News: Summer 2001

Member Benefits

ARTSWorcester's Visual Arts Committee, along with the Board of Directors and Executive Director Ruth Penka, are pleased to announce membership benefits in the form of Health Insurance, Dental Coverage, Property & Casualty Products, Retirement Plans, and Life Insurance for ARTSWorcester members.

Identifying the need for self-employed artists to have access to a menu of benefits ordinarily reserved for full-time employees, ARTSWorcester worked with John Lamontagne of the Small Business Insurance Agency, Inc. (SBIA) of Worcester to offer similar benefits to our members. An informational package will be mailed to all members in mid-July 2001 by SBIA who will act as the agent in procuring your insurance plans. In order to participate in this benefits program, members must present a current ARTSWorcester membership card before meeting with the SBIA. Members may also be required to produce tax documents such as a Schedule C for sole proprietorships, necessary for enrollment in many health plans offered. John will furnish a toll-free number and he will be happy to meet with members individually to answer questions regarding the benefit plans offered.

We are delighted to be able to offer this benefits package to our membership in realization of our mission to "provide aid and advice to visual, performing, and literary artists."

Thank You to Our Donors!

Thank you to the following Foundations, Corporations and Donors who have awarded grants to ARTSWorcester over the past quarter:

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their award of a $15,000 operating grant from the Foundation's Discretionary Funds.

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation for awarding $2500 to underwrite the cost of program consumables for the Biennial 2001.

The Hoche-Scofield Scholarship Fund of the Worcester Art Museum for their donation of $2500 to underwrite the artist awards for the Biennial 2001.

The Worcester Cultural Commission for funding our Cultural Calendar project in the amount of $3600.

UnumProvident Corporation, Fallon Foundation, and Holiday Housewares for their sponsorship of the Biennial artists and to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for their in-kind donation of ads.

A special thank you to our advertisers and individual donors whose support helped to underwrite the costs of publishing the Biennial 2001 Program.

Thank you to artists Maureen Keller Hebert and Michelle Lougee for donating the cost to reprint invitations to their closing reception for their exhibit "Essential Nature" rescheduled from March to April due to snow!

Thank you to Julia Vera for her donation of time, talent and scrumptious goodies and to Jon Petro for his donation of platters from Ed Hyder's market for the Biennial Award reception on June 1st.

Biennial 2001

by Ann McTigue

The much-anticipated ARTSWorcester's Ninth Biennial Exhibition began on May 11, 2001 with a fabulous Opening Reception attended by over 200 artists, art lovers, and patrons. Hailed by many as being the best Biennial ever, the show received a favorable review in the Telegram & Gazette. Art reviewer Frank Magiera remarked that the smaller show had "respectable depth" and was "downright resplendent in the institution's new gallery at the Aurora."

The Biennial offers artists who are Worcester County residents the opportunity to submit up to two works completed in the past two years in any category to be judged by an eminent panel of art professionals. This year, Anja Chavez, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Stephen Jareckie, Curator Emeritus of Photography, Worcester Art Museum; and Gilbert Vicario, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston served as jurors of the show which awarded $2500 in cash prizes generously provided by the Worcester Art Museum's Hoche-Scofield Scholarship and Prize fund, as well as additional awards donated by local corporations.

Top prize winners were: Dana Wolfson, Sally R. Bishop Prize for Best of Show for her 2-D Mixed Media piece On the Cutting Edge; Peter Wilson won the Prize for Painting; Rosemary LeBeau won the Prize for Works on Paper/2D Mixed Media; Stu Pomeroy won the Prize for Photography; newcomer Dana Rose won the Prize for Sculpture/3-D Mixed Media and Carlotta Miller won for Best of Craft.

Honorable Mention awards were given to Kim Cutler, Mary Picard, Frank Armstrong, Ruth L. Baker, John G. Hyden, Ella Delyanis, Lionel Reinford, and Jesse Knott II.

Corporate prizes were awarded by the Telegram & Gazette to Kathleen Cammarata; UnumProvident to Jesse M. Knott II; the Fallon Foundation to Marilyn Solomon Kalish; and Holiday Housewares to Eugenie Lewalski Berg. Prizes were presented by Susan Stoops, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Worcester Art Museum and Ruth Penka, Executive Director of ARTSWorcester at the Award Ceremony/Artist Walk Through on June 1.

