Stuart Davis, 1939, Sol Horn, photographer. Federal Art Project, Photographic Division collection, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian.
Pulitzer prize winning critic, Holland Cotter, gives the Stuart Davis (1892-1964) show at the Whitney Museum a mostly glowing review in today’s New York Times. One thing is a given. If the art of American modernist Stuart Davis is mentioned, Gloucester will pop up somewhere in the text.
“Place was important to him, but the modern world was increasingly about movement and he wanted to picture that. A 1931 painting, “New York-Paris No. 2,” put us in both cities simultaneously, with a Hotel de France set against the Third Avenue El.
In the exuberant “Swing Landscape” of 1938, a mural commissioned by the Works Progress Administration for a Brooklyn housing project but never installed, we see bits and pieces of Gloucester — ships, buoys, lobster traps — but basically we’re in a whole new universe of jazzy patterns and blazing colors, a landscape defined not by signs but by sensations: sound, rhythm, friction…”
Sometimes big shows bring art to market. Last fall the Stuart Davis 1960 painting Ways and Means, 24 x 32, sold at auction for $3,189,000 at Christie’s.
the 1940 Composition June Jitterbug Jive for $689,000,
and the Autumn Landscape Rockport, 1940, 8 x 12 for $905,000.
Meanwhile, Sotheby’s sold New York Street, 1940, 11 x 16, $490,000.
This month, Sotheby’s sold a 1960 Gloucester harbor scene for $100,000 on June 9th, and the 1919 “Gloucester” painting measuring 24 x 30 fetched $51,000.
On graduation day, the sky is as expansive as their future.
Congratulations Class of 2016!
Ryder Brady*, Caitlin Ciaramitaro, Lucas Devlin, Sierra Goodhue, Nicole Horgan*, Tia Reddy*, Rachel Wolfe, ; Ciara Chandler; Tyler Cilluffo; Trinity Eriksen-Miller; Anthony King, Matthew Leverich, Christian Miller, Savanna Moses and Joseph Pallazola*
The teachers and staff presented awards of distinction and recognition:
Leadership Award: Ryder Brady
Transformation Award: Tia Reddy
Excellence Award: Tyler Cilluffo
Perseverance Award: Matthew Leverich
Commitment Award: Joseph Pallazola
* denotes achievement scholarship awards
There was an awesome and festive spread from Willow Rest. (two quick mentions: best mini burgers I’ve ever eaten and scrumptious cupcakes!)
Mary Kay Taylor – Ardelle
Shannon Cormier, Youth Education Program Manager, and Peggy Hegarty-Steck, Executive Director Action Inc welcomed everyone. Also presenting: Karli Washington, Career and Academic Counselor; Judy Bloomfield, English and History Teacher; Nick Belyea, Math Teacher; and Jessica Perrine, Health and Fitness Teacher.
The students studied art with Avery McNiff, Cape Ann Art Haven art center and science with Tony Wilbur of Maritime Gloucester.
Addressing the class, Natalie Hale, Class of 2015
The graduating class asked current freshman, 9th grader Catherine Cabral to be one of the invited speakers.
Lucas Devlin invited speaker Class of 2016
Cool hoodie designed by Ryder.
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seARTS 9th and biggest art loan installation at Bass Rocks Golf Club opened last night. Visitors to Bass Rocks Golf Club will be able to see the art of 14 artists selected for this year’s seARTS art loan, and it’s all for sale. As if the art, food and party weren’t enough, the reception included brief panel talks about the national Cape Ann Plein Air festival that will kick off this October 11-16, 2016.
Leslie Heffron above, and below her painting in the distance and painting in the foreground is by Joan Bediz
Above, first time in the art loan @ Bass Rocks, Leigh with her husband Betts. Look for Leigh Slingluff’s painting hanging near prints by Rusty and Ingrid.
First prize went to Deb Schradieck. Head to seARTS for a complete list of all the participants and winners and to Bass Rocks to see all the artists (I didn’t get to take pictures of every work) Congratulations to all!
A work by Ron Diebboll, also a Cape Ann Artisans participating artist.
The four-exhibit 2016 season opener at the North Shore Arts Association is closing this weekend on June 11. Make time.
ROBERT DOUGLAS STEPHENSON (1935-2015) retrospective, first floor, back of building.
