ArtsBoston released in a new 2014 report on the economic impact of the arts in MA

Hi Joey,

Here’s some exciting data that ArtsBoston released in a new 2014 report on the economic impact of the arts in MA. See the link for the complete report and a couple surprising and intriguing slides. www.artsboston.org/artsfactor

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For 40 years, ArtsBoston aims to connect everyone to MA arts. They have an active membership of 170-plus performing and visual arts organizations throughout Greater Boston. They weigh in with serious analysis and collective data and are a resource for best practices and collaboration. Last fall, GMG announced a podcast webinar from the Massachusetts Cultural Council on how to build audiences using ArtsBoston Audience Initiative which you can find on the MCC site.

image003 Excellent podcast webinar from the Massachusetts Cultural Council

Gloucester Stage Season 35 Opening Play JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS

This just in from Heidi Dallin:

GLOUCESTER STAGE COMPANY LAUNCHES
35th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH
JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS

Save Money on Season Membership and be Entered to Win.  Do it before June 12!  See full details here!

: L to R: Daniel Robert Sullivan, Shana Dirik, Douglas Jabara and Jennifer Ellis.  Photo Credit: Gary Ng
: L to R: Daniel Robert Sullivan, Shana Dirik, Douglas Jabara and Jennifer Ellis. Photo Credit: Gary Ng

Continue reading “Gloucester Stage Season 35 Opening Play JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS”

Community Stuff 6/8/14

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capeannrelayfoelife“Come Join us At the Cape Ann Relay for Life June 13th-14th at O’Maley School. Relay For Life is a family fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. ”

relayinthesand

NORTH SHORE ARTS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

” Legends” – A LECTURE SERIES

OFFERED BY FIVE OF NSAA’S RENOWNED ARTISTS

All Lectures are Free and Open to the Public!

Wine and Cheese Reception Following Each Lecture

“Masters of Elimination” is the first Lecture of the Series, offered Saturday, June 21st, 2014, 3:30 p.m. at NSAA, by renowned Cape Ann artist and teacher, Gloucester native, Charles Movalli.

This first Lecture of the five-Lecture Series will focus on four legendary Cape Ann artists: Aldro Hibbard, N.A., Lester Stevens, N.A., a Cape Ann native, Emile Gruppe and Carl Peters. The artistic vision they shared manifested in their dedication to

en plein air painting. Movalli, in addition to addressing the history of their storied careers, will emphasize “the interconnections between the four and how, unlike much of the detailed studio work seen in galleries today, their mutual dedication to working on the spot made them masters of elimination.” Essential to working outdoors is the ability to grasp quickly the essence of a scene, then capture it on the canvas with skillful simplicity. To demonstrate this mastery of the brush, Movalli, through the use of slides, will show the detail of the brushwork in a particular painting side by side with an overview of it as he discusses each artist’s techniques and approach to their work.

These behemoths in the world of visual arts were instrumental in the

founding and creation of The North Shore Arts Association early in the twentieth

century. Their influence can be seen over many decades even into the present day in the work of artists from New England and around the world.

— The second Lecture in the Series will be given by Rockporter and National Art Academician Tom Nicholas, who, drawing from his 40 years of work as an artist, will discuss his approach to design and composition. His lecture will be held on Sunday, July 6th, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

— The third Lecture will be given by renowned Rockport artist and teacher, Ron Straka, who painted with Paul Strisik and other well known Cape Ann artists. He will address the importance of design, which incorporates color, form and movement, as opposed to simple composition, when applied to work that attempts either an abstract, semi-abstract or realistic style. This talk will be offered on Sunday, August 17th, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

— The fourth Lecture in the series, “Learning to Paint The Day” will be given by celebrated Rockport watercolorist and author of many art instruction books, Betty Lou Schlemm. She will teach how to create movement on the canvas with attention to the play of light on form. Sunday, August 31st, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

— The fifth Lecture is offered by well known artist and Pastel Society of America Hall of Fame member, Frank Federico, on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. He will address the diversity of mediums he uses – pastels, watercolor, acrylics – and the variety of techniques they require.

