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.
THREE WINNERS FOR 2025 AVP THEATRICAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
Screenshot
Kiki Campbell, Zoey Congelosi, and Oceana Seber will each receive $750 for performing arts education and activities
GLOUCESTER, Mass. (Oct. 14, 2025) – The Annisquam Village Players, the country’s longest continually running community theatre since 1863, is pleased to announce the selection of three local students – Kiki Campbell, Zoey Congelosi, and Oceana Seber – as the winners of the 2025 AVP Theatrical Arts Scholarship. Successful fundraising efforts this year allowed the AVP to offer $750 to each recipient.
Part of the AVP’s mission is to expose young people to the performing arts and cultivate a wider appreciation for music, dance, and community involvement. To support and encourage our young performers, the AVP awards a scholarship each year to students aged 8-22, who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their artistic talent in acting, voice, dance or in theater production, and have participated in at least one AVP production in the previous three years.
The scholarship funds can be applied to any artistic development, such as classes or private instruction in theater arts, or tuition to a school or camp program offering such instruction.
The winners:
Kiki Campbell, 15, is an Essex resident and currently a sophomore at Manchester-Essex Regional High School. She made her AVP debut in 2022 playing the role of the daughter, Jane Banks, in Mary Poppins and has since participated in other shows, including Gloucester Story, Cinderella, and last season’s Hello, Dolly!, playing Ermengarde. She has also performed with the Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe, playing Horatio in Hamlet, and Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other roles include the Wicked Queen in Maudsley is Haunted, Cinderella in December A Christmas Panto, both with Theatre in the Round. She has also participated in school productions, including the role of Lavender in Matilda Jr., and Tessie in Annie Jr. She also enjoys spending time writing, drawing, playing guitar, surfing, playing tennis, singing, and raising and supporting monarch butterflies.
Zoey Congelosi, 11, of Rockport, is a passionate and active participant in the local performing arts, including as a member of the AVP’s youth ensemble in the recent productions of Cinderella and Hello, Dolly!. Last Spring she performed in Seussical at the North Shore Musical Theatre, and was in the theatre camp productions of Beetlejuice and Finding Nemo, where she played the role of the cool sea turtle. She also plays trombone in her school band and sings with the Cape Ann Youth Chorus. Zoey hopes to obtain her pilot license by age 14 and rescue animals around the world.
Oceana Seber, 8, of Gloucester, is currently the youngest trouper at the AVP but already has a number of theatre credits under her belt, including the 2024 role of a magical mouse in Cinderella, and a member of the youth ensemble and 14th Street Band in this season’s production of Hello, Dolly!. This summer marked her third season with Cape Ann Arts Alive, the community choral program that performs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Oceana also studies piano and violin and loves soaring on the trapeze in her classes with the Seaside Circus.
“We are very pleased to announce these three young and talented individuals as this year’s winners of our annual youth arts scholarship,” said Victoria Fortune, chairperson of the AVP Scholarship Committee. “They all light up the stage when they are here, and we’re thrilled to help them develop their energy and passion for the performing arts beyond Annisquam Village Hall.”
The AVP is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers and is always welcoming new members of all ages and backgrounds. AVP membership includes full-time and summer residents from the greater Cape Ann area, local youth, as well as individuals with professional associations with theatre and music.
For more information about the Annisquam Village Players or the arts scholarship, please visit www.annisquamvillageplayers.org.
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Deborah Read Named Goetemann Artist-in-Residence at Rocky Neck, October 2025
Gloucester, MA — This October, Gloucester-based artist Deborah Read joins the Goetemann Artist Residency at Rocky Neck Art Colony with a deceptively simple but urgent inquiry: Does art have to be an object?
For Read, the answer has long been “not necessarily.” Her interdisciplinary practice—spanning installation, performance, writing, and collaborative projects—frames art as an act of generosity. As co-founder of Gallery RAG in Gloucester and the international foundation Art+Everywhere, she has created platforms that dissolve boundaries between artist and audience, centering collaboration, care, and mutual support.
Read’s projects invite participation and dialogue: immersive performances with Coco Haze that turn galleries into collective canvases, hybrid works with poet Joel Iwaskiewicz where language becomes performance, and community-based installations like Tejido Vivo, which weave craft traditions into living art. In each case, connection outweighs the object itself.
