But what really hit home for local audiences was AvS director Julia Pavone’s idea to jury in works by 49 regional artists.

“We have had many artists here throughout the past 10 years with an environmental component to their art,” Pavone pointed out. “Artists reflect what’s going on around them — whether it’s about water or land or pollution. ... I chose pieces that reflect the beauty of the environment, as well as ... what humans are doing to the earth that impact (it) in a negative way.”

— Amy Barry 

"Gaia’s Lament: Art Cry" at the Hygienic; opened June 28

The goddess “Gaia,” a bronze sculpture by Renee Rhodes of Killingworth permanently installed in the Hygienic Art Gallery courtyard in New London 10 years ago, became the centerpiece of an exhibit last summer, crying out against how humans are destroying the planet.

After attending a climate change march in New York City the previous year, Rhodes, a sculptor, psychotherapist and environmental activist, conceived of the exhibit “Gaia’s Lament: Art Cry,” built around “Gaia,” the primal mother goddess. Rhodes launched a major body of work, “The Tree Spirit Series,” which debuted at the show.

Rhodes was joined by what she described as “a powerhouse of creative people” — regional sculptors, painters, installation artists, photographers, choreographers, dancers and poets whose works are connected by the beauty and vulnerability of the planet, and share a common focus on some aspect of the eight major impacts of climate change.

“The energy and passion that’s going into this will go out into the ether waves and make a difference,” Rhodes said. “As an artist, it’s how I can make a comment, but I also believe that sometimes it takes something that sneaks in under our habitual ways of thinking to wake people up, and art can do that.”

— Amy Barry 

"Ivoryton to Africa"; opened May 10

Leonardo Feroleto, owner of Six Summit Gallery in Ivoryton, feels a personal obligation to help save the elephant from extinction, as both a resident and business owner in a town that had the dubious distinction of being ground zero for the manufacturing of piano keys and nearly all ivory products in the U.S. — during the early 20th century.

In May, Feroleto put together a show of wall art and sculpture titled “Ivoryton to Africa.” He donated portions of proceeds of sales to benefit The African Wildlife Foundation, which is leading a global effort to stop the slaughter of African elephants and other species, as well as the World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading conservation organization addressing poaching of elephants, habitat loss and degradation.

Elephant-themed art in the exhibit included several joyful acrylic paintings of the animal by Sunil Howlader of Mystic; a hyper-realistic fabric piece by Disney artist Lisa Lichtenfels of Massachusetts, titled “Elephant Polo;” and “Triumphant Tusks,” a large abstract painted aluminum sculpture in front of the gallery by Derek Riley of Massachusetts. The show also included artwork representing other wildlife, as well as abstract pieces inspired by nature.

Feroleto is also on a committee commissioning a town-funded outdoor art icon in the center of the village to reflect and celebrate the culture and history of Ivoryton.

“This goes along with my campaign for anti-poaching and anti-ivory because it would be hard to make a commemorative art piece in Ivoryton without having something to do with pianos or piano keys,” Feroleto said.

— Amy Barry

“Come In! Elizabeth Enders Recent Work”; Lyman Allyn Art Museum

In keeping with its renewed attention to accomplished regional artists, the Lyman Art Allyn Museum, which is now hosting its “Near::New” series of exhibitions, hosted the larger-scale “Come In!” show of works by Elizabeth Enders.

Still up through Jan. 3, the multi-gallery exhibition showcases the recent landscapes, seascapes and botanical drawings of this New London native and Connecticut College graduate.

A nice addition is the catalogue of works here and at the companion exhibition at Real Art Ways in Hartford. Enders’ work reproduces beautifully in the book.

— Lisa McGinley