Tag: Rocky Neck Art Colony

Artist Spotlight Series – Heidi Caswell Zander

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spotlight_heidi caswell zander

Spotlight on Heidi Caswell Zander

Picture a nine year old striding to catch up to a pack of adults through, for her, shoulder high meadow grass; going through the summer light to someplace unknown to paint, with adults. That was the first group workshop, in 1967, one of many to follow over the next few decades.  Cobalt and cerulean, the smell of horse glue as water hit paper. Marathon sessions of being by the shore and watching dozens of versions of the same place manifest on easels as the sun arced across the horizon.

After learning from Teralak and Schlemm and at Rhode Island School of Design, months of exploring Italy and years of exploring Europe followed. A buffet of Museum collections developed Zander’s personal style: a pinch of Sargent, a cup of German Expressionism, a gallon of energy and brushstrokes.

Blue is the best color, rich, close and distant, peaceful and exciting at the same time. Almost every painting is majoritively blue, and pulsates with the rhythm of stroke.  Jewelry employs the same palette and rhythm. Same combinations and signature, different mediums and functionality.

Zander recently discovered that her Cape Ann connection began decades before her birth with Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude Stuven Stanwood painted and etched from her home base in Lanesville with her contemporaries Teresa Bernstein and Myerwitz. The ladies sipped elderberry wine at her house with Woodrow Wilson’s relative, carrying on her fathers trade as a Rockport shopkeeper. Ironically, one of Gertrude’s paintings was painted from the base of Zander’s Wharf Road driveway decades earlier, with a second painting on the back of the same painting board of the church in which Zander was married. Stomping the same foot steps!

In 2005 Zander opened Tidal Edge Gallery carrying on her father’s occupation as a Rockport business owner. For all the world, Cape Ann is home.

You can see more of Heidi’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Bridgette Mathews

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spotlight_bridgette mathews

Spotlight on Bridgette Mathews

Bridgette feels so lucky to have been born and raised in the beautiful coastal community of Gloucester, and feels spoiled living next door to some of the most photographed surroundings in New England. Every time she goes “ova the bridge” to seek out bigger and better scenes to photograph, she always finds that there’s very little that compares to our breathtaking, ever-changing backyard.

She has raised three grown daughters on this island and is now enjoying her recent empty-nest status with her husband Neil, living life one adventure at a time. She has been taking “pictures” all her life but in the past few years has been able to slow down and use her creativity to create “Photographs”. As a Photo-hobbyist, landscapes are her favorite subjects and she’s a sucker for a stunning cloud filled sunset! She enjoys the process of capturing an image and finds that the most rewarding part of photography is the discovery and knowledge behind each subject that she photographs, as well as the many people she meets along the way.

You can see more of Bridgette’s stunning photography at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29 http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Deborah Way

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spotlight_Deborah Way2

Spotlight on Deborah Way

Deborah learned her craft from a jeweler in the ‘70s on Cape Cod, beginning with sterling silver. She soon expanded her repertoire to include gold and gems. Working for 12 years on the other Cape, she was further inspired by a master craftsman who taught her the finer points of hammering, as well as other advanced techniques.

Deborah counts herself very lucky to have landed in Gloucester in 2000; a perfect way to start a new century in an environment that encourages such a variety of expression. She settled in, set up her bench, adopted her shelter dog, Hope, and takes her daily walks on the Boulevard; all the while marveling at how much of the coast line is open to residents and visitors, which is not the case on Cape Cod.

After spending many years in business, Deborah is grateful to be back at her bench creating jewelry from sterling and gold, and taking some metal courses to explore new methods to extend her field of work. She just loves being able to live in this artistic environment, which encourages her to work better instead of harder.

Presently, she is finding new inspiration from the curves she sees in nature, and her next step is to create new designs for her jewelry based on these curves. As a result of her recent metal course, she is also looking at the possibility of working iron for garden ornamentation.

Look for more of Deborah’s beautiful jewelry at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Guatopo

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spotlight_Guatopo copy

Spotlight on Guatopo – Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black

Gigi Mederos, originally from Venezuela, is known for her Rocky Neck gallery, Aquatro, and its island blue floors and warm, inviting atmosphere. This past year was Gigi’s third season running a gallery and making art on the Neck. She was also the Artistic Director for the Rocky Neck Art Colony this past year.

Stevie Black is a native New Englander who has been on the North Shore for the past 10 years. Stevie is stepping down from his post as the Marketing Director for the Colony during the 2013 calendar year to devote more time to developing and promoting Guatopo’s product line and new collections. The limited-edition ties that were developed and designed by Stevie were a huge hit this summer. Bold and elegant, these ties were designed to reflect the wearer’s personality and put the finishing touch on their ensemble.

This holiday season, partners Adriana “Gigi” Mederos and Stevie Black, bring a collection of hand-crafted and hand-painted 100% silk scarves and compact mirrors along with their all-new for 2013 collection of men’s ties and trivets created under their Guatopo label. The name “Guatopo” comes from Guatopo National Park, about an hour south of Caracas, in Gigi’s native Venezuela. Pronounced “gwa-toe-poe,” the park is mostly tropical rainforest with many watersheds flowing from a central mountain range that rises to 5000 feet. A short, refined name, they chose Guatopo because it embraced the micro/macro subject matter in Gigi’s work and the authentic quality of her paintings, from which many of their patterns derive.

Keep up with all their events and happenings in 2014 by going to http://www.aquatrogallery.com and look for them at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

Artist Spotlight Series – Jenny Rangan

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spotlight_jenny rangan

Spotlight on Jenny Rangan

Jenny grew up in Northern New Mexico in an adobe house with a woodstove, an outhouse, and a well for water, so her first experience of clay was living in it, with all its colors and curves and glorious decay.

Jenny officially fell in love with clay in college and earned a degree in Fine Art from UNM with an emphasis on Ceramics. Following graduation she created outdoor sculpture from adobe, apprenticed with Avra Leodas (current owner of Santa Fe Clay) in Santa Fe, NM, and made pit-fired pots from micaceous clay with Felipe Ortega in La Madera, NM. She then spent 20 years as a Bodyworker and Counselor, barely touching clay.

Inspired by classes at Cynthia Curtis’ Studio in Rockport, she has re-emerged over the last four years with full passion. Jenny loves to work sculpturally, combining thrown and handbuilt elements, aspiring to a combination of spontaneity and grace. Currently she enjoys creating functional art that can bring beauty, pleasure and meaning to everyday life.

This past August Jenny co-created and co-curated the first Cape Ann Ceramics Festival with Susan Hershey and Seyrel Williams at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, an amazing and very successful event.

Over the holidays her work will be in the Rocky Neck Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Festival 11/30-12/29, in Feast at Flatrocks in Lanesville through 12/29, in the Wearable Art and Home Décor Show and Sale at the Sawyer Free Library 12/14-15, and at Cynthia Curtis Student and Studio Pottery Show 12/13-12/22. Jenny’s work can also be seen at Artitudes in West Newton, MA

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – Susan Hershey

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spotlight_susan hershey

Artist Spotlight on Susan Hershey

Susan’s wood kiln is fired several times a year. Firings take anywhere from 15 to 25 hours to complete and require constant feeding of the fireboxes. A group of potters work together, and the firings are joyous events that can last late into the night or early morning. Before it can be opened, the kiln must cool for at least as long as it’s been hot. Some of the markings on the pots are a result of the ash and flames that swirl around inside during the firing.

Ben Ryterband, Susan’s first teacher at Mass College of Art & Design, introduced her to Japanese glazes. She feels very fortunate to have taken workshops and classes with Rockport potter/teacher, Cynthia Curtis, as well as Lanesville’s own potter par excellence Anni Melançon, Welsh potter Phil Rogers, Minnesota potter Linda Christainson, the Shino Warrior Malcolm Davis, North Carolina potter Michael Kline, wood fire guru Jack Troy, Tim Rowan, hand builder extraordinaire Hayne Bayless, Robert Briscoe, Ken Matsuzaki, Shoji Hamada’s grandson Tomoo Hamada, living legend Warren Mackenzie and New Hampshire wonder potter Karen Orsillo.

As Susan says: “Pots that look as though they’ve been dug up from the earth touch my soul; the Japanese aesthetic influences my work, as well as the powerful and beautiful ocean and granite that make living on Cape Ann so special and spiritual. I produce useful vessels and ceramics to please the eye and the heart in the belief that we all must give to the world love, honesty and beauty.”

You can see more of Susan’s work at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Artist Spotlight Series – belle + me

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spotlight_belle+me

Spotlight on belle + me (Anne Malveaux and Lisa LeVasseur)

Created by Anne Malvaux and Lisa LeVasseur, belle + me is a French-inspired line of cool scarves and cooler jewelry. Their hand-made pendants are one of a kind and they use “repurposed” metal, beads, and fabric when possible. These pendants are designed to be worn on their unique line of scarves, in a multitude of colors and designs.

belle + me’s fall/winter collection is very textural. Anne and Lisa have been working with unique stones, recycled glass, and great fabrics plus a fresh new line of scarves made of “re-used T-Shirts” exclusively made by Ipswich resident, Kate Dwyer.

You can see a great selection of belle + me scarves and jewelry at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, East Gloucester during the Rocky Neck Holiday Art & Fine Crafts Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 PM

November 30 – December 29

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/winter.php

E.J. Lefavour

Thinking of Checking out the New Studio Restaurant this Weekend?

Posted on by God's Morning

Update: Saturday and Sunday open til 11PM for the Sox game!!!

studio2

Then please come over on Friday night from 5:00-10:00pm.  Same great buffet and cash bar as you will find on Saturday or Sunday for only $10, but if you go on Friday, your $10 goes to benefit the Rocky Neck Art Colony and Rocky Neck Cultural Center Building Fund.  Thank you Dennis Dyer for such a generous benefit for RNAC.

So please, come on over to Rocky Neck Friday night, check out the beautiful new Studio Restaurant, and help the Rocky Neck Art Colony in the process.  Then, since the place is so beautiful and the price is so right, come back again on Saturday, Sunday from 2:00-8:00pm.  This will be your only chance to check it out this year.  If you miss it, you will have to wait until next spring.

E.J. Lefavour

Rocky Neck Gallery’s Summer Artists Series: Family Trees

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Rocky Neck Gallery’s Summer Artists Series: Family Trees
Mixed media assemblages by Stephen Thomas Martin
Wednesday, September 25 – Sunday, October 13, 2013
Artist’s reception on Friday, September 27, 6-8 PM

family tree

Rocky Neck Gallery is pleased to announce the next Summer Artists Series show: Family Trees, featuring the mixed media assemblages of Stephen Thomas Martin. This is the last exhibit in this series for the gallery’s 2013 season. And the first time Rocky Neck Gallery is exhibiting the fascinating and mysterious assemblages by Martin of Amesbury, MA. This new show opens Wednesday, September 25 and runs until Sunday, October 13, 2013.

Martin’s art is both literally and figuratively about reclamation. While the literal incorporates found objects to form the “ground” of the pieces, of more importance, is the figurative element. The search for unique “found objects” he uses in his pieces is a big part of his creative process. In many of his works he incorporates old photos of individuals he discovers at antique shops and flea markets.

As Martin states, “Using these photographs I am giving new life to people long forgotten by family, friends and society. They have not only been reclaimed but are indeed reclaiming a place in the existing world, not to be forgotten again.”

Martin is a self-taught artist now working full time to meet the demand for his assemblages. Prior to this new career, he owned and operated an antique and retail furniture business for twenty years in Newburyport, MA. Martin is the founder and owner of Gallery 206, a pop-up experimental gallery in Amesbury, MA. He is also represented by Galatea Gallery in Boston, MA and is a juried member of the Cambridge Art Association, of Cambridge, MA and Newburyport Art Association in Newburyport, MA. His award winning work is juried into many prestigious shows along with residing in several private art collections throughout the USA. The corporate collections that currently own his assemblages are Growth Coach Management Consultants, Kodiac Venture Partners, and the Italian movie production company, Blue Suede Shoots.

Please join us on Friday, September 27, from 6-8 PM for an artist’s reception. Meet Stephen Thomas Martin and learn about his process reclaiming and reinventing new lives for discarded objects.

Rocky Neck Gallery is located on 53 Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester. The hours are: Sunday – Wednesday: 11 AM – 6 PM, Thursday – Saturday: 11 AM – 8 PM. Free parking is available.

Rocky Neck Gallery
53 Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
978-282-0917
http://www.rockyneckgallery.com

Image: “Family Tree” by Stephen Thomas Martin, Mixed Media Assemblage, 12 x 12

Don’t Miss the Final Nights on the Neck of the Season

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Thursday, September 5th – Final Nights on the Neck of the Season and Closing Party for Ships, Shapes & Schtuff at Khan Studio.  Last chance to check out the very unique works of Judy Wilburn, Lyn Cardinal and Joanne Kaliontzis.

