Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6th, 5:00pm in the Library’s Matz Gallery
The Sawyer Free Library proudly presents Volume One, the inaugural exhibition in its new Monthly Artist Program—marking a vibrant beginning for the Library’s reimagined Matz Gallery and its renewed commitment to the arts. Featuring Gloucester artists Erin Luman and Laureen Maher Bowie, Volume One will be on view November 2 through December 29, 2025.
There will be an Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Matz Gallery at the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. The public is invited to attend this special event. No registration is needed.
Volume Onecelebrates both the creative spirit of the community and the innovative transformation of the Sawyer Free Library itself, which has just reopened following a two-year, $28 million renovation and expansion.
Both artists began their creative journeys years ago by exhibiting in the Library’s Monthly Artist Program. Returning now to inaugurate the revitalized Matz Gallery, they reexamine their art through a fresh lens—bridging past and present in this inspiring debut show.
About the Artists Gloucester-based contemporary artist Erin Luman weaves memory and daily life into evocative scenes that invite viewers to pause and reflect. What began as a fascination with the weathered cottages of Long Beach has evolved into a body of work capturing small, intimate moments—a century-old bathroom sink, beach towels drying in the sun, or glimpses of lived spaces both personal and universal. While her upcoming winter exhibition at Endicott College will spotlight the studios of local makers, Volume One offers a deeply personal collection drawn from the in-between moments that inspire her.
Laureen Maher Bowie, an award-winning local painter and celebrated colorist, captures the beauty and grit of Gloucester in richly layered oils. Her iconic painting, We Dive at Five, depicting local youth jumping off from the Good Harbor Beach footbridge at high tide, will be displayed publicly for the first time at this exhibition. Maher Bowie’s work has been featured in Exhibit Art New England and will appear in the upcoming Rockport Art Association & Museum National Juried Show.
As part of the Library’s renewed commitment to supporting local arts and culture, the Monthly Artist Program will feature rotating exhibitions that highlight both emerging and established regional artists. The newly formed Matz Committee will help guide future exhibitions, ensuring that the space remains a vibrant showcase for creativity and connection. Local and regional artists interested in exhibiting may submit expressions of interest to matzgallery@sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Volume One serves as an exciting kickoff to this initiative—and to the holiday season—with 25% of all sales benefiting the Sawyer Free Library. The exhibition has already drawn enthusiastic community response and stands as a fitting tribute to the Library’s long-standing role as a cultural cornerstone of Gloucester.
Visitors are invited to experience Volume One and explore the beautifully expanded Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester—a welcoming, inspiring space designed to serve generations to come.
This year the colors of trees have not been as vibrant as in previous years due to the lack of rain. But going by Buswell Pond on Tuesday did show some reflection and colors.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
We guide you through tailored strategies to protect your loved ones, provide for your business, and support long-term goals like legacy giving or succession planning.
You don’t need to navigate it alone — we’ll walk you through it with clarity and care. Give us a call today at 978-283-0748.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at Tonno Gloucester
Join Discover Gloucester for its Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon onThursday, November 6, 2025, at Tonno Gloucester. This annual event spotlights the leaders who elevate Gloucester’s visitor economy and celebrates the people and partnerships that make our city a dynamic, year-round destination.
Guests will enjoy a seasonal lunch by Tonno, network with local partners, and hear quick updates on Discover Gloucester’s initiatives and the economic impact of tourism, arts, and culture across the community.
“This event is a celebration of Gloucester’s creative energy and collaborative spirit,” said Amanda Pollock, Executive Director of Discover Gloucester. “Each year we honor those who go above and beyond to make Gloucester welcoming, vibrant, and strong.”
This year’s Award Recipients are: Exceptional Service Award Laura Dow, The Vista Motel Cultural Heritage Award Caleb McMurphy, Hammond Castle Museum Harbor of Learning Award Justin Demetri Outstanding Appreciation AwardRingo Tarr Tobin Dominick Award Michael De Koster
Event Schedule: 11:30 AM Registration 11:45 AM Annual Meeting 12:00 PM Lunch 12:15 PM Awards Presentation 1:30 PM Program Concludes
Tickets are $60 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Open seating. Please share any dietary needs in advance at amanda@discovergloucester.com.
Let us do the heavy lifting this year so you can relax and enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner time with your family and friends either here or at home. You have more choices with Castle Manor Inn to have your Thanksgiving Dinner the way you want it.
This year we are adding Chef Dan’s amazing Seafood Tetrazzini and Balsamic Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts to our Buffet Menu, a new Herb-Crusted Prime Rib Dinner To Go and bringing back our Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner To Go. Attached are the 3 menus we are proudly offering this year for Thanksgiving.
Make your reservation today! This is our biggest event of the year and typically sells out fast so please don’t wait.
Call us at 978-515-7386 to make your reservations.
We look forward to hearing from you and helping to make your Thanksgiving a pleasingly memorable and delightfully delicious day!
We’ll be open this Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 11 am or sellout at 1 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport. BAGEL OF THE WEEK: Jalapeño Cheddar
Happy Halloween! This Sunday, October 26 from 3 – 5 pm we’ll be handing out “kiddie” plain bagels to Trick or Treaters. Let us known if you’ll be stopping by! https://www.facebook.com/share/1APe3kdhBL/
Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Vincent Straggas presents his latest feature length documentary, Life On The Other Planet.
Featuring The Music of: Willie Alexander, The Real Kids, The Nervous Eaters, The Neighborhoods, Rick Berlin, Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, The Atlantics, The Stompers, The Jon Butcher Axis, Classic Ruins, Pastiche, Girls Night Out, The Neats, DMZ, Thundertrain, Human Sexual Response, Mission of Burma, Unnatural Axe, Modern Lovers, The Inflicktors, The Lyres, and The Bristols.
SEAT PRICES General Admission: $25 Seniors (62+): $22 Veterans: $20 Patron- and Director-level Members: $20 Producer-level Members: FREE BECOME A MEMBER TODAY