| THE SUPERNOVA
3 RING CIRCUS OF EVERYTHING
And a new submission
model to make this newsletter less of a circus and more
of a useful tool for artists
NOTE--To forward this newsletter intact, you must scroll all the
way down to the bottom and use the blue, "forward newsletter"
link on the left provided by constant contact.
SUBMISSIONS CAN NO LONGER BE EMAILED TO ME BUT MUST USE THE SUBMISSION
FORM AT THIS LINK
EXCELLENT
SUBMISSION FORM LINK
This submission form was created by Carey
Kalimba Ascenzo and is the nicest thing to happen to
this newsletter. So please take me off all press email lists
as email submissions will no longer be accepted and will
automatically be deleted. This form will actually help you
to organize your content for a better fit in the newsletter.
It also includes handy links to free sites that will resize
your images for those of you who tell me that you don't
know how to use that tool in photoshop. The form will automatically
reject overlarge images or text descriptions over 1500 words
so it will also force you to edit your text which is a good
thing because if I have to edit it, I am just going to indiscriminately
lop off paragraphs at the end and that may not be what you
want. It might cut off important info and plot revealings.
This form will also send images to a folder for the newsletter
and I probably won't get to this folder till the Monday
morning of each newsletter and this won't leave time to
reply asking for missing info etc so please be sure to take
a few minutes to look over your submission. But here's
another fab thing, this form actually gives you a preview
of the info you have submitted. And then you get a magical
confirmation email to let you know that your submission
has been received. So, if you don't immediately get a confirmation,
you will know to resubmit. It is a beautiful thing indeed.
I am in love with it. I wish I could wear it. You know how
sometimes you can see a pair of jeans at the Salvation Army
and you *just know* that they are the right ones and you
don't even have to try them on? This is like that. Although
I have tried it on a few times and I finally had to ask
me to please stop submitting faux content and let me get
back to my work. Sometimes I think I stalk me and it makes
me nervous a bit.
And here
is a beautifully-written
article at the Galerie St. Etienne website about *insider*
vs. *outsider* art. Somehow the Three Ring Circus of the
Supernova 1987A makes me think of the Three Ring Circus
of the world of artists, collectors/curators and viewers
and the costumes and adornments of higher degrees or autodidactic
expression. It makes some beautiful points.
Image:
THREE-RING CIRCUS
This Hubble Space Telescope image, taken February 22 shows
the full system of three rings of glowing gas surrounding
supernova 1987A. Located in a small galaxy called the Large
Magellanic Cloud, the supernova is a massive star that exploded
in about 165,000 BC, but its light didn't arrive here until
February 1987.
I get living in a cloud. I don't know how to tell if
mine is Magellanic though.
Blue Heron
Bookworm Luncheon and Children's Book Reading
Saturday,
March 10, 2007, 11:30am - 2pm
 Blue Heron
Bookworm Luncheon and Children's Book Reading
112 North Main Street - Sunderland, MA
Featuring books for children ages 4 - 10
Saturday, March 10, 2007
11:30am - 2pm
Buffet Lunch at 11:00
Reading to follow from local authors: Holly Hobbie, Nathaniel
Hobbie, Barry Moser, David Costello and Leslea Newman
Price: Adults $20.00, Children, $10.00
Tom Morton
and Dorothy Osterman at Gallery A3 March 1 to March 31
Opening reception
is on March 1 from 5-8 in conjunction with the Amherst Art
Walk
 “Color
Fields,” Tom Morton and Dorothy Osterman
Tom Morton and Dorothy Osterman exhibit hangings, wall pieces
and video in “Color Fields,” a two-person show at Gallery
A3.
Tom Morton is showing collages of papers and objects
on board as well as translucent and transparent mixed-media
collages done with wax on plexiglass. His video work, showing
color studies and dance sequences by Dorothy Osterman and
Alicia Morton, will play continuously during the exhibition.
Dorothy Osterman says, "For the past forty years I
have been living and painting in Conway. Here I am surrounded
by nature. The land, sky and water, together with my early
impressions, unconsciously find their way into my paintings.
My work is abstract. I love color, movement, space and find
joy in pushing paint."
The exhibition runs from March 1 to March 31
Opening reception is on March 1 from 5-8 in conjunction with
the Amherst Art Walk An informal talk, “Conversation with
Artists,” is March 22 at 7:30
Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street, Amherst | Hours W-Su, 12-6 pm.
| 413-256-4250.
Pictured:
“Looking Out,” gouache on paper by Dorothy Osterman.
BUNNIES, BOTTLE
CAPS, BEES
Featuring
the work of Cynthia Consentino, Sally Curcio and
 BUNNIES,
BOTTLE CAPS, BEES
Featuring the work of Cynthia Consentino, Sally Curcio and
Holly S. Murray
Gallery 137 | 137 Main St, Indian Orchard, MA 01151 | Phone:
413-543-6994
Reception: Saturday March 3 from 3-5pm On Display: Feb
17 - March 10 Gallery Hours: Thur and Saturday 11-3
RICHARD CHASE
at 'The Old Town House' in New Salem Center,
Sunday, March
11, 2007 4:00 p.m.
 RICHARD
CHASE will feature at 'The Old Town House' New Salem Center,
New Salem, Massachusetts
Sunday, March 11, 2007 4:00 p.m.
$5 - $10
(978) 544 - 8022
www.1794meetinghouse.org
Making a solo appearance, the multi-talented singer songwriter
Richard Chase brings his 20-plus years of performance and
song-writing skills to New Salem's Old Town House as part
of the new Serendipity concert series.
