Category: Art

Thi Linh Wernau’s "You Are Beautiful" Exhibit Review from James Eves

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

Anna and I went to Thi Linh Wernau’s “You Are Beautiful” exhibit at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center this afternoon. On the way over, my mind was wandering with work stuff and other concerns. However, from the moment I stepped into Thi Linh’s world  I was moved by beauty in people, all people. Her art has a profound affect on any who experience it. Walking into the Cultural Center I was impressed by her overall presentation. She has such attention to all details of her work. Like the other patrons in the gallery I took my time with each piece of art. Marveling at the beauty in her photography and the statements of her subjects. I am impressed that many of the people Thi photographed were strangers to her at first and how much they gave of themselves. She has a way of creating intimacy immediately.

This weekend she is inviting visitors to participate in her “You Are Beautiful Polaroid Project”. We found Thi downstairs where she’s set up a photo studio. Anna and I decided to participate in her project. Thi had us make our own “You Are Beautiful” sign and write a statement of why we are beautiful. Coming up with the statement was harder than you might think. Thi takes two polaroids of each person; one she keeps for her project and the other she presents to the participant in a beautiful black box. I  was thrilled by the experience of participating in her art.

I am looking forward to going back in the coming weeks for the other events she has planned.

SAT, NOV 2 OPENING RECEPTION 4-6 PM

Enjoy wine, light appetizers and good company. There will also be an after-party at Short & Main in Gloucester, with 10% of food and drinks donated to charity.
SUN, NOV 3 PANEL DISCUSSION 3-4 PM
Listen to a talk with Cape Ann fine-art photographers, including Paul Cary Goldberg, Judith Monteferrante and Anne Rearick. The panel will also include a special guest artist, Joseph Geary, who was also photographed by the artist for this project.
FRI, NOV 8 FILM, ARTIST TALK AND VETERANS VOICES 7-9 PM
Watch the artist’s film and listen to her talk. Celebrate Veterans Day weekend with art and stories from local vets.

James Eves

Cape Ann Giclée

20 Maplewood Ave.

Gloucester, MA 01930

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Prepare for Holiday Season Shopping and Fun on Rocky Neck

Posted on by God's Morning

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Whether you are looking to shop locally for unique, affordable gifts for friends, family and co-workers, or just want to feast your eyes and have some holiday fun, don’t miss the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival starting the end of November and running through December at the beautiful Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street.  Free admission and plenty of free parking this time of year.  And did I mention, we throw great parties on Rocky Neck.

E.J. Lefavour

H, I, J, Maritime Gloucester Celebrates Halloween

Posted on by capeannpainter

H, I, J, Maritime Gloucester Celebrates Halloween

Maritime Gloucester Facebook Page

The Halloween hermit crab is a Hawaiian crustacean that feeds on algae. Could there be a more perfect Halloween sea creature?

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The Indian ghost is a catfish found in the rivers of Southeast Asia. This fish lack scales, and its transparency makes its skeleton perfectly visible!

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The Japanese spider crab is the largest living member of the arthropod group, which includes crustaceans, insects, and spiders. These giant crabs can be 12 feet from claw to claw!

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Using Technology to Create Art

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

I stumbled across this on YouTube and thought it was very cool.  These guys are creating public art by combining radio control with a dash of artificial intelligence and a sprinkling of robotics and mixing it with human perception. Check it out!

 

Enjoy!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

Willow Rest From Cat Ryan

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Yummy lunch and lots to look at! Rusty Kinnunen linocuts on exhibit along with other creative folks work. His linos range $25- $80, editions from 20 to 50, lobster, beaches, boats, whales…

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B,C,D Maritime Gloucester’s 13 Days Of Halloween

Posted on by capeannpainter

Marine Halloween at Maritime Gloucester

Click Here For More Information on Marine Halloween Party at Maritime Gloucester Saturday 10/26/2013

Maritime Gloucester Facebook Page

The red-lipped batfish lives around the Galapagos Islands. A poor swimmer, it “walks” on the seafloor using specially-evolved fins!

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The calico lobster in our Aquarium is the same species as Gloucester’s other lobsters, but she has a rare color mutation. Black with orange spots, her color is perfect for Halloween!

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The devil fish is a giant ray found in the Mediterranean Sea. Named for their hornlike fins, these harmless fish can reach lengths of 17 feet!

