Author: God's Morning

I pray you are blessed, built up in your faith and Christian walk, and become an interactive participant in God's Morning. We are here as Christ's body, supporting and building each other up in all righteousness, in His name, awaiting His soon return. Maranatha!

Artist Spotlight Series – Jen Moltoni

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spotlight_Jen Moltoni

Spotlight on Jen Moltoni

Originally from Maine and now settled in Melrose, Jen Moltoni is a collage artist whose images are created using hand-painted paper and photographs. Jen loves color and the ocean, and is inspired by both. She makes a point of traveling to the North Shore at least once a week to take a walk on one of the many lovely beaches and to find inspiration for her work. Jen is a relatively new member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, and this will be her first Holiday Art and Fine Craft Festival.

Although never formally trained, Jen has always enjoyed painting, and would create collages for fun when she was in High School. “I remember being obsessed with perfume bottles. I didn’t actually own any fancy perfume, and I didn’t wish that I had some. It was more about the different shapes and colors of the bottles themselves. I would look through magazines, and every time there was a new perfume ad, I would cut out the picture and attach it to one of the walls in my bedroom. By the time I went off to college, I had a space on my wall that was about 3’x3’, and it was covered with tiny pictures of perfume bottles. I loved figuring out how they would fit together best. My rule was that I could not use the same perfume bottle picture twice.”

“I do the same thing with the collages that I do now. The difference is that I don’t start off with a specific shape or color or texture. I figure that out as I go. I also make rules with the photographs that I cut up sometimes, just to make it interesting. For example, if I want to have the ocean in one of my collages, I can’t use cut up pieces of a photograph of the ocean to re-create that. I can use anything –pieces of a sky or tree photo, painted paper, but NOT a picture of the ocean. Silly (sometimes broken) rules. It’s fun.” As a busy mom who works full time at a local university, it can be difficult to carve out time for being creative, but Jen has worked hard to make her artwork a priority. “As a parent I’ve found that it can be difficult to find time for myself. However, once I committed to having certain times during the week that were dedicated to giving myself permission to be creative, I found that overall the quality of my life improved noticeably. Painting and doing collages is something that makes me happy, and being happy is making me a better parent.”

You can follow Jen’s work on her blog: http://jenmoltoni.blogspot.com/, and look for more of her work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Kathy Gerdon Archer

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spotlight_Kathy Archer

Spotlight on Kathy Gerdon Archer

Kathy owned and operated White Bird Gallery on Rocky Neck for many years where she sold her fine art photographs. Separate from her gallery, she also sells her work commercially to hospitals and hotels.

Above are some of the work she will have at the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Show.  Her images of flowers are typically produced on a very large scale but for this event she plans to produce them smaller, making them a more affordable gift possibility.

Kathy is on the Board of The Rocky Neck Art Colony and The Goetemann Residency Program here in Gloucester.  She is also a member of The Copley Society of Boston, The Cambridge Art Association and The Kingston Gallery in Boston’s South End, where she will have a show in February of 2014. http://www.Kathleengerdonarcher.com

You can see more of Kathy’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Heidi Caswell Zander

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spotlight_heidi caswell zander

Spotlight on Heidi Caswell Zander

Picture a nine year old striding to catch up to a pack of adults through, for her, shoulder high meadow grass; going through the summer light to someplace unknown to paint, with adults. That was the first group workshop, in 1967, one of many to follow over the next few decades.  Cobalt and cerulean, the smell of horse glue as water hit paper. Marathon sessions of being by the shore and watching dozens of versions of the same place manifest on easels as the sun arced across the horizon.

After learning from Teralak and Schlemm and at Rhode Island School of Design, months of exploring Italy and years of exploring Europe followed. A buffet of Museum collections developed Zander’s personal style: a pinch of Sargent, a cup of German Expressionism, a gallon of energy and brushstrokes.

Blue is the best color, rich, close and distant, peaceful and exciting at the same time. Almost every painting is majoritively blue, and pulsates with the rhythm of stroke.  Jewelry employs the same palette and rhythm. Same combinations and signature, different mediums and functionality.