Come to the North Shore Arts Association in historic Gloucester to hear and enjoy some of Cape Ann’s legendary artists and teachers as they share their

expertise in celebration of the visual arts.

More information on all North Shore Arts Association events is available by visiting their website at www.nsarts.org, and by email at arts@nsarts.org, or by telephone

978 283-1857.

The North Shore Arts Association’s galleries are open, free to the public, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.


Tiny-Oar

“Some things old, some things new, nothing borrowed, lots of blue”!

Sound like a good title for a show in June?  I thought so…

Would that I could write individually to you about my show instead of using a mailing list!  But I just can’t.  

I am honored to be the Artist Of The Month at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester MA.  I’ve covered the walls at the library entrance with photographs and some work in acrylics, and put some ceramic pieces into the display case.  This is the most extensive show I’ve ever had and I’m really very pleased with the way it looks.  And, if you are in the area, I’d like to share it with you.

The show will be up for the month of June, with an event on Thursday June 12th, at the library 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  

The library has a page showing the exhibit in the process of being installed.

http://www.sawyerfreelibrary.org/art-sfl/artist-of-the-month/

And the show itself is viewable from my website:

http://janwalkerArtist.com/

Thanks for listening.  And, enjoy!

Jan Walker

Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930

978-281-9763

Their website shows when the library is open.  They are closed on the weekend except for Saturday through 1 pm.


North Shore United Way announces the final of four winners in a Volunteer Story Contest, awards $1,000 to Backyard Growers to recognize the contributions of Endicott College students to garden beds in backyards and schoolyards across Gloucester.

The Contest:
In April, North Shore United Way announced a Volunteer Story Contest inviting local residents to tell a story about how they are improving the lives of others through volunteering at a local nonprofit. The contest was announced on the organization’s Volunteer Hub at volunteer.nsuw.org, a website that helps residents find meaningful, local volunteer opportunities.

The final of four winning entries belongs to George Kuntz and the Endicott College football team. To recognize Endicott College’s participation in raised bed gardens now producing a harvest for families and schools across Gloucester, North Shore United Way is contributing $1,000 to the Backyard Growers Program. The funding will support the Schoolyard Garden Program, which provides Gloucester elementary school students with a full “farm-to-table” experience. This fall, 1,300 children will have the opportunity to plant and harvest from their school gardens and enjoy the fruits of their labor through cafeteria tastings of the vegetables they grew.

George’s Story:
George Kuntz has the special job of coordinating volunteer opportunities for Endicott College students all over the North Shore. He shares how a ton of dirt convinced a group of football players that their community needed them.

Thanks to the Volunteer Hub I recently discovered the Backyard Growers Program (BYG) and have been regularly bringing Endicott students to help this brand new organization nurture their network of raised bed gardens across Gloucester. Recently I organized our football team to travel around the city filling the BYG garden beds with compost.

When we volunteer our time, we are helping low-income families and school children in the program to make healthier choices by growing fresh fruits and vegetables in their backyards and schoolyards.

When the football team and I helped during Compost Delivery Day, we met a young boy in West Gloucester who was SO EXCITED to receive his compost.  When we arrived at his home and started to unload, he exclaimed “Woah!  That is a LOT of dirt!  Where are we going to put it all?”  The excitement and joy on his face was priceless! 

When first presented with the notion of “moving dirt” around Gloucester, the initial feeling from Endicott students was “WHY???”   After seeing how excited people got about the hope of growing their own food, the students started to get it.   Little by little, each time we returned, students started to grasp the concept of helping others—especially how important it is to respond to needs right here on the North Shore.

Every time I volunteer for something I always learn a little more about the world I live in. I love returning to Backyard Growers simply because the passion and drive the director has for her community is refreshing and rubs off on us!

