News: Spring 2001

Instruction for Tears

Installation/Performance Art Directed by Craig Quintero, Ph.D. * Scenic Designer: Carl Johnson * Music: Dorothy Chang Performers: Soumia Boulahriss, Kangai Chinamasa, Ngoc Nguyen, Hannah Roy, Tijani Serifatu and Ryan Travis.

ARTSWorcester was pleased to host Worcester State College's presentation of a performance ritual entitled Instruction for Tears inspired by the drawings and paintings of artist Carl Johnson the weekend of April 12-15 at our Aurora Gallery. The performance was a collaboration between ARTSWorcester and Worcester State College's Department of Visual and Performing Arts under the direction of Assistant Professor Craig Quintero, who is also a conceptual/performance artist. Craig has written and directed twenty original productions in the United States and Taiwan and will stage his latest performance water/rice May 31-June 2 at Mobius as part of the First Annual Taiwanese Experimental Theatre Festival.

According to Professor Quintero, Instructions for Tears examined the dark psyche of twentieth century life in a slowly evolving montage of abstract images focusing on the atrocities people have perpetrated against people throughout the past century. The production presented a state of mind instead of a linear narrative, providing the audience with a creative space for self-reflection and meditation. The performance's evocative movements, set, lighting, and music transformed the artist Johnson's two-dimensional artwork into an environmental Total Theatre experience. We hope that many of our ARTSWorcester members were able to share in this interesting and provocative theater experience.

WCC Awards Grants and Fellowships

Several ARTSWorcester artists received Project Grants from the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program this year and three received Creative and Performing Artist Fellowships offered for the first time by the Worcester Cultural Commission (WCC). Project Grants and, Creative Artist Fellowships are now offered annually and administered by the WCC. The grant cycles coincide, deadline for both applications was October 15.

This year, six ARTSWorcester artist's projects were partially funded by the LCC Program: Katie Green, for Planning and Developing the Isis & Osiris Performance, Thomas Moore for an Exhibition of Drawings and Computer Enhanced Drawings at Quinsigamond Community College, Sarah Nelson for the Marriage of Metals and Glass, and Jason Ram for First Night Art-O-Matic Vending Machines. Eileen Rogers received funding for two projects, a Central Mass Arts Series for public access and a video of the Worcester Community Mosaic.

Three of the four Creative and Performing Artist Fellowships awarded went to ARTSWorcester members. The Fellowships are intended to promote a creative artists' community and provide funds ($2500) for the development of creative work in five categories: visual arts, literature, theater, dance, and music. Recipients are required to reside in the City during the time of their award and to be available to participate in WCC events which promote the Creative and Performing Artist Fellowship. When asked, "What does receiving this grant mean to you?", the responses reflected a common theme--financial freedom.

Among other things, painter and printmaker Kathleen Cammarata will be allowed the freedom to throw out an old problematic easel and buy a new one which is ergonomically designed and will allow her to pursue her work without neck, back and spine strain. For photographer Kirk Jalbert, the funding provided by the Creative and Performing Artist Fellowship will ease up some financial obligations and allow him to continue his concentration on taking and making good photographs. Donna Hamil Talman will find it easier to cover the high cost of the alternative photo processes by which she expresses her "earth-centered, nature-reverencing values."

Congratulations to all of the Awardees, and thank you to the Worcester Cultural Commission for supporting local artists.

From the Director's Corner, Ruth Ann Penka

The never-ending Winter of 2000-2001 has taught me again that patience is a virtue for New Englanders especially with our relationship with the ever-changing climate that we simply have no control over. We have had to reschedule many of our winter events knowing that we simply could not host a gallery opening or a press conference with 3' of snow outside our doorway. How ironic that the sculpture exhibit we rescheduled at the Aurora Gallery from March 9 due to snowy conditions to a gallery closing date on April 20 is aptly named: Essential Nature, sculpture by Maureen Keller Hebert and Michelle Lougee. The exhibit examines organic forms found in nature, and recreates the forms with both natural and synthetic materials, challenging us by adding technological elements not found in nature; but found in our modern world. Will technology ever be able to control nature? Probably not, judging by the inability of local weatherpeople to accurately predict the ever-changing New England climate; never mind control it!

The relationship of nature to technology is analogous to the relationship between ARTSWorcester and the Arts District. I'm constantly reminded by the adage "patience is a virtue" as we develop the Arts District Task Force meetings. Two positive changes occurred over the winter months, Christine Proffitt, the City's Cultural Development Officer, joined the Task Force as my Co-Chair; and the Task Force developed a working mission statement (see the "Update on the Arts District"). The Task Force has also begun identifying problems to fulfilling its mission and has begun addressing the problems one by one. Breaking down the whole to manageable parts will ensure success in the Arts District judging by the successful establishment of a Neighborhood Alert Center at the Aurora, and the establishment of a Police Foot Patrol to address concerns of public safety. ARTSWorcester will continue to be a leading advocate for the development of the Worcester Arts District. Staying true to our Mission, to "explore, facilitate, and advocate" for our artist members along the way.

As we come out of the never-ending Winter of 2001 and the Spring days begin to shine, I look forward to my "first" Biennial at ARTSWorcester and am excited that it will be held in our own space at the Aurora. I have been very busy fundraising for the Biennial over the winter months and hope that many of you will benefit from the fruits of my labor. I wish all of you who are submitting to the Biennial 2001 bon chance and look forward to an exciting and interesting juried art exhibit.

Year End Appeal 2001

A sincere THANK YOU to our Year End Appeal 2001 donors whose generosity helped us to reach a record $7500 which surpassed last year's total by $2000. Your support is very much appreciated.

Thank You to Our Donors

Thank you to the following Foundations who have awarded grants to ARTSWorcester over the past quarter:

The Kirby Foundation for donating $500 to our Annual Appeal.

The City of Worcester for awarding a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant in the amount of $983 to establish the Arts District Neighborhood Alert Center at the Aurora.

Fred Harris Daniels Foundation for awarding ARTSWorcester $2000 for capital improvements to our downstairs gallery.

Wyman Gordon Foundation for their award of $500 to offset programming costs.

Biennial 2000

ARTSWorcester is busy gearing up for the Ninth Biennial Exhibition, being held May 11-June 22, 2001, for the first time at our own ARTSWorcester Gallery at the Aurora. The Biennial is one of the largest juried shows in Central Mass. and brings established and emerging artists together on equal footing to show, sell, and have their work juried by an eminent panel of art professionals. It is an exciting survey of local contemporary art.

The Biennial is one of the few ARTSWorcester exhibitions open to non-members. In that spirit, we mailed more than 2000 prospectus to offer this wonderful opportunity to working artists all over the Region. It is a juried show, not juried by slide, but by the actual work. Three impartial curators with impeccable credentials will judge submitted work within one of five categories. This year the jurors are Anja Chavez, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Stephen Jareckie, Curator Emeritus of Photography, Worcester Art Museum; Gilbert Vicario, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.

The Biennial also offers over $2500 in prizes, generously provided by the Worcester Art Museum's Hoche-Scofield Scholarship Fund and corporate sponsors.

The Opening Reception on May 11th will be one of the highlights of the spring season. Artists, art lovers, patrons, friends and family will gather to take in what promises to be one of the most surprising exhibits at the Aurora to date, as well as to enjoy tasty offerings from The Gentle Lentil.

The Biennial is a huge undertaking, one that could not be accomplished without a lot of help. Executive Director, Ruth Penka has been working to develop funding. Corporate Sponsors as well as private individuals defray the cost of printing and mailing as well as other expenses associated with such an exhibition. The Biennial Committee is made up of volunteers who believe in this show and are willing to work hard to make it happen. I'd like to thank committee members Kim Cutler, Carrie Crane, Erika Wade, Iris Lanyon, Bittan and Ake Linnell, Clyde Pax, Emily Boosahda, Rosemary LeBeau, Rosalie and Stan Olds, Mimi Grenier and George Neumann, Eugenie Berg, Kathleen Cammarata, Julia Vera, Donna Talman and Rhonda Hershey.

I could still use some help at Unaccepted Artwork pick-up on Thursday May 3 and Friday May 4. If you are interested in being part of this very exciting exhibition please call me at 508-755-5142.

Ann McTigue
Biennial Chairman

Letter from the President, Kallin Johnson

As I write this article I am looking out on the ever-present three-foot snow bank that still remains in my backyard and wonder if we are ever going to have a spring or if we are just going to jump right into summer. I also have been examining the past two newsletters and am struck at how complete and informative Ruth and Ann have been.

The move to the Aurora was now over a year ago--we certainly have come a long way. Ruth's leadership and her untiring commitment to making ARTSWorcester an ever-increasing presence in the community have certainly provided the force we have needed over the past year to move the realization of our lofty goals. The exciting news of the hastening of development in the Arts District--first with Eddie Santiago's market this summer and then the eventual renovation of the Odd Fellow's building--has made every difficulty we have encountered worth it.

We have had a wonderful year of programming as well. Ann's ability to oversee many shows at one time from the two galleries at Quinsigamond College to the much larger space at the Aurora has certainly benefited the community and artists alike. I am especially looking forward to the Biennial which for the first time will be held in our own home at the Aurora beginning in mid-May.

I am also very pleased with the outcome of this year's annual appeal which has brought over $7500 to the organization. It has been among our most successful appeals ever and I want to thank everyone who has given to ARTSWorcester during the past year.

I have recently been hired as Director of Music at the Performing Arts School of Worcester. In this role and with my position at Notre Dame Academy, I shall continue my ever expanding commitment and investment in the Worcester community. I look forward to serving ARTSWorcester for one more year as President of the organization.

With the latest shaky position of the stock market and the coming of the new presidential administration, I wonder if we are on firm ground as artists in America. It is all the more reason to continue our work to sure up a stronger hold on the arts here in Worcester. I would reaffirm my appeal to the community to continue on the course that we have set for we cannot do the work without your support.

Thanks for everything!

Member News

Donna Winant acted as auctioneer for the Nov. 12, 2000 fund-raiser for Abby's House conducted at the Hogan Center at Holy Cross College. Donna also conducted a two-week workshop entitled "Preparation, Recordkeeping and Preservation of Your Artwork: An Appraiser's Perspective" on February 17 & 24 at C.C. Lowell.

Marie Lepore's watercolor "Cape Cod Walk" won the People's Choice Award in the Strawbridge Art League's January exhibition. The piece was on view in the Henegar Center for the Arts, Melbourne, FL.

Nina Fletcher showed her work at the Artist Foundation Galleries and Video Room, 516 East Second St., 1st floor, So. Boston, MA. The exhibition entitled, Too Close to Call, ran from Jan. 13 - Feb. 17, 2001.

Rhonda Hershey presented a fiber installation, More Old Yarns at the Slater Mill Gallery, in the Visitor Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The exhibit was on view Jan. 15-Mar. 25, 2001.

Ann Rosebrooks took part in Satu Bulan: One Month in Bali, a Visual Response to Bali at the Artworks Gallery, Inc. in Hartford CT. The exhibition was on view Jan. 31-Feb. 24, 2001.

Terri Priest's new paintings Vermeer Women Making Choices were on exhibit at the University Gallery, Clark University in Worcester, Feb. 7-Apr. 7. Also associated with this exhibition was an Opening Reception on Feb. 7, a Slide Lecture on Feb. 28 and a Gallery Talk on Mar. 21. Priest also participated in the Worcester State College Department of Visual and Performing Arts spring lecture series. She spoke about her career as an artist on Mar. 28, 2001.

Nancy Opp's mixed-media collages were on view at the Westboro Gallery, 8 West Main St., Westboro. Bridging Reality opened Mar. 4 and ran through Apr. 22, 2001. Other ARTSWorcester members currently exhibiting at the Westboro Gallery are Terre Marino Bacharz, Mary Dewey, Barry Hanshaw and Pierre Theriault.

Donna Hamil Talman took part in an exhibit, INVOKING THE SOURCE: The Ancient Feminine held at the Kirkorian Gallery, Worcester Center for Crafts, Mar. 2-31, 2001. The exhibit which was also curated by Talman included a Mar. 22 lecture: "The Ancient Feminine: A Healing Force for the Planet" by Dr. Elinor W. Gadon at Clark University, and an Artist's Reception and Gallery Talk at the Worcester Center for Crafts.

Jay Clifford revealed the SEDUCTIVE SURFACES of his latest work in an exhibition of the same name, along with fellow artist John Gittins, at the Fletcher/Priest Gallery. The exhibit was on view Mar. 16-Apr. 26, 2001. Gallery Hours are Wednesdays & Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. For more info. call (508) 791-5929.

Beatrice Wiener exhibited a series of ceramic sculptures at the Center for Holocaust Studies at Clark University, Mar. 26-Apr. 1. The exhibition entitled When Darkness Fell: In Remembrance of the Holocaust was also shown in the Diversity Gallery at Quinsigamond Community College Apr. 5-April 27, 2001.

Charlotte Wharton taught a week-long oil landscape workshop this past January in Anguilla, the British West Indies. She has also been invited to exhibit her latest work in the Copley Society of Boston's Patrons Choice Show. The first of its kind, the Mar. 2001 exhibit will feature 14 other Copley Masters also working in the realist tradition. Wharton has also been chosen "Outstanding Alumni of the Year" from her first alma mater, Independence Community College. The college will honor her in her hometown in Kansas on May 11th & 12th. This summer she will teach a portrait workshop for the Copley Society in Boston. For more workshop info., call the Society at 617-536-5049.

David Green is exhibiting at the Premier Etage Galleries, Ltd., in Newport, RI. The Galleries which specialize in American and European Contemporary Art showed David's sculpture Mar. 17-Apr. 11, 2001.

Illustrator Gary Lippencott, took part in an Illustrators Invitational at the Princeton Arts Society, Mar. 23-25, 2001.

Elizabeth Hughes exhibited Wordworks, Found & Lost at WPI's George C. Gordon Library. There was an Opening Reception Mar. 16 and the exhibit is on view through May 31, 2001.

Carleen DeBlois packed the Bigelow Free Public Library in Clinton on Mar. 27th with a reception and exhibit of her paintings.

ART XII presented A Feast for the Eyes BOOK ART SHOW & High-Low Tea, featuring Edible Books on Sunday April 1, 2001 at the Booklovers' Gourmet in Webster. ARTSWorcester/ART XII members include: Pam Redick, Donna Hamil Talman, Susan Champeny, Ann Rosebrooks and Kathleen Cammarata. Kathleen Cammarata's work was also highlighted in The Boston Printmakers' North American Print Biennial in Boston University's 808 Gallery, as well as in the Worcester Art Museum's Faculty Show which runs Apr. 14-May 19, 2001.

Several ARTSWorcester members participated in an exhibition entitled Landscape and Beyond at the Italian American Cultural Center (IACC) Fine Arts Gallery. Work by Matt and Vitty Mattus, Pam and John Redick, Ann Rosebrooks and David McCracken was on view Apr. 3-27, 2001.

Carrie Crane and Michael Stevens exhibited New Drawings and Paintings at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Lobby Gallery. There was an Opening Reception on Apr. 4, and the exhibit will be on view through Apr. 27, 2001.

Fred Richmond read his poetry at the Worcester Senior Center on Apr. 4 and at the Senior Center in Leicester on Apr. 14.

Peter Faulkner exhibited photographs of the BLACKSTONE: The Hidden River at the Millworks Gallery, Bernat Mill Complex in Uxbridge. The exhibit opened with a Reception Apr. 6, and runs through the 28th.

Leon Hovsepian took part in the Worcester State College Department of Visual and Performing Arts spring lecture series ART VETS. He gave a first-hand account of his participation in the art world for the greater part of the twentieth century. His talk took place April 11, 2001.

John Gaumond directed and Judith Ferrara designed sets for The Moon Also Rises: A Tribute to Frank O'Hara. The two one act plays by Grafton native and poet Frank O'Hara premiered at The Forum Stage at the Performing Arts School of Worcester on Apr. 19-21.

Gene Epstein, Ed Esleeck and Sue Sedgwick presented Three Visions West, a photographic exhibit at The Copley Society of Boston. Opening Reception was Apr. 19, 5:30-7:30 and the exhibit is on view through May 12. The Gallery located at 158 Newbury St. is open Tues.-Sat, 10:30-5:30.

Opportunities For Artists

The Worcester Art Museum is accepting applications for the Kinnicutt Travel/Study Awards. Administered by the Museum, the program is designed to supplement the expenses of travel and art-related study pursued for professional or personal growth. Preference is given to women who have an affiliation with the Worcester Art Museum--staff, students in the Museum's school, or volunteers. Those living or working in Worcester County are also eligible to apply. Awards are granted to several women based on the merit of their applications, by the Museum's Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the Kinnicutt Awards Committee. Finalists will be announced by July 2001. Award funds should be used during the Museum's upcoming fiscal year, which is Sept. 1, 2001-Aug. 31, 2001.

Applications are available in the Museum's Education Dept. Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm. The filing deadline is Apr. 30, 2001. For more info., call Rita Albertson, Worcester Art Museum, at 508-799-4406, ext. 3081.

Visual Artists Sea Grant--Up to $2500 for the work related to the marine environment by New England artists. Deadline: May 15, 2001. For prospectus send a self-addressed envelope to: Visual Arts Sea Grant, c/o Dept. of Art, University of Rhode Island, F204 Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Suite 1, Kingston, RI 02881-0820.

Art for the Parks Competition--Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 15th Annual Competition. Grand Prize: $50,000. Awards for landscape, marine, wildlife, bird, migratory bird, historical categories and others. Over $90,000 in awards. Entry fee: $40 by May 1st; $50 by June 1st, 2001. Top 100 selected by jury are published in catalog and exhibited in a year-long multi-city tour. Visit www.artsfortheparks.com for details, or call 800-553-2787. No photography or sculpture.

The Willis Center Cultural Institute is offering area artists an opportunity to celebrate and explore the richness and diversity of African American culture at the 5th Annual African American Festival scheduled for Feb. 1 & 2, 2002. The committee is seeking a variety of visual art components to enhance the Festival site at Worcester State College including, but not limited to banners, murals, sculpture, masks and children's art. Please send your name, address, type of project, and budget/fee info. to: Ellen Laverdure, Festival Coordinator, at the Willis Center, 199 Forest St., Worcester, MA 01609, call (508)799-0702, or e-mail: elaverdure@williscenter.org.

The Upton Art Gallery announces its Grand Opening. The Gallery has low-cost exhibition space available for artwork in various media. For info. call Gloria Profetto at (508) 529-1036.

Call for Artists: The Italian American Cultural Center (IACC) is seeking the work of Italian artists or works inspired by Italy or Italian influences for its Sept. 2001-June 2002 Fine Arts Gallery exhibition program at the IACC. Also needed are several multicultural outreach exhibitions of non-Italian themes. Send artist statement and/or resume along with 7-10 slides to: Donna Winant, 4 Mystic St., Worcester, MA 01607. For more info. call Gallery Director Donna Winant at (508) 792-9855 or IACC Director Joan D'Argenis at (508) 791-6139.

Viva el Arte, a visual arts exhibition celebrating Hispanic art and culture presented by ARTSWorcester and Centro Las Americas will run at the ARTSWorcester Gallery Sept. 28, 2001 through the month of October. Hispanic visual artists, aged 18 and older from Central Mass. are invited to submit works in the categories of painting, photography, drawing/printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. For more info. or to be put on the mailing list for an Intent to Submit Form call Ann McTigue at AW (508) 755-5142, or Dolly Vazquez at Centro Las Americas (508) 798-1900 Ext. 229.

The Art Well Gallery is providing low cost exhibition space for artists. Please contact the Art Well for more information at 508-797-3160.

ARTSWorcester is developing a pilot program this summer for children living in the Arts District. The program will give the children the opportunity to get to know more about the wealth of architectural beauty that exists in the neighborhood by studying maps, taking pictures of the buildings, drawing and eventually making a model of the District. We're looking for artists interested and experienced in working with children to take them through the drawing, photography, map making and model building components of the program. Interested artists should contact Ruth Penka at 508-755-5142. This is a paid part-time summer position.