Tag: Mayor Romeo Theken

Joyous Dedication! Bronze Art by Sculptor Chris Williams. Landscape design by Ann Gilardi Johnson. Generous Gardeners. DPW. #GloucesterMA 400+ Legacy Project Stacy Boulevard

Posted on by Catherine

Photo & video caption: Scenes from the Dedication Ceremony and reveal for the new permanent public art commission on Stacy Boulevard, ‘Fish Baskets’, 4 bronze planters by sculptor Chris Williams. Landscape design by Ann Gilardi Johnson. Support for the project was spearheaded by Generous Gardeners, Gloucester DPW, the City & State, Gloucester 400+, and generous donors. Ann Gilardi Johnson and Chris Williams have the long color design goal in mind. After several years, the four bronze planters will naturally oxidize as a protective coating forms, covering the surface with a green patina. They are intended to age and complement the iconic and cherished copper-green of Gloucester’s Fisherman at the Wheel.

Video Clips

The Reveal (for one of the 4 bronzes)

with Mayor Verga and Antoinetta Calabrese

Photo before the ceremony – Green Aprons come on down!

Senator Tarr Welcomes crowd

Chris Williams

Susan passes mic to artist Chris Williams –modest remarks – dedication ceremony 12/9/2023

Susan Kelly | Ann Gilardi Johnson

Thank You

Mayor Theken Thank You Susan Kelly, Generous Gardeners, Mike Hale

12/9/2023 BEFORE AT Sunrise | After reveal

Gloucester Oscars | CODA afterglow Front Page Gloucester Daily Times

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A joyous read for Gloucester and movie fans everywhere, Gloucester Daily Times front page serves as a beacon to the triple Oscar winning film CODA with great reporting by Ethan Forman and Gail McCarthy and photographs by Paul Bilodeau.

REPORTER Ethan Forman

Ethan Forman’s piece features multiple local interviews, businesses and locales.

“…CODA did not turn to special effects to tell the story on the water. Instead, it turned Capt. Paul Vitale’s 50 foot fishing vessel Angela + Rose into a working movie set in August and September of 2019.”

Ethan Forman. Gloucester Daily Times, March 30, 2022 | Read the complete article here

“They are definitely the little film that could,” said Meg Jarrett, of Gloucester, the liaison for Cape Ann for the Massachusetts Film Office, who spoke of the importance of CODA’s success, saying it will make it easier to film other productions on Cape Ann.”

Ethan Forman CODA coverage in the Gloucester Daily Times March 30, 2022

REPORTER GAIL MCCARTHY

“This is Our Moment”: Deaf Community Celebrates 3 Oscar Wins for ‘CODA’

Gail McCarthy continues her excellent CODA chronicling

“Gloucester is at the center of an independent film that sent not a ripple, but a tidal wave throughout the Deaf community with its message being heard at the White House and around the world.

The cinematic pebble that started that ripple was the film “CODA,” which stands for Child of Deaf Adult(s), but coda is a term often linked more to the music world than the Deaf community.

That began to change Sunday night…”

Gail McCarthy, Gloucester Daily Times, March 30, 2022 read the full article here

See prior Gail McCarthy piece here

**updated: correction brain freeze – apologies for crediting Sean Horgan instead of Ethan Forman in the first pass! Sorry Ethan**

Kids Halloween Festival at Stage Fort park a monster bash #gloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Mayor Romeo Theken and friends, Gloucester 2021 Halloween Festival at Stage Fort Park was a smash. Congratulations to the party planners, Roseanne Cody, Jamie Margiotta, volunteers, generous sponsors and partners. All of Stage Fort Park was in use on this beautiful autumn day. I forgot to take a picture at the dog park but it was busy and festive, too.

Enjoy a few snapshots of the Gloucester Halloween Festival Stage Fort Park 2021. How fun to see not one, not two, but three tractor hayrides looping Stage Fort Park.

