Rusty+Ingrid Creative Company Moves to Rockport!

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

The grand opening for Rusty+Ingrid Creative Company’s new digs in Rockport continues through Sunday. Don’t miss the chance to stop by and see their work in their new studio and gallery. Their prints are vibrant, original, and completely handmade (including the frames). Also, they’re offering popcorn in different flavors. Who knew chocolate-drizzled popcorn was delicious? Not me.

The good news is that if you miss the grand opening, you can just stop by during regular gallery hours, or check them out in Boston at SoWa on Sundays, or find them online (especially their very cool Instagram).

Rusty + Ingrid Creative Company Grand Opening

Having Rusty and Ingrid relocate to Rockport is a great asset to the burgeoning makers and artists’ scene in town, and Rockport is truly lucky to have them right on Main Street. The space is live/work, so the entire family is making Rockport their home — another way they’re investing in the community. More and more downtown Rockport merchants are also Cape Ann residents, which has obvious implications for the level of investment our local merchants make the community. This shift is making a huge difference in town, and good things are happening all over. That is, if summer ever shows up and the MBTA doesn’t shut down the train.

Ingrid, looking as cool as that infused water.

 

oh Motif No.1..you never looked better
Maine gets in on the action

 

All the store fixtures were designed and built by Rusty and Ingrid

 

front of the shop with the studio in the back

 

The print studio

 

Fun with chalk

 

turns out that chocolate drizzle on popcorn is pretty awesome.

 

 

the view from Main Street

 

Rusty and Ingrid

Gloucester voted in top 10 US best cities/towns for arts and crafts!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Gloucester voted in top 10 US best cities/towns for arts and crafts!
Gloucester, the oldest fishing port in the US (and still richly operational), and Rocky Neck, the oldest and most established artists’ colony in America, can now add the prestigious title of best place for arts and crafts recognized by the organizers of American Craft Week, the nation’s largest annual craft celebration.
American Craft Week is a national, grassroots program designed to promote and celebrate fine handmade American craft.  Produced by a committee of CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists of Tomorrow), it began in 2010, and last year included over 1,000 events in all 50 states!
Gloucester’s notable recognition is sponsored by American Craft Week and voted on by arts’ and crafts’ aficionados across the Country.   
Only one of two cities in the East awarded this acknowledgement (along with Brattleboro, Vermont), Gloucester is a straight drive on 128 North or a train ride (less than one hour) from Boston. In addition to a breathtaking unobstructed ocean drive, Gloucester is home to some of the best beaches; boasting a plethora of hotels, B&Bs and countless restaurants and pubs per block, including fresh lobsters; an unrivaled music scene, and the renowned Gorton Theater bringing international talent for many first-run shows. Movies (e.g., Perfect Storm, Manchester by the Sea, Olive Kittredge) are always in production, somewhere in the city.  “When we started American Craft Week, we wanted to involve galleries and festivals so we could draw the public’s attention to craft. But in the course of six years, our vision has become so much wider, mainly because craft in this country is so pervasive and exciting,” founder, Diane Sulg exclaims.
American Craft Week encompasses events in all fifty states. Several states, including Vermont, Maine and Virginia, have official celebrations backed by tourism and economic development dollars.  In addition to the tangibles,  Sulg noted “craft creates jobs for thousands of Americans.  The impact of this creative economy is profound for individuals, communities and the entire nation.”
Donna Soodalter-Toman, the owner of DIVA (Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments), Main Street in Gloucester says of her love for working and living in Gloucester, “I have been drawn to Gloucester as a crafter, collector, beach and music junky for over 40 years.  Now a resident, I make the ocean a big part of my daily routine as I watch painters search for inspiration by the seashore and I find sea glass to incorporate into my pieces.  I adore the diversity of the people; their warmth, spirit and authenticity – No turning back, ever.   I’m thrilled that our city received this prestigious award and look forward to welcoming visitors to Gloucester all year round!”
For information on Gloucester happenings, including; open studios, artists, crafters, galleries, fairs, fiestas and where to stay and play, contact Discover Gloucester at info@DiscoverGloucester.com.

Trip through the cut

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Karen Pischke Annisquam Photo

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey. Great fun at Sunday’s Podcast. Went kayaking after I left there. 

I hope the FOB enjoy this photo. The Annisquam River is my solace and my playground. Every day on the Annisquam is amazing; but some days are more amazing that others. I call days like this, ‘Gifts from God.’   – Karen

Karen Pischke

Gloucester MA

Annisquam Sunset May

SHOUT OUT TO SHERMAN MORSS FOR SHARING GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT MONARCHS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Sherman Morss shares the following article from World Wildlife Magazine. He has a personal connection with Kevin Pourier, who participates in the Native American exhibits at the PEM. Check out Kevin’s gorgeous art and website here: Buffalo Horn Artforms. Thanks so much to Sherman!

 

Monarch Heroes: Across the Country People are Taking Action for Monarchs

KEVIN POURIER

In the Lakota language, plants and animals are known as Wamakaska—“Sacred Beings of the Earth”—and the Lakota People believe that these species came before us to teach humans how to live. For Oglala Lakota artist Kevin Pourier, no species has been more influential than the monarch butterfly. Pourier first became aware of the power and beauty of these insects during a traditional ceremony. The connection grew deeper when he saw a photo of Sitting Bull from the late 1800s, and noticed a monarch wing tucked into the famed Lakota leader’s hatband. Today, Pourier honors these iconic butterflies through his internationally renowned artwork. Using sustainably harvested bison horns, Pourier creates monarch-themed sculptures that both modernize a traditional Lakota art form and encourage others to cherish the monarch butterfly.

