I just love the spire of the Unitarian Universalist Church!
My View of Life on the Dock
Kat Masella submits-
Dear Joey C.
I hope this note finds you well.
Gayle White suggested i contact you and tell you about our new Art organization in Gloucester. I hope you have a look and "like’ the new website and facebook page – the whole idea is to get artists together in relaxed community spirit of life-long relationship building.
Play with Clay
Cape Ann Sea Creatures is a February school vacation clay class for children and/or adults with Rockport potter Susan Hershey. It’s a three-part series on Monday, February 18th, Wednesday, February 20th and Friday, February 22nd from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Opportunity Center at Pond View Village in Gloucester. Limited to 24 students. To reserve a spot, contact Stacy Randell at 978-281-8181, ext. 141 or srandell@thecalebgroup.org . A $5 donation for the series is requested, but not required. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
There’s no doubt that growing up in today’s world is challenging and perhaps it’s even more challenging to be a parent of a child going through adolescence. O’Maley Innovation Middle School is committed to doing all it can guide both young and old through this important phase of life. With that in mind, we have scheduled two free workshops for parents.
The first one will be held on Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in our library. The title of this workshop is “Growing up Male in America”. Some of the topics covered will be: The Boy Code, Boys and Aggression, The Boys Inner Life (a focus on the emotional life of boys), Boys and Schooling, Parent Relationships and Changing into Men.
The second workshop will be held the following Tuesday, February 5th, also from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. This workshop is entitled, “Growing up Female in America”. Some of the topics of this session include: The Girl Code, Girls and the Media, Girls and Schooling, Parent Relationships and a segment called Daughters of the Revolution (a look at the future for girls).
The presenter is Joann Stemmerman. She is an expert in gender as it relates to adolescents. Although now working in the private sector, she has held faculty positions at Harvard University and the University of New Hampshire. Please join us for these informative workshops. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and sharing of common experiences.
Rocky Neck Cultural Center Event
Expressive Painting 2013: December 31 – January 27, 2013
Notice Change of date and time for Conversation with the Artists,
rescheduled for Saturday, January 26th 1-3pm
Join us and bring your thoughts about art.
Grace on Water, by Laurel Hughes. Oil on canvas, 84″x78″. 2008. Photo credit: Michael Lafferty
Expressive Painting 2013, a group show of Rocky Neck Art Colony members and non-members, curated by Ruth Mordecai. Featuring the work of: Yhanna Coffin, Mary Cole, Susan Erony, Laurel Hughes, Deborah Lloyd Kaufman, Ruth Mordecai, and Tom Nihan.
I think that’s a big ship on the ocean in the distance, in the photo below:
Seven Swans a Swimming
Dear Joey,
I’m sure you know all about the family of 7 swans that spent most of the summer and fall at Front Beach in Rockport (see photo 1868, and our granddaughter Brooke confronting the “father swan” in 1888). Inspired by this, my wife, Judy Alpert’s fourth recent Bas relief wall mural is called Seven Swans a Swimming and is displayed in the picture window of her studio, Town and Sea, at 93 Main St. in Rockport (see photos attached). The puzzle pieces are stoneware (fired to 2300 deg F) with glazes mostly custom mixed by the artist. Thought your audience might be interested.
R.L. Alpert, ScD, FSFPE
Editor in Chief, Journal of Fire Protection Engineering

Plain boxes, fancy boxes, boxes with lids from one sheet of paper, boxes made from multiple units…. I will be teaching these and/or similar models, according to the skill and interests of the students (teens and adults), on Thursday, January 24 at 7PM, at The Hive (on Pleasant Street).
Call to reserve a space: 978-283-3889
students: $15
adults: $20
Also, if there is interest in classes on additional themes, please let me know! I would like to do one class a month at The Hive, but that depends somewhat on how busy I am at the parish and on the level of interest and participation. I can probably find material to cover just about any theme (dinosaurs, flowers, dragons, horses, frogs, insects…) although how much we can do depends somewhat on the experience of the students.
…it looks like this:
It’s St. Germain L’Auxerrois. The one where there are Jelly Babies in a little park out front… Photographed during my vacation last fall.
Well, the results of yesterday’s poll are pretty clear. The vast majority of those who voted, were of the opinion that I should keep posting on GMG, perhaps including some disclaimer, or commentary when I disagree with something. That’s pretty much what I was tending to think too. Along those lines, I added a disclaimer of sorts to my profile description.
I hope that those who voted the opposite – that I should not be associated with the blog (two options to this effect were included in the poll, varying slightly on the reasons for leaving) – will understand my decision, which I think is pretty well explained by some of the comments that people posted. Thank you for all your feedback, pro and con!
Speaking of juxtaposing very different kinds of content, here’s a photo I took of a statue of a family of Jelly Babies in front of the Gothic tower of the church of St. Germain L’Auxerrois in Paris.
Whatever, right?
These are a few things I’ve folded over the past year or so. I made this collage trying out a neat (currently free) app on my iPhone: Photo Collage. Credits, from top right going clockwise: dragon, designed by me, folded from an uncut square; crucifix, designed by me, folded from one uncut rectangle; dragon, designed by Won Park, folded from two uncut dollar bills (no glue either – you can unfold it and spend the money); Jack-in-the-box, designed by Max Hulme, folded from one uncut rectangle.