Her foundation Art+Everywhere embodies this vision, described by Read as “a global, artist-led ecosystem built on mutual generosity.” Its mission: expand access to funding, programming, and creative opportunities while removing barriers of gatekeeping institutions. “The challenge is not scarcity, but activation,” Read explains. “Compassion already exists—in hundreds of hands and eyes—ready to help.”
At Rocky Neck, her residency continues this ethos—not as a retreat into isolation, but as a public process of listening, generating, and sharing. “The question is never just ‘what did I make,’ but ‘what did we generate together?’ Generosity is generative—it can enrich lives, spaces, and even economies.”
Public Programs:
Artist Talk — October 5 from 4-5PM at Rocky Neck Cultural Center
Open Studios — October 27 and 29, from 12-2PM at Gallery RAG
Culminating Talk — October 30 at 6PM at Gallery RAG
For Rocky Neck—a community shaped by both maritime labor and artistic innovation—Read’s residency is both a philosophical question and a practical experiment: What if art is not possession, but presence? Not scarcity, but abundance?
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This week celebrates the conclusion of August performances at Windhover with a feast of great dance and music. On Thursday August 28 and Friday, August 29th at 7:00pm, former principal dancer from the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company, Annmaria Mazzini, performs in a show she curated with dancers and musicians working in a collaborative manner. This innovative performance is titled: “The Sound of Memory,” exploring music with sound bowls, Saigon water bells, Moroccan Crescent Drum, Caxixi Brazilian Shakers, Octo Cahon Drum, Indian Kinjira Drum, healing practices, vocals, oral history and varied choreography by Annmaria and others.
The Sound of Memory
Jennifer Mabus (dancer) and Brittany Breitman Nearing (sound bowls) rehearsing at Windhover
This evening presents a choreographic and musical meditation about the passage of time, caregiving, loss, fragility, and moving through life with a sense of awe and wonder. Renowned for its capacity to provoke thought and generate healing, “The Sound of Memory” explores questions of where in the body memory resides, what haunts us, and what sustains us. Tickets are available on the Windhover website or by using the buttons below. Distinguished bios of the artists can be found on the Windhover website: www.windhover.org
Then on Saturday, August 30, please join us in a musical bash when two talented music groups collaborate for an evening under the tent. Opening the evening at 6:30pm will be guitarist Brendan Evans and the Night Owls which brings together the music talents of guitarist Brendan Evans, vocalist Ben Blanchard and Daniel Palmer, a songwriter turned mystery/suspense novelist. The group performs mostly original material blending classical guitar with three-part harmonies to create a unique sound for their indie-folk infused songs. Then at 7:30pm, theClements Brothers & Good Company perform. This is an exciting chance to see the local and beloved (and identical twins) Charles and George Clements with their full national touring band who will perform together under the tent. The Clements Brothers, who live here on Cape Ann, have been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember. With roots in rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (on guitar) and Charles (on bass) aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy and serene. Tickets must be purchased in advance with this link.
And a sneak peek at September brings a group of local Cape Ann dancers and musicians together for a special one night only performance under the tent titled Locomotors on Friday, September 5 at 8:00pm. Locomotors is a collaborative music and dance group rooted in the practice of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and open-form improvisation, with a special focus on the somatic relationship between sound and movement. The core members are pianist and composer Michael Joviala, and dancer and choreographer Dawn Pratson. This performance also brings in guest artists Sarah Slifer Swift, dancer and director of Movement Arts in Gloucester ( MAGMA), plus with the work of visual artist Derick Melander, whose large-scale sculptures made from secondhand clothing, confront the intersection between global consumerism and our intimate relationship with what we wear. Tickets can be found here.The mission of Windhover this season continues to be: Collaboration… Connection… Community… and Creativity, which are our themes and directives. All of these upcoming performances are rare chances for you, the audience, to engage in these art forms and enjoy the collaborative beauty of these creative artists.Please come enjoy and support these artists in dance and music. Warm Wishes, Lisa Hahn, Windhover Executive Director
Tickets are now available to the annual Gloucester Rotary Comedy Night, featuring Ken Rogerson, Artie Januario, Sam Pelletier, and Boston’s Dave Rattigan on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Cruiseport Gloucester, located at 6 Rowe Square on Gloucester’s harborfront. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.