Mayor Romeo Theken cues the crowd

See Jimmy Dalpiaz GMG post from the prep at City Hall readying for this big event

Boston Globe good news | Gloucester House Grace Center story #GloucesterMA

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How this Gloucester Restaurant Transformed into a haven for homeless people by John Laidler Boston Globe published January 29, 2021 – Gloucester House during Covid-19, the city and Grace Center

“A popular Gloucester seafood restaurant known for its fresh seafood and harbor views has taken on a new role this winter as a temporary haven for people in need of daytime shelter, meals and other support.”

“This was the most selfless thing that anyone can do,” Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken said of Gloucester House owner Lenny Linquata’s willingness to welcome homeless people to “this beautiful waterfront function hall, [a place] that makes you feel like a princess when you get married there.”

– Mayor Romeo Theken, John Laidler Boston Globe article 1/29/2021

O’Maley courtyard | City of Gloucester DPW work during Covid-19

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City of Gloucester DPW work on O'Maley courtyard in progress during Covid -19_20200402_ © c ryan (2)

 

As one branch of the city’s essential services, Gloucester DPW is busy serving the city during this pandemic. Sanitation, disinfecting and water management are critical public health priorities. Regarding construction and infrastructure work, the Governor gave specific instructions that limit construction projects with safe and rigorous controls so as not to expose anyone uneccessarily to bigger groups. Big DPW jobs may involve layers of interactions among larger crews, city staff, police and partners which is inherently at odds with any social distancing mandate. At the city level, Mayor Romeo Theken and local administration are following the Governor’s advisory on construction to a “T”. It would be unsafe if every town did something differently. “The Mayor is adamant about the use of PPE,” stressed Mike Hale, the Director of Public Works. “She’s spot on with daily notifications and advisory on essential and supplemental guidelines. And she shares directly any Federal and State communications.”

Gloucester DPW has

  • reduced crew size and staggered staffing level to limit potential exposure

“We have plans a,b,c,d,e as far as staffing goes. Look, the Gloucester DPW staff is fantastic! They want to be here. They’re willing to work; they feel it’s their public duty. The ability to work right now is essential for the staff and the city. DPW work is hard to catch up on under normal circumstances. And we had caught up on so much. We won’t fall back.” – Mike Hale

  • modified ride sharing (from groups of guys in a truck to 1 or 2 per individual vehicle)
  • prioritized smaller jobs and/or
  • specific jobs where bigger crews can be spread out more and the project is still manageable under covid-19 constraints
  • assigned work that can start and finish without disruption (for example if a building is re-opened it’s good to go)
  • dispatched crews inside schools cleaning, deep cleaning (management of school disinfecting started the Saturday following the Friday school closing), and traditional maintenance work (i.e. old doors that need replacing)

At Gloucester’s O’Maley middle school campus, DPW is making good progress on a courtyard improvement phase they’ve long planned. Three raised planter wells were removed and three lower planting beds with 16 new trees are coming.

“Lots and lots of concrete panels are being replaced.”

The scraggly boarder gardens around various walls facing the street will be attended to; DPW is teaming with Generous gardeners for the flower beds. The anchor will be relocated within a flower bed along the building.

IN PROGRESS

(photos above)

Wow– even at this stage, the project mitigates the outdated elements that felt harsh.  Looks fresh, and it’s easy to envision the future plans so full of life!

BEFORE

 

raised beds removed_new courtyard design_photo 20181129_ ©c ryan

 

Mayor Romeo Theken instrumental in securing 3 million MassWorks grant for infrastructure upgrades #GloucesterMA

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Mayor Romeo Theken was instrumental in securing funding, including a MassWorks grant, for another generational neighborhood infrastructure overhaul in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This soup to nuts improvement project– water, sewer, drainage, pavement, & utilities–impacts several streets including: Cedar, Millet, Sargent, Shepherd, Trask, and Warner. Some original sewer pipes were a century old.