GINGER GREENBLATT, solo exhibit installed along the walls between the Stephenson show and the first floor reception gallery. Our Lady of Good Voyage woodblock is $200.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS exhibit, first floor, first gallery, 73 works of art and ARTIST MEMBERS exhibit, top floor, 130 works of art.
plus one more Stephenson on the top floor
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Audra McDonald, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Jane Krakoski jump in the car with Lin Manuel Miranda and James Corden for 3. Sometimes nothing really matters more than rocking out in cars. Whatever your music. Have fun.
Hmmm. Joey, you could do this, drive around Gloucester (no chanteys if you’re there)
The original #carkaraoke?
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Whether Annisquam, Boston, Concord, Santa Barbara, or London, art dealer and gallery owner Jane Deering gives artists the great gifts of spaciousness and calm. Last night she opened JDG. This intimate new space in a renovated historic building on Pleasant Street in downtown Gloucester will give you an instant feel of her serene sense of proportion. JDG will feature a program of contemporary mid-career and emerging artists living and working in Cape Ann, Santa Barbara, and the UK.
Juni Van Dyke and Jane Deering are two very talented sisters. Thanks to writer, Sean Farrell, for sending photos from the party. I borrowed Sean’s phone to snap pictures as my battery did not keep up with several exhibits I went to before stepping in to ponder and celebrate this new beginning. More on the other shows later.
JDG, Jane Deering Gallery, 19 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930
(917)902-4359
Thursday – Sunday, 12-5pm and by appointment
Currently showing Points of View: Michael Porter | Chris Pullman
June 6 – June 29, 2016
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Read on to see the state’s Cultural Facilities Funding (CFF) totaling $221,000 plus Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) totaling $88,200 in Gloucester for 2016. It’s a safe bet that each resident in the City benefits from at least one of these 2016 projects. Along with the categories below and others, make sure and think about next year’s application categories including the new festival grant category that will be due September 2016 for 2017 programming. Congratulations to all the recipients!
MCC ARTIST FELLOWSHIP -$12,000
Artist Erica Daborn, for artistic professional development. $12,000
MCC BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS – $600
Beeman School, O’Maley and Veterans$200 each for an educational field trip
CULTURAL FACILITIES FUND (CFF) – $221,000
Driven by the Boston Foundation, MA Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities (MAASH), the MCC and others after many years, this big pot that funds so many projects was part of legislation passed back in July of 2006. Maybe it will be increased by it’s 10th year anniversary summer 2017? Across the state over the past 9 years, “CFF has awarded grants of $91.9 million to nearly 700 projects across the Commonwealth. Demand for CFF grants continues to outpace supply…The new round includes 68 capital grants totaling $8.9 million and another 23 planning grants totaling just over $400,000. Grants range from $7,000 to $300,000, and must be matched one-to-one from private and/or other public sources.”
Maritime Gloucester To construct a Student/Visitor educational Center on Harbor Loop. $116,000
Gloucester Stage CompanyTo replace aging and limited lighting system with a state-of-the-art lighting grid, equipment and controls, and supporting electrical rewiring. $50,000
Manship Artist Residence and Studios (MARS) To conduct a feasibility study for the renovation of the Manship property as an arts and culture center with an artist residency program. $30,000
Rocky Neck Art ColonyTo install an acoustic ceiling treatment, a second AC unit, lighting upgrades, and integrated A/V projection and sound equipment to its Main Hall. $25,000
MCC CULTURAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO- $23,000
Cape Ann Museum to celebrate the art, history and culture of the region and to keep it relevant by offering quality exhibitions and programs for our communities, and beyond. $11,500
Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, Inc.to establish, maintain, and operate a non-profit civic symphony orchestra in the Cape Ann area to foster, promote, and increase the musical knowledge and appreciation of the public through the performance of music at concerts and other functions; to provide an opportunity for Cape Ann area musicians to play as an orchestra; and to assist and encourage the musical development of Cape Ann students. $3,800
Maritime Gloucester to promote Gloucester’s maritime heritage as a platform for teaching maritime skills and marine sciences, and for encouraging environmental stewardship. $8,700
MCC JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS ART PROGRAM – $21,000
Rocky Neck Art Colony establish an Office of Cultural Development in the City of Gloucester to champion innovation in arts and culture, provide support for private and public cultural development, and invigorate the City’s cultural tourism agenda; to develop an inclusive, collaborative cultural plan for Gloucester to strengthen historic links between the city’s maritime culture, community and the arts. $21,000
MCC LOCAL CULTURAL COUNCIL (LCC)- $7600
Allocation Gloucester $7,600 Thanks Rose Sheehan and the LCC volunteers on the committee for processing all the applications every year! This year’s 21 winners
Annisquam Historical Society
Preserving Gloucester History
$450
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe
Season 2015-2016
$348
DiPrima, Jay
Henry David Thoreau Lecture
$250
East Gloucester Elementary School
Rob Surette and His Amazing Hero Art
$300
Harcovitz, Ruth
Songs of World War II
$250
LePage, Lucille
Stories, Songs & More
$571
Lundberg, Christine
The Art & Craft of Folly Cove Designers Film
$500
Manninen, Wendy
Singing and Signing
$300
Maritime Gloucester Association
Off to the Races! Exhibit
$700
Music at Eden’s Edge
Connecting Kids to Classical Music
$500
Northeast Mass. Youth Orchestras
Youth Orchestra Honors Concert
$350
Phyllis A Marine Association
History Sharing Program
$500
Rockport Music
Jasper Quartet
$400
Sawyer Free Library
Printerbot Learning
$464
Sawyer Free Library
Cape Ann Reads
$500
Sheehan, Rose
Welcome Yule – Midwinter Celebration
$500
Sheehan, Rose
Cape Ann Contra Dance
$450
Swift, Sarah Slifer
Trident Live Art Series
$400
Van Dyke, Juni
The Note Card Project
$350
Waller, Susan
The Fiesta People’s Mural
$250
Windhover Foundation
Quarry Dance 5
$700
MCC CULTURAL DISTRICTS City of Gloucester – $9000
Gloucester’s downtown Cultural District. $4,000
Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Cultural District. $5,000
MCC YOUTHREACH- $15,000
Maritime Gloucester and Action to provide hands-on marine and physical science instruction to at-risk 16-20 year-olds in collaboration with Action, Inc. $15,000
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**NEW** Partner organization Cape Ann Community Cinema & Stage announced two super special events in celebration of Cape Ann Reads at the end of the summer. Save the dates!
SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2016 (@ 2:30pm) Come to Cape Ann Community & Stage for an afternoon with acclaimed author illustrator Ed Emberley and his wife Brenda. Emberley has published close to 100 books. He collaborated with his wife on earlier works including the 1968 Caldecott winning Drummer Hoff, and more recent books with his daughter, Rebecca, such as Chicken Little and Red Hen.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS: THE LIVE EXPERIENCE at Cape Ann Community Cinema & Stage. This annual event is ramped up with local talent and a one-of-a-kind multimedia performance extravaganza, just in time for the 32nd Schooner festival weekend and closing out the 8th Annual Cape Ann Film Festival.
Cape Ann Reads events are listed on the awesome Good Morning Gloucester arts calendar. For all the latest information and more details, check the Cape Ann Reads website. Additional programs are added to the calendar. Cape Ann Reads is a collaboration among the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library, Manchester Public Library, Rockport Public Library and TOHP Burnham Library in Essex and regional partners.
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Back in April, guests lucky enough to attend the Cape Ann Reads program at the Rockport Public Library enjoyed a lecture given by Anita Silvey. She spoke about the development of the American picture book from her years of experience in children’s picture book publishing, editing and most recently as an author. If you went to the afternoon lecture, you would have heard about the staggering success of the Newbury honor awarded Millions of Cats, written and illustrated by Wanda Gag in 1928. (The first Caldecott wasn’t awarded until 1938.) I sold lithographs and wood engravings by Wanda Gag and worked with a few of her artist friends; she died young, aged 53. Gag’s artistic career was going well prior to this book. She was one of the most praised printmakers of the 1920s and 30s and had a solo exhibition at Weyhe Gallery in 1926. (A lot of her prints have cats in them, too.)