Zander recently discovered that her Cape Ann connection began decades before her birth with Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude Stuven Stanwood painted and etched from her home base in Lanesville with her contemporaries Teresa Bernstein and Myerwitz. The ladies sipped elderberry wine at her house with Woodrow Wilson’s relative, carrying on her fathers trade as a Rockport shopkeeper. Ironically, one of Gertrude’s paintings was painted from the base of Zander’s Wharf Road driveway decades earlier, with a second painting on the back of the same painting board of the church in which Zander was married. Stomping the same foot steps!

In 2005 Zander opened Tidal Edge Gallery carrying on her father’s occupation as a Rockport business owner. For all the world, Cape Ann is home.

You can see more of Heidi’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Bridgette Mathews

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spotlight_bridgette mathews

Spotlight on Bridgette Mathews

Bridgette feels so lucky to have been born and raised in the beautiful coastal community of Gloucester, and feels spoiled living next door to some of the most photographed surroundings in New England. Every time she goes “ova the bridge” to seek out bigger and better scenes to photograph, she always finds that there’s very little that compares to our breathtaking, ever-changing backyard.

She has raised three grown daughters on this island and is now enjoying her recent empty-nest status with her husband Neil, living life one adventure at a time. She has been taking “pictures” all her life but in the past few years has been able to slow down and use her creativity to create “Photographs”. As a Photo-hobbyist, landscapes are her favorite subjects and she’s a sucker for a stunning cloud filled sunset! She enjoys the process of capturing an image and finds that the most rewarding part of photography is the discovery and knowledge behind each subject that she photographs, as well as the many people she meets along the way.

You can see more of Bridgette’s stunning photography at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29 http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Magnolia Historical Society Presents Art in the Schoolhouse

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magnolia historical society art show poster3

The Magnolia Historical Society, 46 Magnolia Ave. in Magnolia is presenting Art in the Schoolhouse a holiday art show and sale in the lovely old Blynman Schoolhouse, with proceeds to benefit the Magnolia Historical Society’s restoration of the Blynman School into the Magnolia Historical Museum and Cultural Center.   It will take place Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm daily.  There will be a Preview Opening Reception Party on Friday, December 6 from 5-8:00 pm with Refreshments and Live Music.  Free admission.  The show will feature works by Donna Ardizzoni, Lauren Asaro, Charlie Carroll, Joey Ciaramitaro, Terry DelPercio, Thom Falzarano, Marion Hall, Audi Lane, EJ Lefavour, Laureen Maher, Carol McKenna, John Nesta, Sinikka Nogelo, David Piedmonte and Deb Schradieck.

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Deborah Way

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spotlight_Deborah Way2

Spotlight on Deborah Way

Deborah learned her craft from a jeweler in the ‘70s on Cape Cod, beginning with sterling silver. She soon expanded her repertoire to include gold and gems. Working for 12 years on the other Cape, she was further inspired by a master craftsman who taught her the finer points of hammering, as well as other advanced techniques.

Deborah counts herself very lucky to have landed in Gloucester in 2000; a perfect way to start a new century in an environment that encourages such a variety of expression. She settled in, set up her bench, adopted her shelter dog, Hope, and takes her daily walks on the Boulevard; all the while marveling at how much of the coast line is open to residents and visitors, which is not the case on Cape Cod.

After spending many years in business, Deborah is grateful to be back at her bench creating jewelry from sterling and gold, and taking some metal courses to explore new methods to extend her field of work. She just loves being able to live in this artistic environment, which encourages her to work better instead of harder.

Presently, she is finding new inspiration from the curves she sees in nature, and her next step is to create new designs for her jewelry based on these curves. As a result of her recent metal course, she is also looking at the possibility of working iron for garden ornamentation.

Look for more of Deborah’s beautiful jewelry at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Guatopo

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spotlight_Guatopo copy

Spotlight on Guatopo – Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black

Gigi Mederos, originally from Venezuela, is known for her Rocky Neck gallery, Aquatro, and its island blue floors and warm, inviting atmosphere. This past year was Gigi’s third season running a gallery and making art on the Neck. She was also the Artistic Director for the Rocky Neck Art Colony this past year.