gloucester ma infrastructure improvements coming to streets here_google maps

Gloucester DPW works in concert and alternates with various partners as the work is completed. While National Grid is up at bat currently with the utitlity upgrades, DPW is demobilized. The gas complany is replacing aged gas lines and mains, and improving services. It may have a wider scope than the city utility work.

photo caption: street work view down Millet Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts. City Hall and St. Ann’s in distance:

view down Millet St. Gloucester MA__thanks to Mayor, DPW getting $ past finish line _3 million all grant funded_ MassWorks_ infrastructure improvements_photo © c ryan 2020 Jan 14.jpg

photo caption: Millet and Warner Street , Gloucester, MA (Jan. 14, 2020)

Millet and Warner Streets_thx Mayor, DPW getting $ past finish line _3 million all grant funded_ MassWorks_ infrastructure improvements_Gloucester MA_ photo © c ryan 2020 Jan 14.jpg

Thanks to Mayor, DPW getting $ past finish line _3 million all grant funded_ mass works_ infrastructure improvements_Gloucester MA_photograph copyright © c ryan 2020 Jan 14 (2).jpg

National Grid marks street_thx Mayor, DPW getting $ past finish line _3 million all grant funded_ MassWorks_ infrastructure improvements_Gloucester MA_ photo © c ryan 2020 Jan 14

The AIDS quilt comes home: the Names Project | special public art display at City Hall

Posted on by Catherine

aids quilts on display november december 2019 Kyrouz Auditorium City Hall Gloucester MA ©c ryan

 

Thank you for bringing this display Gloucester Health Project

Read more about the project: “On December 1st, the Health Project is unveiling Cape Ann portions of the AIDS Quilt in the Kyrouz Auditorium at Gloucester City Hall. Please join us at 2PM as we read names and share stories, and refreshments will be served. The 3 squares will be on display for the month of December whenever City Hall is open. Please check the city website for a calendar of meeting times and visit the quilt when the auditorium is not being used. This is an important and historic art installation and we are grateful for the support of the Mayor of Gloucester and for the financial support of Awesome Gloucester and The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.” – Gloucester Health Project

City Hall tower lights are purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month #GloucesterMA

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Enza Taormina, clerk from the Office of the Mayor, relayed that the tower lights are “purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month”  October 2019.

purple illumination_20170612_© c ryan.jpg

City Hall Clock Tower Illumination

The tower lights are illuminated to recognize special causes, organizations, events and holidays.  They were instituted by Mayor Romeo Theken and her administration. The City Electrician with Gloucester DPW installed an LED system which is outfitted with changeable color lenses. Requests for commemoration come to DPW through the Office of the Mayor. Check the Mayor’s Facebook page or local media to see announcements for new lights and/or news related to a cause. 

 

GMG reader asks: What do the colored lights on Gloucester City Hall clock tower mean?

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color added to lights of City Hall clock tower _20170612_Gloucester MA ©c ryan.jpg

A GMG reader asks Joey about the colorful night lights on city hall and compliments Good Morning Gloucester:

“Thanks for all the work you do on the blog and podcast, and welcome center. I love the blog so much because of how funny and enthusiastic it is, and I always look forward to learning more about Gloucester. My friend and I were wondering, is there a story about the colored light on city hall at night? Sometimes there’s a pattern of colors, sometimes just one color. Do the colors have a meaning or is it just for decoration? We figured you’d be the person to ask, if anyone knows! Thanks a lot, hope you’re having a good day.” – Oliver 

City Hall Clock Tower Illumination

Thanks for the great question, Oliver. The pretty City Hall clock tower lights are illuminated to recognize special causes, organizations, events and holidays.  They were instituted by Mayor Romeo Theken and her administration. The City Electrician with Gloucester DPW installed an LED system which is outfitted with changeable color lenses. Requests for commemoration come to DPW through the Office of the Mayor.