North Shore United Way invests almost $1M each year in projects that transform lives and improve communities now and for future generations.  NSUW is all about local impact by rigorously vetting and supporting dozens of causes that serve children, families, and seniors on the North Shore.  For more information about the programs funded by NSUW donors, visit nsuw.org. Find a volunteer opportunity at volunteer.nsuw.org.

Backyard Growers  is a small, grassroots organization that provides resources and support to backyard and schoolyard gardens in Gloucester with a  mission to give low- to moderate-income Gloucester families the tools, skills, and inspiration to become life-long gardeners. The organization increases access to fresh local produce; changes families’ attitudes and behaviors toward eating vegetables; builds community and self-sufficiency through backyard gardening; and improves environmental conditions in downtown neighborhoods.


www.annisquamarts.com

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ANNISQUAM ARTS CHILDREN’S SUMMER STUDIO

Contact:         Dawn Southworth, Director

Address:    63 Bennett Street South
        Gloucester, MA 01930

Telephone:    978-290-2107
         Email:    dawn_southworth@hotmail.com
       
Website:         http://www.annisquamarts.com

Day Program:  Half or full day options, ages 6-15

Annisquam Arts begins its 20th season with an exciting array of workshops to inspire your child’s imagination this summer. We will have fun creating with a wide range of art materials in a multidisciplinary studio and exploring the beauty of Cape Ann. Classes include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, bookmaking and mixed media for ages 6-15. 

Small classes and individual instruction nurture all levels of ability. Parents are always amazed at the extensive projects and quality of materials. The in-depth art experience is unrivaled by any other offerings on the North Shore.

Educator and artist, Dawn Southworth, is the art teacher at Glen Urquhart School and co-owner of Clark Gallery in Lincoln, MA, a leading presenter of contemporary art in New England and a member of the Boston Art Dealers Association.

Amy Billings is the kindergarten teacher and upper-school fitness instructor at Glen Urquhart School, with an impressive background in craft instruction to teens and children. Amy will direct the Afternoon Specialty Workshops.

The Afternoon Specialty Workshops are for ages 8-15 and include jewelry, sewing, fashion design, fitness and more!

Dawn and Amy are teaming up to offer an all-new FULL DAY option where children will start class at 9AM and finish at 5PM.

Annisquam Arts Children’s Summer Studio is located in Gloucester. Each workshop runs for one week. The morning workshops meet 4 days a week from 9AM – 1 PM in Dawn’s studio. The Afternoon Specialty Workshops, for older students, run in the afternoons from 2 PM – 5PM at the same location. Students have the option of combining the morning and afternoon classes for a full day. We will also provide care for the one-hour interval between the morning class and the afternoon class at no charge. The entire program runs for seven weeks, June 23 – August 7, with a new course each week.

An exciting exhibition of selected artwork caps the season at The Cape Ann Museum.

Announcing the 31st Cape Ann Artisan Studio Tour

cape ann artisans tour

SAVE THE DATE!
ANNOUNCING THE 31st CAPE ANN ARTISAN STUDIO TOUR!
26 artisans will be welcoming visitors into their studios during the tour on June 21-22
from 10-5 pm. Those of you who have followed the tour before will be treated to new
work by veteran artisans and become acquainted with the work of artisans who have
joined in recent years. The work comes in many shapes, sizes, and media including:
• Fiber Arts – Camilla MacFadyen & Sarah Wright
• Glass Beadmaking – Beth Williams
• Jewelry/Wearable Art – Meredith Anderson, Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, & Judy
Wright
• Mosaic – Pam Stratton & Judith Wright
• Painting, Printmaking & Drawings – Pat Lowery Collins, Rob Diebboll, Julia
Garrison, Elizabeth Harty, David Montgomery, Pia Juhl Nadel, Sinikka Nogelo, Terry
Del Percio-Piemonte, Mace and Mary Ann Wenniger, & Judith Wright
• Photography – David Piemonte
• Pottery and Ceramic Arts – Cynthia Curtis, Anni Melancon, Scott and Erin Place, &
Ruth Worrell
• Sculpture – Mike Foley, Pia Juhl Nadel, Margaret Rack & Bart Stuyf
This best way to follow the tour is by obtaining an artisan brochure map, found in key
tourism kiosks, restaurants, most inns and other businesses around Cape Ann. For the
web-savvy, the map is downloadable as a PDA at http://www.capeannartisans.com
To learn more, please visit http://www.capeannartisans.com

