Author: James Eves

New North Shore Artist’s Work on Display at First Ipswich Bank’s Gloucester Branch

First Ipswich Bank is pleased to announce that work by local artist, Marianne Thompson, is on display at its Gloucester branch – 207 Main Street – through April.

An open reception for Marianne will be held at the branch on Friday, March 25 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to offer the opportunity to meet her and learn more about her work.

Particulate Light. Oil on Canvas, 18x24in. 2012.

Marianne Thompson is a Canadian artist who resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts and has been painting in oils for over 25 years. She began Plein Air painting in 2011 in a group led by Gloucester artist, David P. Curtis, who has been a great mentor to her. Her dedication to the medium of Plein Air oil painting, her aptitude for color, and a unique, fearless style have engendered her success. She finds the wild beauty of Cape Ann compelling and can often be found in Gloucester or Essex attempting to capture it in paint. In addition to selling from her studio gallery at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell and website www.mariannethompson.com, she teaches oil, palette knife and Plein Air painting.

About the program:

One artist’s work will be shown every three months; Marianne’s work will be on display through April. A new artist will then be featured from May through July 2016.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Sumner, Branch Manager at 978-356-3700, or Beth Taber at 978-356-8120.

First Ipswich Bank has branch offices in Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Newburyport and Rowley, Massachusetts – you can find them online at www.firstipswich.com. You can find them on Facebook, too.

Seafaring Women of the 19^th Century
An illustrated lecture by Captain Laurel Seaborn

 The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to present Seafaring Women of the 19^th Century on Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m..  Laurel Seaborn, a maritime archaeologist and sailing ship captain, will offer an in-depth look at the brave women who went to sea in the nineteenth century. This program is free for CAM members/$10 for non-members (includes Museum admission). For more information please call (978) 283-0455 x10 or email info@capeannmuseum.org.

During the 19th century, when women chose to go to sea in sailing ships, they contributed as nurses, nannies and navigators, and in extreme cases took command of the ship. Their journals describe the objects built or brought on board specifically for them. Besides the beds, chairs, and parlor organs that might be found during an archaeological excavation of a shipwreck, their personal possessions such as jewelry, sewing kits and children’s toys would also convey evidence of how the culture on ships changed with a woman’s presence. The investigation of these artifacts, as clues into the lives of these seafaring women, is part of Captain Seaborn’s ongoing PhD research at University of New Hampshire.

Seaborn returned to university after a career as crew and captain aboard both modern and historic sailing ships. Her work on archaeological projects includes underwater diving excavations of the pirate Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge in Beaufort, North Carolina, and of Captain Kidd’s ship, Cara Merchant in the Dominican Republic, along with recording the hull shape of the 17th-century Royal warship, Vasa in Stockholm, Sweden.

CALL FOR ENTRIES
Inspired by Home Online Photo Contest

 In conjunction with the exhibition, Design/Build: The Drawings of Phillips & Holloran, Architects, opening June 4, the Cape Ann Museum is hosting an online photography contest. Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit images based on the theme of “home” that capture the unique character of Cape Ann (photos must be taken in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea). Whether a physical place, a distant memory or a local reminder, there is inspiration to be found throughout Cape Ann’s distinct architecture, neighborhoods and cultural districts.

Deadline for submissions: April 29, 2016

 Cape Ann Museum staff will select photos for public voting on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and effectiveness in conveying the theme of “home.” Beginning on Friday, May 6, the selected photos will be posted on the Museum’s Facebook page. The public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite photo(s) by “liking” them.

For more information please visit: http://www.capeannmuseum.org/inspired-by-home/

Participants Registered Before May 1 Will Receive a
Custom Rocky Neck 5K T-shirt.

Go to www.rockyneck5k.com to register online or visit the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. to obtain a paper registration form.

The event is sponsored by the Rocky Neck Art Colony to benefit Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Cultural District and the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck Building Fund.  With chip-timed results, participants may compete individually or as a team in the popular Team Challenge.  The Run/Walk along the breathtakingly beautiful seaside course will be capped off by a festive post-Race brunch celebration on the deck at Rocky Neck’s The Studio Restaurant.

The Rocky Neck 5K Run/Walk & Team Challenge is a fun community ‘happening’ to benefit RNAC, a neighborhood-based, volunteer organization committed to preserving Rocky Neck’s unique arts and maritime cultural heritage.   Open to all, beginners can experience the joy of exercise in the outdoors while  experienced runners can sharpen their times on a forgiving course.  Everyone will enjoy creating memories individually or in a team with colleagues, family and friends.

