Month: February 2016

I am pleased to announce the recent action of the Rockport Art Association Board of Governors to accept the vote of the membership in approving the new name of the Association. The action, in an overwhelming vote of 129 to 11, amends the By-Laws to add the two words, “& museum” to the official name of the organization.

The addition of the phrase ‘& museum’ seems simple, but I see it as a major, strategic step to open our doors to more visitors, more members, more community involvement, and a stronger platform from which to support artists in Rockport and Cape Ann. This name change is a pivotal step in fulfilling our ongoing mission.

The word ‘association’ does not inherently sound like a place that is open to the public but now, with the addition of ‘museum’, we can easily encourage visitors, tour groups, families, educators, news media, and anyone in the public to visit us and explore the exhibitions. We are using a word they understand: ‘museum.’

Museums are a source of economic activity in the community. They generate visitors daily, solely by recognition alone and those visitors will spend money. This change is also as much a commitment to the community by increasing visitors to the area who will in turn not only spend money in the RAA&M, but also in shops, restaurants, inns and hotels. This new designation befits the organization’s community-minded spirit, broad educational focus and standards of excellence. Most importantly to the community, we will continue to participate in the regional art scene, teach art, foster creativity, and serve as a gathering place for the exchange of ideas. The museum designation underscores, above all, our wish to be committed to community and place all while embracing and sharing our history and eagerly exploring our future.

Thank you for your support.

Best wishes,
Abby Battis
Executive Director

Of all the many miracles Jesus performed during his time here, I find this one most profound, not so much because of what he did, although it is certainly impressive, but because of when he did it. Jesus just learned that John had been beheaded.  He withdrew to a lonely place apart and prayed.  Then he went back among the crowd of people, healed their sick and fed them.  Whether there were 5,000 or 500 in the crowd is immaterial.  It is his action that is the important lesson.  How many of us would respond that way upon learning of the gruesome death of someone we loved?  If we had the power he had, most of us would be blasting the living daylights out of everyone and everything in sight; but he is showing us how we are meant to respond; always with love and compassion.

Scriptural Reference: Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard this [about the beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”

And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

The Little Sandra

Check in the official Facebook Page Here-

https://www.facebook.com/events/211156552570533/