Ken Rogerson, the funniest man you’ve never heard of, has performed on the nationwide “Rescue Me Comedy Tour” with Denis Leary, and made television appearances on such shows as NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comics Come Home for Comedy Central and Showtime’s A Pair of Jokers and more. Rogerson has also appeared at The Chicago Comedy Festival and TBS’s The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. The Boston Herald proclaimed, “He makes the absurd seem logical” and Las Vegas Magazine wrote, “As far as pure stand-up goes, it doesn’t get any better than Rogerson.”
Artie Januario (aka Artie J.) has spent 10 years living a double life as a pharmacist and one of Boston’s premier comedians. He has been selected to perform at Denis Leary’s prestigious annual Comics Come Home concert, the longest running comedy benefit show in the United States, which has raised more than $4 million for the Cam Neely Foundation, which aids cancer patients and their families during treatment. He’s traveled the country, performing all over New England as well as in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and is a favorite for fundraisers and corporate events. Among the acts he’s worked with: Dom Irrera, Brian Regan, Jeff Dunham, and Lenny Clarke.
Sam Pelletier has been bringing his unique blend of observation and relatability to audiences for over a decade. Originally from the (somewhat) great state of Maine, Sam won the Cellar on Treadwell Competition in 2023, and was a finalist in the New England’s Funniest Comedian Competition of 2021. He opened for national headliners including Shane Torres, Joe Bartnick, and Alex Edleman. Sam has been featured in the Boston Comedy Festival, Maine Comedy Festival, and Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival in San Francisco. His hobbies include hiking and being a good listener.
Host Dave Rattigan had summer plans included performances in Ireland (for the second time), as well as at the Hampton Beach (NH) Comedy Festival and the inaugural Cotuit (MA) Comedy Festival. In addition to standup, he’s had humorous columns published in The Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, North Shore Magazine and North Shore Sunday, and has acted in regional TV commercials and small independent films “that didn’t pay anything.”
Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10- August 3, 2025
Cove Gallery: July 10-August 3, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 10, 5–7 PM Closing Event & Artist Talks: Thursday, July 31, 5–7 PM
Curated by Gabrielle Rossmer Featuring: Kathy Archer, Paul Cary Goldberg, Donald Gropman, Sonya Gropman, Gabrielle Rossmer, and Constance Vallis
In a time marked by uncertainty and transformation, six artists come together to explore how art can serve as both personal expression and cultural reflection. Six Ways of Seeing the World, curated by Gabrielle Rossmer, offers a compelling look at how visual art helps us process, respond to, and shape our understanding of the contemporary world.
Through diverse media—painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, and collage—these six artists examine the intersections of inner life and external forces. While their approaches and mediums vary, they share a commitment to introspection, craft, and a meaningful engagement with today’s fractured landscape.
· Kathleen Gerdon Archer conveys emotional depth and existential searching through paintings of ambiguous, floating figures. Her palette swings from bleak to bright, mirroring the emotional tension between despair and fleeting hope.
· Paul Cary Goldberg presents black, white, and gray-toned photographs in an installation format for the first time. His long-running exploration of personal and social narrative gains new form, offering a contemplative, immersive experience.
· Constance Vallis draws from spiritual practice, working in intuitive response to the present moment. Her process-driven artwork reflects a meditative connection to feeling and form.
· Donald Gropman offers meticulously rendered black-and-white drawings that sharply critique societal absurdities. With wit and precision, his work blends fantasy and commentary.
· Sonya Gropman transforms urban detritus—found while walking through New York City—into layered, stitched collages. Her work gives new life to discarded materials, turning the overlooked into poignant, abstract reflections of a shifting world.
· Gabrielle Rossmer, both curator and participant, presents sculpture that ranges from figurative to abstract. Her work examines form, color, and narrative gesture, always grounded in a personal response to the world around her.
Together, these artists demonstrate six unique but interconnected ways of seeing. Their works push the boundaries of their chosen media, reflecting on today’s world with vulnerability, insight, and artistic rigor.
About the Venue Located in the heart of Gloucester’s historic Rocky Neck Art Colony, the Cove Gallery is a dynamic exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the work of contemporary artists. Surrounded by working studios and a vibrant waterfront community, the gallery provides an inspiring setting for artists and visitors alike, continuing the area’s rich legacy as one of the oldest continuously operating art colonies in the United States.
