ECA

Naked Bear Party

Easthampton City Arts+ will expose Bear Fest 2012’s unpainted bears and artist designs at a Naked Bear Party on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., and it’s expected to bring artists and friends of the community out of hibernation to kick off the second event of its kind in town.

ECA+ coordinator Burns Maxey, who is overseeing the largely volunteer-based fundraiser, hopes the festive Mardi Gras-themed event will “warm up our imaginations of a transformed downtown Easthampton for this upcoming summer's festivities. With artists' designs and the unpainted bear sculptures on view, we are extremely excited to share this preliminary kick-off to Bear Fest."

The Easthampton Bear Fest is a public art project in which life-size fiberglass bears are creatively transformed by locally- and nationally-known artists and will be highly visible throughout the downtown area of Easthampton from June to September 2012. The 2009 Easthampton Bear Fest brought thousands of visitors to Easthampton and raised over $60,000 for artists, art education, and art organizations.

The Easthampton Bear Fest Committee and Easthampton City Arts+ brings the popular event back for another summer of activity. At the kick-off, offerings will include art, food from the Apollo Grill restaurant, Naked Bear Party merchandise for purchase, and New Orleans Jazz by Samirah Evans and her Handsome Devils. Party-goers can also vote for their favorite bear design.

Can't bearly wait? Swing by ECA+ Gallery at 43 Main St., Easthampton to purchase a Mardi Gras mask/ticket to wear to kick-off (available February 1). Masks cost $15 and will serve as the ticket for the party. Tickets may also be purchased upon entry of the party.

Following the party, the unpainted bear sculptures will be on view at Eastworks through the month of February.

Easthampton City Arts+, formed in 2005, is working to enhance the collaborative efforts of the artist and business communities to increase economic opportunities for artists. Efforts are geared toward enhancing the opportunities of local artists to showcase and market their work and to provide the public with the opportunity to discover emerging and established artists. ECA has recently merged with the Easthampton Cultural Council and Art Walk Easthampton to form ECA+.

Assemblage: Works by Rosemary Barrett

Artist Rosemary Barrett will exhibit “Assemblage” in the Easthampton City Arts+ gallery from February 9 through February 28, 2012. An artist’s reception will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. during the February Fire and Ice celebration of Art Walk Easthampton.

In the tradition of Joseph Cornell, Barrett exhibits assemblage sculptures that explore poetic themes with found objects in delicate boxes. Many years ago she began exploring the usage of found materials within her work as she compiled an extraordinary amount of fragile materials from antique shows and thrift stores. With feathers, dolls, hat pins, boxing gloves, hair, and more, Barrett’s tableaus of precious objects create clues to a surreal narrative that lies somewhere in between the romantic and disquieted nostalgia. In some of her boxes she situates her miniature surrealist paintings amongst the objects. These paintings are hints to her more recent work. Embracing her current work of sculpture and painting, Barrett has since departed from her box constructions. Once exhibited amongst the works of Nevelson, Oldenburg, and Cornell, these boxes hold up as timeless views into the forbidden psychological landscape.

Barrett comes from a long line of artists and crafts people who have influenced her sculpture and painting. She graduated from the School of Worcester Art Museum and has exhibited extensively throughout the northeast including at Sunne Savage Gallery in Boston, the Berkshire Museum, and OK Harris in New York City. She has recently returned to the area and teaches sculpture, mold making, and painting at After Midnight in Eastworks located in Easthampton, MA. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The ECA⁺ gallery is located at 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA.

images by John Polak Photography

Valley Arts Newsletter's Bronwen Hodgkinson Talks Shop

Recent ECA+ volunteer award winner Bronwen Hodgkinson might just have the most art- filled inbox in the valley. As guru of the Valley Arts Newsletter, she receives and distributes art events and information on a weekly basis keeping us art junkies informed and connected. Here she shares about her path in creating the newsletter:

How long have you been doing the Valley Arts Newsletter?

Since September 2008. I took it over, and changed it up, from former Easthampton residents Tom Hanus and Michael Crawford who had done it under the name “The Arts Newsletter Experiment.” (which in turn was originally done by Mo Ringey). Tom and Mike are the guys who started Art Walk Easthampton.

What does it entail- putting the newsletter together on a weekly basis?