The Team Challenge provides a great opportunity for groups from businesses, non-profits, clubs and affiliations of every size to show their colors, build organizational pride and share an experience to be long remembered.

The USATF (United States of America Track and Field) sanctioned event will take off from the Causeway on Rocky Neck.  It will return along Gloucester’s ocean-rimmed Back Shore to finish on Rocky Neck where all participants are invited for a celebratory post-Race brunch and awards  ceremony at The Studio Restaurant and Deck overlooking picturesque Smith Cove on Gloucester Harbor.

The Race start will be at 9 a.m., with packet pickup at Race Headquarters in the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck from 7:00 AM to 8:45 AM. Race participation is limited to 400.  Participants registered before May 1 will receive a custom Rocky Neck 5K T-shirt.

If spots are still available on Race day, walk-in registration will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Sign up early to insure participation. Go to www.rockyneck5k.com to register online or visit the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. to obtain a paper registration form.

Volunteers will be positioned to direct visitors to street parking as well as  designated lots in and around Rocky Neck.  Space will be available in Rocky Neck Park along the Causeway for everyone to meet and warm up before the Race kicks off.

This jam is open to any style and all are welcome.  If we get a good turnout we will split it up into two sessions, one in the front and one in the second room “pickin’ parlor”.

Free refreshments (cider, water, cookies, pastry)

57 Washington Street  •  Gloucester, MA 01930  • Tel. (978) 283-9877

BankGloucester is hosting a
public reception for artist Marilyn Swift

Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 11 am to 1 pm
in BankGloucester’s lobby on Main Street.

The reception is a great opportunity to meet Marilyn personally and speak with her regarding her work. Light refreshments will be available.

To learn more about Marilyn Swift, visit her website at www.MarilynSwift.com

BankGloucester Artist Reception
for Marilyn Swift

Artist Reception: March 19, 11:00-1:00
Exhibit: March 12-May 14

BankGloucester • 160 Main St. • Gloucester, MA  01930

BankGloucester is featuring artist Marilyn Swift’s paintings from March 12-May14. An artist reception will take place on March 19 from 11-1 with light refreshments served.

www.bankgloucester.com

Gloucester Education Foundation is proud to host a day of play for Gloucester families. Sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank and Cape Ann Trust and Financial Services

Play is an important learning tool that promotes creative and innovative thinking. Play also helps kids develop skills that are a foundation for life-long success, including critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and collaboration. The Power of Play Festival will feature fun family activities throughout the Field House like: collaborative art projects; lego building; kid’s yoga; board games; sand, water and goop tables; obstacle courses; giant building blocks and LOTS more.

https://www.facebook.com/events/440950949436570/

My name is Rachel Refalo and I am the PTO President at West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester.  In September of 2016 we will be blessed with the opening of a new school but the playing fields they are replanting around the school will not be able to be played on until September of 2017 and our beloved Science Park is in quite a state of disrepair. We are hosting a Hollywood themed auction to raise money to make repairs to the Science Park called:

Lights, Camera, Auction!
6pm-11pm at the Cruiseport Gloucester
6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, Ma  01930

Tickets are $25 for 1 person | $40 per couple

Our auction is going live online on March 20, 2016.  There will be mobile items like a Breakfast with Good Morning Gloucester’s own Joey C that can be bid on by people around the country.  People can also attend the live event to bid on mobile or live items.

For more information or to buy tickets people can visit www.biddingforgood.com/westparishschool

West Parish School PTO – BiddingForGood Fundraising Auction

Starting on March 20, 2016, West Parish School PTO will be auctioning off a number of fun and unique items to bid on to raise money for our organization – and more importantly, our beloved Science Park. You can show your support by clicking on the Donate Items button to contribute to our catalog. Give a little and get a lot in return. Whether you have 1 item or 100 to contribute, your participation is an invaluable part of our fundraising efforts. By donating an item or service directly online, you’ll be helping to raise money for our organization, and you’ll receive a mention on our site that can link back to your own web page. You would be a featured donor on our Facebook page, local newspaper ads and on our Star Donor Wall at the event. If you cannot make the event but would still like to support our cause, you may donate cash by clicking on the Donate Cash button. We receive 100% of cash donations so please spread the word! Thank-you for your support!