Admission is free and open to the public.
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Art and politics have pretty much always gone hand in hand.
We, the People, a benefit group show opening at Jane Deering Gallery in Gloucester on May 10th features 30 artists and counting (including Peter Cady, Ann Conneman, Linda Eckstrom, Nella Lush, and others) utilizing their art, activism, and fundraising in response to current politics. Proceeds will support a future Democratic candidate.
Read more about the show from Jane Deering Gallery:
We, The People
May 10-26, 2025
Jane Deering Gallery | Opening Reception | Saturday May 10th . 1-5pm
We, The People will be an exhibition of artworks by over 30 artists with whom the gallery has collaborated for many years. 85% of sales will go to support a Democratic candidate running in the midterm elections (2026). The chosen candidate could be from any State in the country, and will be decided by committee.
It is our opinion that collective action is required in these troubling times. And it is our hope that this exhibition will be supported by those in our community who desire to do something, and will take action alongside us.
Artworks will be quality work by recognized and established artists, as well as emerging artists. Prices are fair and affordable. The gallery does not wish to ask artists to donate work. Too often artists are asked to give work for free, receiving no remuneration. Artists will receive 10% from sales, which in itself is a meager sum. The gallery to receive 5%. The gallery is grateful to the participating artists for this agreement.
Millions of American citizens are concerned about what is happening to our Constitution, to the respect for law, to the disregard of our long-standing Allies, for threats the President is making to take over Sovereign nations, for the continued lies and falsehoods spread by the President and his Administration, and for the mean and careless treatment of the poor, the disabled, the persecuted persons in our country and abroad.
The gallery and the artists would like you to have a special work of art. We are not asking for outright donations. Thank you for collectively taking a stand with us.
Artworks will be uploaded to the Jane Deering Gallery (here) as they are submitted.
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Connect with Creativity! Join Us for an Exclusive RNN2025 Artist Talk
Dates: Saturday, March 8 & Sunday, March 9, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, Gloucester, MA
Gloucester, MA – Art enthusiasts, collectors, and community members are invited to experience an inspiring weekend at the RNN2025 Artist Talk! This dynamic two-day event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from eight talented artists as they share the stories behind their works, creative processes, and artistic inspirations.
Set against the immersive backdrop of the RNN2025 exhibition, this special event allows attendees to engage with artwork firsthand while gaining deep insight into the minds of the artists who brought these remarkable pieces to life. Through guided discussions and open Q&A sessions, guests can explore the artistic vision, techniques, and emotions that shape each masterpiece.
Featured Artists:
Saturday, March 8 – Brian Murphy, Kathleen George, Juni Van Dyke, and Beth Delforge Sunday, March 9 – Karen Watson, Alev Davis, Deborah Quinan, and Patricia Scialo
This free event is open to all and provides a unique opportunity to:
Meet and connect with the renowned RNN2025 artists
Gain personal insights into their creative journeys
Deepen your appreciation of the exhibition
Engage in meaningful discussions on artistic expression
Explore diverse artistic techniques and approaches
Seating and refreshments will be provided to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of contemporary art, this event promises to spark inspiration and conversation.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with creativity! Mark your calendar and join us at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck for an unforgettable artistic experience.
As one of the oldest continuously operating art colonies in the U.S., Rocky Neck has long been a vibrant hub for artists and art lovers. The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck continues this tradition by fostering artistic dialogue and community engagement through exhibitions, talks, and events like RNN2025 Artist Talk.
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The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is delighted to announce the Rocky Neck Winter Fest 2025, a dynamic weekend event celebrating art and community, taking place Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Event Highlights
Saturday, February 8
RNAC Member Pop-Up Show and Fundraiser: “Art to Warm the Heart and Soul” at Cove Gallery (11 AM–5 PM)
RNAC Member Artists invite you to a heartwarming pop-up show and fundraiser celebrating kindness and community on Rocky Neck and beyond. A portion of the sales from this exhibition will be donated to CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund), a mutual aid organization that assists with relief efforts for artists affected by the fires in LA. Enjoy light refreshments while exploring the art on display — paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, and more.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special pop-up exhibition featuring artwork from Rocky Neck Art Colony artists. Explore paintings, drawings, ` sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry, all priced at $500 or less.
