News: Spring 2002

Ruth Ann Laster, Orange Sunset. Acrylic, 24 x 30." Courtesy of the artist.

AW Celebrates Its Members and the Season of Giving

ARTSWorcester packed a two for one Holiday punch on December 1, 2001 at 6-8 p.m. with a very successful Gala Fund-raiser and the Opening Reception of our Members Invitational Exhibition. The approximately 150 people who attended enjoyed music, food, and a cash bar as well as the work of 50 ARTSWorcester members displayed in our Downstairs Gallery. The original drawings, paintings, photography, ceramics, prints and mixed media pieces on display were also for sale, just in time for Holiday giving. Also, as part of the Festivities, the Mayor Elect of Worcester, Tim Murray served as auctioneer for a Silent Auction of beautiful artwork donated by 21 ARTSWorcester artists.

The ARTSWorcester Members Exhibition, featured one piece selected by each of the artists themselves, and is now scheduled to take place in our Downstairs Gallery twice each season. This Exhibition is an additional opportunity for our visual artist members to show and sell their work and is non-juried and open to all current ARTSWorcester members. Acceptance is on a first-come-first-serve basis and an intent to submit form for the July Members Exhibition will be included in the spring edition of ARTcetera.

We would like to thank the 50 participating artists for making our first members exhibition the glorious success that it was. Executive Director Ruth Penka said, "This is one of the best shows we've had to date at the Aurora Gallery." Thanks also to the 21 artists that donated to the Silent Auction, Tim Murray who did a great job as auctioneer, Sarah Lenis, Brigita Clementi, and Kallin Johnson for their donation of time, wine and beer. And a BIG thank you to everyone that attended making it the outstanding celebration that it was.

Words of Thanks

Thank you to the following foundation, city and state agencies, corporations and individuals who have contributed to ARTSWorcester over the past quarter:

The Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, funded our neighborhood art project, a "Streetscape Design" in the amount of $2400.

Spanish Marketing for their donation of $100 to offset the cost of printing invitations for "Viva el Arte."

The Worcester Cultural Coalition for sponsoring the Candidates' Forum on the Arts in the amount of $500.

First Massachusetts Bank, N.A. for funding the Arts District Task Force's first public art project in the Arts District, the "Trashcan Art Project" in the amount of $5,000.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation for funding of the Arts District Task Force's Master Plan process in the amount of $15,000.

Thank you also to the PIP Shelter for their donation of $100 to the Master Plan project, as well as business owner Carlton Palley. A special thanks to Barbara Haller for her fundraising efforts on behalf of the Master Plan, as well as her personal donation.

Struck Catering for their business partnership membership in the amount of $100.

Our Holiday Fundraiser!

Thank you to Board members Kallin Johnson, Sarah Lenis and Brigita Clementi for all their work and donations on behalf of our Holiday Fundraiser and Members' Show which contributed to a successful opening and auction on December 1st. Also, to Board members Nancy von Hone and Donna Hamil Talman for donating their time and energy for the evening and to all our Board members who attended and supported the evening's events. A special thank you to Mayor-elect Timothy Murray for serving as our auctioneer - there were only white walls left by the end of the evening! To the following ARTSWorcester artists, a sincere thank you for donating your work to the auction to help defray the operating costs of the Aurora Gallery:

Ruth Baker, Taiya Barss, Emily Boosahda, Gigi Casella, Walter Daby, Carleen DeBlois, Robert Duffy, Kirk Jalbert, Joan Jobe, Randy LeSage, Maxine McDonald, Wiltrud Lily Mackinnon, Mary Picard, Sue Ryall, Lori Schafer, Mari Seder, Miriam Smith, Donna Hamil Talman, Julia Vera, Mark Waitkus, Sharon Woodruff

Thank you to Tom Moore for his donation of a much-needed Power Macintosh 7100 to ARTSWorcester. (We will begin developing a new technology plan in 2002; but until that time, we would welcome the donation of Macintosh computers to our office.)

Gallery News, Ann McTigue

The Exhibition schedule is set for the 2002 ARTSWorcester Gallery Season. On September 18, 2001 members of the Gallery Committee convened to view the slides sent in by approximately 70 artist members that responded to the annual "Call to Artists." Works in the categories of mixed media, photography, works on paper, sculpture/ ceramics, and painting were looked at and scored with the identity of the artist unknown to the committee. The results of the jurying will grace the walls and pedestals of our Galleries in an exciting array of solo and group exhibitions for the upcoming year. The following is a sample of some upcoming shows.

Opening at the Aurora on January 18 is New Work by Michael Hachey. Michael is no stranger to the local art scene. Currently a Professor of Studio Art at Worcester State College, Hachey also taught at the former School of the Worcester Art Museum and Clark University. Known for his serious monochromatic studies of sacred geometry and his large scale black and white "chalkboard" installations, he now does an about face. The new work, created during a sabbatical from Worcester State, explores the parallel vibrations of color and music, and the puzzling power of both to move us emotionally.

The Quinsigamond Hallway Gallery opens on January 31 with Edge of the Sea, monotypes and collages by octogenarian Frances Kornbluth. Frances, who by the way was the covergirl for a story on Monhegan Island in Maine in the July 2001 National Geographic Magazine, is also a long time member of Art xii. The work in this exhibition is inspired by her love of the sea and beaches from New England to the Dominican Republic.

February, in the Diversity Gallery at Quinsigamond Community College, ARTSWorcester presents Prime Time, In Honor of Black History Month. Artist Dana Rose explores stereotypes, myths and taboos using popular culture, photography and mixed media as her drawing board. African Drummer Joseph Owusu-Ansah will perform at the opening reception on February 7 at 5 p.m.

ARTSWorcester Openings are a wonderful opportunity for artists and art lovers to interact. ARTSWorcester Galleries are free and open to the public.

For details regarding these exhibits and their openings, see the Calendar of Events in this edition of ARTcetera or call the office at 508-755-5142.

From the Director's Corner, Ruth Ann Penka

I've been thinking the progress ARTSWorcester has made over the past year in representing and advocating for artists in the development of the Aurora and Quinsigamond galleries, in our development of artist benefits, and in our leadership role in the development of the Arts District. It's been a challenge to keep it all in perspective and I find myself rereading our mission statement: "it is the purpose of ARTSWorcester to foster cooperative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary ideas and programs among artists...provide aid and advice to artists...to explore, facilitate and advocate for programs and services of mutual benefit to the cultural, business, educational and municipal sectors of the community." A question I frequently ask myself is "are we being true to our mission and to ARTSWorcester's membership?"

Our Board members spent the better part of a day in November answering questions about where the organization is coming from and where it is heading in anticipation of developing a new strategic plan. The Greater Worcester Community Foundation's Non-profit Support Center has awarded ARTSWorcester an Organization Assistance Grant so we can hire a consultant who will assist us with the development of a new strategic plan that addresses our rapid growth and our financial shortfall. After a search process, the strategic plan committee chose Jane Preston, a Fellow at the Hauser Center for Non-Profits at Harvard University as our consultant. Jane will begin her work with us by meeting with our full board on January 14, at which time she will begin to develop strategic plan meetings that will include input from our members. I do hope that you will be able to join us for one of our strategic plan meetings to offer your opinions and ideas about how ARTSWorcester should grow in the future.

I'm very proud of the work Ann McTigue, our program director, along with our Gallery Committee have accomplished over the past year in the development of both the Aurora and Quinsigamond gallery programs. Not only have we shown the work of over 200 artist members this year, but we sold over $15,000 worth of art for our members and at 70% commission that equals $10,500 in your pockets! However, did you know that it costs ARTSWorcester $3,000 per Aurora gallery show, which includes invitations, mailings, receptions, insurance, and Ann's time? The Development Committee along with the Visual Arts and Finance Committees have made recommendations to the Board with solutions to this dilemma which include fundraising, grant writing and increasing ARTSWorcester's percentage of the commission for next year's gallery schedule. If you have been chosen to exhibit your work with ARTSWorcester beginning in January 2002, you will receive a contract in the mail from Ann McTigue increasing ARTSWorcester's commission from 30% to 40% and decreasing your commission from 70% to 60%. It's an unavoidable solution to the financial shortfall the Aurora Gallery program finds itself in at year's end and projected for 2002. Even with membership dues and sales commissions, the Aurora Gallery Program is running 50% in the red. I hope you understand and support our decision which the Board and staff feel is a first step toward ARTSWorcester's financial independence.

My best wishes to you all this holiday season and I wish you all a peaceful and happy New Year. I look forward to the challenges that 2002 will bring to ARTSWorcester!

Our Thanks

Thank you to the following people for their generous contribution to our Aurora Gallery Program:

Joan Bagley, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Barnhill, Lisa Barthelson/Bob Cox, Emily Boosahda, Gigi Casella, Brigita and John Clementi, Mary and Warner Fletcher, Kathleen & Paul Hart, Bob and Barbara Hogan, Mr. & Mrs. John Jeppson, Kallin Johnson, Marie Lepore, Allen Levine, John & Gretchen Moran, Frances L. O'Connell, Rosalie and Stanley Olds, Stu & Cornelia Pomeroy, Eva Robbins-Davies, Penelope Rockwell, Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Russo, Tom Savageau, Sarah Smongeski, Michael Stevens , Brenda D. T. Toomey, Polly Traina, Craig & Deborah Van Batenburg, Virginia M. Vaughan, Mr. & Mrs Phillip Warbasse, Sharon Woodruff

Letter from the President, Kallin Johnson

For the past three years I have had the opportunity to write in this space about the health and direction of ARTSWorcester looking back over the past year and into the new year to come. It has been my habit to gaze out at a few inches of snow in anticipation of a ski trip up north to Maine, Vermont or New Hamshire or to my native Utah where the Winter Olympics are being held this winter. This winter seems so different though, with its lack of snow and chilling temperatures and with the great emotion resulting from the events of the fall since 9/11.

My last message was about ARTSWorcester's need to raise money to keep the organization going through these difficult times. I have to say a big thank you to everyone who has pitched-in these past few months. We have received many contributions from the envelope that we included in the last newsletter. There has been debate as to whether or not our members read the newsletter. Well that proved that they certainly do.

We also had a very successful fundraiser in connection with the opening of the members show on December 1st. Thanks to Tim Murray for conducting an excellent auction which also brought in a fair amount of capital. Thank you to all who contributed time and money to making this opening such a grand success. We are now in the midst of our annual year-end giving solicitations and I urge you all to consider giving to ARTSWorcester at this time.

We are still in a deep financial crisis. We do, however, have some plans to help remedy the situation. With the aid of a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation we have hired Jane Preston as a consultant to help us construct a new Strategic Plan. This should be in place by our annual membership meeting in June.

We are aware that to continue to support the 500 artist members that we have we need to find a more consistant way of maintaining an income such as expanding our membership to include art patrons. The Development Committee under the leadership of Cookie Nelson has put together a corporate giving plan, complete with a new brochure, in an effort to attract corporate memberships and sponsors for our shows. Thank you for such great work. Most important though is the need to find a way to offer some sort of profit-making business for the organization. If you have any ideas I would appreciate your conveying them to Ruth or myself.

As I prepare to head out to Colorado to spend some time on the powder and visiting family, I hope the new year will bring the snow much closer to New England--real snow that falls from the sky, not of the human-made variety. I also have the highest hopes for ARTSWorcester. We are about to turn an important corner for the long term viability of the organization. Thank You.

Member News

Congratulations to Bill Cavanagh of C.C. Lowell on the 150th Anniversary of the art supply store in Worcester.

Marjorie Greenberg participated in the Fitchburg Art Museum's 66th Annual Regional Exhibition and received the Saara Parker Painting Prize for her painting "Peace Dog II."

Gretchen Moran was awarded 2nd Prize in Painting in 2000 and Honorable Mention in Painting in the 2001 Plymouth Art Show. Gretchen also received Honorable Mention for Prints in the Duxbury Art Association Members Show 2001.

Nan Hass Feldman, Judith Ferrara, Catherine Haynes and Kristen Wilkinson Gaulin participated in Art in Provence: Views by Seven New England Artists at the Jefferson Cutter House Gallery, Whittemore Park Arlington, MA, October 1-26. Nan Feldman will also be conducting a June mixed media workshop in France for painters in the popular program Painting in Provence. (See opportunities for artists.)

Sarah K. Dyer displayed Images in Watercolors, her latest paintings in the Foothills Theater Lobby Gallery October 18-November 18, 2001.

Cecily Gill exhibited her acrylic painting at the East Wing Gallery of the LaFontaine Fine Arts Center at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. The show ran October 30- November 28, 2001.

Gail Smuda exhibits Artist Books at the Ventura College Library, Ventura, CA, November 19- December 14, 2001. Gail's work, as well as that of Rhonda Hershey was also in the exhibit, Strands of Time at the ARTSWorcester's Aurora Gallery, November 9- December 21.

Mary Carolyn Webber gave a demonstration of monoprinting at the Leominster Art Association on October 16, 2001. Webber will also be the featured artist at the Westboro Gallery December 1, 2001-January 31, 2002. Her exhibit entitled New England Visions is comprised of watercolors, oil paintings and etchings. Other ARTSWorcester members currently exhibiting at the Westboro Gallery are Barbara Brosnihan, Mary Dewey, David Green, Barry Hanshaw, Sharon Marini, Terry Kessel Myers, Ann Rosebrooks, Tom Savageau, Pierre Theriault and Nancy von Hone.

Catherine Haynes' pastel landscapes were on view at the Zullo Gallery in Medfield, MA October 20- December 31, 2001. There was an artist reception Saturday, November 3, 7-9 pm. To see images from the exhibit, for directions or a listing of events at the gallery visit the web site: www.zullogallery.org.

Jonnie Coutu shows photographs in Undisclosed Locations at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner. There was an Opening Reception/Brunch 11 am-2 pm on November 25, 2001. The exhibit is on view through January 1, 2002.

Artwork by Kathleen Cammarata was on view at the Cushing-Martin Gallery at Stonehill College. Disclosures opened on November 9 with an Artists Reception at 5:30-7:30 pm and ran through December 7, 2001. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am-5 pm.

Several ARTSWorcester members have had work on view at the UMass Medical School Galleries. The Artist Guild of Shrewsbury presents Artists United, November 1-December 3, 2001, and featured Emily Boosahda, Linda Davis, Anne Ennis, and Sue Ryall. Barbara Brosnihan's exhibition The Beauty of Nature was on view in Biotech II, Levels II & III November 5, 2001-January 7, 2002.

Sue Ryall won first prize for her painting Joni's Yard in the Southborough Arts Center's Regional Juried Show. Sue also received Honorable Mention for another piece in the exhibition which ran November 11-December 1. Leon Nigrosh served as one of the jurors.

Tom Moore had a show of his drawings and computer drawings at the Italian American Cultural Center (IACC), 28 Mulberry St., Worcester, November 7-30, 2001.

Donna Hamil Talman exhibited her latest work in a group show at the ArtSpace Gallery in Maynard, MA. Overlay: Mapping the Journey From Past to Present ran November 14-December 22, 2001. There was an Artists Reception, Saturday, November 17.

Bruce Dean opened his first exhibition in Uxbridge at the Bernath Millworks Gallery November 9, 2001. The exhibition which ran through mid December features Dean's Nantucket photo series. Bruce is Program Director for the nationally touted Explore and Discover Museum Partnership program with the Uxbridge High School. Check out their website at: http://world.std.com/~brd/

G. Vivian Berg has been selected to be included in the 56th biographical directory published by Marquis Who's Who in America which was released in November. Ms. Berg also received a grant from the Oxford Cultural Council and The Friends of the Oxford Library for a painting of the Library before the addition of its new wing.

Lora Brueck presented Cycles Near and Far, a mixed media installation at the George C. Gordon Library at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The exhibit opened November 9 and ran through December 21, 2001.

Kim Cutler, Randy LeSage, Karen Nunley and Mari Seder participate in Re-interpreting the Masters, the winter show at the Fletcher/Priest Gallery, 5 Pratt St. in Worcester. The exhibition is based on the re-interpretation of works in the permanent collection of the Worcester Art Museum by local contemporary artists and is on view through January 17, 2002. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 6 pm. Or call 508-791-5929 for an appointment.

Judith Ferrara displays her Trio Paintings in the gallery at the Jewish Community Center, 633 Salisbury St. through December 28.

Sharon Woodruff is showing her photographs of exotic places in the Worcester Windows: A Community Gallery Program. Her work was in the windows of Great Cuts at the corner of Main and Franklin Streets for the month of December.

Marilyn Solomon Kalish participated in The Drawing Show, November 28-December 29, 2001 at the Bernard Toale Gallery in Boston. Marilyn who was recently made a Corporator of the Worcester Art Museum was also part of a group exhibition at the Berkshire Artisans December 10-28, 2001.

Kim Salerno: simulated gardens was presented by The Loft Artist Association at the Sackler Gallery, Palace Theater in Stamford, CT. The exhibition opened December 2 and ran through January 11, 2002. For more information, please contact Kim Salerno at: KimQSalerno@aol.com.

Natalia Karaway Waterhouse was guest curator as well as a participant in UP AND COMING: Photography at Clark University. The exhibit was is on view through January 3, 2002 in the lobby of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS).

Iris Lanyon exhibited along with her husband Peter at the Italian American Cultural Center (IACC), 28 Mulberry St., Worcester, MA. The exhibit, Italy Through Lens and Brush, opened on December 5.

Fred Richmond read his poetry on December 13 at C.C. Lowell, 258 Park Ave. Fred is also the Instructor in a series of Photo Classes at the Worcester Senior Center.

Opportunities for Artists

Call for Entries
The University of Massachusetts Medical School. Artists interested in exhibiting in any of their four galleries should contact Jan McClish, Gallery Coordinator at 508-885-6048 or e-mail: jan@mcclish.com.

Pakachoag Community Music School is looking for artists interested in donating a traditional work of art for a fundraising auction (part of their Valentine's Caberet) on February 8 & 9, 2002. Proceeds support the school and its scholarship fund. Contributed items and contributors will be recognized in the auction listings. This is a charitable event and you will receive an acknowledgment of your gift for tax purposes. Contact Sarah Smongeski, Executive Director at 508-791-8159 for more information.

Go Fly a Kite! Please!
The Regional Environmental Council, coordinators of Worcester's annual Earth Day celebration, would like to add a kite-making/kite-flying workshop to the festivities. Unfortunately, none of us here knows how to construct a homemade kite. So we're looking for artists with some knowledge of this old-fashioned art to help coordinate the workshop (or maybe to simply bring their kites, if the workshop idea is impractical for reasons we haven't thought of yet).

The Earth Day celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 (rain date April 28), 2002, from 1-5 p.m., and will be held in Crystal Park, across from Clark University.

We hope to make this year's event bigger and more inclusive than ever -- and we really want artists to play a role. Since we are in the early planning stages, we are open to additional or alternative suggestions to the kite-making idea. Please write or call us with your ideas, addressing questions or comments to: Jenny DelGizzi, 508-799-4622 or gizzi71@yahoo.com. Thanks for helping to make the arts a part of Worcester's Earth Day observations. And get those ideas flying!

Job Listings
The G. Stanley Hall School which serves students with emotional and behavioral difficulties is looking for artists experienced in working with adolescents. Artists interested in committing three hours a day for 3-4 weeks should call Renee Matos, Arts and Wellness Coordinator at 508-755-3698.

Attention Photographers: Interested in doing some work for the MCC? They are currently building a roster of photographers to cover cultural events around the state and fill other photographic needs throughout the year. Interested photographers should contact Monica Wielt at monica.wielt@art.state.ma.us or 617-727-3668 x268 to receive an application.

Residency Opportunities
Visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers and dancers are invited to apply to the Artist-in-Residence program at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Residencies include opportunities to work with world-renowned master artists and receive housing, weekday meals and studio space. For more information, visit www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org or call 800-393-6975.

Workshops
Art in Provence: Painting Vacations in the Haute Provence. Since the 19th century the Provence region of France has enchanted artists. Its extraordinary mosaic of landscapes and exceptional light has inspired the likes of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Matisse to name a few. Art in Provence offers painters at all levels the opportunity to learn from experienced artist/instructors in this magnificent setting. For more information regarding individual workshops and fee schedules contact Art in Provence, P.O. Box 155, Woodstock, VT 05091; call (802)457-5169; or e-mail: info@artinprovence.com.

Artichoke Co-op on Main
What's a co-op? Organic food, discount prices, community owned, not for profit. The new Artichoke Co-op at 800 Main Street, in the heart of the Arts District, is looking for members, although everyone is invited to shop there. Members and volunteers receive discounts on purchases. If you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer, please call Kristen Miller at 508-757-7045, or e-mail to: ARTichokecoop@aol.com.