I can also be emailed at racmatz@hotmail.com

For more information go to:
www.annisquamarts.com

Working with Sista Felicia on her St Joseph plans is always fun because she is so enthusiastic about what she is doing and has such a great eye for attention to detail. She wants it to be perfect and for anyone who has had the privilege of attending a Novena night or St Joseph’s Feast at her house knows she actually achieves perfection. So when Felicia had an idea for an image to be placed over the altar she, of course, knew exactly what she wanted, unfortunately the exact image she wanted was not large enough to be printed really big so we had to find an image that started off close enough and tweak it to be exactly what she wanted. Crowns and angels were added, flower garlands were created and colors were changed to fit in with her vision.

~ James Eves
Creative Director
Cape Ann Giclée

MHM LECTURE SERIES
TUESDAY, MARCH 15

at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall
6:30pm Refreshments, 7pm Program
Members free, Nonmembers $10

Every Room’s a Gallery –
Exploring Our Collection of Fine Art

MHM curator John Huss and Tom Halsted will introduce us to the museum’s collection and the artists who created these works of art.

Please RSVP by the Monday before

Phone: 978-526-7230 or email info@manchesterhistoricalmuseum.org

It’s a Small World – Exploring Our Collection of Miniatures

Saturday, March 19 (10am)
Free Family Program for ages 3 and up

See doll house pieces and other miniatures from the collection. Watch local doll artist, Erin Cherry, demonstrate how she makes tiny peg dolls and make your own.

Our Family programs are sponsored by:  Boston Financial Management,  Logue Insurance Agency Inc., Manchester Travel , New Generation Advisors, LLC, Standley’s Garage and the Manchester Cultural Council.

Rocky Neck Now:
Selected Works by Member Artists

March 10 to April 17, 2016
Opening Reception:  Saturday, March 12, 3-5 PM
Closing Reception: Sunday, April 17, 2-4 PM

 The Rocky Neck Art Colony is pleased to present “Rocky Neck Now”—an exhibition featuring selected works in a wide range of mediums by the members of the renowned Rocky Neck Art Colony whose work exemplifies its mission to push the boundaries of innovation while honoring its artistic traditions.

laske_otto_the-shell_oth

swift_marilyn_skifffishbeachmonhegan watercolor 11×14 image, 20×22.5 framed

lind-terk-_mindy_necklace

george_kathleen_sunrisefarmlands

In “Rocky Neck Now” multiple artworks by 20 plus artists offer a broad scope of aesthetic styles rendered in oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, photographs, myriad mixed media, assemblages and jewelry. The public is invited to meet the artists at the Opening Reception on Saturday, March 12, 3-5 PM.

            The work of the Colony’s members will grace the gallery walls of the architecturally historic Cultural Center for six weeks beginning March 10, 2016.

Participating artists include painters Kathleen Gerdon Archer, Carol Mansur Benesh, Gail Gang, Kathleen George, Leslie Heffron and Marilyn Swift; those working in mixed media and assemblage, Deborah Barnwell, Pamela Courtleigh, Terry Del Percio-Piemonte, Ellen Lefavour, Valentin Zev Rejman and Sally Seamans; jewelry by Lisa Carlson and Mindy Lind-Terk; photography of Kathy Chapman, Michael Oleksiw, David Piemonte and Ron Pruett; digital paintings by Otto Laske and encaustic work by Regina Piantedosi.

            One artist from this wide-ranging exhibition will be selected for a solo exhibition as part of RNAC’s Gallery 53, Summer Artists Exhibition Series. The visiting public is invited to vote for a “Viewer’s Choice Award” with the favored artist and work recognized at the closing reception on Sunday, April 17 at about 3 PM.

The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck
6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Gallery Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 12-4 PM

Manchester Essex Regional High School junior Emily Parker has been named Grand Prize Award Winner for her artwork “Unraveled” in this year’s 6th Congressional District High School Art Competition. The awards will be presented Saturday, March 5, 3:30 – 5 p.m. by U.S. Representative Seth Moulin at Montserrat College of Art’s 301 Gallery, 301 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. The exhibit will be open to the public: Thursday, March 3, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. & 3 – 6 p.m. and Friday, March 4, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 – 6 p.m. at the 301 Gallery, 301 Cabot Street, Beverly. www.montserrat.edu/congressional-art-show

This marks the 22nd year that Montserrat has hosted this competition. The exhibit included 140 pieces from 30 different high schools and one home-schooled submission. The competition was open to high school students from public and private schools within the 6th District of Massachusetts, as well as high school students home-schooled within the district. The exhibition was juried by Judy Schmid, artist, designer, Montserrat College of Art Trustee, Lynn Schmid, fashion designer, art collector and Leon Doucette, Curatorial Assistant, Cape Ann Museum.

