My View of Life on the Dock
Lovely tribute to long term teacher and volunteer – Carol Ackerman (December 17, 1941 – October 31, 2017) Boston Globe obituary by Marvin Pave published Dec 3rd (following special memorial service held in the Shalin Liu Performance Center). Ackerman served on many boards in the community — Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free, the Gloucester UU, Rockport Music, and Wellspring.
Obit in the Gloucester Daily Times
You can join in Stephanie Benenson’s fascinating big vision, Harbor Voices, a public art and cultural piece that’s made from light, sound and community participation. Part of the project is a large-scale and temporary LIVE light & sound installation which will happen on ten minute loops from 4-8pm on Friday December 8th, and Saturday December 9th, one of many featured events for the 2017 Middle Street Walk. Harbor Voices will be held inside the Kyrouz Auditorium in City Hall , 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA.
Come experience a sweeping ocean of sound, stories and light, drawn by the voices and acts of generosity of neighbors and friends.
Benenson, a Rockport native and North Shore based fine artist, received a prestigious and competitive RISD grant to create Harbor Voices. Benenson collected over 100 stories in eight languages of recent and ancestral immigration to Cape Ann. For the past year she led (and continues to lead) practical and creative storytelling sessions and workshops at area schools like Veteran’s Memorial and Gloucester High School, as well as community organizations and centers such as Sandy Bay Historical Society. Students talked with Benenson about “their ancestors* and families bringing cultural heritage to Cape Ann.” She said that kids mentioned “family members that started businesses here (like Jalapenos, Sclafanis, and other cultural destinations on Cape Ann)…and how meangingful that was to them…and people that they had deep respect and admiration for…” They discussed “family recipes, music, food and how immigration historically has made American art and culture come alive.” Mayor Romeo Theken was the first story collected. Other Cape Ann storytellers outside of the schools and non profit partners include: Jean Testaverde (Portuguese fishing ancestry), Ingrid Swan (Swedith quarrying ancestry), Heather Lovett (descendent of Roger Babson), Sal Zerilli (Awesome Gloucester and Rockport), Jan Bell, Buddy Woods, Susannah Natti (Finnish and descendent of Folly Cove designer), Rich Francis (GHS teacher), and Celestino Basille (GHS teacher).
Depending upon age and preference, stories were written, recorded, or drawn. All were mixed into materials and audio that will choreograph connections directly into the light installation, and an enlarging community. At first, Benenson thought the light might guide any audio. Instead voices continue to guide the light.
Blurring the lines between public art and social sculpture, LIVE happening and virtual action, Harbor Voices emblematically presents stories, shared connections and actions. Participants of all ages are encouraged to interact with the project www.harborvoices.com and its installation– to bathe so to speak in a community of vibrancy and waves of interconnectedness and support. Benenson adds that from 4-6PM during the two days of this installation iteration, “children will be offered a small flashlight to engage with this artwork, allowing them a tangible moment to consider their part in this interconnected network of community and local history by creating their own beam of light.” Also, before the installation opens to the public, one hundred Gloucester High School students –including some who have already added into the piece– will come to City Hall to experience Harbor Voices.
Benenson’s promotion for Harbor Voices launched in September. Leveraging attention for this remarkably ambitious project is an essential component as more involvement means more impact. Straight away it fostered community and brought opportunities. For example, Benenson spoke about the project and shared audio of the stories with Rose Baker seniors, Gloucester Rotary and the Cape Ann Museum’s Red Cottage Society. Someone from Beverly has already underwrittten support for a class at Veteran’s Memorial Elementary School. She spoke about the project with Joey as part of GMG podcast #253
As a third generation Cape Ann artist, Benenson is especially excited to “create art and conversations around our cultural heritage and our contributions to the vibrant mix of people that live on Cape Ann.”
See more pictures and read more about the artist
Wellspring Cape Ann Families brings you:
April School Vacation: FREE FAMILY FUN
WHAT: Free Model Ship Painting/Spring Pot Painting and Planting
Coastal Clean-up/Earth Day Lesson
Open Gym at Iron Rail Gloucester
WHEN: Ship Painting and Spring Pot Painting/Planting is Tuesday, April 20th 10-11:30 AM
Coastal Clean-Up and Earth Day Lesson is Thursday, April 22nd 9-11 AM
Open Gym at Iron Rail Gloucester is Friday April 23rd 9-11 AM
WHERE: Ship Painting and Pot Painting/Planting is at WCAF – 28 Emerson Ave ,
Gloucester .