Gag’s brother created the wrap around hand-lettering for Millions of Cats, including the memorably repeated refrain: “Cats here, cats there, Cats and kittens everywhere, Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and billions and trillions of cats.” The art and double page spreads revolutionized picture books. It had immediate and record sales. Silvey related that this book has the distinction of being the longest American picture book continuously in print, and that it was helped along by an editor. (Gag had abandoned a prior version in 1923.)
Anita Silvey with Cindy Grove, Director, Rockport Public Library, Cape Ann Reads lecture series. (Rockport Goes To War, WPA era mural by Sam Hershey)
What’s coming next for Cape Ann Reads?
Don’t miss this Saturday’s June 4 2016 round-trip double Story Walk for the whole family from 10am-2pm at the Manchester public Library and Manchester Historical Museum. Picture book lovers of all ages are invited to walk and read, and act the route together! The featured books are: Stella, the Star of the Sea by Mary Louise Gay and Storm Whale by Benji Davies.
Cape Ann Reads events are listed on the awesome Good Morning Gloucester arts calendar. For all the latest information and details, check the Cape Ann Reads website. Additional programs will be added to the calendar. Cape Ann Reads is a collaboration among the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library, Manchester Public Library, Rockport Public Library and TOHP Burnham Library in Essex and regional partners. Check them out!
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I’m in Worcester, MA, attending the 2016 Smart Growth Alliance conference (I was an invited speaker at a prior conference.) The conference brings city planners, transportation and civic innovators, real estate and housing professionals, business leaders, non-profits, architects, Great Neighborhood and gateway cities, and –well, let’s just say a wide range of (primarily) policy folk.
It’s surprisingly enjoyable.
This year, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito is the key note speaker and we’ll hear from Worcester the host city. Other headliners include Michael Hogan President & CEO of AD Makepeace Company; Mayor Donna Holaday of Newburyport; Dan Burden the ‘walkability guru’; Parris Glendening former MD Governor and President of Smart Growth America’s Leadership Inst; Veronica Eady, VP Conservation Law Foundation; and Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Executive Director 128 Business Council. There will be more than 70 speakers. Attendees often fan out in groups to cover more panels. I’ll report back where I’ve landed.
One topic that will swirl in the background concerns housing and a landmark bill S.122 proposing changes to planning, zoning and permitting. The organizers support this in a big way. Director Andre Leroux writes, “We believe that the (legislators) have done a thoughtful job balancing the needs of municipalities, developers, and the environment. “
“With two-thirds of Millennials desiring to live in walkable, transit-accessible places at the same time that seniors shift to apartment living, suburban communities have a real test before them. Communities like Newtonville need to decide between planned growth and unplanned growth. For its peers like West Concord village, Winchester Center, Andover and Newburyport, the future is already happening.” Quite a dishy prompt.
goodlinens officially moves into 130 Main Street on June 1, 2016 to begin the fit-out. “We’re looking forward to finishing work by July 1 for a soft opening!” says goodlinens owner Jo Anne Chirico.
Apparently setting up a new brick-and-mortar headquarters downtown isn’t ambitious enough. While Jo Anne is focused on building out her new space, ripping down the ceiling and tearing up a glued down rug, goodlinens is rolling out across the country with the goodlinens Better Towels Across Americacampaign. Anna Chirico, Jo Anne’s daughter, is driving through 48 states with goodlinens towels, gathering fans and stores state-by-state, lining them up for linen.
Anna says: “Just left Savannah today and headed to Jacksonville, down the A1A highway, camping, and on to Key West tomorrow, then Miami, Tampa, Destin Beach and New Orleans. The route was planned for the most part before I left. I’ll be going to all 48 states (as well as the southern, northern, western and eastern most part, and the geographical center.) I’ll also be dipping into Canada a few times…It may change a bit, here and there. No particular highway/route.”
We can track Anna’s goodlinens progress as she scouts buyers, lifestyle stores, and boutiques. This local small business is putting up the flag for Gloucester on this road trip the minute they give their address. Let’s make sure to follow goodlinens on Instagram and root for Anna’s route (see itinerary* below). Is there a store you are a fan of in a town she’s heading to? Let her know.