As the only major juried exhibition of artwork in the greater Worcester Area, the ARTSWorcester Biennial validates and celebrates the creative arts community in Worcester County. Established and emerging artists alike benefit from the professional experience of going through the jury process. In addition, access to a diverse population of talented artists and current artistic trends increases the public's awareness that an active community of artists live and work in Worcester.

The Biennial would not have been possible without the hard work of some wonderful volunteers. Many thanks to Carrie Crane, Emily Boosahda, Rosemary LeBeau, Bittan and Ake Linnell, Clyde Pax, Erika Wade, Rosalie Olds, Iris Lanyon, Mimi Grenier, Eugenie Berg, Kathleen Cammarata, Rhonda Hershey, Julia Vera, David Wackell, Donna Hamil Talman and George Neumann, who along with our intern Natalia Karoway-Waterhouse kept things running smoothly during the entire process. A special thank you to Kim Cutler for her donation of many hours of graphic design for the Biennial's handsome prospectus and program.

We would also like to thank all of the artists who participated in the Biennial, the jurors, the corporate sponsors including the Telegram & Gazette, UnumProvident, the Fallon Foundation, and Holiday Housewares for their generosity, as well as the many individuals donors. Collectively, your support enabled ARTSWorcester to serve the greater Worcester cultural community through Biennial 2001.

ARTSWorcester and Centro Las Americas will present the fourth Viva el Arte, an exhibition celebrating Hispanic art and culture in cooperation with the Worcester Art Museum. The exhibition will be held September 28-October 26, 2001, at the ARTSWorcester Gallery at the Aurora, 660 Main Street, Worcester, MA. Hispanic visual artists, age 18 years and over, from the Central MA region, who work in painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media are eligible to submit. Interested artists should complete the "Intent to Submit Form" inserted into this edition of ARTcetera by September 14, 2001. There is a $5.00 entry fee per piece (full refund for works not selected) and all artwork must be original, completed within the last three years, and not previously submitted to Viva el Arte. The Opening Reception is Friday, September 28, 5:30-8 p.m. Latin music and refreshments will be provided. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information, please call Ann McTigue, ARTSWorcester at 508-755-5142, or Dolly Vazquez, Centro Las Americas at 508-798-1900, ext. 229.

Annual Meeting

ARTSWorcester held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 19th at 5 p.m. at ARTSWorcester at the AURORA, 660 Main St., Worcester. Following a short business meeting, which included the election of officers, the Twentieth Annual Arts Award was presented to Gerry Joseph of The Community Builders. The Arts Award has been given annually by ARTSWorcester since 1982. The award is given to an individual or individuals who have shown generous support for the arts through their philanthropic gifts, volunteer time or both.

This year's recipient was Worcester native Gerry Joseph, director of the Massachusetts Office of The Community Builders. He and The Community Builders (TCB) have made it possible for ARTSWorcester to move into our beautiful new offices and Gallery at the Aurora in the Arts District. TCB is a partner in the development of the Odd Fellows Building, and is also interested in comprehensive neighborhood revitalization of the Arts District. By working in conjunction with other non-profit organizations, neighborhood groups and the Arts District Task Force, TCB believes that improvements made in the Arts District will make a difference not only to the residents of the neighborhood but to the cultural quality of life in our City. It is this high level of support and commitment to the Worcester artist community that distinguishes Gerry and The Community Builders. Special thanks to Kirk Jalbert for his donation of black-and-white photographs of the Aurora and Odd Fellows buildings; two TCB development projects which were presented to Gerry Joseph.

The Nominating Committee submitted the following slate for election at this years meeting: Officers, for one year: President, Kallin Johnson; First Vice President, Sarah Lenis; Treasurer, Nancy von Hone and Secretary, Brigita Clementi; Member-at-Large, Mary Ann Powers. Directors to be newly elected for three years: Maria Florez, Robin Lazarow, Donna Hamil Talman, Christine Trifari, Erika Davis Wade, Mary Ellen Wilson, Gregory P. Clune, and Sarah Lenis. Directors to be re-elected for two years: Georgia Barnhill, Donald Howard, Marilyn Solomon Kalish, Robert Lewis, Teresita Orozco, Mary Ann Powers, Al Toney, and Polly Traina. Other Board Members serving 2001-2002 are Brigita Clementi, Joan Kennedy, Ann C. Nelson, and Nancy von Hone.