Chase's songs are fresh and honest and reveal an introspective
mind unafraid to probe feelings each of us can identify with:
songs about fear or hope, an homage to a friend who died too
early in a freak accident, and of course songs of love, and
songs expressing the aching need to be loved.
Richard regularly performs at many local venues and sightings
of him are wide and varied. His performances reveal a sensitive
singer-songwriter of first-rate showmanship -- Chase is well-seasoned
at his craft. Sensitive with his art, humble and respectful
with his audience, yet confident in his delivery and musical
purpose.
Whether you are moved to dance, tap your feet, or hum along
with a tune that you know (or will soon recognize), you will
not be disappointed. The music draws you in to its world -
one that is full and varied and will leave you completely
satisfied.
Richard Chase and his trio were one of the featured acts playing
to a standing-room-only audience at a recent Wendell Full
Moon Coffeehouse show (the 'Full Moon Follies Show'). Richard
has performed at three Northampton Music Festivals. He has
also featured at three annual 'Starry Starry Night' - a gala
New Year's event held in Orange, Massachusetts. Chase will
be featured later this year with his band at the famed 1794
Meeting House.
The Old Town House is located on the common, in the historical
district, Main Street, New Salem, Massachusetts. Don't miss
this intimate solo performance by one of the valley's most
talented performers! Presented by Adam Bergeron's Clairvoyance
Productions under the auspices of The 1794 Meeting House,
Inc.
READING AT
A.P.E. GALLERY AT THORNES MARCH 7, 7:30 PM
The Mabinogi:
Legend and Landscape of Wales
 The Mabinogi:
Legend and Landscape of Wales
The Welsh scholar and translator, John K. Bollard will be
reading from his new translation of The Mabinogi: Legend and
Landscape of Wales at 7:30pm, Wednesday, March 7, in the A.P.E.
Gallery, Thornes Marketplace, Third Floor, 150 Main St., Northampton,
Mass.
Drawing on ancient Celtic mythologies, these four interlaced
tales, composed in Wales in the 11th century, are stories
of heroism and heartbreak, of love and disloyalty, that for
all their magic and mystery remain rooted in the emotional
realities and moral complexities of everyday life. This new
translation is beautifully illustrated with stunning photographs
of many of the places named in the tales.
John Bollard is an editor, translator, and lexicographer living
in Florence, Massachusetts.
For further information, call John Bollard, 413-584-2752,
or A.P.E., Ltd., 413-586-5553, or see http://themabinogi.googlepages.com
and www.apearts.org.
PAJAMA MOVIE
MUSICAL NIGHT featuring The Wizard of Oz
at the Northampton
Community Music Center! Wednesday, March 7 at 6 pm
 Ladies and
gentlemen, children of all ages:
Dig out your ruby slippers, climb on your Horse of a Different
Color, and come on over to our PAJAMA MOVIE MUSICAL NIGHT
featuring The Wizard of Oz at the Northampton Community Music
Center! (Oh, and make sure you bring your little dog,
too.)
Join us at the Music Center on Wednesday, March 7 at 6
pm for a fun sing-a-long of a great classic. Bring your
pillows, blankets, and singing voices to watch the movie in
your PJs in our Recital Hall. We’ll provide the popcorn and
the song sheets. Admission is by freewill donation.
To sign up, call us at (413) 585-0001, email sww@ncmc.net,
or simply write your name on the sign-up sheet in the main
lobby. If you like, sign up to bring a snack to share as well.
(Suggestions: Lemondrops, munchkins, or poppyseed anything!)
Hope to see you soon-- somewhere over the rainbow! ~Sarah
ps. Save the Date: Our next PJ Movie Musical Night will be
on May 2, when we’ll feature MARY POPPINS!
Anila Zaidi:
College-Ruled Series
at the Northampton
Center for the Arts, reception March 9, from 5 to 7 p.m, and
will coincide with Northampton's monthly Arts Night Out.
 I am giving
Anila this space to highlight her work which will be shown
during Arts Night Out in Northampton because this is a special
treat. I really like Anila and I really like her work and
I am happy to give her this space for her first area solo
show. ~Mo
Anila
Zaidi: College-Ruled Series Tuesday, March 06, 2007
– Saturday, March 31, 2007
Zaidi, who describes herself as a largely self-taught artist,
has moved around a lot "across the U.S. and overseas." Her
college degree is in computer science and film. For the
past decade, she has lived in various towns in Massachusetts,
including Amherst, South Hadley and, now, Ludlow. She
credits Elise Howell, her art professor at Springfield Technical
Community College, with being her "great mentor."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Artist's Statement
My paintings begin as a rough connective doodle enduring
revision upon revision, morphing into a conscious, exacting
drawing, reminiscent of the doodle. The final sketch is
my painting and the painting is merely a scaled version
of the final sketch.
My work is not exclusive to one movement. There clearly
are contradictions in my paintings. Although I have been
formally trained in art, my work is more aligned with primitivism,
having stripped perspective and dimension. Yet, it is an
informed, educated primitivism. I also work within the surrealist
tenet—telling stories from my unconsciousness as my visual
vocabulary unfolds.
Curiosity seeds the idea, which germinates invention, which
flourishes society; I never intended to embark on this mission
to “curiosize” the masses. Still, the process began when
I first shared my “doodles” with friends. They stared, trying
to decipher them, asking for the meaning. I realized I was
witnessing the rebirth of their curiosity. My unconscious
doodles elicited this. Empowered? Indeed.