Stevie Black is a native New Englander who has been on the North Shore for the past 10 years. Stevie is stepping down from his post as the Marketing Director for the Colony during the 2013 calendar year to devote more time to developing and promoting Guatopo’s product line and new collections. The limited-edition ties that were developed and designed by Stevie were a huge hit this summer. Bold and elegant, these ties were designed to reflect the wearer’s personality and put the finishing touch on their ensemble.

This holiday season, partners Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black, bring a collection of hand-crafted and hand-painted 100% silk scarves and compact mirrors along with their all-new for 2013 collection of men’s ties and trivets created under their Guatopo label. The name “Guatopo” comes from Guatopo National Park, about an hour south of Caracas, in Gigi’s native Venezuela. Pronounced “gwa-toe-poe,” the park is mostly tropical rainforest with many watersheds flowing from a central mountain range that rises to 5000 feet. A short, refined name, they chose Guatopo because it embraced the micro/macro subject matter in Gigi’s work and the authentic quality of her paintings, from which many of their patterns derive.

Keep up with all their events and happenings in 2014 by going to http://www.aquatrogallery.com and look for them at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

Artist Spotlight Series – Jenny Rangan

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spotlight_jenny rangan

Spotlight on Jenny Rangan

Jenny grew up in Northern New Mexico in an adobe house with a woodstove, an outhouse, and a well for water, so her first experience of clay was living in it, with all its colors and curves and glorious decay.

Jenny officially fell in love with clay in college and earned a degree in Fine Art from UNM with an emphasis on Ceramics. Following graduation she created outdoor sculpture from adobe, apprenticed with Avra Leodas (current owner of Santa Fe Clay) in Santa Fe, NM, and made pit-fired pots from micaceous clay with Felipe Ortega in La Madera, NM. She then spent 20 years as a Bodyworker and Counselor, barely touching clay.

Inspired by classes at Cynthia Curtis’ Studio in Rockport, she has re-emerged over the last four years with full passion. Jenny loves to work sculpturally, combining thrown and handbuilt elements, aspiring to a combination of spontaneity and grace. Currently she enjoys creating functional art that can bring beauty, pleasure and meaning to everyday life.

This past August Jenny co-created and co-curated the first Cape Ann Ceramics Festival with Susan Hershey and Seyrel Williams at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, an amazing and very successful event.

Over the holidays her work will be in the Rocky Neck Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Festival 11/30-12/29, in Feast at Flatrocks in Lanesville through 12/29, in the Wearable Art and Home Décor Show and Sale at the Sawyer Free Library 12/14-15, and at Cynthia Curtis Student and Studio Pottery Show 12/13-12/22. Jenny’s work can also be seen at Artitudes in West Newton, MA

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Susan Hershey

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spotlight_susan hershey

Artist Spotlight on Susan Hershey

Susan’s wood kiln is fired several times a year. Firings take anywhere from 15 to 25 hours to complete and require constant feeding of the fireboxes. A group of potters work together, and the firings are joyous events that can last late into the night or early morning. Before it can be opened, the kiln must cool for at least as long as it’s been hot. Some of the markings on the pots are a result of the ash and flames that swirl around inside during the firing.

Ben Ryterband, Susan’s first teacher at Mass College of Art & Design, introduced her to Japanese glazes. She feels very fortunate to have taken workshops and classes with Rockport potter/teacher, Cynthia Curtis, as well as Lanesville’s own potter par excellence Anni Melançon, Welsh potter Phil Rogers, Minnesota potter Linda Christainson, the Shino Warrior Malcolm Davis, North Carolina potter Michael Kline, wood fire guru Jack Troy, Tim Rowan, hand builder extraordinaire Hayne Bayless, Robert Briscoe, Ken Matsuzaki, Shoji Hamada’s grandson Tomoo Hamada, living legend Warren Mackenzie and New Hampshire wonder potter Karen Orsillo.

As Susan says: “Pots that look as though they’ve been dug up from the earth touch my soul; the Japanese aesthetic influences my work, as well as the powerful and beautiful ocean and granite that make living on Cape Ann so special and spiritual. I produce useful vessels and ceramics to please the eye and the heart in the belief that we all must give to the world love, honesty and beauty.”