Meet Our Intern

Over the Spring semester, Clark University placed Studio Art Major Natalia K. Waterhouse at ARTSWorcester so that she could absorb and learn about working in a gallery and managing a non-profit. Her experience working at ARTSWorcester has been a positive one. She writes:

"After deciding to major in studio art, I knew it was time to move on from my retail job in a record store. All I could think about at work was art, but after eight hours on my feet, all I wanted was sleep. I asked professors and friends if it was possible to find a part-time job in the arts. It did not look hopeful. With limited experience and a tight schedule, nobody could think of a place that would bend to fit my needs. Then I found ARTSWorcester.

During my interview with Ruth (Penka, Executive Director), it was clear that she wanted to help in any way that she could. She knew I had no gallery experience, but she was very aware that everyone needs a place to start. Through Clark University, I was able to set up a work study job at ARTSWorcester. My experiences at ARTSWorcester have been remarkable. I have met so many amazing artists and wonderful people.

When I started working in early April, I had arrived just in time for the Biennial 2001. It was incredible to see the whole process through: from the clutter of drop-off day to the beautiful show of accepted pieces, every day held new excitement. Ann (McTigue, Program Director) has taught me the art of hanging shows and handling artwork; necessities when it comes to gallery experience. As I am personally gaining so much, I am also constantly reminded that I am helping the organization as much as it is helping me. I could not think of a more perfect job.

This summer, I have been given the opportunity by ARTSWorcester of working as an assistant with neighborhood kids on the streetscape design art project. Together, we are going to take walking tours of the Arts District, photographing major landmarks. At the end of six weeks, we will have made 3D models of buildings in the Arts District, along with a streetscape design. I am really looking forward to this project, as well as learning a lot more about local art and artists through ARTSWorcester."

From the Director's Corner, Ruth Ann Penka

It is exciting to see the physical changes that are happening in the Arts District as the former Mart building undergoes a major redevelopment transformation into Santiago's Supermercado which will open at the end of this summer. The Supermarket will re-energize the neighborhood by bringing shoppers to the Arts District; as it did in its former life as the Mart, a popular retail establishment. There's a lot of physical movement in the Arts District as the warmer weather invites residents out to Main Street and the energy is contagious at ARTSWorcester. We opened our Biennial 2001 on a warm May night at the Aurora and I was encouraged by the "energy" of the hundreds of people in attendance.

Overall, the Biennial experience has been fortified by the nature of the exhibit: a juried show that is selective at best; non-inclusive at the very least. This dynamic exhibit has been awarded high marks for the solid and interesting show that it is. In response to the fact that juried exhibits are non-inclusive, ARTSWorcester plans to add two non-juried, all-inclusive, members-only shows to our 2001-02 gallery schedule to be installed at the Aurora in December 2001 and July 2002. These shows will offer a perfect balance to our juried gallery schedule. Congratulations to all the artists who were selected for the Biennial 2001 and it was a pleasure to meet many of you at the award ceremonies on June 1st.

I recently completed a six-week Executive Directors Management Institute program developed and sponsored by The Nonprofit Support Center of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Classes were held every Thursday morning and addressed issues such as Leadership, Technology Use, Financial Management, Human Resources and Legal Issues, and Strategic Planning. Although I am not a morning person, I found these classes well worth getting up for and thank Gail Randall of the Nonprofit Support Center and Ann Lisa of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for offering such a worthwhile program for Executive Directors of non-profits. The classes enhanced my knowledge of directing a non-profit and broadened my management skills.

Over the summer, ARTSWorcester will be working with 12 children from Centro Las Americas, the Main Street YMCA and the Ionic Ave. Boys and Girls Club in the creation of a streetscape design of the Arts District. Docents from Preservation Worcester will lead the children on a walking tour of the District with cameras in hand to learn about the architectural history of buildings. Under the guidance of Project Director Eileen Rodgers and Project Assistant Natalia K. Waterhouse (our Clark University Intern), the children will recreate one kid-sized building each found in the Arts District, learning all they can about its architecture and history. Collectively, the children will create a streetscape design to include signage, banners, lighting, receptacles, and benches, along with an Arts District icon. The project begins July 9th and will be completed on August 17th, with the streetscape design installation on view in our downstairs Aurora gallery until Labor Day weekend. Please come by the Aurora after August 17th to view the finished project. It is a wonderful prelude to the Arts District Master Plan process for streetscape design which will be kicked off by the Arts District Task Force in early September. Fall will be here before we know it, so I hope that you all enjoy your summer!

Letter from the President, Kallin Johnson

I have been reflecting over the past few weeks as to what I should talk about at the Annual Meeting. As a I begin a third year as President of ARTSWorcester, the word that comes to mind is perseverance. I am amazed when I think back to when I first got involved in ARTSWorcester and remember the many locations over the years in which we have had our offices and the many galleries we have created that such an organization with a membership based mainly among "poor" artists could endure the many difficulties we have had to face. But we have persevered and here we are.

We see talented artistic people and we often say, "Boy, isn't that person lucky!" Perhaps the person is lucky to have the innate ability to learn the techniques that are needed in accomplishing their achievement, but we usually fail to take into account the perspiration and perseverance of these individuals-which is usually considerable. I know that whatever artistic achievements I have had are certainly not based on talent.

When I look back to just five years ago when we wrote a Long Range Plan that did not have a hint of an Arts District, but had as its ultimate goal an Arts Center and permanent home for ARTSWorcester, I think our plodding has paid off. It is said that Long Range Plans are only good for five years. I thought it might be appropriate to read through and see how many of the long range goals we set in 1996-1997 we have accomplished:

Goal 1: Establish ARTSWorcester as a leader in the Cultural Community: ARTSWorcester's recognition and leadership in the art and culture community is at an all time high today.

Goal 2: Establish ARTSWorcester as a major advocate for the arts in Greater Worcester: ARTSWorcester's presence on the Cultural Coalition, the Arts District Task Force and the Cultural Corridor focus group certifies its advocacy efforts on behalf of artists.

Goal 3: Expand and improve artist information and services: we maintained ARTFiles, developed a website, presented workshops, developed a benefits package, published the Cultural Resource Book, and expanded our gallery venues to 18.

Goal 4: Creation of a community arts center: We are currently working to stabilize our financial base, have increased our budget to six figures, begun the process of developing business and foundation support, and retained a full-time Executive Director and Program Director; the first steps toward the creation of a permanent home for ARTSWorcester.

As we meet on this hot afternoon, I would definitely underline the dedication of the ARTSWorcester Board, its staff, Executive Director Ruth Penka and Program Director Ann McTigue, its membership and the "arts" community of Worcester and Central Massachusetts. The perseverance has paid off. As we look next door and see the beginning of Eddie Santiago's market which is so closely linked to the development of the Odd Fellows building and to the Arts District as a whole, I think it is time to set a new Long Range Plan for ARTSWorcester--a plan that will carry us into the future, and the continued progress of ARTSWorcester, the Arts District and a permanent home somewhere close by. Thank you.

Member News

Mariam Smith exhibited her watercolors April 22-29 during Art Week at the First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave. in Worcester.

Carol Santora was juried into the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in March and she was the featured artist in the April 2001 issue of North Light Magazine. She was also among the participating artists at the Greater Gardner Art Show held in April. Carol exhibited in a two person show, Journees en France, June 9-10, at the Westminster Historical Society with her traveling companion Isabel Roberts exhibiting paintings from their trip to France. Keep it Wild, Carol's mixed-media wildlife paintings were on view at the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, May 5-June 30. Portions of the sales from this show will be donated to feline conservation centers. Visit Carol on her website: http://home.fiam.net/santora.

John DeLibero participated in the Greater Gardner Art Show held in April.

Maria Florez and Michael Moldonado along with other members of The Bohemian Latin Stand performed their music and poetry for the 3rd Annual Art in the City fundraising event on April 24, 2001. They also participated in an open mic event on April 28 at Worcester State College, Children's Day and Book Day at the Worcester Public Library for daytime performances on April 30, as well as evening performances on the same day at the Shrewsbury Public Library. The Bohemian Latin Stand also hosted an open mic event at ARTSWorcester May 19. Over sixty people attended.

Nan Hass Feldman exhibited Alive Inside & Out at the Page-Waterman Gallery in Wellesley, MA. The exhibition ran May 9-26, 2001. Nan also taught mixed-media landscape painting in Dieulefit, France through the Art in Provence program mid-May through early June, 2001.

Gail Smuda exhibited her mixed media/ encaustic artwork at the Firehouse at Market Square in Newburyport. The show entitled Time and Place ran May 8-30, 2001.

Recollections: Paintings by Ann C. Rosebrooks were on display at the University of Connecticut's Homer Babbidge Library through May 24, 2001.

Judith Ferrara opened the summer season of Worcester Windows: A Community Gallery Program. Judith's paintings were displayed in the windows of Great Cuts at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets, June 4-30, 2001.

Maxine McDonald exhibited photographs of nudes and beaches in Beauty and the Beach at Francesca Anderson Fine Art, 56 Adams St., Lexington. The exhibit runs June 15-July 21, 2001.

Elizabeth Hughes' exhibit Found & Lost: Wordworks at the George C. Gordon Library, Worcester Polytechnic Institute was extended through June 30, 2001. There was a Special Artist Reception & Poetry Reading Wednesday, June 27, 2001.

Charlotte Wharton, CM, will be conducting an "Oil and Pastel Outdoor Portrait/Figure" workshop August 13-17 at the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA. This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Copley Society of Boston's Master Workshop Program. Further information can be obtained at: http://www.charlottewhartonstudio.com/art.htm.

Opportunities For Artists

Call for Entries
Digital Group Show, November-December, 2001 at The Pivot gallery, 30 Main St., Florence, MA. Any photography or art that incorporates digital technology in its creation is eligible. $35 registration fee due by August 31, 2001. Final artwork due by October 26, 2001. For more information call Pivotmedia at 413-584-5302 or on line at: www.pivotmedia.com.

The Miss Flo Show, Spring 2001. Create an image of The Miss Florence Diner for display in a Spring group show. Work in any media will be accepted. $35 registration fee due by January 30, 2001. Final artwork due by October 26, 2001. For more information call Pivotmedia at 413-584-5302 or on line at: www.pivotmedia.com.

Worcester Windows A community gallery program utilizes the storefronts of Great Cuts, the Day Building and the Chamber of Commerce on Main St., Worcester, as exhibition space to visually enhance the City's downtown and to provide display opportunities for local artists. Interested artists contact Julia Vera, program chair, at 508-856-8744.

Job Listing
Teaching Education Arts and Crafts for Healthy kids (T.E.A.C.H.) Program Coordinator--10 hours/week. Staff person must be creative, proactive, positively focused and committed to working with at-risk youth. Must possess strong follow-through and leadership skills. T.E.A.C.H. Coordinator reports to the Youth and Outreach Program Coordinator. Hourly rate. For more information, contact Shawna Erickson at 508-753-8183 ext. 3020, or send cover letter and resume to: The Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA 01605.

Northbridge Studio
Live/Work Space. Large studio, 3rd floor, $600, hardwood floors, utilities and cable TV included. Call Jana at 508-234-4352.

Workshop
Charlotte Wharton, CM, will be conducting an Oil and Pastel Outdoor Portrait/Figure workshop August 13-17 at the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA. This workshop is being held in conjunction with the Copley Society of Boston's Master Workshop Program. For registration and other information contact Lila at 617-536-5049 or e-mail Charlotte at: http://www.charlottewhartonstudio.com/art.htm.

New Exhibition Opportunities

In order to better serve our visual artist membership, ARTSWorcester will host two non-juried, members exhibitions annually in our Downstairs Gallery. The first of these will take place in the month of December, 2001. ARTSWorcester members will be invited to submit one piece, and work will be installed as it comes in. Size and weight limitations, and other details such as drop-off and opening dates are yet to be determined. An intent-to-submit form will be included in the next edition of ARTcetera. ARTSWorcester reserves the right to refuse work not suitably ready for display.