Antiquing is one of our favorite pastimes. It tickles me to re-use items from my grandmother’s era. Essex is full of shops, but for one less now.  We will miss the White Elephant. It sure looks different now that it’s been sold and closed up.

It leaves a bit of a hole, but there are certainly other shops on our favorites list.  These include a couple in Essex such as Farmhouse Gatherings (not open often, but worth the stop) and the Flying Dragon. Keep your eye on the changing message in the window.

But our sentimental favorites are right on Main Street Gloucester: Main Street Art and Antiques is entertaining. I especially like to look at the old photos and photo albums. Dogtown Books might not technically be an antique store, but it remains at the top of my browsing list. I camp out in the local history corner of the store. I guess I just love spending time in the past! Thank you to all who mind and run these shops. I’m sure it’s an act of love.

Right in the grill.  All in the hands of her supervising adult.

Her head snaps back a good six inches after the impact of the tricycle rear wheel.

Unexpected No. 9 Exhibit
Reception Sunday Sept. 30, 2-4 pm   

Rockport Art Association& Museum  

Rockport Art Association & Museum’s Experimental Group Opens Ninth Show 

The Rockport Art Association & Museum’s Experimental Group opens its ninth group exhibition, “Unexpected No. Nine” at Rockport Art Association & Museum, 12 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 978.546.6604. This juried show features artworks of both the RAA&M’s artists and contributing members. Works on view in the exhibition range in medium to include paintings, mixed-media, graphics, sculpture, digital art and photography.  The exhibition runs from September 29 through October 13, with an Artist Reception on Sunday, September 30 from 2-4 pm.  

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1-5 pm or by appointment. Closed Monday.

The Experimental Group is a creative forum, its main mission is to increase public awareness and to foster self-expression by bringing artists together to explore and share ideas that cultivate creative freedom. The EG is encouraged and supported by the Rockport Art Association & Museum. 

If you would like more information about the exhibition, would like to schedule an interview and a walk through, or need additional promotional images please contact: Nella Lush, Experimental Group, Chair, 978.886.4582 or via email experimentalgroupraa@gmail.com 

The Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M) is one of the oldest and most active art organizations in the country. The Association has a long and distinguished history that has spanned 96 years.

Marilyn Swift One-Artist Show

September 29 – October 11, 2018

Opening Reception:
Saturday, September 29th, 2 – 4 PM

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An exhibition of diverse watercolor and water media paintings by Gloucester artist Marilyn Swift will open in the Marguerite Pearson Room of the Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M) on Saturday, September 29th with an artist’s reception from 2 – 4 PM. The exhibition will be on view Saturday, September 29 – Thursday, October 11.

Marilyn Swift has been an Artist Member of the Rockport Art Association & Museum since 1978 (40 Years!). She has been awarded numerous prizes for her watercolors, not only at the RAA&M but also at juried shows throughout the Northeast. Upon earning her BA at The College of New Rochelle in NY, she taught art in the Norwood Public Schools.
“My paintings are direct responses to visual stimuli. While others use words or music or gestures, I paint. Watercolor is, for me, the vehicle that generally works best. When a subject dictates, I will paint in oil or acrylic; but I always return to watercolor. I am a dedicated plein air painter, inspired not only by Cape Ann, but also by travels both near and abroad. Over the years, I have studied with noted artists whose works I admire, yet I continually strive to express my own voice. My work can be described as emotional realism incorporating careful drawing, planning along with thoughtful editing, and good design.”  – Marilyn Swift

Please check out Marilyn’s website: marilynswift.com for further information about her affiliations and visiting her East Gloucester Studio/Gallery.

RAA&M Fall Hours:

Open Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday 12 – 5 PM.  (Open Mondays through October 15.)  For more information on this and other shows, please visit the RAA&M’s website at www.rockportartassn.org

I spent some time up at the Crane Estate the other day.  Photos waiting to be snapped around every corner up there.  It is a beautiful property no matter what the season. Geometric shapes and patterns have always captured my eye when taking photos so I was immediately drawn to this.

Thanks to a GMG  reader for sharing news about a Bel Canto evening not to miss:

“Giovanni Formisano will perform this Friday, September 28th, at 7:30PM at Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church (at Parish House) in Jamaica Plain, 146 Forest Hills St. In addition to Neapolitan songs, he will perform arias and duets with a Ukrainian soprano, Olga Lisovskaya. The two have performed together at Carnegie Hall and were featured on RAI TV, viewed by millions. More info:https://www.facebook.com/events/1889334104708495/”

He wowed Gloucester this summer

Yarmouth Nova Scotia has a striking monument to lost fishermen located in a lovely park. It is very serene and thought-provoking.

There are many familiar Gloucester surnames included on this memorial, but one in particular piqued my interest.  George A. Pierce drowned off Eastern Point in August 1923, coincidentally during the city’s 300th anniversary celebration. Although he did not live in Gloucester at the time of his death, he did have family in town.  I was going to save this little tidbit for a future post regarding the history of the city’s anniversaries, but when I saw this on the beautiful memorial, I just had to share it.