Participating Artists: Kristie Bernard, Paula Borsetti, Jason Burroughts, Jillian Demeri, Paige Farrell, Jackie Ganim-DeFalco, Kathleen George, Karen Gross, Leslie Heffron, Nancy Henry, Joanne Hurd, L. Marie Lamarche, Bob Murphy, Crissie Murphy, Judy Robinson-Cox, Amy Sudarsky, Juni Van Dyke
Live Portrait Drawing at The Cultural Center (11 AM–5 PM)
Participating Artists: RNAC Member Artists: Amy Sudarsky, Janet Grover, Mary Lee, Helen Tory, Vanessa Michalak, and Invitational Artist Jill Hoy.
Valentines Makers Event at The Salted Cod Arthouse (4 PM–5:30 PM)
Join us upstairs to express your love with a fun, creative Valentine’s card(s). Tickets: $20.00, includes supplies. Light refreshments will be served. While you’re at The Salted Cod: Browse and purchase RNAC members’ artwork on-site. Enjoy food and beverages at The Salted Cod Arthouse bar.
Additional Open Studios and Galleries: Michalak Fine Art Old Salt Studio Hughes Bosca/Side Street Gallery
Sunday, February 9
RNAC Member Pop-Up Show: “Art to Warm the Heart and Soul” Continues at Cove Gallery (11 AM–5 PM)
Don’t miss the second day of this special Valentine’s Day-themed exhibition.
Participating Artists: Kristie Bernard, Paula Borsetti, Jason Burroughts, Jillian Demeri, Paige Farrell, Jackie Ganim-DeFalco, Kathleen George, Karen Gross, Leslie Heffron, Nancy Henry, Joanne Hurd, L. Marie Lamarche, Bob Murphy, Crissie Murphy, Judy Robinson-Cox, Amy Sudarsky, Juni Van Dyke
The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street The Salted Cod Arthouse, 53 Rocky Neck Avenue Cove Gallery, 37 Rocky Neck Avenue
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About RNAC
The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering artistic excellence. Through exhibitions, workshops, residencies, historical tours, and cultural events, RNAC brings vibrant arts programming to its members and the public. Explore RNAC’s three exhibition spaces on picturesque Rocky Neck. For more information, visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org or call 978-515-7004.
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Art and culture have been laced throughout Gloucester’s history. City staff, departments, partner organizations, artists, and volunteers have kept detailed inventory checklists and care of a world class municipal art collection decade by decade for more than a century. Several lists were managed by American art luminaries. Here is a City Hall example from 1937, “A Catalogue of Murals and Decorations in Gloucester Done by Gloucester Artists in the Employ of the Federal Art Project”.
The 250th anniversary formed a committee for the arts. Mayor Alper reinvigorated the City Hall collection display in 1977, “Gloucester Arts & Humanities”. The Waywell inventory dates from the 1990s. When the City updated all its ordinances in 2000, the Committee for the Arts was formally added. In 2005 then CFTA Chair Kate Bodin and former CFTA member John Ronan drafted a prescient and comprehensive art policy celebrating all forms of creative expression. Since 2000, 6 inventory lists have been compiled—by volunteers and/or commissioned.
A major inventory checklist and report completed in 2006 was a dual project orchestrated by the City Archives (link here) andCommittee for the Arts that focused on City Hall. Although the report did not include artwork measurements and was a work in progress, it was another decade’s invaluable record to build upon.
The Art of Gloucester City Hall, 2006. See printable PDF of inventory below (some attribution errors). A written evaluation was included which I’ll add in.
Bethany Jay (principal writing and research)
Information on Gloucester City Hall compiled by Sarah Dunlop, Jane Walsh, and Stephanie Buck of the Gloucester Archives office. Supplemental materials were written by John Ronan. Mayor John Bell.
Gloucester Committee for the Arts- John Ronan, Judith Hoglander, Dale Brown, Christine Lundberg, Steve Myers, Sage Walcott
Committee for the Arts member, Eric Schoonover, took on the task of the first database and digitized record–CDs, later joined by Marcia Hart, with ladder in tow to double check the inventory status and measurements which was not on the 2006 report. Several excels and docs followed and were shared widely. Under successive administrations led by Mayor Kirk and Mayor Romeo Theken, an open access inventory and available online gallery was an expressed goal for multiple city and partner grants, the city’s tourism efforts (a precursor to Discover Gloucester), the City’s two cultural districts, HarborWalk, Gloucester Arts & Cultural Initiative, public arts projects, free apps and platforms.