You can see more of Susan’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – belle + me

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spotlight_belle+me

Spotlight on belle + me (Anne Malveaux and Lisa LeVasseur)

Created by Anne Malvaux and Lisa LeVasseur, belle + me is a French-inspired line of cool scarves and cooler jewelry. Their hand-made pendants are one of a kind and they use “repurposed” metal, beads, and fabric when possible. These pendants are designed to be worn on their unique line of scarves, in a multitude of colors and designs.

belle + me’s fall/winter collection is very textural. Anne and Lisa have been working with unique stones, recycled glass, and great fabrics plus a fresh new line of scarves made of “re-used T-Shirts” exclusively made by Ipswich resident, Kate Dwyer.

You can see a great selection of belle + me scarves and jewelry at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Deb Schradieck

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spotlight_deb schradieck

Spotlight on Deb Schradieck

A lifelong artist, Deb studied Illustration at Mass College of Art in Boston, graduating in 1981.

A resident of Westborough (central) MA, she has always craved the sea, and first came to Gloucester as a boater seeking a fun place to spend the weekend, and fell in love with Cape Ann. Now, she and her husband keep their boat at Pier 7 Marina in East Gloucester. This provides a seasonal base and a stepping-stone to living here year-round. This close proximity to the harbor creates good opportunities for photography, which then become references for artwork done later in the studio.

Her first summer in Gloucester, Deb walked into the Weaver Gallery and was so moved by Jeff’s work that she decided right then and there to make painting a priority. Inspired by the island’s natural beauty and dramatic light, and encouraged by the vibrant community of artists and support for the arts, she got to work. She has since produced dozens of watercolor paintings in a realistic style characterized by vivid color and dramatic light.

A full-time Realtor, Deb has, for many years, drawn house portraits in pen and ink that are given to clients as housewarming gifts. Using the same detailed technique and extensive experience in the medium, she created a 2014 Calendar featuring familiar Gloucester scenes in pen and ink.

Deb is an artist member of the North Shore Arts Association and the Rocky Neck Art Colony. Her work is on display seasonally at the Khan Studio/Good Morning Gloucester Gallery and at the Gallery at the Accommodations, also on Rocky Neck. Visit her website at http://www.DebsArtGallery.com.

You can see more of Deb’s work and find her amazing Gloucester 2014 Calendar at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Regina Piantedosi

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spotlight_regina piantidosi

Spotlight on Regina Piantedosi

Regina, a lifelong resident of the North Shore and member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony for two years, has been painting for seven years, but has been a “creative” her entire life. She has lived a full and art filled entrepreneurial life writing, and working as an interior designer and florist.

Regina describes her art as a creative extension of herself, and believes each artist’s work is their fingerprint, unique to them alone. She has always been a non-representational/abstract painter, which is how she interprets her emotions.

Regina is currently using Yupo paper, a treeless synthetic product originally produced for printing. Having vast possibilities, it is resilient, eco-friendly and colors explode on it. Ink, gouache (semi-solid watercolors,) acrylic and gold leaf are her mediums of choice, and her art is created with one or any combination thereof.

You can see more of Regina’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM November 30 – December 29

and look for her during one of the fun parties:

Friday, November 29, 5-7 PM Gala First Choice Preview Party

Saturday, December 7, 2-4 PM High Tea

Sunday, December 15, 3-5 PM Happy Hour

Saturday, December 21, 2-4 PM Winter Solstice Party

Sunday, December 29, 2-4 PM Pre New Year’s Party

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series

Posted on by God's Morning

Spotlight on Carol McKenna

spotlight_carol mckenna

Carol is a Gloucester native who lived away for 22 years and has happily been back on Cape Ann for 14. She has been a member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony for two years.  A renegade from the traditional work worlds of Education and Psychology, Carol is now being true to that little girl who was given her first camera at the age of six, primarily spending her time photographing nature around Cape Ann with her little yorkie, Zoe.  Carol also writes Japanese haiku, tan rengas and posts her photography, poetry and a bit of art on her blog http://www.acreativeharbor.com.

