Artists Explore SERIES

June 28 – August 12, 2018

Artist Reception: Friday, June 29, from 6 to 8 PM

The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck
6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Gallery Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 12-6 PM

 

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The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is pleased to present an exhibition of eighteen regional contemporary artists who work in series. These artists oftenstart with an idea and move through a sequence of separate works…exploring the fulfillment of an idea and visual goals. By viewing several closely related works by each artist, audiences can observe and experience the process of art-making. Artists Explore SERIES is on view at RNAC’s Cultural Center Gallery, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester from June 28 – August 12, 2018. The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception on Friday, June 29, from 6-8PM. Weekly gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12-6 PM.

RNAC is pleased to introduce Barbara Moody as the Guest Curator of Artists Explore SERIES. Moody has an M. Ed. and Ed.D. from Harvard University. She is currently a professor at Montserrat College of Art, where she also served as Dean for nine years. Moody says of her artistic process “I work in series to explore one idea from different perspectives. Keeping the same feeling or mood, I can change the subject and color to examine a range of possibilities.”

Artists Explore SERIES collaborators include Kathleen Gerdon Archer, Joan Bediz, Morgan Dyer, Conny Goelz-Schmitt, Julie Graham, Mark Hoffmann, Nancy Legendre, Kevin Lucey, Maria Malatesta, Barbara Moody, Ruth Mordecai, Rose Olson, Lynda Schlosberg, Deb Schradeick, Martha L Swanson, Len Thomas-Vickory, Helen Tory and Alyssa Watters.

 

When asked to comment on working in series it was found that the artists have varying ideas about their artistic process. According to artist Morgan Dyer, “This painting series informs ideas of landscape through a lens of personal experience. Color dictates the subject, exploring emotional connections within these experiences and speaking to moments in time similar to a journal.”Kevin Lucey adds, “I work in a series to thoroughly investigate an idea or concept. In most cases, the series ends up being autobiographical, as I am constantly trying to better understand myself, and the people around me.” For Maria Malatesta, “Working in series allows me to explore an idea or direction more deeply. This can lead to unexpected and surprising places. Color, marks and space are all important investigations.” And, Ruth Mordecai sums it up with, “Working in series helps to explore and to simplify.”

This exhibition includes between two and eight works by each artist, for a total of over 80 works of art, representing painting, sculpture, installation, photography, printmaking, and illustration. This exhibition includes between two and eight works by each artist, for a total of over 80 works of art, representing painting, sculpture, installation, photography, printmaking, and illustration.

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The Rocky Neck Art Colony, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, nurtures excellence in the arts through exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and vibrant cultural events for its members and the public. Long renowned for its luminous light, this harbor and coastal location has been a magnet for some of the most revered realist painters in US art. Edward Hopper and Emil Gruppe are examples. It has as well been a catalyst for the progressive ideas of Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Theresa Bernstein, Milton Avery and Nell Blaine, among others. Today, Rocky Neck continues to attract artists and art lovers to a thriving, creative community. rockyneckartcolony.org

These pages are part of an article from The Century Magazine published in October 1886 called Gloucester Fishers. I found it on eBay several years ago and had to have it.  I didn’t know what to expect beyond the detailed description of various facets of Gloucester fishing and fishermen.  The sketches alone are worth whatever investment I made at the time. But, as my Irish luck would have it, there was a great big treat hidden within.

You will notice some highlighted sections which I cropped for easier reading. Captain John Bentley of the Schooner Paul Revere is a direct ancestor, which I knew very well at the time. But this article points out that his father-in-law Martin Costello was part of the crew as cook, a fact I did not possess. This gave me the gift of my great great grandmother’s maiden name! This little piece of the multi-page article also gave me insight into the role of the cook on a shipping vessel of the time which I found fascinating.  I thought you might too.  No ordinary sailors indeed.

That’s right, the tequila, margaritas, and cervezas are awaiting you and your family at Machaca on Rogers street, right next door to the St. Peter’s Club. Home made tortillas are signature at Machaca, and believe me, it matters. Now to be fair, in the eye of the FIESTA storm, they ate not fully stocked and full-menu’d out just yet. But there was plenty to taste and swoon over once the food started rolling in. Tequila waits for no one, and there’s dozens more to come.

Guac done right.

My homie and colleague Bobby Turner and I had to split the last of the AVACADO FRIES in order to avoid arm wrestling for it!! OMG, JUST DO IT! (and thank me later;)

Tacos, made here, fresh, every order. (Negra Modelo draft and a lil’ Herradura complete the meal)

FRIED ICE-CREAM ANYONE?

Stop by and see Eric, Louise, and all the staff and taste some street taco love!!

It’s official!!!

Damn, I love tacos! Fish Tacos, Brisket Tacos, Carnitas Tacos, Chicken Tacos….