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Follow Up to “Missing in Magnolia”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Read the original story here-

Missing In Magnolia July 25, 2013

Hi Joey,
My husband and I have been residents of Magnolia for the past couple of years. We read your blog everyday and love everything about Gloucester and Cape Ann.  Our neighbor, Terry Weber, did a post in the blog while relaxing in our pretty garden the first year we were here.  This is our piece of heaven. We have felt very safe in our neighborhood.  Sadly, I writing to express my disappointment.  Someone stole a hand painted wooden sign that hung next to our front door.  I bought it from an artist at a craft fair in Manchester soon after we moved here.  I am attaching a picture.  If any of your readers happen to notice someone with a new Cape Ann sign in or our of their home, I would hope that someone might contact you at your blog.  This is not a piece of art that would have been purchased locally. We would love to have our sign back.
Lynn and Bob Bird
Magnolia, MA

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Follow Up to “Missing in Magnolia”

Earlier this summer I wrote to you with a heavy heart as I expressed my dismay at having a lovely Cape Ann fish sign stolen from our home in Magnolia.  Sadly it was never returned to us.  

A couple of weeks ago I returned home to find a beautiful copper dory placed on a bench in our front yard.  Neither my husband, nor I knew where it came from but admired the beautiful craftsmanship.  We asked several neighbors about the dory, but no one knew anything about it.

A couple days later my husband and I were walking along Shore Rd. in Magnolia and came upon a local man in his truck pulled up on the side of the road. We didn’t know his name but we see him on our daily walks, enjoying his coffee and newspaper at Magnolia Beach.  As we approached he called out, “That’s for plants.” Upon realizing that he was the creator of this beautiful dory, we introduced ourselves.  His name is James (Jim) Fialto.  He’s a coppersmith.  Apparently he had just heard that we lost our sign, and had some free time on a Sunday afternoon waiting for the Patriots game to begin.  When asked why he made us the dory, he said, “I felt bad about your sign being stolen and I see you picking up trash every day on your walk…”

We shared this story with many people and all agree what a lovely gesture this was.  Residents of Magnolia acknowledge the kindness of Jim and agree that we live in a very special place.

Sincerely,

Lynn and Bob Bird

Magnolia

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5 POINTZ – Aerosol Art Center

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

I was in New York for a couple of days and read about the Aerosol Art Center at 45 Davis Street in Long Island City. A mecca for graffiti (Aerosol Art) where the building owner has allowed artists to put their work on the walls of this 200,000 SF property.  Organized through 5Pointz, permits have been awarded to the artists and each work stays for a set time and then is replaced with a new creation. Unfortunately, the property is now scheduled for demolition to make way for a couple of new condo towers, so i headed over to get some pictures before it is gone. If in NYC this is worth checking out! Great artwork and a unique setting!

Additional information at http://www.5pointz.com  and http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/5pointz-meet-wrecking-ball-article-1.1433201

Photos from Committee for the Arts Trails and Sails and Block Party

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

During two Trails and Sails weekends and the last Block Party, the Committee for the Arts (CFTA ) was pleased to participate and spread awareness about municipal art.  One event: during the block party we were at Main and Parsons, near a very busy Markouk booth (always busy at Cape Ann Farmers Market, too), fried dough and candy truck (not just kids buying!), Dress Code’s charmingly illuminated booth, and Joe Ciolino’s. What a gorgeous night! We spoke with dozens of folks including the group of twenty youth from Ocean Classroom en route from Maine to Puerto Rico with a stop in Gloucester and a night out downtown. Parsons Street public art mural by James Owen Calderwood.

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Send us your photos and we’ll add them in! gloucestercfta@gmail.com

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Enjoy photos from Saturday’s Gloucester Committee for the Arts/Block Party/Trails and Sails!

Gloucester Block Party is making some “best of” and “top” event lists. Here are a couple of nice mentions:

http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-massachusetts.html

http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/992709/top-8-summer-block-parties-in-the-us

The Essex National Heritage Commission is the organization that ran the fantastic Trails and Sails weekends (34 towns, and hundreds of FREE events!) Don’t miss it next year!

Harbortown Cultural District Update From Cat Ryan

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Cat Ryan submits-

Harbortown Cultural District will be included in an upcoming AAA publication featuring 10 cultural districts! Also look for some breaking tech news. Our Harbortown cultural district joined forces with the 3 other Cape Ann Cultural Districts (Harbortown, Rocky Neck, Rockport and Essex) to apply for a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant to help us towards some exciting shared marketing. We found out that YES we were awarded a grant, and are looking forward to creating a new mobile APP.