I spend about an hour on Sunday gathering the listings that have been emailed. Sunday nights or Monday mornings I spend about 3-4 hours putting the newsletter together. The challenge is the rapid growth and popularity of the newsletter. It's definitely filling a need in the valley – i.e. a comprehensive weekly visual arts listing. Subscribers have increased, and website visits have increased greatly. I’m at a bit of a crossroads now, deciding how to accommodate this growth, and make the newsletter an even better resource for readers.

Why?

It's definitely a labor of love! I guess the basic aim is to spread the word, here and beyond our area, about all the visual arts in the valley. There is so much visual art that happens in the valley that no one hears about, and little media coverage. I wanted to try to fill the gap in coverage of visual arts listings in the area, and especially to help local artists to publicize their shows/events/classes for free--Especially young and emerging artists who may not have the resources to advertise or promote a show, or the clout or know-how to get a mention in the press. This area is so rich in the visual arts, and many people have no idea just how much is happening and the sheer number of artists and art venues in the area. One of the really cool things is that the newsletter has become not only a resource for our community, but also for tourists to the area. That makes me smile.

Describe your connection to the arts?

I’m a web/graphic designer and artist, have degrees in graphic design and art history, and simply love the arts. I guess I’m kind of a cheerleader for the local art scene. It’s tremendously exciting to me to meet some of the utterly amazingly talented artists in the area, and some of the incredible people supporting the arts in the area. Beyond that, I just have a huge appetite and appreciation for art.

See Bronwen Hodgkinson’s ECA+ profile

Help Support the Valley Arts Newsletter

Photographer Corky Lucey Exhibits

Photographer Corky Lucey will exhibit Backyard Pics in the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Gallery from January 18 through March 16, 2012.

Mr. Lucey’s photographs capture the outdoors through color photography. His subjects of barns, birds, and natural views capture an appreciation for the beauty of the rural landscape. “I want people to like my subjects as much as I do, and if they find something more in it, so much the better. I am nothing more than a taker of pictures,” modestly explains Mr. Lucey.

Corky Lucey is a retired court officer who recently embraced photography. “I find myself waking up every day with the idea of searching for something new and different to take a picture of,” says Mr. Lucey. This exhibition will be the photographer’s first exhibition.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery located at 33 Union Street, Easthampton, MA, is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

2011 ECA+ Volunteer Awards Announced

On December 8, 2011, during the Light Up the Arts Holiday Bash, Easthampton City Arts+ (ECA+) announced two awards to volunteers who have shown exemplary service to ECA+ and the creative community of the Pioneer Valley.

ECA+ is proud to recognize James Zarvis of American New Media for “Best ECA+ Volunteer Award” of 2011. Zarvis gave an endless amount of time and shared his expertise in creating a new website for ECA+. Zarvis’ company American New Media is an Easthampton-based company dedicated to web/mobile development and data management that has a wide range of clients but specializes in museums and artists.

Zarvis says, “The arts community has revitalized Easthampton in a way the city has never before seen and at a time when it's desperately needed. I donate to ECA+ so that when I walk downtown with my wife and kids I walk by stores filled with life and color.”

Bronwen Hodgkinson, mastermind of the Valley Arts Newsletter, was recognized for ‘Best Arts Volunteer of the Pioneer Valley’. The Valley Arts Newsletter informs the entire Pioneer Valley about art openings, calls to artists, and studio availability keeping the arts community connected on a weekly basis.

Hodgkinson, who is designer and artist, says, “There is so much visual art that happens in the valley that no one hears about, and little media coverage. I wanted to try to fill the gap in coverage of visual arts listings in the area, and especially to help local artists to publicize their shows/events/classes for free. One of the really cool things is that the newsletter has become not only a resource for our community, but also for tourists to the area.”

ECA+ created the annual volunteer awards in 2011 to bring awareness to the significant individuals who have given their time and service to the cultivation of the arts in the community. Awardees were offered a certificate of award, a pack of notecards with the images of ECA+ artists’ work, and a gift certificate to local businesses.

Art in the Orchard Wins Gold Star Award

Easthampton City Arts⁺ announces that Art in the Orchard, an outdoor sculpture exhibition, has been awarded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s (MCC) for the Gold Star Award for excellence in community arts and culture.