I admit that many of these doodle-paintings began as sketches,
created out of boredom during college classes. Creating
a painting from my first doodle was one long self-awareness
exercise. Normally doodles are random—mine are the contrary.
I learned that my unconscious is comprised of many binary
trees with analogies at every node. This is why the images
of my paintings appear connected; they are symbols of an
intense equation, much like the 80’s game show “Concentration,”
I was entranced with as a child. If the viewer happens to
solve my visual equation, I will not feel robbed. Quite
the contrary: I have been trying to say all these things
at the top of my voice although I may as well have been
a mute. I admire Rosenquist’s work for such connective imagery.
His paintings embody many of the same ideals I aspire to
incorporate; “less is more,” the bullet theory of advertising
and popular logos.
In my paintings, I retained the notebook paper background
because of its association with the unconscious doodle.
To strengthen this I only use common ink colors: blue, black
and red, but how I use them is very decisive. Restricting
myself to this palette as well as using space as another
color is a reference and homage to the traditional Japanese
style where simplicity is the focal point of a creation.
In the western art school, Kara Walker has used this tenet
while further exploring the power of negative space. Using
silhouettes, many as large as her room-sized installation,
Walker pummels this history of African-Americans to her
captive audience. Out of esteem I plan to experiment with
larger scales.
The artist's reception for this exhibition will be Friday,
March 9, from 5 to 7 p.m, and will coincide with Northampton's
monthly Arts Night Out.
ARTS NIGHT
OUT NORTHAMPTON, FRIDAY MARCH 9 5-8 PM
So many things
to see.
Coming
Up On March 9 Visit 17 galleries, shops between 5 and 8 p.m.
Participating arts venues are:
Alfredo’s; APE Third Floor Arts; Artisan Gallery; Basha Oriental
Rugs; Claytopia; Don Muller Gallery; Guild Art Supply; R.
Michelson Galleries; Northampton Center for the Arts; Old
Court House Gallery; Oxbow Gallery; Pinch; Scandihoovians.
com; Silverscape Designs; Smith College Museum of Art; The
Naked Art Gallery; and William Baczek Fine Arts.
~~R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main Street has "Near
& Far, A Retrospective, Robert Masla - 30 Years of Painting"
in place for the Arts Night Out artist reception. Masla is
an Ashfield artist who is known for his powerful, bold work.
At Michelson’s you can also see “The Art of Dr. Seuss,” a
joint venture with Springfield’s Connecticut Valley Historical
Museum. In the 1950’s, author John Hersey suggested that children’s
primers were boring and didn’t encourage children to learn
to read. Hersey challenged Theodore Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss,
to write a story that "first graders wouldn’t be able to put
down.” “The Cat in the Hat,” which has a vocabulary of 236
words, was published in 1957. The Seuss exhibition, which
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the publication of the
book, features the original Cat in the Hat sketches and a
large selection of additional Dr. Seuss limited edition artwork
from the author’s estate.
~~A.P.E. Gallery, 150 Main Street, third floor, will
be showing “Specimens of Hope,” an exhibition of wooden, calligraphic,
sculptural forms by Mary Ann Kelly in Gallery 1. “Each piece
is a journey—a transformation of local, natural and discarded
materials refined into their true essence,” she says. More
than 20 conceptual works comprised of watercolors, photography
and etchings from the Fractal Ellipse Series by Nicholas Hondrogen
are in Gallery 2.
~~Oxbow Gallery, 275 Pleasant Street, has works by
two artists. Phil Lawrence, who says his “background as a
builder—of houses, of theater sets or interior and exterior
spaces—has influenced and is, in reality, inseparable from
(my) work as a painter.” In addition, Williamsburg painter
and printmaker, Sarah Belchetz-Swenson is presenting a selection
of her paintings, drawings and prints. A graduate of Oberlin
College, Belchetz-Swenson is a figurative painter and well-known
portraitist whose subjects in the area have included Jill
Ker Conway, Elizabeth Topham Kennan and, most recently, former
Governor Jane Swift.
~~Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South Street,
third floor, is showing the works of Anila Zaidi, who
says she begins her work with “a rough connective doodle that
endures revision upon revision, morphing into a conscious,
exacting drawing, reminiscent of the doodle."(The reception
here is from 5 to 7 p.m.)
~~ Old Courthouse Gallery, 99 Main Street, has themed
abstract works on canvas and paper by Patricia L. Jenks. This
Holyoke artist uses a variety of mediums, including poured
acrylic on canvas, paper, and collage of multiple thicknesses,
to create abstract works.
~~Smith College Museum of Art, which is always open
free on 4 to 8 p.m. on Arts Night Out, will have an art project
designed for ages four and up and inspired by its current
exhibition, Earthworks on Paper. In Hillyer Hall, across the
courtyard from the museum, there will be a juried exhibition
of student artworks that offers perspectives on the theme
of environmental sustainability. Featured museum shows at
present are “Beyond Green: toward a sustainable art” and “Earthworks
on Paper.” Across Elm Street in the hall gallery of the Smith
College Alumnae House prints and paintings by Olwen O’Herlihy
Dowling are on display. There will be an artist’s reception
from 5 to 8 p.m.
Arts Night Out takes place, rain or shine, on the second Friday
of each month year-round. Admission is free, and free parking
is available at the Smith College parking garage on West Street
(Route 66). A map with description of participating galleries,
studios and shops, are available at Arts Night Out locations
and the Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant Street. There will
be entertainment and refreshments at many venues. Take a walk
and see the (arts) sights in Northampton.
http://www.nohoarts.org
TWO SHOWS
AT A.P.E. GALLERY, THORNES MARKETPLACE
Opening Reception:
Friday, March 9th 5 - 7pm, during Northampton’s “Arts Night
Out.”