Brett Gamache At The Cultural Center On Rocky Neck

June 5 – 29 : Landscapes & Seascapes,
Recent Paintings by Brett X. Gamache

Brett X. Gamache

SAT June 7, 4-7pm : Opening Reception
SUN, June 8, 4-5pm: Artist Talk

The Interview-

Plein Air Landscape Painting Workshop
with oil painter, Brett X. Gamache

Saturday, June 14, 9 AM-2 PM

At RNAC’s Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson St. Gloucester, MA

Brett X. Gamache
Experience the joy of painting on site by joining a small group of fellow artists in a Plein Air Landscape Painting workshop on Saturday, June 14th from 9 AM -2 PM on Gloucester’s Rocky Neck. Gamache provides one-on-one instruction as participants paint at near by locations. Workshop fee: $100 (RNAC members, $75)
For more details, go to rockyneckartcolony.org/workshops.php

seARTS 2014 Partner With an Artist Program

seARTS 2014 Partner With an Artist Program:

Call to Artists and Application Guidelines

seARTS invites artists to apply for Partner With an Artist Grants

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Partner With an Artist (PWA), seARTS signature artist grant program, provides grants to artists to create new work — in any medium: visual, performing, multimedia art — in partnership with local businesses.  PWA’s focus  is  to  celebrate  the  arts,  strengthen partnerships with the business community, and to promote a vibrant and culturally rich economy on Cape Ann.

The 2014 PWA program will connect with three of Cape Ann’s Cultural Districts: Essex River, Harbortown and Rocky Neck. Jurors will award three $1,500 grants, totaling $4,500, to artists who collaborate with a business in a Cape Ann Cultural District. One artist or project in each of three Cultural Districts will receive a grant. Each completed project will be presented in its Cultural District for the public to experience and enjoy.

Partnership with a business: This is an opportunity for artists and businesses to explore a creative relationship. We seek to fund innovative projects where artists and businesses work together to explore new opportunities only made possible by collaborating.  A business might provide goods, services, or space for a project. 

Creating opportunities for artists: PWA supports artists and encourages creative new work that connects to the local community and that will attract residents and visitors to explore and enjoy the Cultural District.

Grants:  One $1,500 grant will be awarded to one artist in partnership with a business located in each of these three Cultural Districts: Rocky Neck, Harbortown and Essex Cultural Districts.

Please note: Projects in the Rockport Cultural District are not eligible.                                  A grant was awarded in the Rockport Cultural District in 2012.

Phase One:

April – June 2014

Grant applications will be solicited by seARTS for artists collaborating with a business in each of these three Cultural Districts:

Gloucester’s  Rocky  Neck  Cultural  District  

Gloucester’s Harbortown Cultural District

Essex River Cultural District

Phase Two:

June 2014

One grant of $1,500 will be awarded to one artist collaborating with a business in each of these three Cultural Districts:

Gloucester’s  Rocky  Neck  Cultural  District  

Gloucester’s Harbortown Cultural District

Essex River Cultural District

Phase Three:

September-October 2014

Completed projects will be presented in their Cultural Districts.

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Resources and Links:

PWA Overview

Massachusetts Cultural Council

www.facebook.com/VisitEssexMA

www.visitessexma.com

www.facebook.com/GloucestersRockyNeckCulturalDistrict

www.rockyneckartcolony.org

www.gloucesterharbortown.org

TIMELINE

  Application Deadline:                                     June 20, 2014

  Award Notifications:                                      June 27, 2014

  Public Project Presentations:                           September/October 2014                    

HOW TO APPLY

If you are a current member of seARTS, there is no fee to apply for this program. To join or renew your membership please visit www.searts.org/wp/joinsupport/. If you wish to apply, but not join seARTS, there is a $25 application fee. 