In 2011, Art in the Orchard was partially funded by the Easthampton Cultural Council (ECC), the city’s Local Cultural Council Program funded by the MCC. The Gold Star Program annually recognizes model community arts, humanities and science projects funded by the 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) across the state. The recognized projects celebrate diversity, foster collaboration, showcase artistic excellence, and provide learning experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds.

In 2010, Jean- Pierre Pasche, owner of Eastmont Custom Framing and Elusie Gallery, learned that Alane Hartley and Russell Braen, owners of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, were interested in creating a cultural event in their orchard’s landscape. Inspired by a similar project from Pasche’s homeland of Switzerland and in combination with the ECC call for grant applications for ‘Art in Unusual Places’, Pasche and the owners of the orchard joined together to create an outdoor sculpture exhibition. After learning about the awarded ECC grant, the collaborators orchestrated the art sculpture trail that included works by sixteen artists and was open to the public to visit throughout the summer and fall of 2011. The highly successful event brought visitors throughout the pioneer valley and beyond to view art in an outdoor setting overlooking the pastoral views of Easthampton. Because of the immense response to the project, Pasche, Hartley, and Braen are planning another sculpture trail for 2013.

Minutes after learning about the Gold Star Award, Jean Pierre Pasche says, “It’s a nice recognition for everyone involved! I feel like the project really met the criteria perfectly for the Gold Star.” Only three projects were awarded the Gold Star Award this year including Brick + Mortar, a large-scale video festival in Greenfield, MA. “Having two out of three awards going to Western Massachusetts events says a tremendous amount about the area,” says Pasche.

The Gold Star awards are nominated by Local Cultural Councils and are evaluated by the MCC based on a variety of criteria including: artistic quality, success in reaching out to underserved constituents, educational value, and ability to engage with the community.

Kristin Angel, Chair of the ECC says, “The Easthampton Cultural Council is always excited to fund collaborations. We nominated Art in the Orchard because it was a collaboration that brought arts to the community and between businesses and many artists.” She says, “Jean-Pierre Pasche and the Park Hill Orchard really took the idea to the next level. For example for fundraising, they took donations for a public vote for purchase of one of the artist’s sculptures. It also is a project that has the potential for longevity.”

The LCC Program is one of the largest volunteer-run, grassroots arts funding program in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences annually.

Watch a video about Art in the Orchard

3rd Annual Small Works Show

Over 60 artists will exhibit in the Easthampton City Arts⁺ 3rd annual small works show on December 8, 2011- January 7, 2012. An opening event will coincide with the ECA⁺ Light Up the Arts Holiday Bash on December 8, and an Artists’ Reception will be hosted on December 10, during the December Art Walk Easthampton sponsored in-part by High and Mighty Beer.

The Small Works Show is a salon style exhibition that will include numerous artists who will show their small scale works in the ECA⁺ Gallery. It will be a cash and carry format, encouraging buyers to purchase art for the holidays at affordable prices. All works will be smaller than 8 1/2” x 11”, and some much smaller being 1” square. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash.

Some of the works exhibited will be a range of contemporary to traditional work with painting, photography, mixed-media, works on paper, and sculpture, representing the small work size by artists both local and beyond. To name a few: Helen Payne, a Boston artist, will show figurative work produced on Benjamin Moore Paint swatches; Local painter Ron Parent will be displaying his colorful pastel landscapes; Multimedia collages will be on view by Greenfield artist Alicia Renadette; Easthampton sculptor Susan Halls will exhibit small relief tiles; and over 60 more.

This exhibit is free and open to the public for viewing. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 12- 6 p.m. and located at 43 Main Street Easthampton, MA, 01027. Please see easthamptoncityarts.com for more details.

Mixed Media Artist Samantha Pliska Exhibits at Chamber Gallery

Samantha Pliska will exhibit in the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Gallery from November 17, 2011 through January 10, 2012.