Coastal Clean-Up and Earth Day Lesson will be at Halibut Point State Park
Open Gym at Iron Rail Gloucester is located at 8 Kondelin Road , Gloucester .
Looking for some fun ways to fill your children’s up-coming April vacation week? Please come join us for our free fun-filled events that are open to all on Cape Ann .
At Wellspring Cape Ann Families, located at 28 Emerson Avenue , on Tuesday April 20th from 10-11:30 AM we will be painting model ships, painting spring pots and planting seeds. On Thursday April 22nd from 9-11 AM get outside and enjoy spring as a family! Join us at Halibut Point State Park for a Coastal Clean-Up followed by an Earthy Day lesson on tidal pools presented by Ramona from the Trustees of the Reservation. End your vacation week by running and jumping with us at Iron Rail Gloucester, located at 8 Kondelin Road . We will be having an Open Gym on Friday April 23rd from 9-11 AM. For all events: Please R.S.V.P. to 978.281.7856 with the number of adults, children and their age(s).
These free events are made possible because of the generous support of the Linden Foundation.
For more information: Courtney Karcher , 978.281.7856 e-mail: ckarcher@wellspringhouse.org
Child-of-the-Year, Parent-of-the-Year or Family-Supporter of the Year!
Do you know a child, parent or community member who has made a difference or added to the community in a special way?
Consider nominating them as a “Child-of-the-Year”, “Parent-of-the-Year” or “Family-Supporter-of-the-Year!”
Wellspring Cape Ann Families is now accepting nominations for the 14th Annual Community Appreciation Awards and will recognize those children, parents and family supporters who have made a difference and contributed to their families or the community in a special way. The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, April 25th at 3:00pm at Cruiseport, Gloucester.
Nominations are being accepted in three distinct award categories: Child of the Year (with three age categories), Parent of the Year, and Family Supporter of the Year.
These awards are named in memory of Howard Blackburn, (1859-1932), a local fisherman who invested in the community of Gloucester and recognized the need for interdependence to sustain a thriving community- A hero who strengthened family life on Cape Ann.
Anyone is eligible to nominate. Past winners have included teachers, school nurses, day-care providers, along with children and adults from Cape Ann and the North Shore.
Nomination forms are due by April 5, 2010. For more information, or to request a nomination form please call Courtney Karcher at (978) 281-7856 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (978) 281-7856 end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 3, or e-mail ckarcher@wellspringhouse.org or go to www.wellspringhouse.org to download.
Thank you to Sarah Grow for sending this along.
Child-of-the-Year, Parent-of-the-Year or Family-Supporter of the Year!
Do you know a child, parent or community member who has made a difference or added to the community in a special way?
Consider nominating them as a “Child-of-the-Year”, “Parent-of-the-Year” or “Family-Supporter-of-the-Year!”
Wellspring Cape Ann Families is now accepting nominations for the 14th Annual Community Appreciation Awards and will recognize those children, parents and family supporters who have made a difference and contributed to their families or the community in a special way. The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, April 25th at 3:00pm at Cruiseport, Gloucester.
Nominations are being accepted in three distinct award categories: Child of the Year (with three age categories), Parent of the Year, and Family Supporter of the Year.
These awards are named in memory of Howard Blackburn, (1859-1932), a local fisherman who invested in the community of Gloucester and recognized the need for interdependence to sustain a thriving community- A hero who strengthened family life on Cape Ann.
Anyone is eligible to nominate. Past winners have included teachers, school nurses, day-care providers, along with children and adults from Cape Ann and the North Shore.
Nomination forms are due by April 5, 2010. For more information, or to request a nomination form please call Courtney Karcher at (978) 281-7856 ext. 3, or e-mail ckarcher@wellspringhouse.org or go to www.wellspringhouse.org to download.
Thank you to Sarah Grow for sending this along.
Good Morning Gloucester 