We’re also crossing our fingers this week, waiting to see if an amendment to the state’s supplemental budget happens or not. The MCC is asking for an amendment that will include $500,000 to market the state’s cultural districts through advertising on commuter rail lines, the subway and on busses in the Boston area.

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GMG contributor and the ever affable Main Street proprietor Fred Bodin is one of our many talented founding partners. During our August event at the Cape Ann Museum, he multi-tasked. The good photos from the event are his! Visit http://www.gloucesterharbortown.org

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Cape Ann Museum Director, Ronda Faloon, outlined the museum’s impressive next steps and guided us on a mini tour. Cape Ann TV –also a founding partner—was filming.  The Fresnel lens is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it in its new location when the museum re-opens. Look at the scale of this thing (see photo with Bob Whitmarsh, Co-Chair, to get an idea of size—)!

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We followed up with a discussion of our district goals led by Bex Borden.

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We are so grateful to Cape Ann Museum for hosting and the lovely appetizer spread and beverages. They also set up and readied for our visit and meeting. Harbortown founding partner, Lise Breen, and other members also helped set and clean up for this double billing. What a spot to have it. Check out the large Gordon Goetemann oil on canvas From a High Place Nice!

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More party photos

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HarvestFest is TODAY!!!: Cooking Demos, Live Music, Local Food & Contra Dancing!!!

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Don’t miss Rockport’s HarvestFest THIS Saturday, October 19th from 10am to 6pm. The fun includes dancing and a bit of Ipswich Ale, among other delights. This post would be a million words long (really!) if I included everything going on, so for the details check out the website:  www.rockportartfestivals.com/harvestfest/schedule-of-events In the meantime, here are just a few highlights:

  • Rockport Music is sponsoring a Make Your Own Instrument Workshop for children at 10am (first come, first served)
  • Cape Ann Animal Aid is sponsoring a Dog Parade at 11:30, with lots of fun prizes to be awarded!
  • Bearskin Neck Leathers is sponsoring the Buddy Walker Band, a polka band founded 65 years ago with performances at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm in front of the shop.
  • The MIT Juggling Club is joining the fun with performances throughout the afternoon.
  • The HarvestFest Contra Dance, sponsored by the Cape Ann Contra Dance group, will host an outdoor dance in Dock Square, complete with live musicians and a caller. Did you ever think there would be dancing in the streets in Rockport?
  • -1The Annual Scarecrow Chase Costume Parade for children begins at 3pm. Lots o’ fun & a treat for children are in store.
  • Don’t forget the all-day food & drink under the big tent on T Wharf. Ipswich Ale, Twin Lights and an awesome roster of vendors will be on hand.
  • Cooking demos will take place throughout the day, culminating in the famous Seafood Throwdown at 2:30, sponsored by the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance.RFHarvestFest2013FoodVendors
  • Finally, close out the festival by sending off the public art installation that has been on Lumber Wharf all summer (due to be disassembled the day after HarvestFest). Head over to Lumber Wharf at 6:15 to join us to say farewell to this very cool piece of public art.HFsummerbuildartlight

Community Stuff 10/18/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

I hope all is well and you can enjoy this beautiful Fall on Cape Ann. I was wondering if you could post our invitation for our belle+me fall Show to be held on October 24, 2013 at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center. As you might know,  created by 2 Cape Ann locals, Lisa LeVasseur and myself, belle+me is a French-inspired line of cool scarves and cooler jewelry. The handmade pendants are one of a kind and we use “repurposed” metal, beads and fabric when possible. This is a prefect gift- early Christmas gift, perhaps! And we have a collection of Junior Scarves….might be great for your girls!

I hope to see you,

anne

Anne Malvaux www.belleandmedesigns.com

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All Gloucester High School Juniors are invited to join the College Success Program for help with SAT prep, resume building, the college search and application processes, career exploration, and more!  All meetings are free and will be held Tuesdays from 2:30-5:30 in room 2306 (the computer lab behind the library).  Students will continue to be accepted until all spots are filled.  We are also looking for volunteer tutors for the SAT’s and all academic subjects.  Contact Betty at ehaggerty@salemcyberspace.org (978)740-6667 x105.

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Hi Joey C.
Just wanted to share with GMG readers that we’re having a Fall Sale –
20% OFF All Tablecloths and Accessories thru Sunday, Oct. 20th. We’re
also having a party during this Saturday’s Harvest Fest!  Stop in and
say hi and enjoy some snacks and cider.
Thanks!
Dawn @ La Provence
4 Main Street
Rockport, Ma 01966
978.546.5868
www.laprov.com

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Free Ship Model show this weekend.

