Good Morning Gloucester

The August Cape Ann Artisans Summer Mini-Tour
Gloucester and Rockport, MA.
Saturday,  August 15^th 8-4.   Plum Cove Studio 9-4.

Contact:
info@capeannartisans.com or leave a message with
Cynthia Curtis 978-546-6186

Based on the success of the July Mini-Tour, the Cape Ann Artisans look forward to a second one-day event on August 15^th.   To beat the heat, the hours have been moved earlier.  Six of the studios will open at 8AM; Plum Cove Studios will open at 9AM and all will close at 4PM.

The participating artists include David Archibald, Cynthia Curtis, and Erin O’Sullivan & Scott Place (Twin Lights Studios) representing the ceramic arts.   They are joined by painter Jillian Demeri, sea glass jeweler Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, glass artist Beth Williams, and Pamela Stratton Mosaics.   The group has self-selected based on their ability to use outdoor spaces and welcome visitors safely.

Once again, the Artisans will take full advantage of their outdoor spaces to offer “safe” visiting and shopping.  The feedback from July was extremely encouraging with all artisans enjoying art sales, new regional visitors, former patrons, and people strolling the neighborhood and responding to the signature pink signage.   A Salem visitor shared her experience enthusiastically.

Our visit to the mini-tour of the Cape Ann Artisans could not have been more delightful. Under the restrictions of the Covid protocols, the artists were welcoming, informative and glad to have visitors. Their welcome was gracious and their art was impressive. We did buy ceramic lamp bases from David Archibald, and are thrilled with our purchase. We are very much looking forward to the next tour. And of course, Cape Ann is a work of art in itself.

Visitors can easily group the tour into geographic proximity by visiting the Gloucester artists and Rockport artists in sequence by neighborhood from East Gloucester, to downtown, to Riverdale, Lanesville, and Rockport (or reverse). The full Cape Ann Artisan Tour map can be downloaded at CapeAnnArtisans.com.

Artists are all taking appointment by phone, email, and/or Square for visitors that would like to reserve a specific time.  Appointments will be given first priority if the studio is at Covid-compliant capacity.  Look for our pink flags to way-find to the open studios!

The Artisans have also confirmed the Fall Tour for Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11.   Details for the Fall Tour are forthcoming.    All the Cape Ann Artisans welcome appointments throughout the season and hope to hear directly from visitors.

Artisans ask for visitors to be Covid-Compliant, wear facial coverings, practice social distancing, and use hand sanitizer which will be available at each studio.

We are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary today and it also marks a more momentous occasion; that of GMG Jimmy’s first trip to Gloucester! We first visited Gloucester together in 1985 on our honeymoon and it was Jim’s first taste of Cape Ann’s glory. We have been returning ever since and, as you know, have now retired here to fulfill the dreams of our working life.

I wanted to mark the day in a special way so I stuffed myself into my wedding dress so that 2020 could be memorable in some way (haha).  There are still sparks going in our marriage, as you can see here.  Happy anniversary Jim!

Here are some pictures taken from our 1st anniversary trip to Gloucester in 1986: street fair, cut bridge with Yankee Freedom and Rockport. I thought you might like a little trip down memory land also.

Not so hot, nice walking on the boulevard, and great shady spots for lunch. And two new favorite dahlias.

The Oak Grove Cemetery on Washington Street has always intrigued me. Despite (so far) no ancestors being buried within, I’ve always thought it looked very peaceful and historic. It’s a large cemetery (10 or 11 acres depending on your source of information) featuring varied styles and materials for markers, headstones and monuments. The paths meander and it’s easy to lose your bearings momentarily.

The Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts (Essex Society of Genealogists, 1991) states it is a private cemetery: ” Romantic cemetery with ornate statues” …who wouldn’t want to see a cemetery described in such a manner? It also states “Gothic Chapel with bell tower seats 50 adults but is no longer used.” I believe that is the stone building easily seen from Washington Street, which known as the Bradford Chapel in honor of businessman George Bradford. It was built shortly after his death in 1902.

There is a small guide published near this chapel describing some additional details as you can see if you look at the photo included here. There is a “reverent” vibe as you walk the paths. Contrary to most of the cemeteries in Gloucester that I have visited, this one seems to support a great deal of foot traffic. I noticed several people strolling, walking dogs or determinedly shortcutting to their destinations in the short time I was there recently.

Unfortunately, I was unable to fulfill any of the 30 or so Find-a-Grave requests for photos mostly because I got distracted by such things as the 4 iron stakes marking a sight that appeared to be designed to look like branches. As I was trying to study these more carefully, a dragonfly stopped by to observe. Anyone who might know more about these is welcome to share information regarding them!