The mixed media artist will exhibit her abstract paintings and montage sculptures. Although a photographer at heart, Pliska has embarked on new work that uses acrylic, spray paint, wood, wax, ink, alcohol ink, and found objects. The artist explores the concept of beauty and how it can be perceived from different viewpoints. Her abstract paintings are more internalized while her found object sculptures reflect upon kitsch with the use of toys, religious emblems, and more. However she approaches her art, Pliska finds her inspirations from the same place. She says, "I always enter with an open mind, close my eyes, dig deep and let go. No matter what I am working on, I always end up with paint all over me, even if I'm not painting." Pliska studied criminal justice at Holyoke Community College and studied art under Dean Nimmer.

This will be the artist’s first solo exhibition. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery located at 33 Union Street, Easthampton, MA, is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Light Up the Arts Holiday Bash

On December 8, 2011, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ECA+ invites the community to celebrate the Light up the Arts Holiday Bash—an evening that will include a Small Works Show, the annual silent auction, ECA+ Best of the Valley Volunteer Arts Awards, and a DJ dance after party. The evening will be catered by the Apollo Grill. All community members, art lovers, and artists are invited to attend this festive night at the Historic Town Hall located at 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA.

The Small Works Show is a salon style exhibition that will include numerous artists both local and beyond who will show their small scale works in the ECA+ Gallery. It will be a cash and carry format, encouraging buyers to purchase gifts for the holidays at affordable prices. All works will be smaller than 8 1/2” x 11”, and some much smaller being 1” square. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash.

The Silent Auction will include goods from local businesses and artists. The bidding for this annual auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Some of the auction items include selections and gift certificates by Popcorn Noir, the Lift Hair Salon, East Heaven Paradise Spa, Pioneer Valley Ballet, Valley Art Supplies, and many more. Bidding will begin low but is expected to grow throughout the evening. A cash raffle will also be available for purchase throughout the evening.

Volunteer Awards

This year ECA+ is excited to give outstanding individuals awards for their service to the pioneer valley arts community and ECA+. Two awards will be announced: the 2011 Best ECA+ Volunteer Award and the 2011 Best Pioneer Valley Creative Volunteer Award. These chosen individuals have given their time and service to the cultivation of the arts in the community. Join us to find out if you are the winner!

AfterParty

Following the silent auction and small works show at 8:30 p.m., bidding and selling will come to an end and all can enjoy a DJ dance after party with DJ Youthelectronix at Flywheel.

This event is open to the public and admission is free. Enjoy the delectable catering by the Apollo Grill. For more information please see easthamptoncityarts.com.

Closed - Call to Artists for 2012

Easthampton City Arts+ Gallery is seeking artists/artisans to apply for exhibition for the 2012 exhibition season.

For more information and to apply download a 2012 Prospectus.

The Easthampton City Arts+ Gallery is located in the Historic Town Hall at 43 Main Street in Easthampton, MA, home to other arts businesses and organizations. The ECA+ Gallery exhibits the works of ECA+ members, local artists, and regional artists. A wide-array of artists have exhibited their work in the ECA+ gallery representing a diverse range of medias and stylistic considerations. All are encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2011

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all artists

ENTRY INFORMATION:
• Send 3 images or links to website images to info@easthamptoncityarts.com
• Include a description in 300 words or less about your proposed exhibition
• Include a C/V and/or bio
• Name three months you are able to exhibit from January – December 2012

If you are unable to send digital images, please mail three images, description, c/v, and month preferences to Easthampton City Arts+, c/o Burns Maxey, 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA 01027. Please do not send slides. Images and descriptions will not be returned.

Art in the Orchard: Watch the video

Art in the Orchard, a public art project created in collaboration by Jean-Pierre Pasche and Park Hill Orchard, successfully ended its exhibition at the end of October. The outdoor sculpture park was subject to thousands of visitors throughout the summer and fall who enjoyed a variety of installations created from a multitude of media. Revisit this sculpture park through this video:

Muralist Reflects on Experience

Artist Nancy Howard Smith completed a mural on Chapman Avenue in Easthampton in September of 2011. Nancy is an artist and landscape architect who's design was selected by a jury. This is the third mural in Easthampton created with the help of ECA⁺.

The mural was funded and organized by ECA⁺ and the Massachusetts Cutural Council, Big E's Supermarket, Easthampton Savings Bank and Robinson's Properties. The wall was generously donated by Manchester Hardware.

Hidden/Private Side of Artists

Twelve selected artists/artisans will exhibit in “Hidden/Private side

of artists” in the Easthampton City Arts+ gallery from October 8 through November 9, 2011. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, October 8, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. during Art Walk Easthampton.

In an exhibition curated by artist Marcia Reed, twelve local artists/artisans who are reputed for a specific type of work will be showing a more vulnerable side that rarely leaves their studios. Marcia Reed who has exhibited her landscapes extensively says, “This show came about because I’m always creating pieces that I rarely ever show privately, never mind publicly,” she explains.

Reed selected a variety of artists whose work she was familiar with and she was confident that they created other works outside of their traditional confines. Reed says, “My hopes were to fill the small gallery space with work by twelve local artists who are known for a specific medium or style. Perhaps they are known for their evocative intimate interiors with dramatic lighting, or creating exquisite refined marquetry furniture," says Reed.

Artists included in the exhibition are Susan Boss, Mark Brown, Frank Cressotti, Susan Halls, Alix Hegeler, Natania Hume, Juli Kirk, Silas Kopf, Burns Maxey, Marcia Reed, Justin Thomas, and Susanna White.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The ECA+ gallery is located at 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA.

FILL THE WALLS! ECA+ PRESENTS a SALON EXHIBITION of SMALL WORKS

Call to Artists – Easthampton City Arts+ hosts its 3rd Annual Small Works Show. An exhibit that aims to benefit patrons and artists, the ECA+ Small Works exhibit is offering a cash and carry format for what is looking to be an amazing salon style show!

The exhibit will run from December 8, 2011 – January 7, 2012. Bought works will be given upon purchase to the buyer and artists will be paid directly. ECA+ requests a 25% commission to the gallery from the artist for all purchases. Artists may submit multiple pieces for the show and are encouraged to keep their prices below $100, however this is not an obligation.

To submit work for consideration, please email info@easthamptoncityarts.com with an image of your work, title, size, your name, and location. If the work has not yet been produced, please submit a description.

DEADLINE November 25, 2011

ELIGIBILITY Open to all artists

SIZE REQUIREMENTS No larger than 8 .5" x 11"

MEDIUM/INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS There is no medium requirement, however all works must be ready to install/hang. Artist supplies pedestals for 3-dimensional work.

ABOUT THE GALLERY The Easthampton City Arts+ Gallery is located in the Historic Town Hall at 43 Main Street in Easthampton, MA, home to other arts businesses and organizations. The ECA+ Gallery exhibits the works of ECA+ members, local artists, and regional artists. A wide-array of artists have exhibited their work in the ECA+ gallery representing a diverse range of mediums and stylistic considerations. All are encouraged to apply. ACCEPTED WORKS • Deliver work on December 6 from 12 - 6 p.m. at 43 Main Street Easthampton, MA 01027 • Pick up unsold work Wednesday, January 11, 2011, from 12 - 6 p.m.

ECA+ Hosts Cottage Street Artists

Eighteen artists and crafters will exhibit in "Cottage Street Studio preview" in the Easthampton City Arts+ Gallery from November 12 through December 3, 2012. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, November 12, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. during Art Walk Easthampton. The reception will be sponsored in-part by High and Mighty Beer.

In this annual exhibit at the ECA+ Gallery, Cottage Street Studio Artists exemplify a growing number of renowned artists and crafters whose annual sales in December and June have become a traditional destination point for art viewers and shoppers in the pioneer valley and beyond. During this December sale on December 3-5, Cottage Street Studios celebrates its 25th anniversary. This annual sale will follow the exhibit at ECA+, giving a preview to the works of 18 participating artists and creative businesses.

The following artists will be exhibiting in the Cottage Street Studio Exhibition: Amanda Barrow, Linda Batchelor, Kate Childs, Karen Iglehart, Suzette Jones, Mary Ann LaDuke, Ruth Kjaer, Lynn Latimer of Latimer Glass, Levy Larocque, NESAW ( New England School of Architecture Woodworking), Janine Norton, Patricia Parker, Laura Radwell, Riverside Industries Artists, Annie Steiner, Evelyn Snyder of Kaleidoscope Pottery, Briana Taylor, and Justin Thomas and Janna Ugone of Ugone and Thomas.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The ECA+ gallery is located at 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA.