Great poster with timeline and facts about the Stacy Boulevard Flag Display

Thanks to Ringo Tarr, Pauline Bresnahan, Cape Ann Veterans

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What’s behind the papered windows: 120 Main Street reveal on May 13th

After major renovations to 120 Main Street, HUDSON GALLERY joins a great strip of businesses downtown. The ambitious inaugural exhibition features MJ Caseldon (sound sculpture) and Donna Caseldon (painting). Scroll down to see images of their art work and here’s a link to the Press release for the two person show.

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Continue reading “What’s behind the papered windows: 120 Main Street reveal on May 13th”

Hudson Gallery at 120 Main Street opens May 13 with mother and son exhibit |MJ Caseldon and Donna Caseldon

From the new gallery’s press release:

“Hudson Gallery – Opening Gala and Inaugural Exhibit Driven by Technology
Fields of the Mind: Images, Spaces and Feelings from the Subconscious Mind
Interactive Sound Sculpture and Experimental Art
May 13 to May 29, 2017, Gala May 13th from 7-10pm

Hudson Gallery announces an opening gala and inaugural exhibit showcasing creative technologist MJ Caselden and experimental artist Donna Caselden. Fields of the Mind is a mother and son synthesis of visual and aural artwork exploring sound, magnetism, self-reflection and contemplation. May 13 to May 29, 2017 with a gala reception on Saturday, May 13th from 7-10pm. A participatory Mother’s Day weekend event. MJ Caselden’s sound-generating sculptures use varying magnetic fields to induce vibrations in
metal and wood. Viewers cast shadows while electromagnets and vibrating metal strings on
wooden sculpture create resonance and sound. Participants improvise and interact controlling
the sound through motion. “So the vibrations are acoustic, coming from organic materials, but The experience is driven through contemporary technologies,” MJ Caselden said.
Magnetic sound sculptures can provide a fully immersive, transcendent experience. MJ has
collaborated with teachers from long-standing healing arts practices such as Asana Yoga,
Tibetan Tummo breathwork, acupuncture, and Ch’an meditation. He leads group listening
rituals and innovative technology workshops exploring integration of meditative sound into
healing arts and lifestyle. His sculptures have been featured in art, meditation, and retreat
spaces worldwide, including the New Museum of Contemporary Art, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Times Square.

Donna Caselden is an experimental two-dimensional artist. She works with acrylic, watercolor, Encaustic and oil. Sensorial memories and experience render her canvases deeply personal.
“The imagery is born of feeling, as my brush marries the canvas I wonder what it will birth,” Donna Caselden said. The featured works engage via layers, depth and color baths. Donna is an Active member of Cape Ann’s Experimental Art Group at Rockport Art Association, Society for Encouragement of Arts, Rocky Neck Art Colony, and National Association of Women Artists.
MJ and Donna are natives of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts, respectively,
suburbs north of Boston. They both approach art abstractly guided by either irrational actions or emotion. “We both prioritize the feelings that our works inspire over conceptualization or Analysis. So, we are both “feelers”, like that, although our mediums are totally different,” MJ Caselden said. A connection exists in that sound meditation is about tapping into oneself, and
often involves accessing internal mental visions from subconscious places. “Our creative Energies collide in similar realms. Painting abstractly entails drawing imagery from the Subconscious and projecting it onto the canvas,” Donna Caselden said.
MJ studied electronics at the University of Southern California and New York University,
sound design at Berklee College of Music and signal processing at Tsinghua University in
Beijing and at USC’s Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI). His interest in energy exchange through technology led him to prototyping and electronics design. MJ presently directs a team Of engineers and designers creating innovative prototypes, products, and works of art for
entities such as Intel, Lexus, and the Microsoft Music x Technology program with Listen.
Donna’s formidable design background includes interior space, experimental painting and Wearable art. One wearable design was awarded the Certificate of Excellence by ManneqArt for recycled art. The dress was on public display in the greater D.C. area, and at the Peabody Essex Museum as part of the World of Wearable Art exhibit. Her work is shown in northeast museums and galleries. Donna attended Boston College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Hudson’s mission is to create community through art, education, and social activism. The
gallery is part of a collaborative national initiative celebrating the Science Art Movement and the aesthetic, intellectual and political impact of technology on artistic practice and discourse.”

senior thesis group art exhibit at Montserrat 301 Gallery | Opens May 10

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301 Gallery | UNORTHODOX 

Jason Burroughs
Anna Nicole Pisani
Giulia Davis-Casale
Lexus Ortiz-Melo
Veronica Palermo
Vincent Esposito

Opening Reception:
Wednesday. May 10. 5-8PM
Montserrat |

301 Gallery
301 Cabot Street. Beverly MA
May 8 –  May 12

No peeking till the show!

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Countdown to Deborah Cramer’s Narrow Edge 7PM talk at Sawyer Free May 4th | Matz Gallery is primed with fine art exhibit

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Fresh from a National Academies of Sciences talk and before taking flight to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival (hyperlinked because I know you’re going to want to Google it), multi award-winning author Deborah Cramer will give a lecture about the making of the Narrow Edge on Thursday May 4th from 7-8:30PM at Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, in her hometown, Gloucester, MA. The talk is sponsored by the library, Eastern Point Lit House, Kestrel, and The Gloucester Writers Center.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Red knots and horseshoe crabs–and Deborah Cramer— inspired artists Susan Quateman, Michael DiGiorgio, Janet Essley, Patty Hanlon, and George Textor. Their art is featured in a special group exhibit in Sawyer Free’s Matz Gallery alongside photographs from Cramer’s journey. As far as architecture, identity and culture go, a gallery threshold for a library in Gloucester is pretty perfect.

Susan Quateman writes about  her “silk paintings, horseshoe crabs and red knots: Lee Steele, Susan’s 91 year young silk painter friend and former Folly Cove Designer, gave her horseshoe crab shells she’d found on Folly Cove 25 years ago. They’re no longer found there. Susan used them as models to interpret with Jacquard dyes on silk, and painted the red knots from photographs.” Quateman’s  Narrow Edge series premiered at Cedar Tree Gallery in Essex.

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DEBORAH’S TALK THIS THURSDAY 7PM

The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab and an Epic Journey
Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s | IndieBound

The Narrow Edge
Best Book Award from the National Academies of Science, Medicine, and Engineering
Rachel Carson Book Award from the Society of Environmental Journalists
Reed Environmental Writing Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center

2017, participant in PBS American Experience film “Rachel Carson”

Piping plover fans local author Deborah Cramer on sandpipers is a must read and oh and dogs

Deborah Cramer upcoming Talks:

National Academies of Sciences, April 30th
Sawyer Free Library, May 4th
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, May 6th
Northeast Migration Monitoring, May 17th
Salem Literary Festival, June 25th
Thoreau Society, July 12th

DEBORAH CRAMER BOOKS

Stacy Boulevard construction Part 5: rounded a big corner and an angle of repose

 

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INVISIBLE DETAILS UNDERFOOT AND RIGHT THERE

Earlier posts outline the engineering. The photograph above details the subgrade that was re-established for irrigation (note ditch alongside walkway), loam and sod. The photo also emphasizes the lengthy short wall on the right which was removed for access during construction. “The excavation was deep enough that the angle of repose was into the old wall.” The wall in the photo is rebuilt.

 

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MEMORIAL BENCHES

Spacing and symmetry were important design considerations for Stacy Boulevard construction. The old benches were surveyed. Most were returned relative to where they were sited before the build out. The memorial benches on the boulevard are full. This one shows a tribute to Al Swelka.

 

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Photos Nov-Dec 2016. Video caption: Stacy Boulevard construction minute – stroll before January, and sod.  Upcoming posts in this Stacy Boulevard series include: disasters, the cultural landscape, and Blynman. 

Series:

Part 4 – Gloucester’s majestic public works construction stats: bringing the Stacy Boulevard plans to life 

Part 3- Gloucester’s Stacy boulevard public works construction Part 3: compare high res plans from 1922 and 1923 with today

Part 2: Stacy Boulevard Public Works stunner | Gloucester is an early client for the Harvard and Olmsted trained landscape designer, Thomas Warren Sears. His 1908 photos are a must see!

STACY BOULEVARD NEARING THE FINISH LINE Part 1 – 

September 12 2016- Stacy Boulevard construction update: historic Blynman the Cut Bridge project scope plans and engineering details

August 2016 

While away at Willow Rest: shop hand picked local gifts and fare

There’s a little something for everyone at Willow Rest, 1 Holly Street, Gloucester, MA

T-Shirts by Karen Pischke

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GloucesterCast 225 with Karen Pischke and Joey Ciaramitaro

Helmut’s Strudel open for its 39th season | Rockport Bearskin Neck

Helmut’s Strudel is open seasonally: 7AM weekends now and daily by mid-May. Sharon McDonald opened the Helmut Moelk strudel shop on July 1, 1978.

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It was a Whistler to Tiepolo sort of beach day

April 28 6:02AM

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April 28 3:14PM

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April 28 6:02AM

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April 28 3:14PM

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Opens today: Andrew Manning solo exhibition at The Hive includes this coyote painting

The opening reception for Andrew Manning’s solo exhibition is today from 2-4pm at The Hive, 11 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA. The show features 22 (mostly) recent paintings –like that arresting coyote painting on the exhibition poster– and intaglios. The show will continue through May 6th. Andrew teaches at Art Haven, too.

The Hive 
presents

ANDREW MANNING
INHABITATIONS|Negotiating the dynamic tensions between spaces

Opening Reception:
Saturday. April 29th. 2-4PM
Falcon’s Nest gallery at The Hive
11 Pleasant Street. Gloucester MA
April 29 – May 6, 2017

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O’Maley Academy benefit Thursday May 4th: dine and enjoy the Drama Club’s medley of Broadway music and theater!

Mike Springer photograph for Gloucester Daily Times “Olivia Heasley rehearses a scene in “Be Our Guest” a musical revue at O’Maley Middle School…Dinner and drama: Performance meal to benefit  O’Maley Academy 18 (after school) clubs” 

  • Tickets: $10 adults, $5 kids and seniors, $20 per family, includes dinner and medley of Broadway musicals and drama
  • Date: Thursday May 4, 2017
  • Time: 6PM
  • Where: O’Maley
  • O’Maley Drama Club O’Maley Academy

 

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Surfer and jogger on ethereal fog wrapped morning

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Last chance: Saturday party and performance at Trident Gallery for Political Body exhibit

Saturday, April 29, 5-7pm, with performance event commencing at 7pm

Installation from “The Political Body”, group exhibit at Trident Gallery, 189 Main Street, Gloucester, MA (triptych by Gabrielle Barzaghi: Cephalic Frieze2014, Pastel, Charcoal, and Ink on Paper, 50 x 129 inches overall, Three 50 x 43 inch sheets)

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2017 Call for Applications for Gloucester’s 5th POET LAUREATE is OPEN!

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 9

Links for: 2017 Poet Laureate application (digital format) or 2017 Poet Laureate application (PDF format submit 5 copies).

The City of Gloucester’s Committee for the Arts announces the release of the 2017 Call for Applications for the four year position of Gloucester Poet Laureate. 

The position of Gloucester Poet Laureate is dedicated to building community through poetry and encouraging a love of poetry among people of all ages.  The position was most recently held by the late Peter Todd, appointed in 2014.  During Peter’s time as Poet Laureate, he generously shared his talents with his beloved City of Gloucester. 

Under City Ordinance, the process to select the Poet Laureate is administered by the Committee for the Arts and will involve a Selection Panel including representatives from the local literary community thanks to Eastern Point Lit House and The Gloucester Writers Center.  A recommendation from the Selection Panel will be forwarded to the Committee for the Arts for review and then forwarded on to the Mayor for nomination, subject to confirmation by the City Council.

The Call for Applications is available for download at the Committee for the Arts page on the City website: http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?nid=102.  Copies also are available at the Sawyer Free Library, the City of Gloucester Mayor’s Office, Eastern Point Lit House, the Gloucester Writer’s Center, and other locales.  Applications must be submitted by 12 pm on Friday, June 9th , 2017. Contact Judith Hoglander, Committee for the Arts with any questions.

gloucester CFTA City Hall WPA mural

 

When one door closes another door opens …peek inside the new Serenitee Restaurant Happy Belly opening summer 2017!

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Reclaimed doors and wood everywhere

are just some of the featured and fitting design details coming into focus at Happy Belly, 3 Duncan Street, Gloucester, MA. The everyday casual restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. And small craft brew. And coffee. They’re roasting their own beans! What else? The floor’s been raised. A lengthy drink rail and counter stools gives one section a warm and chic soda-shop vibe. Nearby a massive antique metal lathe will be re-purposed into a showstopper pedestal table. The former Alchemy space is in its BEFORE stage as it undergoes a transformation by master builders, P Bevan Builders. They built Maggies Farm and other Serenitee Restaurant Group properties plus the  recent renovation of the former Empire store.

 

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photo caption (above): Peter Bevan, P. Bevan Builders, 617 356 7107

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Happy Belly along with Minglewood Tavern and Latitude 43 brings the Serenitee restaurant count back  up to  3 happy and popular eateries in Gloucester, MA, each with its own lively aesthetic and yummy grub.

Happy to see Happy Belly coming soon!

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Live: Full house at City Hall for MBTA train closure forum and link to petition

On line PETITION: http://gloucester-ma.gov/CivicAlerts/SingleAlertItem?alertID=1128

Senator Tarr, Representative Ferrante, Representative Hill, Mayor Romeo Theken hosting. Congressman Moulton sent a great letter. People showing up and to the mic one after the other: commuters, municipal reps from every  town–Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester– City councilors, experts in transportation,  environment, retail, business, tourism, visitors and residents. Issues of extra cars…A few scenes and petition below:

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Of the 226,000 North Shore jobs, how many do you think arts and culture?

In 2014, the Massachusetts labor force was 3,570,000 (vs 3,626,800 in February 2017 ); and the North Shore accounted for 6.3%. Yesterday, the US Dept of Commerce Bureau of Economics announced the state by state breakdown of arts and culture employment –for the first time ever– based on the 2014 national data. MA arts and culture jobs were reported to be 128,350, and 3.6% total MA labor. Various reports overlap categories. Sometimes “Health and education” are packed together or “arts, entertainment, recreation and leisure”. In MA top industries such as Financial services (20%), Technology, Medicine and Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Fishing, and Tourism (125,000–note how similar in size this is to the arts and culture jobs) are discussed.

Massachusetts Work Force and Labor Area Review (2015). pp44-45North Shore from MA Workforce and labor area review 2015

MA industries 2015

2015 report

2014 employment by major industry sector

 

US Dept of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the following MA stats: “The states with the highest concentration of arts and cultural jobs, with their location quotients: New York (1.47), Wyoming (1.30), Washington (1.28), California and Utah (both 1.17), Rhode Island and Colorado (1.13), Alaska (1.11), Massachusetts and Oregon (both 1.09)…The Location Quotient (LQ) is a measure of an industry’s concentration in a state or region relative to the industry’s national concentration. • As for compensation, in 2014 Massachusetts and NEFA had an LQ of 1.02 and 0.94 respectively. • In 2014, Massachusetts had a location quotient of 1.09 for ACPSA employment. In Massachusetts, therefore, ACPSA employment was 9 percent above the national average. By comparison, the LQ for arts-and-cultural employment in all states belonging to the U.S. regional arts organization NEFA (of which MA is a member) was 1.03 or 3 percent above the national average.

MA 2014

Puppies and Poetry at Sawyer Free and Poetry without Paper deadline

National Poetry Month at Sawyer Free included this past Saturday’s super cute puppies and poetry program with  Cape Ann Animal Aid 

Poetry without Paper contest is open and National Poem in Pocket Day is April 27.

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