APPLICATION must include:

1. Cover sheet with contact information: name, street address, email, phone number(s), and names of all artists and business partners involved in the project.

2. Resume or C.V. 

3. $25 application fee for non-member applicants. 

4. One page project description, including a description of how the partnership will work. Identify the business partner(s): company name, street address, contact person, email and phone number(s)

5. Budget including in-kind donations.

6. Work samples:

Visual Art: 10-20 images numbered and titled on CD-ROM readable on Macintosh.  Jpeg files  at  300dpi,  approximately  4”  x  5”.

Media, Performance or Sound Art: 5 minutes on DVD or CD, with numbered media list that corresponds to work samples.

               DEADLINE: All applications must by received no later than June 6.

Contact information:                          pwa.searts@gmail.com or 978-281-1222

Send your application to:        pwa.searts@gmail.com or                                         seARTS/PWA, P.O. Box 1476, Gloucester, MA 01931

Digital Art Debate

digital art

Recent visits to the Pixel Revolution digital art exhibit at the Cultural Center have inspired me to experiment with some digital art paintings of my own.  These are a few samples of recent creations.  If you would like to see more of my digital paintings, visit http://hobbithousestudio.com/gallery.htm or stop by Hobbit House Studio at 1 Wonson Street (behind Sailor Stan’s).  If you haven’t yet seen Pixel Revolution, you can still stop by the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck and see it through June 1.

There is debate within the art world as to the validity of digital art as a fine art form, not unlike the debate that raged until not that long ago over the validity of photography as a fine art form.

“As we become a society increasingly engulfed in computer technology, there seem to be changes in the art world, specifically in regards to digitalization.  Since the 1970s, art produced digitally has risen into the fine arts realm.  For example, as opposed to manual photography which catches chemical changes on film, digital photography uses electronic sensors that record the desired image as electronic data.  A major advantage of digital photography is the ability to manipulate the image using computer programs and software.  Many different effects can be utilized, increasing the tools the artist has to express their vision.  Aside from digital photography, digital art contains multiple other forms, such as photo painting, digital collage, integrated digital art, virtual reality, hologram, fractals, and more.

Should these computerized and mechanical processes be considered art? A painter must learn to control the brush with paint, and a digital artist must master the technology needed to produce an image. Technology is used by the artist to show emotion and intent to the viewer rather than just data processing. It seems strange that there are debates about digital art’s validity as an art form when there are so many similarities between using a paintbrush as a tool and a computer.

To get some insight, let’s look at another art form that was criticized when it first emerged.

Photography as an art form has long been debated.  Like digital art, many thought that photography was a purely mechanical process. Along the way, photographers came together to fight for respect in the art world.  In 1902 Alfred Stieglitz formed a group known as the PhotoSecession, which hosted exhibitons, created publications, and advocated for photography to be recognized as a fine art.  Its magazine, Camera Works, was extremely influential in showing how photography could be used to create artworks of quality artistic vision.

It was not until 1910 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York that the first photography collection was put on show in a museum.  Even after, photography was constantly subjected to criticism.  In 1955 the MoMA displayed an important photography exhibit which allegedly proved photography as a form of fine art. The first major exhibition of photography, The Fmaily of Man exhibited over 500 photographs by 273 artists from around the world. After this exhibit, photography began to flourish in the art world. Just as photography had a difficult time as a new art form, digital art is now being challenged.”  http://nbmaa.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/digital-art-the-skeptics-and-the-supporters/

I personally believe digital tools give artists more freedom to express themselves, and that the time and effort required to master these tools and techniques is as great as it is to master traditional art tools and techniques.  I have spent 15 years learning to master Photoshop, and I still don’t consider myself a master at it.  I also believe that had the great painting masters of bygone days had access to the technological tools available to artists today, they most certainly would have used them.  Just imagine what Leonardo da Vinci would have created with Photoshop!

The debate still rages over Johannes Vermeer’s use of the camera obscura (the cutting edge technology of his time) in the creation of his works.