2013 NOTN September

5:30 Elynn Kröger Gallery, 15 Rocky Neck                Rick Drost
6:00 The Center, 6 Wonson Street                              T Max
6:30 Goetemann Gallery, 37 Rocky Neck                   JoeAnn Hart
7:00 Imagine Gallery, 43 Rocky Neck                         Everly Sisters
7:30 Rocky Neck Gallery, 53 Rocky Neck                   Nathan Cohen
8:00 Madfish Wharf, 77 Rocky Neck                           Toby Tobas Steel Drums

ships shapes and schdtuff

Paul Frontiero Sr. Exhibit at State of the Art Gallery on Rocky Neck

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paul frontiero sr

You all know and love ArtRocks! Paul Frontiero, Jr. and his artwork, but did you know that his father, Paul Frontiero, Sr. was an exceptional oil painter.  There is an exhibit of his work at the State of the Art Gallery at 4 Wonson Street on Rocky Neck (next to the Cultural Center), with an Opening Reception on Saturday, August 31 from 2:00-6:00pm.  The exhibit runs August 18-September 23.  Gallery is open Thursdays-Sundays from noon to 5:00pm.  It is a lovely space and the exhibit is beautiful.  If you can’t make the opening, do stop by and see the exhibit on one of their open days.

Paul Frontiero (1925- 2012)

Paul Frontiero was born and brought up in Gloucester, a native of the Cape Ann area.  Paul not only comes from a long line of fishermen ancestry but was a fisherman himself, for over half of his life-time.

He fished from as far south as the Diamond Shoals of the Carolina’s to as far north as the Grand Banks off St. John’s, Newfoundland and Canada.

The many hours Paul spent in the small dories made him realize the expansiveness of the sea, at times so calm and then again a raging fury.  Although he painted other subject matter, most of his paintings are of his life on the sea.  As a boy on the boats, he would often rough pencil sketch on anything that was at hand – paper bags, old wooden planks, and even on the side of the same dories that he spent so many hours on.  Each and every painting has a spiritual quality that reveals Mr. Frontiero’s deep love for the sea.

Mr. Frontiero maintained a year-round gallery off of Highway 128 in Gloucester for many years.

Ships, Shapes and Schtuff at Rocky Neck

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ships shapes and schdtuff

Don’t miss the Opening Reception for Ships, Shapes & Schtuff at Khan Studio August 24th from 6-8:00 pm.  This exhibit of works by Judy Wilburn (my sister) and friends Joanne Kaliontzis and Lyn Cardinal promises to be something special.  Exhibit August 24-September 6.  Gallery hours: Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 8:00pm.

E.J. Lefavour

And the Winner is . . .

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chocolate chip cookie mugup

There was intense competition this morning at the GMG Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition Mug Up.  Five excellent entries were received, which were blind tasted and judged by the attendees.  The runaway winning chocolate chip cookie was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread of Gloucester.  The 2nd place chocolate chip cookie was lovingly baked by Sue McDermott of Magnolia.  Paul Morrison was awarded Best in Show for the most artistic and creative cookies baked in the shape of a duck, set onto a boat of vanilla ice cream and surrounded by waves of whipped cream.  I didn’t get a shot of a completed presentation of Paul’s creation, so if anyone did, please send it in or upload it.  Other entries were submitted by Alicia Cox from Mamie’s Kitchen and a 2nd entry was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread

In my book, although all the cookies were excellent and I had a hard time picking the best one, my absolute favorite contribution to the morning was Al Bezanson’s schooner fare of crispy fried Spam and pineapple chunks.  It was just incredible.  I haven’t had Spam in probably 50 years, and have never it served like that.  True genious.  If I’m ever stranded on a deserted island, all I want is cans of Spam and pineapple chunks (and of course a can opener – it would be a total drag if I didn’t have a can opener). 

Thanks to Donna & Rick Ardizonni for the fruit salad and whipped cream, Kathy Chapman for the fruit salad with yogurt, Gigi Mederos for making the coffee and bringing cookies, Alma McLaughlin for hosting in her beautiful back patio area and providing the doughnuts from Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shop, and all the others who brought contributions but I didn’t see who brought what, although I think Giclee James brought the blueberry muffins.

Another great Mug Up.

E.J. Lefavour

Right Now on Madfish Wharf

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right now on madfish wharf

Kathy Roberts exhibit is up and looks beautiful at Khan Studio.  Her opening reception is tomorrow from 6-8:00pm.

Tonight Sue Handman is having a reception at her gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave. G2 from 5-8:00pm.

Aquatro is having an opening reception for Catherine McMurray’s ceramic exhibit from 5-8:00pm.

Lots of goodies for the eyes and the bellies.  Come on by.

E.J. Lefavour

Meet The Artist Reception At Aquatro Gallery For Artist Catherine McMurray

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Catherine McMurray
Aquatro Gallery Kicks Off Cape Ann Ceramics Festival Weekend with Tennessee Artist Catherine McMurray’s Delightfully Sublime Pottery.
Artist Catherine McMurray’s Meet The Artist reception provides a chance to open the Cape Ann Ceramics Festival in style. Her greenware pottery has already been a big hit at Aquatro Gallery this season, as have been her gorgeous raku pots with natural fiber handles. McMurray will also be bringing new work for this event, raku platters, lamps and vases and other items in a beautiful radiant, dazzling glaze called Dolphin Blue.
Held in conjunction with the inaugural Cape Ann Ceramics Festival which serves to draw attention to the artists working in clay and porcelain across the Cape Ann region, this Meet The Artist event whets the appetite for month-long event anchored at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in East Gloucester, MA. McMurray’s work encompasses both those turned on the wheel and hand-built using a variety of glazes (most notably the MacKersie copper glaze). A native Vermonter trained at SUNY Potsdam, her Turning Grace Studio located outside of the Nashville area in Brentwood, TN has operated since 2000. This is Catherine McMurray’s appearance on Rocky Neck.
Meet The Artist Reception
for Catherine McMurray
at Aquatro Gallery
Saturday, August 10, 2013, 5-8PM
Aquatro Gallery
77 Rocky Neck Avenue
Gallery #4
Gloucester MA 01930

My View of Beaches, Back Shores and Seaports of Cape Ann by Kathy G. Roberts

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announcement_Kathy Roberts copy

My View of Beaches, Back Shores and Seaports of Cape Ann – Paintings by Kathy G. Roberts – August 10-23 at Khan Studio 77 Rocky Neck Ave., Gallery

Opening Reception: Sunday, August 11 6:00-8:00 pm.

E.J. Lefavour

Celebrating Attitude and Humor on the Neck

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sue handman opening

Sue Handman, who calls her photo and quote combinations “fabric novellas” is the maker of those fabulously sassy collage textile pieces that mix vintage -inspired fabrics, photographs transferred onto cloth and favorite quotes of hers that would have so delighted Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain. Each statement garment is flattering, easy to wear and certain to be a conversation piece – refreshingly direct and funny.

Until this season, the vintage bohemian clothing and accessory pieces in Sue’s collection could only be found in the festival circuit. Sue Handman is quite a favorite in Massachusetts shows like the Oyster Fest in Wellfleet, Marshfield Art Festival and Marblehead Festival of Arts, as well as many other fairs and festivals along the Eastern US and as far down as Key West. Sue also exhibits in Trade-shows; but she has found a perfect fit in Vintage shows like the Country Living Fair that took place this past June in Rhinebeck, NY and will take place in Atlanta, GA in October. In Florida Sue Handman Fabric Collage pops-up at the Big Bang Bazaar in Maitland and the Fancy Flea in Lakeland and at the famous Antique Market right here in Brimfield, MA.

Come meet the talented fabric collage artist Sue Handman in her gorgeous little gallery in the historic Rocky Neck Art Colony. At Sue Handman Fabric Collage you will also find Beach Rock Jewelry by Kem Designs and selected paintings by Tracey Martin Logan. Sue Handman will be in her Rocky Neck Gallery until Columbus Day weekend.

You are invited to the Reception
Saturday, August 10
From 5-8 pm
Sue Handman Fabric Collage
77 Rocky Neck Avenue
Gallery #2
Madfish Wharf
Gloucester, MA 01930
(941)321-4182

It All Happens Tonight on Rocky Neck!

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RNAC__LOGO

REMINDER!!

5-8:00 Chowder House at Sailor Stan’s with music by Sunny Fishcakes Review.  Chowder and Chili $5 cup/$7 bowl.  Fortify yourself for a night of art and dancing.

6-8:00 Opening Reception for Audi Souza’s Cape Ann Views and North Shore Gardens exhibit at Khan Studio, 77 Rocky Neck Ave.

6-10:00 Our annual, traditional, seasonal, communal, danceable, funfilled Beaux Arts Ball at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street…come and support your leading community arts organization as we expand our scope and programming for the year-round benefit of all!  Meet at the Park at 5:30, party at the Center 6-10 pm, dance & groove to Le Prestige, and bid on many awesome silent auction items including a boat, yes a boat!  Costume theme – if you choose to partake – is a VERY WIDELY interpreted ReCycle, RePurpose, ReVive…see you there!!