In 2018-19, Williamstown Art Conservation completed a conservation and full inventory report for the City mural collection, triage and stabilizing–for the first time including works not on display. (author note: I will add the PDF here)
Flash forward to 2024, the Gloucester art collection archives is available anew in an online art gallery through Art Work Archive (www.artworkarchive.com). Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. Some of the artwork information is incomplete or a placeholder. I’m sure cross-checking with the original documentation will continue and help with corrections, and more works will be added.
For example, the monumental murals by Lawrence “Larry” O’Toole (1909-1951) installed in 1982 in O’Maley Middle School are listed “Untitled” in the archive pages. They’re not untitled. They were originally commissioned by Ben Pine for the Gloucester Fisheries Institute and YMCA circa 1940-48 and illustrate fishing industry and vessels common in Gloucester. I interviewed Ron Gilson who confirmed the history and my research. DPW inspected and measured them almost 10 years ago and Williamstown Art Conservation Center, of course, when they did their evaluation. Titles are:
Larry O’Toole, Returning to Harbor, Twin Lighthouses
Larry O’Toole, Tuna Fishing with Spears
Larry O’Toole, Schooner with Rod Fishing
Larry O’Toole, Seine Fishing with Seagulls Overhead
Larry O’Toole, Trawling
Puzzlingly, the Mulhaupt series across from the O’toole’s are on display out of order at O’Maley and could have fit sequentially if the two series were switched at installation in 1982.
In 2021, the Wall Street Journal featured an article about WPA era art and online catalogue resources. Gloucester’s are largely absent, for many reasons. I shared the article news here (3/25/2021) and wrote:
Judith Dobrzynski highlights WPA murals and a renewed online resource* for “Arts in Review” the Wall Street Journal.
“During the Great Depression, federal programs funded the creation of thousands of murals in post offices, hospitals and other locations across the country, many of which can now be viewed online.”Judith H. Dobrzynski. The Staying Inside Guide: Big-Deal Art in Plain-Spoken Venues. Wall Street Journal. March 23, 2021. *A few of the WPA murals completed in Gloucester had been included in an earlier iteration of the website, in some cases misattributed. Gloucester is not mentioned in the article.
The reviewer highlights Coit Tower in San Francisco as one renowned example.
“The New Deal murals inside Coit Tower in San Francisco are also well-known. Painted by some two-dozen artists in 1934, they are social realist panels about life in California during the Depression, with titles like “Banking and Law” and “Meat Industry.” Their story, with a detailed layout, is available in a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department brochure.”Judith H. Dobrzynski for WSJ
The reverse ratio is evident here: Gloucester selected four artists who completed scores of masterworks* for specific public buildings. Monumental stunning mural cycles were commissioned under the auspices of Federal Arts PWAP and WPA-era programs from 1935-42 for Sawyer Free Library, City Hall, the High School on Dale Ave (now Central Grammar apartments), Hovey, Maplewood, and Forbes elementary schools. As schools were closed, disposed, or repurposed, murals were rescued and re-sited within City Hall and later O’Maley.
The City of Gloucester artists were significant muralists and painters. In truth, venerated. They captured stories of Gloucester and became a celebrated part of our history and artistry. When considered as a whole, the Gloucester murals rival WPA era collections completed in big cities. The density of murals are as concentrated as any found in larger cities, like Coit Tower in San Francisco, though spread out among buildings rather than one tower, or one structure, as with Harlem Hospital.
Gloucester’s post office nearly landed a commission, but fate intervened. I’ll save that for the Part 2 post.
Gloucester and greater Cape Ann artists were commissioned for murals beyond Gloucester and Massachusetts and served key roles on selection panels and planning.
Gloucester is not mentioned in this WSJ article or few major compilations.