“Certain aspects of Johannes Vermeer’s paintings which are seldom if ever seen in the work of other artists of the time have puzzled art historians ever since the artist’s rediscovery in the mid-1860s. Even before the turn of the century, one critic suspected that such anomalies were not merely stylistic quirks, but evidence that Vermeer had used some sort of mechanical device fitted with lens or mirrors. After decades of protracted debate, the art history community has come to believe that the device was the camera obscura.

Camera_Obscura_box18thCentury copy

From an optical standpoint, the camera obscura is a simple device which requires only a converging lens and a viewing screen at opposite ends of a darkened chamber or box. It is essentially a photographic camera without the light-sensitive film or plate. Only in size and decoration has it changed since the 16th century.” http://www.essentialvermeer.com/camera_obscura/co_one.html#.U4Xyb_ldXDU

I am curious to know what people out there think about digital art and its validity as a fine art form.  What say ye –  yea or nay?

Thanks Otto Laske for sending me off on this creative journey and Charlie Carroll for tipping me off to Vermeer’s use of technology.

Visit http://museumofdigitalfinearts.wordpress.com/ to see collections of digital works of some of the most brilliant new artists of the modern age.

E.J. Lefavour

http://www.hobbithousestudio.com

Fodor’s names Gloucester one of New England’s Most Picturesque Towns

Check out last Friday’s Fodor’s article listing Gloucester in their 15 of New England’s Most Picturesque Towns.  Here’s what they say about Gloucester

About an hour north of Boston on Cape Ann, Gloucester is the country’s oldest seaport and predates Boston and Salem. It was established as an English settlement in 1623, and today you can visit historic houses like the Cape Ann Historical Association. Gloucester’s scenic beauty has attracted many artists, including Winslow Homer, William Morris Hunt, Mark Rothko, Maurice Prendergast, and Edward Hopper. The Rocky Neck Art Colony—the first settled artist colony in the U.S.—has many contemporary artist studios and galleries.

Gordon Parks Gloucester photos Memorial Day 1943

Cat Ryan submits-

FSA/OWI photograph in the Library of Congress

Gordon Parks Gloucester photos Memorial Day 1943-

Gordon Parks, Gloucester Massachusetts. Memorial services for fishermen lost at sea.

Citizens gathered on the banks near the sea, May 1943.

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More Gordon Parks 1943 Memorial Day pictures click here

Pixel Revolution – Visual Music Animations at Cape Ann Community Cinema

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
The animators and composers, Dennis Miller, Jean Detheux, Sylvia Pengilly, and Otto Laske will be featured in a special presentation of their “visual music” films at the Cape Ann Community Cinema on Sunday May 25 at 4:00 PM and will benefit the Rocky Necky Art Colony in support of the exhibition.

Pixel Revolution: Animated Films

Cape Ann Community Cinema, 21 Main Street, Gloucester MA

Sunday, May 25, 4:00 PMPixel Revolution: Animated Films

Cape Ann Community Cinema, 21 Main Street, Gloucester MA
Sunday, May 25, 4:00 PM

pixel revolution

This is a very exciting exhibit, which you owe it to yourself to see.  I was totally blown away and inspired by it.  Stop by the Center Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm, through June 1.  The program at Cape Ann Community Cinema on May 25th also promises to be quite exciting, when you will be able to see the animations created by these very talented digital artists that the exhibited digital art was derived from.

E.J. Lefavour

FANTASTIC BREAKING NEWS: Jeff Weaver is Giving a Workshop!

Why is this fantastic and breaking news? Because Jeff rarely, if ever, gives workshops! Oh how I would love to go!!! 

Visit Jeff’s website to learn more about the artist and to experience a beauty treat of Cape Ann images at Jeff Weaver Fine Art.

Microsoft Word - Lunenburg Workshop.doc

 

Deb Clarke’s Cezanne Phase

Deb Clarke’s Cezanne Phase

It was ’98 or ’99 when Fred Kepler studied with me.  We both painted when he came for his lessons. My paintings were used as ‘training’ paintings that i used to demonstrate various techniques, color mixing, approaches to composition, etc. as the painting developed. The Cezanne phase painting above is the result of Fred’s visits to the studio over an 8 week period.

The still life above is 26×32″ .  We  set the still life up in the center of the floor under studio lights which were staggered warm/cool/warm/cool in overhead tracts.  Cezanne was the compositional reference.  I did not use Cezanne color theory in my work; I needed to learn how to use black and white gray.   That was my lesson.  Fred’s lesson was composition with warm/cool color theory and drawing thrown in.

Today Fred visits the world’s great paintings with his dear Lenore.  I have seen some terrific paintings that he has done of Lenore, or other people standing in front of the masterpieces.  He has learned to teach himself by copying the best paintings, while sharing his love of art with his wife and having a great time.  He has even come to know the joy of selling some of his work!

So glad I did not throw this painting away.  I was tempted to over the years, but some of those creases are just to awesome not to admire.  oh, the braided rug is one of the Willis family treasures.  I sure hope I didn’t get too much paint on that beauty.

best and onward,

deb.

http://debbieclarke.blogspot.com/

Gloucester Welcoming Center Open House Thursday 5:30pm — YOU SHOULD BE THERE

So, you don’t think you benefit from tourists coming to Gloucester?  Well …. do you like: having a choice of world-class restaurants you can walk to; our extraordinarily hot music music scene in all kinds of venues, including schooners; guaranteed parking at some of the most gorgeous beaches anywhere on Earth all summer long for only $20; living among award-winning museums, studios & galleries, Broadway-quality theatre; a thriving cultural economy … I could go on and on … OR perhaps your an artists, musician, photographer, writer, actor, chef, carpenter, plumber, contractor, fitness instructor, diver, ship’s captain, etc … OR  you own or work in a hotel, restaurant, gallery, museum, boat, theatre, school or any retail store in Gloucester … or your business supports these people, like a lawyer, accountant, banker, realtor … Let’s face it, there’s really no business nor person in Gloucester who doesn’t benefit directly when tourists come here to share the City we all love.  So come to Stage Fort Park on Thursday and see what the good people who work so hard to make tourism possible do every day to make your life better!

Stage Fort Park Open House invite(2)

Essex Shipbuilding Digital Photography Workshop

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, took a class at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum for a great photography class.  I would like to thank Barry O’Brien, Len Burgess, Tony Schettino and Dave Delorey for a wonderful lesson.

May 17, 2014 rockers at the Essex museum

May 17, 2014 Essex Ship Building Museum

Seacoast Nursing Home Opening Reception

seacoast nursing home opening

These are some shots taken by Charlie Carroll at the Seacoast Nursing Home reception yesterday.  This is a wonderful exhibit of 30 canvas giclee photos of local scenes donated by a number of Cape Ann photographers, and printed by Cape Ann Giclee, to be hung permanently in the Alzheimer’s Wing at Seacoast Nursing Home.  Many of the residents and visitors came to the opening and really enjoyed the work.

For me, the highlight of the event was meeting Agnus MacQuade, 99 years young, who will turn 100 in January 2015.  She was amazingly sharp and a pleasure to talk to.  She was a student teacher at Lane School for a number of years and then taught at Salem State.  She said she loves being at Seacoast Nursing Home.

E.J. Lefavour

CALVO WOOD CARVING SCHOOL SCHEDULE

joey,

can we post this picture with the blurb on my carving school.  i am also looking to relocate and looking for 1000 square feet area with good natural light if anyone has any leads.

warm regards,
David

CALVO WOOD CARVING SCHOOL SCHEDULE

calvo wood-carving

Hi All,

This year’s wood carving school schedule is being posted if anyone is interested in taking any classes.  The class descriptions are on the website.

Five-Day Bare Bones of Wood Carving Classes

June 9-13, 2014

July 14-18, 2014

Sept 17-21, 2014

Oct 15-19, 2014

Two and Three Day Woodcarving Workshops

July 12-13, 2014

Sept 5-7, 2014

Nov 14-16, 2014

I am also running weekly woodcarving classes on Tuesday nights and some Sunday mornings.

I am also looking to relocate my studio.  I am looking for approximately 1000 square feet  with good natural light.  If anyone have any leads in Gloucester I would appreciate it.

Feel free to contact me for more information.

David Calvo

978-283-0231

http://www.davidcalvo.com/

Calvo Studio

235 East Main St.

The NEWS From Rocky Neck

Rocky Neck Art Colony


Dear Members of the Rocky Neck Art Colony,
Five pieces of important news:
1. Artist Member of the Board: The survey results are in by a quorum of the Art Colony members, and Ruth Mordecai is officially an Artist Member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony Board of Trustees, to finish out Gordon Goetemann’s term until November 2014.  We will have an election at that time for the two Artist members of the Board, as Kathy Archer’s two-year term will also expire (or be renewed).  Congratulations Ruth, and welcome to the Board of Trustees!
2. Mortgage Burning: As we have succeeded in raising all the funds necessary to pay off the Cultural Center building, the mortgage burning will commence in true Rocky Neck fashion at a party next Friday, May 23, from 7-10 at the Center.  Music, food, spirits – a bit of a ceremony at8PM – all members are invited — you made it happen, don’t miss it!!
3. Cape Ann Cultural Districts Mobile Phone app has launched!  You can now download the Cape Ann Cultural District mobile phone app from your Apple or Android App Store.  This is an excellent marketing and way-finding device developed in partnership with the four Cape Ann Cultural Districts and with funding from the City of Gloucester and Massachusetts Cultural Council.  We will be featured in the Globe & other outlets this week. Check out the press release below and download the free app from the App Store!
4. Personnel: Our first part-time aid staffer, the new RNAC/Cultural Center coordinator is Suzanne Gilbert Lee.  Please welcome her when you see her around the Neck.  And the fabulous, multi-talented, spreadsheet-loving Pat Conant is now our part-time paid bookkeeper, yay!
5.  Openings! The Cultural Center Gallery’s Pixel Revolution, curated by Otto Laske, opens this Saturday, May 18, 3-6PM.  The Rocky Neck Gallery with featured artist Ken Beck  is opening on May 24, 6-8PM.  And the Center renovations are cranking along – we should have bathrooms by June 1…fingers crossed!
Yours,
Karen

For Immediate Release

May 15th, 2014

Four Cape Ann Cultural Districts Launch Mobile Application

App Helps Visitors, Residents Pinpoint Destinations within Essex, Gloucester and Rockport

Cape Ann, MA – The four Cape Ann Cultural Districts, seARTS and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of a mobile application that will enable Cape Ann visitors and residents to use their mobile devices to explore the area’s four cultural districts.  

The new “Cape Ann Cultural Districts” mobile app is now available in the Apple and Android apps stores and can be downloaded free on these sites. The QR code for mobile app is at the bottom of the page for scanning.

The project seeks to increase awareness of Cape Ann’s creative communities, individual artists, museums, recreational attractions, historic sites, restaurants, lodgings and businesses. The mobile app provides a free, consolidated, flexible platform to access information and way-finding for each of the four state-designated Cape Ann cultural districts – Essex River, Gloucester’s Harbor town, Gloucester’s Rocky Neck and Rockport. 

Each cultural district has its own page and directory listing of cultural offerings and businesses that will include a description, location, phone number, directions and links to web sites and other associated social media sites.    

With the help of the project partners the mobile app is expected to open up new opportunities for tourists and residents to discover and experience the beauty and vibrant cultural scene across Cape Ann.

The mobile app project is funded in part through an Adams Art Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  Matching funds were provided by the City of Gloucester, the Essex Merchants Group, the Town of Rockport Economic Development Committee and the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS).  Additional support was provided by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Rocky Neck Art Colony. The application was created in cooperation with TapWalk, a Boston-based mobile app developer.