Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey – Felicia recommended that I attach the following flyer to you for one of the "goings on" happening at St. Ann School next week in honor of Catholic Schools Week!  This particular event with a local artist is open to the public and is occurring on Thursday at 12:30pm.  It is enrichment for both adults and children.  The flyer explains it all and we would appreciate it if you would post it on GMG.

St. Ann’s School is having an open house and reception for all parents interested in touring the school and finding out more about its curriculum and program on Sunday, January 31st at 11:00 (immediately following Mass). 
Thank you very much for your help!  Just to warn you – I will be sending you another flyer for  a St. Ann’s School Valentine’s Comedy Night fundraiser coming up at the Cruiseport on Friday February 11th.  Three headliner comedians, chocolate Valentine theme candy bar, 50/50, doors open at 7:30…  as soon as I get the flyer emailed to me. Would it be possible for you to post the above information as a teaser until I get you the flyer? 
Thanks again!
By the way – I am a huge fan of gmg, drive around with your car sticker (which I get compliments on), and my son Danny was on your Horribles Parade float!  Dan is in school with Amanda…
Joey – fyi as you already know St. Ann’s is a great Cape Ann Catholic school that has a long tradition in the city but is in serious financial danger due to the Archdiocese of Boston’s financial troubles and its inability to continue to help the school.  St.  Ann’s needs community help to stay open and we are trying to reach out to the community, whom I think would be very sad (whether they believe in Catholic education or not), to see the school, with so much history and tradition in Gloucester, shut its doors.  We can use all the help we can get to get the word out!  Thank you!

Marnie Powers
VP of St. Ann PTO
close friend of the famous Felicia!

‘Sometimes Wheels Spit and Sputter,’ from WHAT DO WHEELS DO ALL DAY?, 2006

Below: ‘Chapel on Naxos,’ from SACRED PLACES, 2000

ART FOR KIDS, AND BEYOND

Giles Laroche has been drawing for as long as he can remember. "I especially enjoyed sketching the mountains, old farmhouses, and mill buildings which surrounded Berlin, New Hampshire, the town I grew up in." Giles fell in love with books at a young age.
Little did Giles know that when he grew up, other people would gaze at his books about faraway lands and that he would also travel to many of the places he would come to illustrate in such books as Bridges Are To Cross, Sacred Places and What’s Inside? Fascinating Structures Around the World. Whether Giles is exploring in Europe or hiking in New England, he always has a sketchbook in hand.
Sketches are only Giles’ first step in creating the elaborate collages that Kirkus Reviews called "truly awe-inspiring." Every illustration involves many stages of drawing, cutting, painting, and gluing. Often, a piece has seven or eight layers before Giles is through with it!  Giles places spacers between each layer to give the final artwork added depth and dimension. He calls his technique "paper relief" because of its three-dimensional effect when photographed for inclusion in his books.
Giles lives and works in his house in Salem, Massachusetts, and in a 230-year-old barn in southwestern New Hampshire.  He writes, "As a child I enjoyed poring over maps, and reading and gazing at books about faraway lands – these are the books I enjoy creating for children."

This school visit will provide students, families and teachers with knowledge of a fine-art form and inspiration for hands-on activities. Above right, Giles Laroche explains his art using the original cover art for DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS.
Copies of Mr. Laroche’s favorite books will be available for purchase by St. Ann Families.  Join us for this exclusive event and you can bring home a signed copy of this acclaimed author/illustrator’s work! 

GILES LAROCHE      41 DEARBORN STREET, SALEM MA 01970      giles@gileslaroche.com