Gloucester: When the Fish Came First

a book of photographs by Nubar Alexanian

Retail Price: $295, Pre-publication price: $125. (Orders before May 6.)

Gloucester, MA— Walker Creek Media and the Rocky Neck Art Colony announce the release of GLOUCESTER: WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST, a limited edition beautifully reproduced large format book (14”x11.5”) of 67 photographs by celebrated photographer Nubar Alexanian from his Gloucester collection.

A New England native and Gloucester resident, Alexanian accompanied the Brancaleone family of Gloucester and their crew aboard the Joseph and Lucia II on four ten-day fishing trips to Georges Bank in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, just prior to the collapse of the fishing industry. His photos from these trips form the heart of this book and reflect his deep connection to these Gloucester fishermen. They record the last glory days of commercial fishing out of Gloucester harbor, and also life as it was lived in Gloucester over a forty year period. In his introduction Sandy Tolan writes: “This book is a love poem to Gloucester; it is, as Nubar says, a ‘historical document describing a way of life that will never ‘be’ again.’ ”

The public is invited to a celebratory “Meet The Author” and book launch party at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center, 6 Wonson St. Gloucester, on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 PM.

Copies of GLOUCESTER: WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST are available to individuals at a pre-publication price of $125 from March 25, 2016 through May 5, 2016. See the book’s official website, walkercreekmedia.com/Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER: WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST is distributed exclusively through the Rocky Neck Art Colony.

Resellers interested in carrying this limited edition title may order through the Rocky Neck Art Colony, 978-515-7004 or by emailing info@rockyneckartcolony.org.

——————————

“In his fish photos Alexanian finds a metaphor of the people of Gloucester – endangered, atavistic, communal – and they’re as riveting as they are forlorn.”

—Christopher Mills, The Boston Phoenix

“These images manage to be beautiful and honest at the same time. They are the real Gloucester, hard edges and all.”

—Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm

“Alexanian’s pictures are metaphors. Read them like poems.”

—The Boston Globe

“Alexanian is ever moving, ever growing, enlarging scope and depth, yet rooted in our rock and water—and in us.  Join him in his explorations of our Gloucester and ourselves, and make them yours.”

—From the Foreword by Joseph Garland

——————————————–

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of GLOUCESTER: WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST will be donated to the Northeast Seafood Coalition.

——————————————–

The Rocky Neck Art Colony, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization nurtures excellence in the arts through exhibitions, workshops, residencies and vibrant cultural events for its members and the public. Long renowned for its luminous light, Rocky Neck has been a magnet for some of the most revered realist paintings in American art and a catalyst for the progressive ideas of artists from Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery, and Nell Blaine, among many others. For up to date information visit rockyneckartcolony.org

 

The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck

6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930