Len Burgess submits-

This weekend don’t miss the big free SHIP MODEL SHOW. Over 150 models –It’s the largest ship model show in New England.
Excellent first class models, including some from the Constitution Ship Model Guild in Boston.
Being held at the Torigian Community Life Center, 79 Central St, Peabody, MA 01960. The show runs from 9am to 3pm, both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19th and 20th.
-Len

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Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Posted on by capeannpainter

Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Randy from Florida put out a call on the message board “Wetcanvas” back in 2007 to find someone to paint with in New England. His Daughter was invited to take a class at Harvard so he would have some time on his hands to paint.

I invited him to Gloucester to go painting. We ended up at Loblolly Cove in Rockport. We had a good time painting the area. Randy painted some Houses on his right and I painted Straitsmouth Island when a red lobster boat came just in time to be part of my painting.

I sold my painting at EJ’s Gallery a couple of years ago.

I love painting outside but I try to find a place where there’s low people traffic. I’m a little shy when it comes to painting outside. We had a great day and the Rockport Police only charged me $25.00 to park. 🙂

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Don’t Be The Dummy That Misses The Autumn Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour Going On This Weekend!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here’s all the info you need-

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October 12, 13 & 14
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
download brochure
download map

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Scout sez: come make hats!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey!
How the holy heck are you? Still with the killing pace at the dock?
Say, I just posted on my FB page that I’m (finally) teaching hat-making classes at the shop. Yes, at the shop. Cozy, eh?
How do you feel about a GMG boost? Next 2-day workshop is Oct 19 & 20.
Do you wanna come learn how to make hats, btw? Always room for curious minds.
Hope you’re well, and that you had a fantastic summer – cuz it is gone, baby, gone. *sigh*
Best to you,
Scouter-Outer

Check out Karen’s Scout Vintage Finds on Facebook here- Scout Vintage Finds Facebook Page

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here’s an interview with scout from a couple years ago-

Al Bezanson Asks- Has GMG hitched its wagon to the wrong bird?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Richard J. King is senior lecturer in literature of the sea with the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport.  In 2004 he published an article in the Log of Mystic Seaport (Vol 55), “The Most Valuable Bird in the World.”  (Domestic birds excluded.)  I was quite astounded when I read it at the time, and have just now enjoyed his new book, published by the University of New Hampshire Press, “The Devil’s Cormorant.”

With all due respect to the beautiful GMG icon, one has to admit its eating habits don’t set a great example for a blog that so often features fine food.  But the cormorant ___ ahh ___ only the freshest fish will do.

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Overview from the publisher of The Devil’s Cormorant

Behold the cormorant: silent, still, cruciform, and brooding; flashing, soaring, quick as a snake. Evolution has crafted the only creature on Earth that can migrate the length of a continent, dive and hunt deep underwater, perch comfortably on a branch or a wire, walk on land, climb up cliff faces, feed on thousands of different species, and live beside both fresh and salt water in a vast global range of temperatures and altitudes, often in close proximity to man. Long a symbol of gluttony, greed, bad luck, and evil, the cormorant has led a troubled existence in human history, myth, and literature. The birds have been prized as a source of mineral wealth in Peru, hunted to extinction in the Arctic, trained by the Japanese to catch fish, demonized by Milton in Paradise Lost, and reviled, despised, and exterminated by sport and commercial fishermen from Israel to Indianapolis, Toronto to Tierra del Fuego. In The Devil’s Cormorant, Richard King takes us back in time and around the world to show us the history, nature, ecology, and economy of the world’s most misunderstood waterfowl.

Grand Finale Last Hurrah Mug Up this Sunday

Posted on by God's Morning

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Photos by Charlie Carroll of Grand Opening Mug Up in May

Although I’m sure there will be other Mug Ups scheduled over the winter, this will be the Grand Finale Last Hurrah Mug Up at Khan Studio and the GMG Gallery on Rocky Neck for the season.  77 Rocky Neck Ave. Gallery 3 – Sunday, 10/13 9:30am.  The coffee will be hot and the eggs deviled.  To those of you who have said: “I’ve always to go to a Mug Up at your gallery”, this is your last chance.  Come for some Sunday morning GMG fun and cameraderie.  Bring along something to share.

E.J. Lefavour