“Though painted by nationally known and successful artists at the top of their game, the works have suffered from a perfect storm of anonymity.” Catherine Ryan, 2012
City Owned Art Work Archive online gallery
What is new about this 2024 city owned inventory online gallery is that 1) a wonderful creative director, Anna Chirico, was hired to photograph and inventory the collection. Fun fact, Chirico of course has helped her mom, JoAnn, with goodlinens studio on Main Street in Gloucester (goodlinenstudio.com), and 2) Kate Shamon Rushford, Gloucester’s arts, culture, and events coordinator was hired for a part time position within Community Development dedicated to projects like this one. Shamon Rushford is pursuing a Gloucester presence online through Bloomberg Connects Arts and Culture online, too.
I recommend that the city’s .gov website maintain exclusive pages as well, because what’s new and trending in arts engagement is not static or exclusive.
Gloucester DPW has utilized 3D photography for jobs (City Hall after the fire), and city departments including Community Development/Engineering make use of arcgis subscriptions. These resources on the .gov site would help with virtual tours and printables. It’s important to keep city ownership of the content. Gloucesterma.gov went to Discover Gloucester. As long as the content is retrievable, dedicated pages can be available on the .gov site itself regardless of technological or fad obsolescence.
The Rocky Neck Art Colony is pleased to announce that it is accepting exhibition proposals for the 2025 season at Cove Gallery on Rocky Neck in Gloucester. The spacious and well-lit gallery is located on the Smith Cove waterfront in America’s oldest working art colony, an area that attracts visitors all season long to shop for fine art and crafts, visit historic sites and dine in nearby restaurants.
Exhibition proposals will be reviewed by a group of independent jurors to fill 5 openings running from late-May through early October. The jury will be looking for proposals with thematic and aesthetic cohesion featuring work by dedicated artists in any/all media.
The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, February 10, 2025. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in this opportunity read the brief carefully and communicate with the Program Director early in the process to avoid unseen delays. Artists will be notified of acceptance in February, allowing sufficient time to prepare their shows.
RNAC acknowledges the generosity of Mark Goetemann who has donated the use of the former home and gallery space of his late parents, Gordon and Judth Goetemann, to honor their legacy as artists, as inveterate supporters of artistic excellence, and to carry on their commitment to keeping Rocky Neck a haven for artists and art lovers.
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The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, nurtures excellence in the arts through exhibitions, workshops, residencies, historical tours, and vibrant cultural events for its members and the public. On picturesque Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts, RNAC operates three exhibition spaces, open to the public for free, The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck (6 Wonson Street); The Salted Cod Arthouse (53 Rocky Neck Ave.), a partnership gallery and café; and Cove Gallery (37 Rocky Neck Ave.), open seasonally.. Check the website, www.rockyneckartcolony.org, for hours, openings and special events. For more information, see the website or call 978-515-7004.
Baraka’s Holiday Open Studio & Sale!
Sunday, November 17th – 10 AM till 3PM
3 Lighthouse Way Apt. #2 Gloucester, MA 01930 . 978-869-3636Prints, Gliclees, Original Paintings & Mixed Media Monotypes, Women of History and Myth, Sacred Landscapes, Beautiful Art Cards, Magnets, & Hand-Painted Spirit Stones
Come and view some of the original artwork for the Women of the Celts ~Oracle Deck, to be published in 2025/26
WELCOME!! PLEASE PARK IN THE STREET.~ THANK YOU & follow the signs for my art sale!!
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Upcoming November/December 2024 news from Jane Deering Gallery has all the details about two concurrent solo photography exhibits not to miss:
(c)paulcarygoldberg.com
“Jane Deering Gallery presents Two Photographers | Two Solo Shows : Paul Cary Goldberg & Antony Ohman opening Saturday November 9th with a reception from 4-6pm and an Artist Talk on November 23rd from 3-5pm. Paul Cary Goldberg’s street images from the 1970’s alongside his intimate portraits of farmers, and Antony Ohman’s exploration of how series of images can relate to each other as narratives, define this stunning show. The subtle tonalities in black & white photography achieved by the photogravure process is a fascination for each artist. Goldberg and Ohman both maintain a studio on Cape Ann in Gloucester MA. The exhibition runs through December 8th. Gallery hours: Fri & Sat 1-5pm; Sun 1-4pm and by appointment at paul@paulcarygoldberg.com 978-821-9920 or ajohman@gmail.com 857-891-0548.”
