Good Morning Gloucester

Straightaway…

Location: The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA

Dates:  March 10 – April 10, 2022

Opening Reception:  Sunday, March 13, 4 – 6 PM

Hours: Thursday-Sunday, Noon – 5 PM

What’s New, Rocky Neck? – Panel discussion and show-and-tell: Saturday, March 26, 3 – 5 PM

Gloucester MA— Part 2 of ROCKY NECK NOW 2022, the highly anticipated annual members show, continues the 2022 exhibition season at the Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC). This two-part show shares a common theme: New Directions. The work demonstrates members’ creative processes that inspire risk taking, change and growth. In this second installment, 36 artists present a wide range of artistic interpretations with representational, abstract and expressive styles in all media.

Works in this exhibition represent the members’ enthusiastic response to a call for pieces that excite them right now, for works signaling a new direction in their work. For example, the pandemic forced Christine Gauthier-Kelley to become creative with her use of media. In Stormy Seas she manipulated acrylics on canvas to translate the movement and fluidity once achieved through painting on large silk panels. 

Jennifer Okumura explores new concepts in a series called Harmony and Clash that examines “cultural layers being nowhere and everywhere” and the taboos broken as people cross cultural boundaries through language and travel. And Laureen Maher, after many years of practice, has gone big with Niles Pond Peace, working on a canvas sizable enough “to create a large open space for the viewer to walk in and stay a while.” 

All of the submissions reflect a membership pushing forward as artists through experimentations in medium, process, materials, theme, size and content.

Part 2 runs for five weekends at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 PM each day.

The Artists

Exhibiting in Part 2: John Abisamra. Elizabeth Bish. Nadine Boughton. Mike Cangemi. Betsy Carter. Keunjung Cho. Yhanna Coffin. Amy Holland Crafton. Elizabeth Enfield. Barbe Ennis. Christine Gauthier-Kelley. Marion Hall. Olga Hayes. Nils Johnson. Jane Keddy. Ira Levine. Barbara Littlefield. Laureen Maher.  Vanessa Michalak. Skip Montello. Paula Morgan. Ed Mowrey. John Nedosko. Jennifer Okumura. Katherine Richmond. Kathy Roberts. Judy Robinson-Cox. Lynne Sausele. Barbara Savicky. Ruth Schneider. Sallie Strand. Erin Survilas. Anna Vojtech. Suellen Wedmore. Jan Weinshanker.  Judith Wright. 

Special Events

The public is invited to celebrate the creativity of RNAC artists at an Opening Reception, on Sunday, March 13 from 4 to 6 PM. View the art, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments, drink and always lively conversation. 

On Saturday, March 26, 3-5 PM, join the organization for What’s New, Rocky Neck? – A panel discussion and afternoon of show-and-tell. Artists from Part 1 of RNN 2022: New Directions will join RNAC Exhibitions Committee member Ginger Myhaver for a panel discussion, and artists showing in Part 2 will be on hand to discuss what’s new about the work on view. 

Visitors to the galleries are encouraged to participate in the popular Viewers’ Choice Award by voting for their favorite work of art. Three artists receiving the most votes will be recognized at the closing celebration on Sunday, April 10. These awards provide the artists and the organization with important community feedback. 

The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) was founded in the mid-19th century and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1973. With the creation of the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in 2012, RNAC programs are reaching a wider demographic as the visual arts focus is expanding to include more diverse cultural and educational offerings. The Cultural Center is located at 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. For more information visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org.

Get well soon Jimmy

Link to register- https://www.familyid.com/gloucester-public-schools-ma-athletics

Tryouts start in 2 weeks, registration closes soon!

On one of those nice days last week, I took a ride just to see what I might see and I came across the Trustees property Greenwood Farm in Ipswich. I decided to check it out and it’s a delightful hidden treasure for those wanted to take a manageable walk in nature.

There’s a nice walking trail though it was a little muddy and slippery that day, so wear appropriate footgear. The Paine House sits proudly by the trail, along with other surprises for your eyes and ears. It’s a large property and I only explored a very small corner of it. I would like to go back in the spring and perhaps the fall for the foliage. If you are looking for a quick escape into nature and serenity, I suggest you give Greenwood Farm a try.

Exit right…

Link to purchase here- https://gofan.co/app/events/537355?schoolId=MSAA

I am very pleased to share that the story of Gloucesterman and Medal of Honor recipient John Handran has been published by the Gloucester 400 Stories Project. I have told this story before but this version has some added details you will find interesting. Link to Gloucester 400 here. Scroll down to link to the full story. Thank you Laura M. Alberghini Ventimiglia and Terry Weber for your persistence and assistance.

Source: https://www.usanpn.org/news/spring

HOW DOES THIS SPRING COMPARE TO “NORMAL”?

Gloucester vs Haverhill 3.3.22👀 Playoff Hockey is Back! @FishermenGhs @GDTSports @In_The_Slot @MassNZ @MassHSHockey @BGlobeSports pic.twitter.com/7Uci49bZAP

— Bernie Perisie (@bernieperisie) March 4, 2022

It was a gorgeous but chilly day recently when I stopped by Plum Cove Beach to take a little walk. It seems everyone heeded the sign to leave behind only footprints……even the geese!