The Mayor’s Facebook page may announce new lights and/or news articles related to a cause. The lights are fun to decipher: green for St. Patrick’s Day, rainbow cycle for Gay Pride, Fiesta trio, and so on.Who remembers the first color lights occasion?

update: Enza Taormina clerk from the Office of the Mayor relayed that this month, October 2019, the tower lights are ” purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

Mayor Theken shares art newsletter from Mass Cultural Council

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Gloucester Mayor Romeo Theken shares the Massachusetts Cultural Council July 2019 newsletter. Enjoy!

mayor theken shares mcc newsletter July 2019

Through our Community Initiative, Mass Cultural Council works to support all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Over the last two years, our Cultural Compact pilot program supported a new and innovative approach to elevating arts and culture in communities.

Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Compact pilot provided funding to create formal partnerships, via signed agreement, in six communities – Worcester, Springfield, Pittsfield, Lynn, New Bedford, and Harwich. We brought together municipal leaders, Local Cultural Councils, and Cultural Districts to work together to deepen the commitment of arts and culture in communities and strengthen relationships with those who support and create art in communities. READ MORE

Featured Festivals

Celebrate the vibrancy of our communities at these festivals – and more – throughout the season:

 

On the Podcast Engaging Diverse Artists

Listen now or read the episode transcript

Opportunities & Resources

Guidelines are available for National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grants. Grants support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. Apply by Aug. 8, 2019.

Mass Cultural Council’s Festivals grants of $500 for festivals taking place from Sept. 1, 2018 – Feb 29, 2020 are now available. Applications will be reviewed on a “first-received, first-reviewed” basis. Regional diversity will be taken into consideration as part of the application review process. Apply by Sept. 16, 2019.

The next Letter of Inquiry deadline for Mass Humanities’ Project Grants is Sept. 9, 2019. Nonprofit and government organizations that serve Mass. residents are eligible to apply. Project Grants support public humanities programming in almost all formats, including lectures, reading-and-discussion series, exhibits, walking tours, film pre-production and distribution projects, teacher education projects, and out-of-school humanities enrichment programs. To commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, they are prioritizing funding public programs that use the humanities to explore voting rights in America.

PolicyLink has released Working with Artists to Deepen Impact, the first in a series of briefs documenting lessons/stories from ArtPlace’s Community Development Investments.

National Endowment for the Arts’ Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design™ offers funding and technical assistance to communities with populations of 50,000 or less to address local economic and quality of life challenges through design solutions. Apply by July 22, 2019. Office hours available through Facebook on July 10, 1-2pm.

New England Foundation for the Art’s National Dance Project Travel Fund provides monetary assistance for U.S. based presenters, curatorial staff, and residency directors or for current NDP artist grantees to connect in person to explore feasibility of presenting NDP-funded works Rolling deadline.

Who’s Coming? Respectful Audience Surveying Toolkit, a new resource from OF/BY/FOR ALL, provides step-by-step tools to help you write a survey, share it with a truly random slice of your audience, and analyze the results.

In the News

Read More

#GloucesterMA in national news: Audubon feature article by Deborah Cramer ode to city, Kim Smith, piping plovers, volunteers, GMG and Greenbelt

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Deborah Cramer wrote an outstanding feature for Audubon published May 2019. This feel good – feel proud story is a great read inspiring efforts near and far. It takes a city.

“…(Kim) Smith, a photographer and filmmaker, had inspired much of the effort. While not everyone can be on the beach every day, her images, videos, and blog offered the entire city an up-close portrait of the birds’ daily lives.”– Deborah Cramer

 Read the article here

“How Plover Chicks Born in a Parking Lot Spurred a City to Make its Beach Safer: The dramatic ups and downs of a piping plover family in Gloucester, Massachusetts, show what it takes to protect a threatened species” By Deborah Cramer published by Audubon May 23, 2019.

national Audubon story Deborah Cramer on Gloucester piping plovers Kim Smith and volunteers published May 23 2019.jpg

City to handle tricky removal of graffiti nuisance tag below founder’s plaque at Tablet Rock #GloucesterMA

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Blanched and illuminated area beneath the founder’s plaque was tagged with graffiti which will be ably removed by the city DPW. Scroll below to historic photographs for context and comparison.

graffiti tag below founders plaque Tablet Rock Stage Fort Park_20190505_© c ryan

Days earlier it wasn’t. For comparison, here’s how the giant rock appeared May 1, 2019. Had it been on that day…

1974

Though uncommon, graffiti has been removed from this same spot before. Here’s a 1974 photograph from the Gloucester Daily Times catching a family reading the founder’s plaque. Graffiti was visible and without mention. 

1974 graffiti Tablet Rock _ maybe Charles A. Lowe photo_Gloucester Daily Times

1907

Stage Fort Park Gloucester MA Tablet Rock 1907 John Hammond SR and Natalie looking back.jpg
John Hays Hammond, Sr (1855-1936) holding hands with daughter Natalie (looking back to the camera) after the unveiling. Hammond’s involvement made this tribute happen (CR id research). Natalie hays Hammond (1904-1985) had the honor of pulling back the cord for the big reveal. 1907 photograph collection Library of Congress

Gloucester’s wrap around picturesque landscape was preserved as a public park in 1898. In 1907, the monumental natural glacial outcropping was decorated with an inset of bronze plaque and stone relief commemorating the first fishermen from England laying claim in 1623. Eric Pape was commissioned for its design. 

1901 before the founder’s plaque

1901 branded Battery K still visible_Tablet Rock Stage Fort Park
branded Battery K still visible 1901 photo by Thomas Warren Sears. Circa 2012, Catherine Ryan identified Gloucester images that had been unidentified in the Smithsonian collection and published here Stacy Boulevard Public Works stunner: Gloucester is an early client for the Harvard and Olmsted trained landscape designer Thomas Warren Sears, 2017.

2016

2016 Stage Fort Park graffiti_20161228_© c ryan.jpg
graffiti 2016 tablet rock  © c ryan
2016 side where Battery K could be seen 1901
2016 scale Tablet Rock
1973 tablet rock overgrowth

There are a few circle-A’s tagged around town of late. Also Eon

circle A graffiti tags trend_20190505_© c ryan.jpg
saw this symbol a lot in NYC many, many moons ago 
trending graffiti 2019 april_ c ryan.jpg

In Plain Sight & Vaping Education Night at GHS May 7th for parents and caregivers

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Please see the Event Flyer  or text below for information about the “In Plain Sight” and Vaping Education Night Gloucester Police and Gloucester High School will present on Tuesday, May 7. As parents and educators, we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our children. Please join us for an evening of experiential education to empower you to recognize and address youth health issues with your children.- All the very best, Mr. James Cook, Principal, Gloucester High School

In Plain Sight & Vaping Education Night An Evening Session for Parents and Guardians May 7, 2019 5-7PM Gloucester High School.

in plain sight

1623 Studio Cape Ann TV taped GPS event 2018 with visiting scholar, Ruth Potee, MD, at O’Maley discussing vaping and marijuana and impacts on the adolescent brain.

RESULTS WEEK 3 #Gloucester Ma FIRSTS| try Mr. Goulart’s local history hunt Throwback Thursday

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Gloucester High School_20190318_photo © catherine ryan.jpg

Gloucester, Mass.- Great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge one week after the students. Good luck!

ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK THREE

How did you do? Week three was all about some famous Gloucester FIRSTS and there were many locations.   Stop here if you prefer to go back to see Week 3 questions only.

1)The location of Gloucester’s first “Four Year High School” 

Principal Albert Bacheler CENTRAL GRAMMAR

Central Grammar first four year high school Principal Albert Bacheler_20180505_photo copyright © catherine ryan.jpg

2)The location of Gloucester’s first Brick Building?