 SPECIMENS
OF HOPE:
New Work by Mary Ann Kelly
“Specimens of Hope” is an exhibition of wooden, calligraphic,
sculptural forms on view in Gallery 1 of the A.P.E. Gallery,
Third Floor, Thornes Marketplace from March 9 to April
1, 2007. Opening Reception: Friday, March 9th 5 - 7pm,
during Northampton’s “Arts Night Out.”
The idea for “Specimens of Hope” began after 9/11. The wall
mounted composition of “hieroglyphic” three dimensional forms
is a reference point conveying sources of inner strength.
The sculpture pictured is called “Oneness.” Also included
in the meditative gallery space are gestural ladder forms.
In her wooden sculptural drawings Mary Ann Kelly uses contemporary,
free flowing “brushstrokes” that have an archetypal presence.
The tree-choking bittersweet vine provides a lyrical substance
that is whittled down to its bone-like core. Each piece goes
through a labor-intensive process to make it look naturally
formed. First, the individual pieces of wood are scavenged
and carefully edited, then stripped of bark and whittled down
to their core, sanded, cut, redirected and reattached using
mortise and tenon or dowels, sanded some more, and painted
with a blending of colors.
"Each piece is a journey - a transformation of local, natural
and discarded materials refined into its true essence. The
ladder, for example, is a transitional and transcendental
symbol - always exploring, reaching, and connecting, yet making
time to stand still, rest and just be."
GALLERY
2
NICHOLAS HONDROGEN: FRACTAL ELLIPSE SERIES
2001-2007
march 9th - April 1st 2007
Opening night reception, March 9th 2007 5-7pm
A.P.E., ltd. is pleased to present an exhibition of the
Fractal Ellipse Series 2001-2007, works by artist Nicholas
Hondrogen. This survey of over twenty conceptual works is
his first Northampton show and is comprised of watercolors,
photography and etchings. The exhibition will be accompanied
by a 50-page fully illustrated color catalogue, featuring
essays by Alison Pearlman and Jennie Klein from his most
recent show in Santa Monica, California.
Nature creates its own fluid system of order through change.
Art, the sciences, religion, philosophy, as well as numerous
other disciplines, attempt to codify it, make it orderly,
understandable, in spite of the fact that a large portion
of the equation is missing or unknown. The entire body of
Hondrogen’s work created over the past forty years - painting,
sculpture, photography and film - reflects a method of working
that embraces both sides of this equation.
Nicholas Hondrogen’s work can be found in the permanent
collections of the Museum of Modern Art of San Francisco,
the Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Musee
Nationale d'Art Moderne Centre Georges Pompidou, the Monumental
Sculpture Commission of Sainte Genvieve des Bois, the Septentrion,
the Dartmouth College Museum, Saks Fifth Avenue Contemporary
Art Collection, Barclay’s Bank of London and several private
collections both is the US and Europe. Hondrogen lives and
works in Amherst, Massachusetts. His work can also be seen
online at www.nicholashondrogen.com.
THE YOUNG
AT HEART CHORUS - 3 BENEFIT SCREENINGS
at the Academy
of Music Theatre in Northampton
 The
Young @ Heart (Y@H) Chorus is pleased to announce three
benefit screenings of the film "Young @ Heart", a musical
documentary made for British television by Walker George Films
Ltd.
The film, directed by Stephen Walker, will be screened at
the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, Massachusetts
on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 7PM and Sunday, March 11
at 2PM and 7PM.
The filmmakers Stephen Walker and Sally George will speak
at all three screenings.
100% of the donations will be split equally between the Academy
of Music Theatre and the new Northampton Senior Center.These
screenings at the Academy are made possible by the generous
support of foundations and individuals in the community.
Donor Tickets for these benefit screenings of the film are
a suggested $10 and can be purchased in advance at the State
Street Fruit Store in Northampton, Cooper's Corner in Florence,
The Northampton Council on Aging and the South Hadley and
Amherst Senior Centers. For more information call 413-587-1300
For more info: Three
Benefit Screenings of Young @ Heart a musical documentary
EASTHAMPTON
ARTS WALK MARCH 10, 5-8 PM
 Art Walk
Easthampton on March 10, 5-8 PM
This month's Art Walk Easthampton is sure to put a spring
in your step. Look for the large, yellow banners outside each
participating location or get your own printable map at www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org.
On Saturday, March 10 from 5-8 PM come explore:
-- The Blue Guitar Gallery celebrates its grand opening
with an exhibition of Karen Randall's oil paintings, Christina
Svane's performance art, Bill O'Haire's guitar music and the
collective imagination of the audience for a fully immersed
experience. Because the Gallery is a little further out, it's
open until 10 PM with performances beginning at 7 PM. Look
for the Blue Guitar, across from the Post Office, at 186-D
Northampton Street.
-- Elusie Gallery nears the end of its "Land Visions"
group show that helps the Pascommuck Conservation Trust's
campaign to Save Echodale Farm. See the works of 40 painting
and photographic artists before the show ends. Elusie Gallery
is in Old Town Hall, at the traffic rotary, 43 Main Street.
-- Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton hosts singer-songwriter
Steve Biegner and photography by Jennifer Holmes. Steve is
an Easthampton native who recently released his debut CD,
"As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)." Enjoy his music
from 5-6:30 PM. PACE is located at 41 Union Street.
-- Manhan Café hosts Easthampton artist Maggie Nowinski
and her large scale peel paintings, which aesthetically and
metaphorically reflect large scale billboards found in “natural”
urban settings. Manhan Café is at 72 Union Street.
-- Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream hosts the colorful,
playful works of Jeff Mack, children’s book illustrator and
muralist. Jeff returns to the Art Walk his new book, “Hurry!
Hurry!”, hot off the presses this month! Come feel like a
kid again, surrounded by his bright acrylic paintings and
the old-style candy and ice cream of Mt. Tom's, at 34 Cottage
Street.
-- Nashawannuck Gallery introduces two shows. Northampton
artist Yohah Ralph exhibits her large orginal signed paintings
and smaller prints. And, Riverside Industry clients hold a
group show of works that will surprise and inspire you. Nashawannuck
Gallery is at 40 Cottage Street.
-- Quilts & Needlework That Go is a treasure trove
of information and materials for fiber artists and crafters.
Kathie Nowill and Helen Burgielewicz will individually help
those who want advice on their projects. Quilts & Needlework
is at 56 Cottage Street.
-- Valley Art Supplies showcases the photography of
Easthampton native Scott “spark” LaRochelle. See how a recyclable
110 camera kicked off a lifelong interest in art that happens
in the moment. Valley Art Supplies is at 76 Cottage Street.
-- ReMax Hill & Valley hosts the nature and architectural
photography of Gina Lucido. ReMax is at 65 Cottage Street.
-- Crooked House Designs hosts Jane Morrison as she
creates caricature drawings live in the store. Get a piece
created for yourself on the spot and look through her traditional
portraiture work as well. Crooked House Designs is at 86 Cottage
Street.
-- Awen Tree holds the first on-site installation art
exhibit of the Art Walk series. This group show, "Sacred Expressions,"
explores how inner reflections become outward journeys through
a series of Altars set up around the space. Light refreshments
will be served. Awen Tree is at 102 Cottage Street.
-- Off The Map Tattoo hosts Chicago twins Dan and Tim
Plumley. These painters and tattooers work live during the
Art walk. Watch the work being created at Off The Map Tattoo,
112 Cottage Street.
For more information about this month's artists and your own
printable map, visit www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org
Bereavement
Support Center is Hosting an Artist Exhibit and Reception
March 9th
at Eastworks in Studio 252 at 116 Pleasant St. in Easthampton
from 5:30-7pm.
 Bereavement Support Center is Hosting an Artist Exhibit and Reception
The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens will
host an artist exhibit and reception on March 9th at Eastworks
in Studio 252 at 116 Pleasant St. in Easthampton from 5:30-7pm.
The exhibit will feature original artwork by participants
currently in The Garden program, created with the guidance
of three local artists. Marjorie Latham, Dennis Caraher
and Beth Fischer volunteered their time and materials
during two Garden sessions to teach the children their craft.
All are welcome to attend this event and discover some of
what happens at The Garden.
For nine years The Garden has been providing support groups
and grief education to children, teens and their families
whose lives have been disrupted by death. Working with the
mediums of collage, fabric art and song, the children created
unique pieces of art which will be displayed and performed
at the artist exhibit and reception.
One participant writes this about her art, “I made a saddle
because my mom liked to ride horses and I made it brown because
brown was her favorite color.”
All are welcome to attend this event and discover some of
what happens at The Garden. The reception is free. Refreshments
provided by Big E Supermarket. For more information about
this exhibit and reception, or The Garden, please call Shelly
Bathe Lenn, Director at 413 584 7086 ext 124.
Spark Project
by Blaze Dance Group
March 16,
17, 2007, 8:00 pm
 Dance group
uses suggestions from the concerned community to make dances
and raise money for local non-profit organizations.
Event – Spark Project by Blaze
Dance Group
Date – March 16, 17, 2007, 8:00 pm
Location – Thornes Market 3rd Floor (APE), 150 Main
Street, Northampton, MA
Tickets – $12 adults, $8 students and seniors, for
reservations call 413-586-5553 or email krisend@aol.com
Performance – Blaze Dance Group, a contemporary dance
company directed by Krisen Day, along with local visual artists
and the Northampton community introduces “Spark Project.”
The “Spark Project” process began when the dancers placed
suggestion boxes in a variety of locations (grocery store,
café, doctor’s office, oil change facility) asking passers
by to write down what was important to them in their lives
and in their community. The dancers collected concerns ranging
from baseball to genocide in Darfur. The dancers then used
the suggestions to “spark” several short dances that show
individuals their community’s issues reflected back to them
through dance.
This dance production will include local visual artists Rythea
Kaufman, Rose Oceania, and Dana Wilde who will paint the backdrop
as an improvisation during the first half of the concert.
The backdrop, like the dances, will be an artistic representation
of the concerns of this community. The ideas for the backdrop
will be suggested from the audience each night.
Representatives from local non-profit organizations including
Safe Passage, AIDS Care of Hampshire County, and Tapestry
HIV Client Services (and others) whose causes relate to the
concerns that are danced and painted will be present during
the concert and will be ready to speak about their cause and
accept donations.
Choreographers and performers are Lindsay Ide, Nicole Maiette,
Sarah Monson, Sarah Eley, Aimee Stone, Amy Loomis, Brandon
Shaw, Anya Brickman Raredon, Arielle Phillips, and Ann Sorvino.
Lighting by Emily Brownlow.
* Supported in part by the Northampton Arts Council*
Photo by Aimee Stone
Critics are welcome and will be comped
The Gallery
at Zea Mays Printmaking presents Images of Growth – Prints
from the Archive
March 1 -29,
2007
 The Gallery
at Zea Mays Printmaking presents Images of Growth – Prints
from the Archive
The Gallery at Zea Mays Printmaking is pleased to host a new
print exhibition "Images of Growth – Prints from the Archive”.