BankGloucester is hosting a public reception for Rockport painter John Caggiano on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 11 am to 1 pm in the Bank’s lobby. A collection of his work is on display at the bank through March 8, 2013. The artist travels extensively, both here and abroad, painting on location. This plein aire approach enables him to capture the essence of the time and place that he interprets into his bright and colorful “Impressionistic-realism” style. The work is further enhanced by his daring use of a palette knife, enhancing the effects of his brushwork.
Meet John and speak with him regarding his work at this reception. Light refreshments will be served. BankGloucester is located at 160 Main Street in Gloucester.
WHAT: Gloucester’s 2nd Annual Maritime Summit will explore the future of ocean resources and the emerging role of working ports. The summit will address how equity partners, innovative marine-based entrepreneurs, and maritime researchers can access new market opportunities, partnerships and port resources. The daylong summit will feature a presentation on offshore policies and priorities, current innovation and collaboration on the waterfront, and green chemistry which is informing next generation products and marketplaces. The summit will conclude with a reception at the Exhibit Hall.
WHEN: Thursday, February 7, 2013
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cruiseport, Gloucester
6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA 01930
WHO: Carolyn Kirk, Mayor of Gloucester
Dr. John Warner, Founder of Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry
Dr. J. Ru Morrison, Executive Director of Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Observing Systems
WHY: The City of Gloucester, Mayor Kirk, and the Maritime Working Group Partnership are committed to connecting the New England North network of maritime resources with the new ocean economy, including diversified fisheries, dynamic ocean research and ocean technologies.
Contact: Sarah Garcia, Harbor Planning Director, 978-281-9781
BUOYS DECORATED BY ARTISTS OF ALL AGES

Join us for our 5th Annual Buoy Auction! We have lots of great buoys painted by kids, as well as buoys by local artists, like this one byJeff Weaver. Jeff’s buoy will be included in the silent auction. Some kids’ buoys are going to be included in the live auction, others can be purchased at a flat price. There will be live music and kids’ activities at the event as well. Come enjoy food, socializing, and the excitement of a live auction! It will be a great time for all.
If you can’t make it to the auction but would still like to donate to Art Haven, check out our website for more info.
William Grillo has a show of beautiful paintings in the lobby at Addison Gilbert hospital!
Here’s a closeup detail of one of them:
All of the paintings are well worth looking at, and are often instantly recognizable local places.
You may have received this notice from City Councilor Paul McGeary regarding a proposal for a large-scale sculpture installation at Trefry Park, across from the parking lot. Councilor McGeary has offered to meet with the Rocky Neck Art Colony and interested neighbors in advance of his January 23 city-wide meeting on this issue. We will meet this Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 6 pm at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck. Hope to see you then!!
Karen Ristuben
David Black, a nationally renowned sculptor with roots on Cape Ann, has proposed the installation of a monumental sculpture at Keith Trefry Park, opposite the parking lot at the entrance to Rocky Neck. Under his proposal, David would donate his time and talent, but another group, whether public or private has not been determined, would pay for the cost of fabricating and installing the work. David has created monumental civic sculptures for many cities in the United States and around the world. As you can see from the designs below, the sculptures are large. David says they are designed to be experienced from within as well as without, to be walked through and around. At the ward meeting on Jan. 23, I will be showing the proposals as well as some other samples of David’s work. You can also view samples of his work for cities around the country and the world at his website: davidblacksculpture.com. David has designed two proposals, entitled “White Caps” and “High Seas.” If the project moves forward, one of the two would likely be chosen for the site.
If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please be in touch!
Abi Gezunt!