PURITAN HOUSE built in 1810 by Col. James Tappan* is a historic house at 3 Washington Street and 2 Main Street. Also known as: Tappan’s Hotel, Gloucester Hotel (“Tappan’s Folly”), Atlantic House, Mason House, Community House, Capt Bills (1960s-70s), Puritan House & Pub (1977), Blackburn Tavern (1978-00s) *Tappan was taught by Daniel Webster

Excerpt from prior GMG post (read it here) about scenic tours by bike 1885: “And now let’s take our wheel for a short run along our harbor road to East Gloucester, and note the many points of interest on the way. The start is made at the Gloucester Hotel–the headquarters of all visiting wheelmen in the city–at the corner of Main and Washington streets; from thence the journey takes us over the rather uneven surface of Main street, going directly toward the east. In a few minutes we pass the Post Office on the left, and soon leave the noisy business portion of the street behind us, then, e’re we are aware of it, we reach and quickly climb the slight eminence known as Union Hill…” This brick building at Main and Washington now features Tonno Restaurant. Notice the chimneys and same stairs as when it was the Gloucester Hotel. The Blackburn Tavern sign was just marketing; this building has no connection. Blackburn’s Tavern is now Halibut Point restaurant at the other end of Main Street.

 

3)The first schoolmaster and town clerk’s house. (private property do not trespass)

“RIGG’S HOUSE” 27 Vine Street (Annisquam) Thomas Riggs House purchased in 1661

oldest house on Cape Ann, Gloucester, MA

Oldest House on Cape Ann.jpg

Fredrik D. Bodin.jpg

 

4)A list of the first recorded Gloucester fishermen lost at sea. (Hint: 1716)

Look under the year on cenotaph surrounding Man At Wheel

annual fishermans memorial service_Mayor Romeo Theken_20160827_fisherman at wheel cenotaph gloucester© catherine ryan.jpg
Mayor Romeo Theken, annual Fisherman’s Memorial Service, 2016

5)The location of the first carillon built in America.

Our Lady of Good Voyage – read more http://gloucester.harborwalk.org/story-posts/sp-20/

Subshop with a view- through Destinos window

view from destinos subss 2017

6)The location of Gloucester’s oldest surviving burial ground for the First Parish.

1644! – 103 Centennial Drive – top of Centennial Drive near the train bridge

 

7)The location of Gloucester’s first town hall.

Continue reading “RESULTS WEEK 3 #Gloucester Ma FIRSTS| try Mr. Goulart’s local history hunt Throwback Thursday” →

Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton sculpture, Betty Smith gardens & tennis courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West – more stunning investment #GloucesterMA thanks to DPW, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, DOT

Posted on by Catherine

Gloucester, Ma.

There is much exciting work in progress along Stacy Boulevard including welcome tributes to women. Incremental aesthetic improvements, public access, ease of movement, and celebration of culture require many hands and deliver a huge impact. Here is a brief description of the special current projects and some people involved.

Two revitalized and enhanced gardens beyond the tennis courts will emphasize generations of care

“Remarkable support comes from volunteer expertise like award winning designer Ann Geraldi Johnson and Susan Kelly and the Generous Gardeners who have stepped up as the city’s groundskeepers on the boulevard.” Mike Hale, Director of Public Works 

The Elizabeth Gordon Smith (Betty Smith) garden was cleared and the small Picture garden past the boulevard tennis courts was unearthed. Because Gloucester garden groups pre-date 1900, it’s especially moving to see the work in progess shoring up inspiring legacy connections. Incredible volunteers past and present serve the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW). Stacy Boulevard & Stage Fort Park advocates like Betty Smith, Louise Loud & the Gloucester Civic & Garden Council tended and protected Gloucester’s natural beauty — the very same grounds that are so lovingly served now by dynamos like Ann Gilardi Johnson and Susan Kelly & the Generous Gardeners. Plaques for Lucy Brown Davis, tribute by her sister Catalina Davis, and for Lucy P. Rogers ” president of the Gloucester’s Woman’s Club 1927-29″ are nearby.

photos: Betty Smith garden IN PROGRESS February (overgrowth and clearing underway–poison ivy was found) vs. March and can’t wait to experience the AFTER!