MARSHALL FIELD

Marshall Field became a conservationist the day he read Rachel Carson’s environmental clarion call,Silent Spring. The fifth-generation businessman and philanthropist joined WWF’s Board of Directors in 1973 and has been a stalwart champion of wildlife ever since. For years, Field focused on supporting efforts to save tigers, but his goals shifted when he heard of the rapidly disappearing monarch butterfly. He visited the insect population’s winter roosting grounds in Mexico, years before the population hit its 2013 nadir. “You had to yell to be heard over the sound of the butterflies beating their wings,” he recalls. The experience captivated him. “I think their migration is among the most mysterious natural phenomena there are,” says Field. “And if I’m interested in something, I’m going to get as many other people as I can interested, too.”

SISTER KATHLEEN STORMS

When Sister Kathleen Storms became director of the 200-acre Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat in Wheatland, Iowa, she saw few butterflies or bees on the grounds. Corn and soy crops covered the neighboring lands around the retreat; the region’s pollinator habitat was largely gone. Storms said she wanted to replant native flora, not only “for beauty, but also for the benefits they provide.” In fact, Our Lady of the Prairie has used the Conservation Reserve Program for the past two decades to secure natural spaces that make room “for quiet reflection.” Having grown up on a chemical-free dairy farm in Minnesota, Storms says she’s devoted to sustainable living, “to preserve this wonderful gift of creation, especially as we face climate change.”

READ MORE HERE

Monarch Butterflies Awakening in the Morning Light, Gloucester

Alicia Unleashed- Skribblefish

Posted on by Alicia Unleashed

Alicia Unleashed episode 61 taped 6/9/17 with B-Side, Danny Diamond and hostess Alicia Cox

Hot Plate:

Gloucester Harborwalk Starts July 12 Starting with Jaws.
Cape Ann SUP Free Movie-Endless Summer June 16th.
Alicia has nodes.

Go Kyle Go! Go Team Zebra!

Happy Belly is now open!

Shoutout to Melissa Hayes who will be part of the Bakery portion.

We have Danny Diamond of Skribblefish.com in the house! If you have been to Miglewood, you have seen his work. Now featured on the boards at Happy Belly
Come seen Danny in action at The Harvest Moon Festival September 16.

Shout outs to:

West: Lake Painting, Bill’s Wheels, California Thrash Kids, Color-Thirsty Vampires, Kitty-Kat Drawings, Ferrell’s Donuts, Elements of Life, Sherwin Williams SC, Blue Lagoon, Sports Bar, Toast Ghost, Fast Eddie’s, Tacos Morenos, and El Tigre Sució.

East: KR Painting, Ben’s Wallpaper and Paint, Charba Crew, Vermin Supreme, Hush 3, Extreme Auto, Tale Rock, Long Shots, Sticky Fingers, BAU Builders, Will’s World, Two Sisters, Shmo, Firetrap Kids, We Do That, Rock the World, Backyard Growers, Serenitee, Dogbar, Shep Abbott, Uncle Ian, Prince Insurance, Kokeshi, Blue Lagoon Sports Bar, Staircase Tattoo (west)and the irrepressible Jed James Richardson, RIP.

danny_diamond@hotmail.com
https://skribblefish.com

Are you Sicilian or are you Italian?

Posted on by John McElhenny

IMG_4658.JPGSt. Peter’s Fiesta is coming and the Sicilian flag is popping up all over Gloucester. This one is in our neighborhood downtown at Pleasant and Prospect streets. We love our Sicilian pals and neighbors in Gloucester (including the creator of this blog). Our daughter’s birthday party this year included a “Martina,” “two Sofia’s” and a “Maria.” Our son’s been known to wonder why all his buddies have jet black hair except him. Which got me to wondering – are Sicilians really Italian? Through most of history, Sicily wasn’t Italian. It became part of Italy only in 1861. Sicilian peeps – are you Sicilian or Italian?

Visitors from Arizona and Florida

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

IMG_5211

Family from Tempe Arizona, enjoying Gloucester

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Young man from Tallahassee Florida

Off the grid…

Posted on by Bridgette Mathews

Nothing like weak wifi and intermittent cell service to force you to back off “the grid” for a bit.   It’s been so nice to unplug a little and just hang out with my camera for a few days.   Beautiful scenes to photograph are all the therapy I need 😀

Tune in to Gloucester’s own Katy Geraghty performing at the Tony Awards on Sunday night!!

Posted on by Bridgette Mathews

Grab your popcorn and tune in to watch the Tony Awards on Sunday night on CBS at 8pm where our own Gloucester girl Katy Geraghty will be performing as “Debbie” with the Tony award nominated Musical…Groundhog Day!!  So excited for Katy who’s doing great things and making Gloucester proud.   Break a leg Katy!!!

Katy Geraghty – Photo Credit Walter McBride
Groundhog Day the Musical Cast – Photo credit Joan Marcus
Katy Geraghty signing Autographs for Groundhog Day the Musical – Photo credit Kevin Patrick Martin

Click here to check out GMG Contributor Catherine’s recent post about Katy’s story and involvement in the Broadway Musical.