Instagram @goodlinens (updated the most) also Twitter @goodlinens
#bettertowelsacrossamerica
Who: goodlinens studio of Gloucester, MA, Better Towels Across America 48 state tour
What:gathering fans and stores state-by-state for goodlinens, everyone’s better towel. Beautiful. Functional. 100% linen. goodlinens towels are a simple elegance and beautiful design. They are soft, light as air, compact and natural. (Use a better towel. Your kitchen deserves goodlinens. Your bathroom deserves goodlinens. Your beach towels deserve goodlinens. got it?) http://www.goodlinens.com
When:departed Gloucester, Ma, on the night of April 25, 2016. Expected return date Mid-September.
You can see the schedule posted at Cafe Sicilia and other businesses downtown. You can see an exhibit of and order a coffee table book, St. Peter’s Fiesta Through The Years, to help preserve this tradition.
Wednesday, June 22 – Sunday, June 26 2016
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Great story by Hattie Bernstein in the Globe today gives a shout out to Walter McGrath in Gloucester.
“If you go to a cemetery on Memorial Day, you’ll see flowers and flags planted everywhere and a lot more visitors than usual.
What won’t be obvious on this holiday dedicated to military veterans who died fighting in wars are the efforts of Northborough’s Beth Finch McCarthy, 53, Gloucester’s Walter McGrath, 83, and Jordan Hurley, 15, who lives in Middleborough.
The three are among an uncounted battalion of volunteers across the region who share a common pursuit: maintaining their communities and ensuring that those buried there aren’t forgotten.
McGrath, a retired engineer with a long list of interests…
Veteran of the Boer War and WWI, a teacher, and doctor, Canadian John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields in the spring of 1915 while still at the bloody battlefront in Ypres, Belgium, in an area known as Flanders.
The Germans had already used deadly gas.
Dr. McCrae had been tending to hundreds of wounded daily. He described the nightmare slaughter: “behind it all was the constant background of the sights of the dead, the wounded, the maimed.” By this time he had already devoted his life to art and healing. He couldn’t save his friends. How could anyone? Twenty years prior, he sketched poppies during his medical residency in Maryland. He published poems and stories by the time he was 16. I’m not surprised he noticed the brilliant fragile petals and horror. He wrote for those who couldn’t speak and those who had to see. Meningitis and pneumonia killed him January 1918 after several months battling asthma and bronchitis. His poem and the emblematic poppy continue to inspire and comfort.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky, The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead; short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe! To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high! If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
Images: Respectfully thinking about art that helps us celebrate, remember, remind and reflect every family who has suffered a loss in service.
Donald Sultan Five Reds, Five Whites, Five Blues, 2008 color silkscreen with enamel, flocking and tar like textureGordon Parks, Library of Congress, 1943 photograph, Gloucester policemen, Memorial Day Ceremonies
A few poppy images follow. I was thinking about their poetic illumination before and after WW1 and layers of meaning and beauty.
Paul Cummins, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, 2014, Tower of London, individual cast ceramic poppies fill the moat (photo during installation in progress) commission to mark 100 years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in WWI
Monet, Poppy Field in a Hollow near Giverny, 1888, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Carol Thistle thanking Joey for the Discover Gloucester cover photo.
Stage Fort Visitor Center is officially open for the season. It was a full house last night.
Speaking of generosity: I recognized many of the returning volunteers who fill the shifts necessary to greet and assist all who walk through the door. Or around the gorgeous wrap around porch. The volunteers are a fun, dedicated group.
The opening always feels optimistic and festive. Local restaurants provided tasty signature appetizers and munchies. Laura Baker, proprietor of Castle Manor Inn, kept the table looking great all night.
Everyone takes a few moments to announce their business and any updates. Last night was no different, for instance: Vista Motel has a new, big pool; Cape Ann Marina will be making it easier for people to rent boats by matching clients with captains and vessels; the upcoming schooner race is not ‘competitive’, right?; the new concierge for Beauport Hotel put up his hand and a hello; and Sarah Oaks is fabulously readying the Maritime Gloucester shop.
I let people know that one HarborWalk marker may not be available for Hunt the HarborWalk tracing. It’s the marker at Norman’s Woe in Solomon Jacobs Park and public landing. The park should be open this weekend– and throughout the summer. Keep in mind it’s only a temporary look and opening. The park will close back up after the busy summer season. They may install that HarborWalk marker for the summer, too.
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Good Morning Gloucester 