You can see more of Carol’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM November 30 – December 29

and look for her during one of the fun parties:

Friday, November 29, 5-7 PM Gala First Choice Preview Party

Saturday, December 7, 2-4 PM High Tea

Sunday, December 15, 3-5 PM Happy Hour

Saturday, December 21, 2-4 PM Winter Solstice Party

Sunday, December 29, 2-4 PM Pre New Year’s Party

E.J. Lefavour

 

Artist Spotlight Series

Posted on by God's Morning

This will be a series of artist spotlights, showing the work and giving a little inside look into the artists who create it.  The first spotlight is on lifelong Gloucester artist, Theresa Testaverde.

spotlight_theresa testaverde

Theresa’s art is often a collage of whatever stirs her as interesting and challenging. Some of her work is inspired by loved ones, family and friends.

Theresa is a native of Gloucester, has been drawing since the age of 5, has a BFA with her principle focus in Printmaking, and has worked in the commercial field of Specialty Printing since college.

She is the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Gloucester fishermen. Her maternal grandfather, Joaquin Codinha, was deeply involved in the business side of the Fishing industry. Her paternal grandfather, R. Salve Testaverde wrote, “Memoirs of a Gloucester Fisherman.” And Theresa’s great-grandfather (her mother’s grandfather) was Antonio Santos Cortina, who while on a fishing trip on the Laura Goulart, was lost at sea in 1924. “Passionate followers of the heart; fishers of the sea.”

On Fisherman’s Wharf, her family’s FV, the Linda B, would have schools of fish hauled up in a net and loaded on trucks for market. Her most recent drawings, “Fish Faces, A Series of Drawings’ is dedicated to her young years of growing up – “we had all the fish and more!”

In addition, Theresa’s artwork for her “Daily Fish” Coasters is a salute to the life of a fisherman. “I recognize that a fisherman’s life is a noble and valued life, a dangerous life which requires dedication, heart, strength, intense work during stormy days and an immense respect of the sea from which he earns his daily bread.”

All of this was a way of life for Theresa growing up. In her words, “I embrace all of them, their memory, their stories. The women and men from which I am part. I could not create any of my artwork without these reflections. This life had heart, purpose, was hard working, honest, diligent and had love. To remember us young is to examine the heart of family, in our little town, Gloucester. My family members required the sea to maintain their everyday needs. This “fish” artwork is for them.”

You can see more of Theresa’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM, November 30 – December 29.

E.J. Lefavour

REMEMBERING THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE

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timothy longman

Dr. Timothy Longman will speak about the role of the Christian church in the genocide that wracked the tiny African state of Rwanda 20 years ago and the importance of memory in the ongoing process of national reconciliation there on Sunday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester. The event is free and open to the public.

Over four months in 1994, the small East African state of Rwanda experienced one of the most intense waves of violence in modern history. In the two decades since, a regime dominated by the main targets of the genocide—the minority Tutsis—has undertaken an impressive program of national reconciliation. But it’s also been criticized for its own human rights abuses and for war-making in neighboring Congo.

Professor Longman will talk about the complex relationship between the church in Rwanda and the violence and how the government has tried to preserve the memory of the genocide among Rwandans both as a means of reconciliation and a defense against a repeat of it, even as it has acted to suppress memories of other types of political violence, especially its own.

Timothy Longman is the director of the African Studies Center at Boston University and assistant professor of political science. He has been conducting research in Rwanda since 1992. His book, ”Commanded by the Devil: Christianity and Genocide in Rwanda”, will be published by Cambridge University Press.

Longman argues that Rwanda’s churches became implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide because of their historic links with the state, their active engagement in ethnic politics, and the ongoing cooperative ties between leaders of the churches and the state.

His current research focuses on state-society relations in Africa, looking particularly at human rights, transitional justice, democratization, civil society, the politics of race and ethnicity, religion and politics, and women and politics.

Longman earned a doctorate in political science at the University of Wisconsin in 1995. He was the director of the Human Rights Watch field office in Rwanda in 1995-96 and director of Rwanda research for the Human Rights Center of the University of California Berkeley in 2001-2006. He has also conducted fieldwork in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. He has previously taught at Vassar College, Columbia University, the National University of Rwanda, and the University of the Witswatersrand (South Africa).

This will be the second event of the Cape Ann Forum’s 2013/2014 season and the 79th since the organization was established in 2001. The last event of the fall will feature Middle East expert Omar Dahi on what is behind the conflict in Syria on Sunday, December 8 at the Gloucester City Hall. 2014 speakers will include Gloucester filmmakers Nubar and Abby Alexanian in February, human trafficking expert Paulette Lloyd in March and popular radio commentator Christopher Lydon in May.

For more information on the event go to the Forum’s Web site at http://www.capeannforum.org.

Who Wants Pews? Perfect for Thanksgiving Seating

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pews for sale2

Last three remaining church pews from old Christian Science Church on Rocky Neck, C.1950. 35″ high sides, 32″ high back, 20″ deep and 102″ long. Great pieces for a large foyer, living room, dining room or enclosed porch.   Perfect for seating at your Thanksgiving table.  $200 each or best offer, benefits the Cultural Center Building Fund.

E.J. Lefavour

November in the Matz Gallery: Laureen Adrienne Maher’s “Birdseye View”

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laureen_birds eye view

This month the Adolph Matz Gallery features the work of Laureen Adrienne Maher. “Birdseye View” is her largest body of work and features many images of the old Birdseye building as it stands today. You will see the dilapidation and gritty character that this site brings to our unique cityscape … if only for a little while more. Birdseye View is also the title of the large centerpiece of this exhibit: three 18 x 24 canvases dressed in oils and mounted on a stucco-like background.

 This show is dedicated to her late husband, Steve DeBoer, who supported her painting efforts wholeheartedly and loved Gloucester and the cast of characters and artists that make up this City. “Everywhere I go people are talking about what is happening around the old Birdseye building. All I know is I had a great time painting it!”

Laureen was published in the Gloucester Times in March 2010 and 2011. Both articles featured her florals and popular series, called Catch of the Day, which depicts our great local rock stars including Allen Estes, Fly Amero, and Willie “Loco” Alexander. In recent years she has exhibited locally at Lone Gull, Good Morning Gloucester Gallery on Rocky Neck, and The Bodin Historic Gallery. The latter carries Snack Bar at Good Harbor Beach which is one of her most popular reproductions.

Laureen resides in beautiful East Gloucester. She owns Beauty Bar at 12 Parker Street where she cuts and colors hair and exhibits her artwork year-round. New works are in progress for her upcoming late Spring exhibit to be held at Beauty Bar. She also participates in the Sawyer Free Library Annual Art Auction each year.

Contact Laureen at (617) 335-6788 or email her at laureen@beautybarstyle.com.

Friday, Nov 8 Event Honors Veterans: You’re Invited

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thi linh final

Copyright Thi Linh Wernau, Greg – A Limitless Life Without Limbs, 2013

This is the last weekend to view You. Are. Beautiful., a selection of 30 photographs by Thi Linh Wernau.  The show is presented by The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck and runs through Veterans Day, November 11.

The work celebrates the human spirit and beauty in all people.  The artist especially honors veterans because she believes what they do is one of the ultimate tests of the human spirit.  On Friday, November 8 from 7 – 9 PM, you are invited to attend a special event at the gallery to honor veterans.  The event will include an artist talk, short film and Veterans Voices, where veterans and friends of veterans will share art and stories.  Speakers include two Gloucester residents and Korean War veterans, A. Austin Dorr and Bradley Smith, founder of the Patron’s Museum. Johnathan Lamirande of New Hampshire, will speak about his good friend and Marine, LCpl Michael Geary, who sacrificed his life in Afghanistan. Finally, a wounded warrior and amputee, Retired E-5 Sergeant U.S. Army, Andy Kingsley of Gardner, MA, will speak about his experience and never giving up.

The event is free and light refreshments will be served.  The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck is located at 6 Wonson Street in Gloucester. You. Are. Beautiful. runs through Veterans Day, November 11.  Gallery hours are 12 – 4 pm. Visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org or www.facebook.com/ThiLinhPhotography for more information.