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Ten years of Art “On the Rocks” Celebration with seARTS, Bass Rocks Golf Club, and the PEM

Swoosh! Just like a paint brush across the canvass, ten years has quickly passed since House Committee Chair, Tom Lawler approved the partnership between Bass Rocks Golf Club and seARTS to put art on the walls annually for the benefit of artists, the golf club, and the community – opening up this lovely space once a year for the public to enjoy a “meet the artists reception” overlooking the back shore of Gloucester, MA..  Thanks to the commitment and leadership of Peter Hood, General Manager, the program has been fully embraced the members and artists.

On June 29^th, the current group of 27 artists were celebrated.   The evening was hosted by all the seARTS Board and new VP Chuck Hayback who took over the reins of “Art Loan” just two seasons ago from me after having founded this when the new clubhouse opened in 2007! Some of the historical highlights of the program included the “quick start” in 2007 where, with just two weeks to pull it all together, with the help of curator Mary Beth Brainbridge, she drew on previous seARTS shows at Cruiseport and Cape Ann TV.   Former board member and artist Christy Park, who was in attendance last night, actually hung the show in 2007.   Artist Mary Forte Hayes, also in attendance, reunited with her high school “French language” student Geoffrey Bayliss at the 2009 show where they both had work.  David Stotzer, one of the judges this year, was part of the original show in 2007!   Just a few among the great moments of comradery generated by this event.

Over the years, seARTS has drawn from many groups to provide curatorial/jury oversight and arts education.   It was only too appropriate that we would celebrate ten years with the Curator of the Present Tense, Trevor Smith, from the Peabody-Essex Museum.   Trevor was tapped to talk about collecting art and he did so with passion, humor, and charming story-telling.   He left us with these pearls of wisdom:

1. Start by collecting “anything” but just get started!
2. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, enjoy the passion of the journey, and remember you spend more on car payments than art!
3. You can go wrong taking your pleasures seriously and sometimes you can even make money doing so
4. Get to know your TRIBE! That would be hang out at events like the reception and talk last night.
5. If you see a piece of art that is bothering you and you can’t get it out of your mind, you probably need to buy it even if you don’t like it. It will help seed the learning process and make you work harder at collecting.

Trevor responded to several questions with refreshing perspective.  He challenged us to grasp how the world of Google and search has changed the art journey on several levels – learning about art and distinguishing “art” in new forms.  He also believes the “what is art” question will only get harder to answer as will the actual “whereabouts” of art.

A hearty congratulations to this year’s awardees:

First Prize: Gary Davis for “Golden Schooner.”

Second Prize: Kirk Larsen for “Summer Breeze.”

Third Prize: Matt Cegelis for “Blue Bow”

Viewers’ Choice Award: Stephen LaPierre for “Hunts Lane (Key West)”

Honorable Mentions:

Larry Grob for “Marsh House Morning, Essex”

Abby Lammers for “Governors Park Study”

Special thanks and recognition for all the contributors to this program over the years!

• Tom Lawler and Peter Hood, Bass Rocks Golf Club
• Leonie Bradley, Director of Art and Creative Initiatives at HUBweek
• Maggie Cavallo, Visiting Lecturer at Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Judith Curtis, Writer and Researcher of art-related themes
• Artist Joy Dai Buell (BTW she’s coming to the reception)
• Carol Seitchik, Director at Art Focus
• Matthew Swift, Owner/Director, Trident Gallery
• Belinda Recio, True North Gallery
• Alison Rowell, Central Street Gallery,
• Roger Armstrong, State of the Art Galleries

Inspiration in a bottle!  Not what you think…..

I knew if I looked hard enough, I would find inspiration somewhere in my studio.  With the diverse sizes and shapes of sea glass, it’s usually not far away, but alas – how to turn it into something wearable!  For many years I have been looking at antique sea glass bottlenecks wondering how to make them more elegant and dress them up.   I also flirted with using them horizontally.  But one day, it occurred to me finally to match them with lovely glass beads I had collected.   Then the idea got better when I realized I could incorporate some really fabulous beads from fellow artisan Beth Williams.  The bottlenecks are a limited commodity – hard to find and preciously old.   But if they are to be worn, they should stand out and be statement pieces.  I have matched them to a collection of vintage chains to accentuate the age factor & give them a bit of funkiness.   Then I thought, they really aren’t always recognizable for what t

hey were in their original life, so the wonderful Clark Linehan photographed them for me with my antique bottle collection and now “voila” they are in context and even more appealing.  I can’t wait for them to be out in the world again as conversation pieces – where they likely started lives – a medicinal cure, a social cure, or a charming scent, or a “nip” at the end of a long work week!  Let your imagination run wild!  I look forward to sharing many more of these new designs at the upcoming Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour and the other events coming up!  To see more about the tour, check out our video overview of the studio visits.

Some people dare to claim that sea glass is only for your summer wardrobe.  But I have many brooches just waiting to attach themselves to your favorite sweater or jacket and barrettes that are both functional and elegant!   Though the beach days may be still a few months away, I suggest you jump the gun and buy something from my collection to enjoy a virtual summer day!  I’ve just posted an album on Facebook  with a special offer of 25% off any brooches or barrettes in that album.   Just send me an email referencing the promotion.  jackie@capeanndesigns Dot com.   Don’t delay, the promotion ends March 25th.