Exhibit dates are March 1 -29, 2007.
The gallery is located at 221 Pine Street, on the third floor
of the Arts and Industry Building in Florence, MA. The phone
number is 413.584.1783. Exhibit hours are: Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday 12 - 5, Wednesday, 12 - 8, the first and third
Saturdays and Sundays of the month, 12 - 5, and by appointment.
From exhibition curator Joyce Silverstone, “Liz Chalfin,
director and founder of Zea Mays Printmaking, gave me the
delightful task of curating a show from the studio archives.
The archives are prints donated to the studio by artists working
here or passing through in classes offered in new methods
of safer and less toxic printmaking. I came into the studio
on a cold winter day to open the print drawers and open my
self to see what would start shaping into a show. While the
studio filled with streaming light and a visiting intern came
in to start work, and a new member was getting familiar with
the feel of the presses, the helpful, generative field of
being at Zea Mays struck me as the obvious theme for a show.
The studio is growing and thriving in large part through Liz’s
hard work and clear vision of what she wants: a place where
artists and students can be creative and thrive.
I chose images that speak to me about growth and expansion.
Some of the pieces became teachers for me: techniques that
are intriguing or make me interested in the process; expanding
my understanding. Others speak about growth in a poetic way
responding to natural forms with a sensitive touch; expanding
my awareness.
My hope is that the relationship between these prints and
the vision that we aspire to will generate more growth and
depth in our community of artists, in surprising and beautiful
ways. Each artist working here contributes to the growth and
depth of our knowledge. This show doesn’t represent every
artist working here. These selected works are meant to celebrate
and stand as metaphors for how we are growing. “
For more information contact Liz Chalfin or Joyce Silverstone
at 413.584.1783
Pictured: Brian Cohen, drypoint, Carolyn Webb, collagraph
"Music Night"
at The Invisible Fountain Gallery in Eastworks
Saturday,
March 10th, 2007 at 7 PM
 Next Saturday,
March 10th, 2007
You are cordially invited to attend...
The first ever "Music Night" at
The Invisible Fountain Gallery in Eastworks, Easthampton
What goes together better than Art & Music?
featuring live performances by Kid Kalamity (keyboard/vocalist
of The Claudia Malibu) & Jason Mazzotta (of The Novels
& Bourgeois Heroes fame) they probably won't be playing
alone either - special guests are expected!
starts at 7 pm ADMISSION IS FREE!
come see the paintings and listen to the music in between
sets we'll be hearing favorite musical selections by the performers
and those in attendance - please bring any cd you'd like to
share on the stereo! Homemade ones are the best.
Hope to see you there!
"Women in History Month Juried Photo Exhibit" at The Robert
Floyd Photo Gallery
The (4) Gallery
receptions will be on Sundays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25.
The Robert
Floyd Photo Gallery proudly announces its Sixth Annual "Women
in History Month Juried Photo Exhibit" on exhibit through
the entire month of March. The (4) Gallery receptions will
be on Sundays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25. Refreshments served.
Gallery Talks by women photographers begin ever March Sunday
at 3 PM
This exhibit, open to all women photographers living/working
in the Pioneer Valley, consists of Environmental Portraits
of women throughout the area and the world. Women telling
stories of other women through color and black & white
photography. “An environmental portrait supplies enough details
with props and choice of background to share with and present
to the viewer something about the lifestyle of the person.
In an environmental portrait, the subject is photographed
at home, at the office, or on location, whichever best portrays
the person's story. Far from the posed safe studio portrait
with a seamless background, an environmental portrait positions
the subject (a woman) amid everyday objects of her life."
The three "best told" stories win! The Gallery celebrates
women by inviting women to tell their stories through photographic
images and Gallery Talks! Melissa Incampo, photographer, will
be the show's juror. Three images will be selected from the
twenty four (24) images juried for exhibit. Cash and merchant
awards will be presented to the winning photographers. Also,
the 3 winning entries will remain on exhibit, another month,
through April 30 at The Gallery and at The Majestic Theater
Cafe, West Springfield.
Robert Floyd
Robert Floyd Photography
Robert Floyd Photo Gallery and Learning Center
2 East Street PO Box 662
Southampton, MA 01073-0662
413-529-2635
rfphoto1@earthlink.net
www.robertfloydphoto.com
"Peter Smolenski's
Virtual Art Show"
Mar 11, 2007
beginning at 8:00 pm est
 From Tommy
Twilite--
hello to all,
break out the wine and cheese and please join me on line in
visiting "Peter Smolenski's Virtual Art Show" on Mar 11, 2007
anytime after 8:00 pm est.
I especially invite my friends in Japan, Bolivia, and Spain,
you know who you are! Some of my
poetry will be featured, as well as numerous works of
art by Peter and Karen Dolmanisth. It promises to be a unique
on line experience!!!!
regards,
Tommy Twilite aka Tom Clark
Peter Smolenski's Virtual Art Show
Saturday, March 11, 8 pm
www.petersmolenski.com
DWIGHT SMITH'S
MOVIE PICKS
Stranger Than
Fiction (2006)
 Stranger
Than Fiction (2006)
Directed by Marc Forster, Written by Zach Helm
Cast: Will Ferrell as Harold Crick, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Ana
Pascal, Dustin Hoffman as Professor Jules Hilbert, Queen Latifah
as Penny Escher, Emma Thompson as Kay Eiffel
This film about an IRS auditor who finds himself the subject
of a narration that only he can hear is certainly not strange
to anyone who has written fiction. The writing is strong and
well crafted, something that rarely happens so when it does
it’s a true pleasure. And if you have ever tried your hand
at fiction writing and experienced what happens when characters
get a mind of their own, you’ll enjoy this film. Emma Thompson
as the writer mercilessly tormented by her character is brilliant.
And Will Ferrell is very good. I had no idea of who he was
until I saw him recently in “Winter Passing” where he also
impressed me but here he carries this somewhat quirky film
on his shoulders in a way that makes it into a deeply human
story. It’s also interesting to imagine that the IRS, who
has come under particular scrutiny during the past few years
for their heavy-handed treatment of lower income earners while
virtually leaving those at the top alone, could employ such
potentially “human” beings.
As an added extra this week, for anyone who might be planning
a trip to Montreal between March 8 & 18th, the annual
FIFA (Festival International of Films on Art) takes place
and it is one of my favourites in a city renowned for it’s
festivals. The program of films is fabulous. Check it out:
http://www.artfifa.com/en/accueil/
In a pre-festival screening I was treated to a few of the
films being screened and from those the one that particularly
impressed me, perhaps because I am an enthusiastic fan of
Kieslowski, was:
STILL ALIVE — A FILM ABOUT KIESLOWSKI
Directed by KRZYSZTOFIE KIESLOWSKIM
Poland/2005/Betacam/colour, b&w/81 min/polish, french,
english, german, english subtitles
A multifaceted portrait of Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski
(1941-1996). Friends, family, collaborators, producers, actors,
critics, scholars, distributors, fans and students recall
this extraordinary filmmaker, a graduate of the prestigious
Film Academy in Odessa. After directing some twenty documentaries,
scathing analyses of Polish society between 1970 and 1990,
he turned to fiction, most notably with his Decalogue series
(1988) based on the ten commandments. He then established
himself internationally with The Double Life of Veronique
followed by the Three Colours trilogy: Bleu, Blanc, Rouge,
films that explored the themes of freedom, equality and fraternity.
Kieslowski died young, at age 55, but he had already several
years earlier decided to retire from making films when he
was at his peak of popularity perhaps based on the kabbalistic
wisdom that what goes up inevitably comes down.
MARCH EVENTS
AT THE NCA
That's the
Northampton Center for the Arts
In the
Galleries:
Works by Anila Zaidi~~~March 6 - 31, 2007
Zaidi, who describes her work as beginning with “a rough connective
doodle that endures revision upon revision, morphing into
a conscious, exacting drawing, reminiscent of the (original)
doodle,” is showing her work in the East Gallery in March.
She describes herself as a largely self-taught artist who
has moved around a lot "across the U.S. and overseas." Her
college degree is in computer science and film. For the past
decade, she has lived in various towns in Massachusetts, including
Amherst, South Hadley and, now, Ludlow. The artist’s reception,
which coincides with Northampton’s Arts Night Out, is from
5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 9.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~Tuesday, March
6, 3:30 –5:30 p.m.: The first in a series of cartooning workshops
with Michael Cady for kids in grades 4-8. Participants
will learn cartoon techniques, tips and tricks and find out
how to create their own cartoons and characters. This six-week
program costs $85, all materials included, and requires a
non-refundable registration fee of $15. Call or drop by the
Center (413) 584-7327 to register.
~~Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.:
The Sacred Harp Community will hold its Western Massachusetts
Singing Convention in the Center's ballroom. This group
promotes community-based singing from the Sacred Harp, which
has been continuously in print since 1844 and is the backbone
of one of this country’s oldest, most vital and soul-stirring
musical traditions. You have to sing it to believe it, as
they say. No experience is necessary. Actually it’s quite
an experience just to watch and listen. You can come and go
as you please. (The convention has no institutional, religious
or political affiliation, but fosters the fellowship that
sacred Harp singing engenders.)
~~Saturday, March 17, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.: An evening in
Las Vegas—well, not really— but you can spend the evening
at a Casino Night in the Center (and do a little St. Patrick’s
Day celebrating, too). There will be a silent auction,
hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The evening’s proceeds will
support Northampton Youth and Community Rowing. Tickets are
$12 per person.
~~Tuesday, March 20, 10:30 a.m.: Ed the Balloon Man combines
magic, comedy and balloon sculpting to bring excitement and
laughter to the pre-school set. This event is one in a
monthly series of the Young Peoples’ Performing Arts series
funded by the Xeric Foundation. Children are admitted free;
a $5 donation is accepted from parents.
~~ Saturday, March 24, 7 p.m. to midnight: It’s the annual
Sober Dance Party Extravaganza with NYC House DJ Bill Arnold;
Rose Champagne, belly dancer extraordinaire; the all male
Hairston House Dancers Revue; Mount Holyoke circus performers;
Lord Russ does drag; and vocalist Johnny V. There is always
a large turn out for this event, which raises funds for Hairston
House for men and Grace House for women and their children.
All main course dishes, hors d’oeuvres and desserts are included
in the ticket price and are donated by area restaurants. Beverages
are available for purchase. Tickets are $8 in advance and
$10 day-of-show and are available from residents of either
house or can be reserved by email putting "Sober Dance" in
the subject line.
~~Sunday, March 25, 1- 3 p. m.: The Academy of Music Discussion
Revisited : A second installment of the community discussion
that began on February 17 will be held at the Northampton
Center for the Arts from 1 to 3 p.m. Everyone who is interested
in thinking about the Academy’s future as well as the future
of the arts, in general, in Northampton is invited to attend.