The award winners are as follows:

GRAND PRIZE
Emily Parker, “Unraveled” Manchester Essex Regional High School, Grade 11

FIRST PRIZE
Alyssa Schadhauser, “One of Us” Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Grade 12

SECOND PRIZE
Vincenzo Dimino, “Newsworthy” Gloucester High School, Grade 12

THIRD PRIZE
Tyler Hughes, “Morning Routine” St. John’s Preparatory School, Grade 11

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Stephanie O’Neill, “Organic” Burlington High School, Grade 12
Julian Vye, “Angel” Landmark School, Grade 11
Kiley Choi, “The Map to Love” Lynnfield High School, Grade 12
Julissa Morales, “Spring Into It” Lynn English High School, Grade 11
Sophie Adams, “Mushroom Cloud” Masconomet Regional High School, Grade 12
Aleksa Wilk, “Rowboats in Oguinquit, Maine” North Reading High School, Grade 10
Natalie Krowitz, “Kitchen Window” Reading Memorial High School, Grade 12
George Furlong, “Quality Market” St. John’s Preparatory School, Grade 12
May Ganzenmuller, “The Waterbug’s Afterlife” Triton Regional High School, Grade 10

BEST OF SCHOOLS

Amesbury High School – Jane Grogan, Grade 12, “A Day’s Work”|
Andover High School – Teresa Dell’Anno, Grade 11, “Untitled”
Beverly High School – Sophia Hautala, Grade 11 “L’Echo de la Danseuse”
Billerica Memorial High School – Kayla Livingston, Grade 11, “One with Nature”
Bishop Fenwick High School – Megan Smilikis, Grade 12, “Plum Island House”
Burlington High School – Alegria Paez, Grade 12, “In My Room”
Danvers High School – Sadie Hofmeester, Grade 11, “Beached”
Hamilton-Wenham High School – Colin Cavanaugh, Grade 12, “238,900 Miles”
Homeschool – Emily Fabre, Grade 10, “From the Shadows”
Ipswich High School – Jack Bryce Homans, Grade 11, “Hidden Talent”
Landmark School – Kat Green, Grade 11, self portrait
Lynn English High School – Sarah Gilberg, Grade 11, “Neat Sneaks”
Lynnfield High School – Jakub Jablonka, Grade 12, “By Any Means Necessary”
Marblehead High School – Annabelle Walsh, Grade 11, “Ajak”
Masconomet Regional High School – Ella O’Connor, Grade 11, “Rope”Nazareth Academy – Jenny Huang, Grade 10, “Little Brother in China”
Newburyport High School – Caroline Crowley & Lauren Sirek, Grade 11, “Lauren Joiners”
North Andover High School – Vivian Gaul, Grade 11, “Band of Brothers Poster”
North Reading            – Thomas Wuorinen, Grade 11, “Drowning in the Moonlight”
Philips Academy – Serena X. Ren, Grade 10, “Self Portrait”
Pingree School – Jadakyz Lopez, Grade 11, “Untitled”
Saugus High School – Julia Frizzi, Grade 11, “Shiganshina”
Sparhawk High School – Christina Gemmell, Grade 11, “Tomas”
St. Mary’s High School – Thatiana Davidson, “Stroll of Wonders”
Triton Regional High School – Marissa Farago, Grade 11, “The Last of the Leaves”
Waring School – Emma Garthwaite, Grade 11, “Four Friends in Blind Countours”

Each winner will be presented with a citation from Congressman Moulton and varying levels of scholarships to Montserrat’s Summer Pre-College Program (www.montserrat.edu/pre-college/). Emily Parker‘s grand prize winning piece will be sent to Washington, DC where it will hang in the Capitol building for one year along with winners from other Congressional districts across the country. A ceremony to congratulate all the winners will be held in Washington, DC in June.

For more information, visit www.montserrat.edu/congressional-art-show or contact Jo Broderick at jo.broderick@montserrat.edu or 978-867-9613.

Montserrat College of Art is a private, residential college of visual art and design, founded in 1970, by artists, for artists, educating the creative problem solvers of tomorrow. The college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, continuing education classes and four galleries exhibiting works by international, national and regional contemporary artists, intended to offer art education beyond the Montserrat classrooms through a series of public lectures, gallery talks, catalogs and events.  Visit us www.montserrat.edu for more details.

From Here to Flustuania, a live show comes to The Rocky Neck Cultural Center this week for three days only, Fri 03/4, Sat 03/05, at 7:30 and Sun 03/06 at 6:00. It is the “true story” of Hooglio’s quest to find his long lost daughter, Hooglietta.  

Master of Ceremonies is Roman Gadbois, starring Sofia Gadbois as Hooglietta, Gordon Baird as Louie DeRoach, and Hooglio as Hooglio, this twelve song musical is packed with local references and historical ‘facts’ about Gloucester.

I am pleased to announce the recent action of the Rockport Art Association Board of Governors to accept the vote of the membership in approving the new name of the Association. The action, in an overwhelming vote of 129 to 11, amends the By-Laws to add the two words, “& museum” to the official name of the organization.

The addition of the phrase ‘& museum’ seems simple, but I see it as a major, strategic step to open our doors to more visitors, more members, more community involvement, and a stronger platform from which to support artists in Rockport and Cape Ann. This name change is a pivotal step in fulfilling our ongoing mission.

The word ‘association’ does not inherently sound like a place that is open to the public but now, with the addition of ‘museum’, we can easily encourage visitors, tour groups, families, educators, news media, and anyone in the public to visit us and explore the exhibitions. We are using a word they understand: ‘museum.’

Museums are a source of economic activity in the community. They generate visitors daily, solely by recognition alone and those visitors will spend money. This change is also as much a commitment to the community by increasing visitors to the area who will in turn not only spend money in the RAA&M, but also in shops, restaurants, inns and hotels. This new designation befits the organization’s community-minded spirit, broad educational focus and standards of excellence. Most importantly to the community, we will continue to participate in the regional art scene, teach art, foster creativity, and serve as a gathering place for the exchange of ideas. The museum designation underscores, above all, our wish to be committed to community and place all while embracing and sharing our history and eagerly exploring our future.

Thank you for your support.

Best wishes,
Abby Battis
Executive Director

Folly Cove Designers and Feminist Social Change
An illustrated lecture by Jennifer Scanlon

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to present the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of the Humanities in Gender and Women’s Studies and Associate Dean for Faculty at Bowdoin College, Jennifer Scanlon to give an illustrated lecture on Saturday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. on everyone’s favorite topic: the Folly Cove Designers. However, Scanlon will be looking at this group of artists from a different angle. Scanlon’s article, “’The Space Between,’: Rediscovering the Folly Cove Designers,” published in the Massachusetts Review in June of 2015 will be the catalyst for this lecture on the role of the Folly Cove Designers (active 1938-1969) as a forerunner of the women’s groups and professional organizations that fueled feminist social change in the following decades.

Led and trained by illustrator Virginia Lee Burton, the Folly Cove Designers were a group of Massachusetts designer-craftsmen whose shared interests in craftsmanship, pattern, and New England material culture united them across class and ethnic backgrounds. Their artistic and commercial success printing their designs onto textiles energized and legitimized the group, both as a collective of primarily women and as an artist’s cooperative.

Christine Lundberg, producer of the award-winning film Virginia Lee Burton: A Sense of Place, will introduce Scanlon.

This program is $10 for CAM members / $15 for non-members (includes admission). Space is limited; reservations are required. For additional information/tickets, please call: (978) 283-0455 x10 or email info@capeannmuseum.org. Tickets can also be purchased online at Eventbrite.

The Essex River Cultural District is please to announce the first Group Exhibition as part of the Artists in the Shipyard Program. The program brings working artists and students to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum for creative pursuits. The exhibit will take place from February 11th to the 16th, 10 AM – 5 PM at 66 Main St. Essex, MA. The opening is on February 12 from 6 to 8 PM. The artists participating include Alison Taylor, Charlie Carrol, Barbara Donnelly, Connie Sweet, Kristen Wilson, Katherine Richmond, Lynn Havinghurst and Jay Havinghurst. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and the Essex Merchants Group. For more information email: education@essexshipbuildingmuseum.org or phone: 978-768-6441, or visit: www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org