This is the second of a three-part series “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series”
Learning to market your own creative arts business involves developing a vision of the audience you are looking to reach. How do you determine your target market? Who are you selling to? Simplify your success by learning what questions to ask to identify your market and determine which channels to use to reach them. To find out – join the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street on Tuesday, October 15 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
This is the second of a three-part series entitled “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series” led by Leah Hancock, owner and founder of Placid Marketing with over 15 years of experience in integrated and online marketing communications.
Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited! If you have questions, please contact moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.
Antique Appraising Event at Sawyer Free Library on Sat., Aug 3
If you are curious about the treasures in your home and want to know their true worth, join us for an exciting antique appraising event at the Sawyer Free Library on Saturday, August 3, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Local antiques expert Walt Kolenda of Cape Ann Auction will be on hand to provide appraisals at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester.
To bring an item for appraisal, please review the guidelines and register online at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Note that stamps, firearms, and items too large to carry into the library will not be accepted. Spectators are welcome throughout the program.
Walt Kolenda has been in the antiques business since the late 1970s. He is a Massachusetts licensed and bonded auctioneer, a certified appraiser, and a graduate of two nationally recognized appraisal academies. He and his family operate Cape Ann Auction, which holds two auctions per month, typically featuring fine art, jewelry, antiques, and collectibles from New England estates. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the value of your cherished items.
For more information or questions visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
Recently Awarded Pulitzer Award Finalist Writer Amy Nutt Wrote Jon’s Biography Which Just Hit The Shelves and Is Killing It On Amazon Hitting As High As The Number 250 Best Selling Book Out Of All The Books Amazon Sells Last Week!
Jon was on NPR With Terry Gross.
Click the picture for the audio-
Amy Nutt who wrote Jon’s biography will be in Gloucester signing copies of her book at The Bookstore of Gloucester
61 Main Street Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-1548
Jon writes-
i will be discussing my biography (“shadows bright as glass”) at “the bookstore” on main street in gloucester on thursday, may 12 at 7:00 with its author, amy nutt.
photos of Jon’s art piled up in his old Birdseye work space-
You gotta see these videos with Jon in his element-
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Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part I
Jon talks about his relationship with Chad Carlberg, gives us a tour of his workspace inside the Birdseye building, shows how some of the pieces for the Guster Music Video were made and how success breeds success.
Look for part II tomorrow
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Event details: Montreal based MARGIE GILLIS and Company
Dates: August 9th and 10th at 7:00pm
Location: Windhover Center for the Performing Arts on the outdoor stage covered by a tent :257R Granite St. Rockport, MA 01966
Price: $20.00 -$30.00
The Margie Gillis Dance Foundation presents an emotional night of solo and duet dance performances at Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, in Rockport MA, for two nights: August 9th and 10th at 7:00pm. Join the iconic Margie Gillis, along with dancers from her Legacy Project, in a suspended moment in time that showcases their somatic and inspiring artistry. Don’t miss this highlight of the summer dance performance calendar!
Internationally acclaimed modern dancer/choreographer Margie Gillis has been creating original works for over 50 years. She is a dual citizen: Canadian and American. Margie has guested and choreographed with the Paul Taylor company. Her repertoire now includes more than 150 pieces, which she performs as solos, duets and group pieces. Her creations are wholly devoted to the study of the human soul, whether through the solo dances that make up most of her repertoire or the group pieces she has designed. All works in these performances are remounts of Margie Gillis’ original repertoire or have been created in collaboration with the artists of the Foundation’s Legacy Project. “Slipstream” will be performed at Windhover by Adam Barruch.. It is an electrifying dance piece that was recently featured in Dance Magazine in an article titled: Masters of Brevity and can be found here: https://www.dancemagazine.com/short-form-choreography/#gsc.tab=0
The Margie Gillis Dance Foundation (MGDF) was established in 1981 and its mission is to implement Margie Gillis’ artistic vision, in addition to deploying her commitment to the arts community. The MGDF supports the creation, production, and dissemination of dance.
In 2018, the MGDF launched The Legacy Project, an initiative dedicated to ensuring the continuity of Margie Gillis’ creative history. Its mandate is to protect and promote Margie’s legacy through sharing and working along the next generation of dance artists. Six dancers will perform at Windhover including Margie Gillis, alongside Annmaria Mazzini who has performed previously at Windhover.
Good Morning Gloucester 