July Artist Reception – Madfish Gallery

Local Artists Join forces to energize Madfish Wharf’s Madfish Gallery

Announce Mid Month Reception| Thursday, July 20^th during Culture Splash

Madfish Wharf artists have once again collaborated to highlight this incredible gem at the end of Rocky Neck.   One of the cornerstones of this effort is the Madfish Gallery which is being run by artist Sallie Strand for the 3^rd year.   For the months of June-September, Sallie has curated a group of artists each month to exhibit and sell their work.  July’s artists include Anne Gilson, Martin Songer, Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, and gallery director Sallie Strand.  The artists invite the public to join them at a reception on Thursday evening, July 20^th from 5-7 during Discover Gloucester’s Culture Splash.   Regular gallery hours are 12-5 Friday-Sunday and until 7PM on Thursdays.

This is a lively show that combines abstract work and jewelry inspired by many elements of our surroundings.   Gilson’s paintings and collage are, according to her artist statement, “an ongoing contemplation of place and home.”  In a former life, Gilson was associated with the well-loved publication Good Housekeeping, so it’s fitting that home is at the center of her work.  Strand is known for “activating the blank surface,” through the use of gestures, textures, patterns, scrapes, movements, and colors,” and one cannot help but find a bit of the former pastry chef in her work.

Sorger brings a design background to his works of “paint and dry pigment on paper to create gesture and brush stroke – even where they don’t exist.” Martin’s paintings challenge the viewer to find a delicate balance of “structure and imperfection.”

Ganim-DeFalco complements the painters with a diverse collection of functional jewelry – hair accessories, and elegant jewelry made from her indigenous collection of sea glass.  She is celebrating twenty years of making one-of-a-kind sea glass wearable art with the goal of sharing a piece of Cape Ann with everyone that owns her creations.   Ganim-DeFalco and Strand are also both part of the Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios Tour.

Visitors will find July 20^th to be an exciting night on Rocky Neck and Madfish Wharf with events being hosted all along the route.  For additional information, please visit DiscoverGloucester.com and RockyNeckArtColony.org.