~~March 31, 8 p.m.: The Ha-Ha Sisterhood, Live and Uncensored
‘07! Comes with this warning: “We’re letting the cows out
of the barn, all bets are off, pigs are flying and you’d better
bring an extra pair of socks ‘cause we’re gonna knock ‘em
off!” These improvisational comedians will make you laugh
“until your cheeks hurt,” as they say, but they warn that
the kids should stay home this time; this show is for grown-ups.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors,
and there’ll be plenty at the door or you can check
their Web site
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Northampton
Center for the Arts is on the third floor at 17 New South
Street in the Sullivan Building of the Old School Commons.
Its office and galleries are open Tuesday through Friday
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For lots more about ongoing programs, renting the space,
etc., visit our Web site or call (413)-584-7327.
email: ncfa@nohoarts.org | phone: 413-584-7327 | web: http://www.nohoarts.org
"Trauma into
Truth: Gutsy Healing and Why It's Worth It."
Book Release
Party March 16th from 7:30-9:30pm
 Join Rythea
Lee and friends for the book release party of "Trauma into
Truth: Gutsy Healing and Why It's Worth It." Music, refreshments,
schoomzing, and book signing, what more could you ask for?
Details below...
The Book Release Party is on Friday, early evening, March
16th from 7:30-9:30pm at Yoga Sanctuary, 191 Main Street,
Northampton. The contact number for this event is 413-586-7390,
the Wild Life Sanctuary Studio.
There will be a creativity corner so you can come and scribble
with crayons while chatting... don't miss it.
A great start to your weekend.
Arts &
Health Care Workshop
Wednesday,
February 28, 3:30 pm—5:30 pm
Next Arts
& Health Care Workshop Scheduled for Worcester
Mark Your Calendars: Statewide Schedule of Workshops
State Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton) and State Representative
Eric Turkington (D-Falmouth), Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee
on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, announced today
the schedule for informational workshops on the new Health
Care Law and its affect on artists and non-profit cultural
organizations.
In partnership with the Joint Committee, the new Arts Health
Care Coalition will present information and answer questions
about the new law from health care experts with representatives
of the state. The workshop is tailored to answer the questions
and specific needs of artists, self-employed people and non-profit
cultural organizations and their employees.
You can also visit the new Arts & Health Care Web Site
for easy, user-friendly information:
www.artshealthcarecoalition.org
Worcester—Feb. 28, Wednesday, 3:30—5:30 pm, employers and human resource
managers
6:30—8:30 pm, general audience
Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Auditorium 1
19 Foster Street Worcester, MA 01608-1715
Berkshires—March 3, Saturday 10:30 am—12:30 pm, employers
and human resource managers
1:30—3:30 pm, general audience
Unicorn Theatre
Berkshire Theatre Festival
Rt. 7 & Rt. 102
Stockbridge, MA
Lynn/North Shore—March 7, Wednesday 6:30 pm—8:30 pm Lynn
Arts
25 Exchange Street Lynn, MA 01901
Boston—March 14, Wednesday
3:00—5:00 pm, employers and human resource managers
6:30—8:30 pm, general audience
Calderwood Pavilion
Boston Center for the Arts
527 Tremont Street Boston, MA
New Bedford—March 28, Wednesday
6:30 pm—8:30 pm
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA 02740-6398
All workshops are free and open to the public.
The Arts Health Care Coalition was formed by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council; Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts,
Sciences, and Humanities (MAASH); the Artists Foundation
and ArtistLink to address health care issues in the cultural
community.
RESOURCES
FOR ARTISTS
|
STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE IN AN ARTS FRIENDLY
BUILDING IN SHELBURNE FALLS
ARTIST STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE !
2 LARGE WINDOWS
WEST & NORTH EXPOSURE
300 +/- Sq Ft
$300/mo !
High Speed Internet connection available Includes
heat and electric
ART BANK
22 BRIDGE STREET,
SHELBURNE FALLS
413- 625- 6177
schaktman@comcast.net
STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE NOW IN EASTHAMPTON -
The Blue Guitar Gallery in Easthampton is a shared
workspace and gallery. It is 410 sq. ft. on the
inside, and there's also a small space 120 sq. ft.,
carpeted available. $200 month includes utilities
and the right to a private or shared show twice
a year. There's also a nice hall and reception area
for hanging work. Since I need to keep the walls
clean for showing, I'm looking for artists who work
on easels or tables, not too messy. It's on the
ground floor, at 186 D Northampton Street (Rte.
10), just over the line from Northampton. It's opposite
the post office. The grand opening will be March
10, during Art Walk Easthampton!
Contact Christie Svane at csvane@comcast.net, 413-247-9454,
www.theblueguitar.org
"A.R.T.S. Anonymous is a 12 step recovery
group for artists of all kinds and at all levels.
We meet every Monday from 6:30 to 8pm in Room 230
at Wright Hall on the Smith College campus. No dues
or fees. For more information call 413.527.5215
or visit their website, http://artsanonymous.org/."
Northampton Playwright's Lab at Forbes Library
Northampton Playwrights' Lab is a group for playwrights
of all levels of experience and everyone is welcome.
Participants can sign up to bring their work-in
progress (short plays, one-acts, and full-length)
to be read aloud by other lab members or actors.
Members will offer one another constructive feedback,
support, and criticism in the development of new
plays. The group does occasional public performances.
The NPL meets regularly on the second and fourth
Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will take
place on Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 in the
Watson Room. For further information, please contact
Meryl Cohn: msbehavior@aol.com
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