The Muggies…

Dates: 
August 24 – September 24, 2023

Opening Reception: 
Sunday August 27, 4-6 PM

The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck,
6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA
Gallery Hours: 
Thursday-Sunday, Noon – 5 PM

ROCKY NECK ART COLONY (RNAC) presents Following Traditions, an exhibition 400+ years in the making. As its name suggests, Following Traditions connects the past to the present, the historic to the contemporary, the way things were to where they are. The exhibition features five local artists and considers their work within the context of Cape Ann’s significant artistic lineage. Participating artists are Nicholas Anthony Mancini, Jon Bolles, Amanda Hawkins, Will Suglia and Joe LoVasco, all of whom have deep personal or professional ties to the locale of the North Shore. 

The diversity of process, material and outcome across the work serves as a reminder of the artistic voices and muses that once found inspiration here in the nation’s oldest art colony:

Nicholas Anthony Mancini uses paint to create a space that is simultaneously referent to and removed from reality. His constructed spaces are not unlike those of Stuart Davis, in their play between surface and depth, offering glimpses of namable objects amongst painterly abstractions. Both artists find ways to play with and push the inherent flatness of painting, thereby creating a portal into another world. 

Jon Bolles situates his viewer in a very specific place and time. His visual notations of light are akin to Edward Hopper’s architectural paintings, where it may be argued that light is the true subject of the work. Bolles’ sensitivity to color and mark dramatize the highlights and shadows of his selected built environments, inviting the viewer to be immersed in a fleeting moment in time.

Amanda Hawkins’ plein air practice demands quick and bold brushwork, like that of Nell Bliane. 

Each brushstroke is alive, both referring to and diverging from its subject, but always working in unison to create form and depth. Hawkins, like Blaine, embraces the inherent abstraction of paint and sees it as a self-referent media. 

Will Suglia’s work entwines symbol and place. His visual narratives explore vignettes of people, places and objects transformed through material manipulation. This transformation from subject to consequent object is reminiscent of Marsden Hartley. Suglia, like Hartley, allows the artistic process to be seen, embedding a narrative into the final work. 

The driving motivation for Joe LoVasco’s work is a thorough investigation of form. LoVasco, like Milton Avery, has the rare ability to coalesce and harmonize wide-ranging shapes and forms. Whether looking at his two- or three-dimensional work, the viewer may find similar questions as when looking at an Avery painting: How did these shapes come to be?

Rocky Neck Art Colony has served as a microcosm of palpable creative energy for over 120 years and counting and continues to inspire. By bridging past and future, Following Traditions celebrates the here and now of Rocky Neck Art Colony. 

The Artists

Jon Bolles 
Amanda Hawkins (curator)
Joe LoVasco
Nicholas Anthony Mancini
Will Suglia

Events

Making Connections: The Historic and Contemporary Artists of Rocky Neck Art Colony
Sunday August 27th, 3:30p
Event to be held at the Cultural Center directly before opening reception

Nicholas Anthony Mancini Virtual Artist Talk 
Tuesday August 29th 7-8pm

Amanda Hawkins Virtual Artist Talk 
Tuesday September 12th 7-8pm

Will Suglia Virtual Artist Talk 
Thursday September 21st, 7-8pm 

###

The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC), 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. On picturesque Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts, RNAC operates three exhibition  spaces, open to the public for free, The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck (6 Wonson Street); The Salted Cod Arthouse (53 Rocky Neck Ave.), a partnership gallery and café; and Cove Gallery (37 Rocky Neck Ave.), open seasonally in the former gallery of local artists Gordon and Judith Goetemann. Check the website, www.rockyneckartcolony.org, for hours, openings and special events. For more information, see the website or call 978-515-7004

Join us every Friday and Saturday this summer to turn up your weekend vibe at Beauport Hotel’s Sunset Sessions with tickets now on sale for August 18th & 19th! 

Featuring live DJ entertainment from 617 Events, we are the only place in Gloucester featuring a 21+ evening rooftop sunset viewing party with stunning views, lively tunes and savory cocktails. Make sure to bring your suit if you want to take a dip in the pool or hot tub!

Looking to elevate your experience? We are also offering limited VIP Premium Ocean View Lounge Seating for up to four guests on the Rooftop including a bottle of Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut (inclusive of gratuity, tax and Eventbrite fees) so that you can start the evening off celebrating with bubbles! 

Our limited VIP General Admission starts at $25* and are now on sale! 

Have any questions? Call 978-491-5090 or email marketing@beauporthospitality.com.

Here’s a video of our Grandfather Captain Joe Ciaramitaro’s Benjamin C Being Launched at the 6 Minute Mark

Limited tickets, so get yours before they’re gone. You don’t want to miss this special show on a boat! Good reggae vibes!

Tickets at www.capeanncruises.com/events

Pat D’s Photos hopes to see you on Lexington Ave this Saturday Aug 19 from 5-9 PM for the last of the summer Lexington Ave block parties! Here are some of the images that are available. Stop by and say hello. Lots of fun and entertainment coming your way!

Please join us for an afternoon on historic Rocky Neck, Gloucester, MA for an afternoon of plein air painting. Known as one of the longest, continuously running art colonies Rocky Neck is home to a new generation of plein air painters, many whom live and work on Madfish Wharf. The event is open to all interested painters. Paint anywhere in the neighborhood morning and or afternoon and then join us between 5pm-7pm for a “Wet Paint Sale.” Artists will have an opportunity to display and sell their finished works on Madfish Wharf, during Gloucester’s Thursday evening Culture Splash. Live music by the Woodland Strings and light refreshments by the Rudder.

*Artists info:

$100 cash first prize Artists Choice Award, 2nd and 3rd prizes to be decided

Please have your work ready to hang. Ie wire your canvas or desired surface prior to painting. Frames are optional

Artists are responsible for their individual sales. Please be prepared to work this out between the buyer. Ie Venmo, Apple Pay etc. Artists ear 100% of their sale.

Artist, Vanessa Michalak and Madfish Wharf are your hosts! Vanessa Michalak, Artist

Art Lovers: Come observe artists painting on the Neck and enjoy food, drink and music during the Wet Paint Sale. If able please consider purchasing artwork. A purchase goes beyond an individual sale, supporting an artists career and the arts and culture scene that makes Gloucester special. Let’s support arts culture and keep artists in Gloucester by buying art.

Link here: Event description from Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rocky-neck-plein-air-and-wet-paint-sale-tickets-690588297187

Katelyn Ciaramitaro

(978) 473- 0922

katelyn.ciaramitaro@engelvolkers.com

If you would like Katelyn to reach out fill out this contact form and she will contact you:

GOODMORNINGGLOUCESTER TREE PROJECT

Posted on August 18, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’ve been batting around this idea for a couple of weeks now.

There is a strip of grass to the right of the East Gloucester Richdale Store. The area is just begging for a strip of flowering trees to be planted there. I honestly believe that with a few trees planted on this small lot it would give the entire neighborhood there a newly revitalized feel. I never really noticed the strip of grass, it always seemed like all pavement but with the addition of some flowering cherrys on chanticlear pear trees it could be spectacular.

Here’s the idea- the GMG Bumper stickers remain completely free but if you would like to donate $1 or a couple dollars for one I will keep a running total in the right hand column of any donations toward the purchase of the trees for the strip of grass.

If anyone would like to donate toward that cause just bring whatever dough you feel would be appropriate for your budget.

Imagine for just a few measly bucks you could be part of something that would be there for the rest of your life, passing by and actually benefiting from the beauty created by your small donation.

Oh, and don’t feel funny if you take a sticker and not donate. Not a problem at all.

I’ll start the fund out with $20 of my money just to put my money where my mouth is. Hell I’ll get far more than $20 worth of enjoyment watching the trees grow year after year knowing I might have been part of making it happen. So look in the right hand column for the running total.

We raised enough money and had some tremendous help from community members-

GOODMORNINGGLOUCESTER TREE PROJECT BEFORE PICS

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

GOODMORNINGGLOUCESTER TREE PROJECT BEFORE PICS

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

DOUG COOK’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN PLAN FOR GMG TREE PROJECT

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

Please click on the picture and select “all sizes” option to see the plan in full size and greater clarity with the names of all the plantings.

We are a bit away from the costs of getting the project done but I’m confident that some of the folks that dig the site will step up.  So far Doug figures we have enough to cover the costs of the plants and trees (thanks to the donation of a Tree and Doug’s services along with Aaron Burke’s pledge of a backhoe and labor.  Now we just need enough to cover the cost of the mulch, loam and a few shrubs.

Doug Cook’s Landscape Design Plan for GMG Tree Project, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Thanks so much to Doug from Landesign.biz Aaron Burke and everyone who has contributed.

October 10, 2008 was go-time:

GMG TREE PROJECT A GO TODAY! ANYONE WANNA LEND A HAND?

Posted on October 10, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

If anyone would like to help with the planting and bed creation, the boys should be digging around 2:30PM.

I could also use someone with a digital camera that can capture some pictures.

I spoke with Aaron Burke and Doug Cook and between the donated excavating equipment from Jay Ramsey at Farm Creek Landscaping, labor and equipment from Grimes Landscape and Hydroseeding, the design work and tree donation from Doug Cook at Landesgn.biz, Corliss Wholesale donating plant material along with all of your donations we will be planting today!

Please keepin mind these civic minded folks that are all donating their time and energy to make Gloucester a better place the next time you have a landscaping project you would like done.

Doug Cook Landesign.biz  978-281-2005

Grimes Landscape and Hydroseed 978-768-7190

Corliss Wholesale 978- 356-3560

Farm Creek Landscaping 978-768-7725

Aaron Burke

GOODMORNINGGLOUCESTER TREE PROJECT- WE DID IT!

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Joey Ciaramitaro

AND Here are pictures of the strip of land today, 15 years after we conceptualized it! 8/16/23

Dear Joey,
Sometime ago, my group of amazing Senior Citizens at The Rose Baker Senior Center
recreated (in pastel) several of Edward Hopper’s paintings.  Cafe Sicilia, and also
Mac Bell have graciously allowed me to exhibit the Senior’s wonderful reproductions in their places of business.   What a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the magic of the Senior’s Hopper Interpretations while enjoying delicious Italian cookies and a cappuccino!
Our sincere thanks to Cafe Sicilia and to Mac Bell, and to you Joey for posting this on your wonderful Good Morning site!
Juni Van Dyke

Field of Dreams…

The public is invited to share photos and get involved with the City’s long-range planning.

Gloucester, Mass. (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) — Gloucester will hold an open house to begin the community involvement portion of its Comprehensive Plan.

The city recently contracted with JM Goldson, an independent planning firm, to help develop its first Comprehensive Plan since 2001. This plan is long-range, visionary, and primarily focused on the city’s physical and social evolution.

Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan will guide local decision makers over the next ten years in topics including:

• Land use
• Demographics & housing
• Employment and economic development conditions
• Open space, natural resources, and sustainability
• Cultural and historic resources
• Transportation
• Public services and facilitiesPhase I, which launched in June 2023, is a fact-finding mission intended to work solely with local subject matter experts to define Gloucester’s existing conditions.The city is working with the consultant team to launch Phase II this fall, which will begin the broader public engagement process. As a part of this process, the project team will be offering multiple opportunities for Gloucester community members to get involved and help shape the city’s future.Gloucester community members are invited to help create a photo library of Gloucester’s special places. The goal is to collect photos to include in the Existing Conditions Profile and other future Comprehensive Plan documents and marketing materials.What: Gloucester Comprehensive Plan Open House
  When: Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  Where: Kyrouz Auditorium, City Hall 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, Mass.

This event is free to attend and will have activities for all ages, including a presentation from the Consultant Team at 11:00 a.m., which will be recorded by 1623 Studios.

During the open house, community members will be invited to engage with a variety of interactive stations to share their hopes, concerns, and visions for the future of Gloucester.

For more information about the Comprehensive Plan process, visit the Project Landing Page on the City’s website.

Contact:

Community Development Department (978) 325-5230

Thank you to the West Parish School PTO and especially Alessia Connolly for coordinating and organizing this for the kids!! It will be a great way to welcome them to a new school year!! 🛳️🛠️🪛🪚🔩🏫

You can order at Tock or visit www.sushisanglee.com