Gloucester MA Department of Public Works directing restoration special gardens Stacy Boulevard _20190215_ sculpture Walker Hancock © catherine ryan (4)
February 2019

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (12)
March 24, 2019 more progress two gardens revitalized- Paul Manship Triton fantastic enhanced boulder base clearing

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (6)
Gloucester, Mass., March 2019. Pubic art – Walker Hancock Triton

 

 

 

Continue reading “Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton sculpture, Betty Smith gardens & tennis courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West – more stunning investment #GloucesterMA thanks to DPW, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, DOT” →

Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton

Posted on by Catherine

March 2019 work continuing across Stacy Boulevard – read details HERE about  these projects– Hancock Sculpture, Betty Smith Gardens & Tennis Courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West-  additional stunning work and investment thanks to Gloucester MA Department of Public Works, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, Department of Transportation (DOT), and more.  Stacy Boulevard Part 8

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (12)

March 24, 2019 photos of Walker Hancock Triton and grounds prep before/in process.

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (6)
Gloucester, Mass., March 2019. Pubic art – Walker Hancock Triton

 

 

 

City Auditor Kenny Costa on Excellence in Financial Reporting Award and more GOOD NEWS! Well done Mayor Romeo Theken Administration #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

One of many precepts for life that artist and friend, Michael Mazur, impressed upon me: make sure and celebrate life’s ta-dah moments. Here are a range of recent bright announcements and achievements in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Congratulations Mayor Romeo Theken, administration, departments, city staff — well done to all involved!

Kenny Costa, City Auditor, describes a major award for Gloucester, with Jim Destino and John Dunn at full City Council on February 13, 2019:

Gloucester receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

City Auditor Kenny Costa presentation to City Council about major award financial reporting_20190213_© catherine ryan

City Auditor and Jim Destino with City Council_20190213_Gloucester MA major recognition for accounting reporting

“The City issued a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2017.  The City was awarded for the first time the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for our Fiscal Year 2017 financial audit report also known as the CAFR.  This achievement is nationally recognized and its the highest form of financial reporting.  This is a great achievement for the City and a credit to our finance team.  The preparation of the report was a total team effort.  This achievement will be favorable to the bond rating agencies.  The Finance Team is very proud of this achievement.  We’re proud to be one of only 40 communities in Massachusetts to accomplish this.” – Kenny Costa, City Auditor

You can read the full report here: Gloucester CAFR 

He expects Gloucester to make this target annually from here on.

Sampling of more recent good news:

 

  • Plans settled for YMCA at Gloucester Crossing

 

 

  • New UMASS grant from Seaport Economic Council Sean Horgan writes in the Gloucester Daily Times “The University of Massachusetts system, which includes UMass Amherst’s Gloucester Marine Station at Hodgkins Cove, received a $276,854 grant from the council to identify economic growth opportunities for the Massachusetts commercial fishing industry.”

 

 

Public Art happiness is … Renowned Williamstown Art Conservation Center caring for historic Gloucester murals

Posted on by Catherine
Williamstown Art Conservation teams commence work for Gloucester MA_on its historic mural many WPA era _20180510_© Catherine Ryan.jpg
WACC conservation teams on the ground in Gloucester, MA, 2018

Thanks to Mayor Romeo-Theken, city officials & departments and staff, residents, volunteers, archives and generous grant awards & donations, — Gloucester’s extant historic mural collection has begun a new chapter and is beginning to receive most fitting care at the illustrious Williamstown Art Conservation Center.

Located on the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute campus, The Williamstown Art Conservation Center​ (WACC) is a non-profit institution that was established as the regional conservation center for New England by the US government back in 1977.

WACC_20180620_© catherine ryan.jpg
The Williamstown Art Conservation Center is located on the campus of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. (architect Tadao Ando)

The summer 2017 issue of Art Conservator, WACC’s indispensable industry magazine, ​focused on the center’s 40th anniversary milestone and Director Tom Branchick. The back page prints the 2017 Center consortium members.

williamstown art conservation center member consortium 2017
Gloucester Massachusetts art collection stands with important American collections and just might be the first municipality on this list!~

You can peruse the issue here or follow the link to explore a complete digitized repository of current and past issues. The WACC website URL is: www.williamstownart.org

Conservators at the center assessed the condition  and performed necessary triage because of the invaluable support from the city’s Community Preservation Act (CPA). CPA funding and Williamstown Art Conservation Center’s stature are inspiring endorsements for broadcasting the project and compelling additional financial support. As money is raised, every mural will have its necessary care regimen completed. Donations in support of the mural care can be sent c/o the Auditor’s Office, City of Gloucester, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA (note mural restoration). All murals will be displayed in Gloucester as soon as their care is completed.

Sneak peek then and now:

The former Eastern Avenue School (85 Eastern Avenue) was the site for the monumental mural, Schooldays, by Frederick L. Stoddard, from 1936.  This multi-panel triptych was painted 8 feet high and nearly 60 feet long despite an array of unusual architectural challenges. My hunch for its original location on the main floor was confirmed thanks to Barbara Tarr. I’m looking for interior photos of the school that show the mural installed. Over time the school walls were resurfaced, doors blocked, and an elevator installed. Based on my expertise, I recognized that a stand alone piece was misattributed and must have been dispersed, not as bad as the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz after the flying monkeys descend-… still it was dire and will be amazing to have it whole once again! Special thanks go to Gloucester’s Department of Public Works.

catherine ryan correct attribution and rediscovery for major and amazing frederick l stoddard gloucester ma 1936 mural © catherine ryan

Ellen F. Kenny from Mass Center for the Book, Mayor Romeo-Theken, & Justine Vitale share photos from Once Upon a Contest at Cape Ann Museum

Posted on by Catherine

Stop by and meet some of the participants featured in Once Upon a Contest: Selections from Cape Ann Reads at a special Cape Ann Museum CAM KIDS second Saturdays family activity on January 12, 2019, from 10AM-12PM. Later that same day, artists Mary Rhinelander and Julia Garrison are offering a printmaking linocut demo related to the Folly Cove designers and the major Virginia Lee Burton The Little House Her Story exhibition!

Thanks to the four public libraries of Cape Ann and Cape Ann Museum, Once Upon a Contest: Selections from Cape Ann Reads is a testament to the imagination and immense artistic talent of artists and authors. Below are photographs from the first reception for the exhibit at Cape Ann Museum January 5, 2019.

Courtesy photos from Ellen F. Kenny, Mass Center for the Book. Thank you for capturing the spirit of the reception at Cape Ann Museum! Mass Center for the Book Facebook [Folks featured in the big group shot from L-R: Anna Vojtech (Artist-Author), Claire Wyzenbeek (Artist-Author), Jean Woodbury (Author), Christina Ean Spangler (Artist), Maura Wadlinger (Author), Juni VanDyke (Artist), John Plunkett, Martha Geraghty ( Author), Barbara McLaughlin (Artist-Author)]

 

The Cape Ann Museum reception was beautiful. Everybody from the museum is so welcoming. The courtesy photos below document the start of the reception from Mayor Romeo Theken, Justine Vitale, and others. See Kim Smith’s photos from later in the afternoon and from another visit here! We’re so grateful to have a record of this joyous time. The show continues at Cape Ann Museum through February 24 before traveling throughout Cape Ann in 2019.

Installation view Once Upon a Contest at Cape Ann Museum December 2018.jpg

 

View and/or print out the Once upon a contest selections from cape ann reads trifold brochure. It’s paginated at 6pp but can be assembled like so: