GALA LogoTopGALA Newsletter

GALA was organized to promote the arts as an essential component of a healthy community. We believe that artistic expression is a community's greatest legacy for future generations. GALA will increase awareness and appreciation of the arts by way of exhibits, instruction, theater productions, musical programs and provision of scholarships to students in local schools.

GALA, PO Box 1158, 377 Main St., Gardner, MA 01440
www.galagardner.org
May, 2009
In This Issue
GALA Spring Art Show at Elks Club
Featured Artist M. Isabel Roberts
Lisa Regopoulos Wins Best of Show
Jan Queijo Wins 3rd Place in MQX
Lori MacDonald juried into Arts in Bloom
Guy Biechele Wins 2nd Place in Jaffrey
Jan Queijo Donates Quilt to Gardner Animal Shelter
Introduction to Acrylics Class with Lori MacDonald
Guy Biechele Macro Photography Workshop
Colored Pencil Classes with Gary Ruuska
GGAA Gardner Library Exhibit
Leominster Art in the Park
Ruuska Family Exhibit
Who's Showing Where?
GETV Show About GALA
Art Exhibit Opportunities
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List!
Welcome New Members!
Heidi Brennan
Barbara Chapman
Leann DeGrace
Jeannette Goguen
Paula Murphy
Scott Niemi
Michael Pellegrini
Barbara Roche
Fitchburg Paint-In Call for Artists
Artists are invited to capture the Olmsted Landscape at Crocker Field in Fitchburg, MA. 25 artists will be selected to participate.
Application deadline is May 13.

For more info & application forms:
www.fitchburgculturalalliance.org
Fitchburg Art Museum Regional Exhibit
The Fitchburg Art Museum
74th Regional Exhibition
of Art & Craft
Entry forms due by May 15.
Call 978-345-4207
Museum web site: http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/
GALA  Board of  Directors
Ed Schneeflock, President
Jeff Gallant, Treasurer
Guy Biechele
Nowell Francis
Luis Gonzalez
Chuck Heidorn
Vicki Heidorn
Janet Reed
Sally Sargent
Ellen Schneeflock
Greetings!
The GALA Spring Art Show and Sale is just days away!

Please join us at the Opening Reception on Friday, May 8, from 6-9 pm. It's wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy great music and art!
GALA Spring Art Show - May 8-10, 2009
The show will be at a different location this year: the Elks Club located at 31 Park Street in Gardner.

Important show dates for artists:
May 6        Art drop off               4-6 pm
May 8        Opening Reception   6-9 pm
May 9-10   Show days
May 10      Art pick up               4-5 pm

Help to publicize the show! Print flyers and postcards for distribution and display.
Print 8x11 flyer
Print postcard front and back
Featured Artist M. Isabel Roberts
Image Roberts Spanish Town
"Spanish Town" received an Honorable Mention in Oils in the 2009 GGAA Annual Spring Exhibit
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
 
M. Isabel Roberts has always loved art, music and dance. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, a town known for its cultural events and colonial style. You can see this influence in some of her paintings.
 
Isabel's inspiration comes from nature, landscapes and places she has been in Europe and the U.S. She loves the change of seasons in New England and tries to capture the breathtaking colors of fall in her oil paintings and watercolors.
 
Isabel studied art in "San Carlos Academy" and has taken private classes with well known art teachers. She has shown in both solo and group exhibits; winning ribbons in juried shows. Isabel paints for the happiness and satisfaction of creating something beautiful and meaningful from a blank canvas or paper.
 
Be sure visit the GALA website to enjoy Isabel's beautiful work as our Featured Artist for six weeks beginning in early May.
Lisa Regopoulos Wins Best of Show!
Congratulations to GALA member
Lisa Regopoulos
for her Best of Show win in
the New Hampshire Pastel Society
2009 Members Exhibition!

Lisa's website: www.lisaregopoulos.com

Jan Queijo Wins 3rd Place at MQX!
Image Queijo MQX 3rd-place quilt
(Click on the image for a larger version.)
 
Congratulations to GALA member
Jan Queijo (The Crazy Dog Lady)
for her 3rd Place win in the
2009 Machine Quilters Exposition
!
Jan's website: www.crazydoglady.com
Lori MacDonald Juried into Arts in Bloom
Image MacDonald Three Blossoms on Back BeachCongratulations to GALA member
Lori MacDonald

who recently had three paintings juried into the 11th Annual Arts in Bloom Spring Juried Show in Hopkinton, MA. This annual event by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Hopkinton is sponsored by the TJX Corporation. The show takes place April 30th - May 22nd. The show is at the CAA Farmhouse at 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton, MA.
 
The Gallery Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 2:30 - 5:30 pm
       Three Blossoms on Back Beach                                 Saturdays & Sundays 2:30 - 4:30 pm
   (Click on the image for a larger version.)         Lori's website: www.macdonaldartist.com.
Guy Biechele Wins 2nd Place in Jaffrey
Image Biechele Misty Morning in Harbor
Congratulations to GALA member
Guy Biechele

for his second place award in the
Jaffrey Civic Center 2009 Spring Art Exhibit
for his photograph "Misty Morning in Harbor"
!
Guy's website: www.guybiechele.com
                            (Click on the image for a larger version.)

Go to top
Gardner Animal Shelter Quilt Raffle
Image Queijo Gardner Animal Shelter donation quilt 
Jan Queijo (the Crazy Dog Lady) has generously donated a 40" square quilt to the Gardner Animal Control Facility to raise funds to assist in paying veterinary bills. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can be purchased through the mail (click here for the order form) or by calling Hope at 978-630-4950.
 
The drawing will be held on August 3, 2009.
 
(Click on the image to the left to see a larger version of the quilt to be raffled.)

 
Jan's website: www.crazydoglady.com
Introduction to Acrylics Class with Lori MacDonald
Acrylic painter/artist, Lori MacDonald, will offer An Introduction to Acrylics class at The Boulder Art Gallery in Fitchburg on Tuesday evenings in May, beginning May 5th from 6:30 to 9 pm. The 4-week course is ideal for the beginning artist and for the seasoned artist wishing to try a new medium. In addition to learning methods, materials, and color mixing, the class will include painting a landscape from a photograph. The cost for the 4-week class is $60 plus materials. A materials package is available to purchase. To register or if you have questions, please e-mail Lori at: macdonaldartist@yahoo.com or call 978-407-9333.

Lori's website: www.macdonaldartist.com.
Guy Biechele Macro Photography Workshop
Image Biechele Backlit ButterflyMacro and Close Up Photography
May 30, 2009  10:00 am - 2:30 pm
at the Fitchburg Art Museum
Through macro photography we can enjoy a whole new world of photographic subjects and opportunities. Insects, interesting flora, tiny details and patterns can fill our photographs. During this workshop we will discuss equipment and techniques for macro photography, spend time in the field photographing, and finish by reviewing and discussing the photographs we made."
(Click on the image for a larger version.)               Guy's website: www.guybiechele.com
For more info, go to Fitchburg Art Museum (click on Art Classes) or call 978-345-4207.
Colored Pencil Classes with Gary Ruuska
Adventures in Colored Pencil
6 Weeks (May 8 - June 12)  Fridays, 10 am - 1 pm
In this class we will explore techniques for creating colored pencil paintings with depth and vibrancy. Learn to build bold and exciting color using a gradual layering technique on a variety of surfaces. Beginners welcome.

Colored Pencil Explorations
Saturday,  June 27  10 am - 3 pm
Discover how the deceptively simple and convenient medium of colored pencil can be used to create wonderfully
complex and detailed works of art on a marble-dust coated board. Beginners welcome.

For more information, click on the link below:
Sharon Arts Center Spring 2009 Classes & Workshops or call 603-924-7256.
Gary's website: artbygaryruuska.com

GGAA Gardner Library Exhibit
Greater Gardner Artists Association
Gardner Library Exhibit

April 28 - May 28, 2009
Levi Heywood Memorial Library, 55 West Lynde St., Gardner, MA  978-632-5298
Leominster Art in the Park
Leominster's 3rd Annual
Summer Stroll and Art
in the Park
is Saturday, June 27, 2-6 pm (rain date June 28)
15 artists can set up in Monument Park to sell their work and/or demonstrate. Open to all artists. No fee to set up. Donations appreciated. First come, first served. For info, call Susan Cashman at 978-870-5066 or to sign up, call the Leominster Recreation Dept at 978-534-7529.
Ruuska Family Exhibit
"Art in the Family"
an exhibit by GALA members Alan, Anna & Gary Ruuska
Peterborough Library    2 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH    603-924-8040
May 2 - 30, 2009
ruuskaimages.com
Who's Showing Where?
Heywood Hospital Wound Care Center:  Priscilla Mavrikis-Walker (oils & acrylics)
                                                                now to June 25.
Gardner CDC:
  Kate O'Connor (acrylics) now to June 18.
Jumpin' Juice & Java in Gardner:  Gail Hansche Godin (photography) now to June 30.
GETV Show About GALA
You can still see the Gardner Educational TV show about GALA featuring the 2008 Spring and Fall Art Shows! We've been given permission to provide a DVD for private showing (not to be sold or altered, of course). Contact Vicki at 978-630-2340 or email info@galagardner.org to arrange to borrow the DVD.
Art Exhibit Opportunities
Gardner Ale House: contact Janet Reed at jmracountrygirl@yahoo.com or 978-249-6812
Greater Gardner CDC: contact Sally Sargent at heysal48@comcast.net or 978-939-5454
Heywood Hospital Wound Care Center: contact Sally Sargent (see above)
Jumpin' Juice & Java in Gardner: contact Andy Erickson at JJJGardner@hotmail.com or
              978-895-1993
Jumpin' Juice & Java in Worcester: contact Joshua Van Dyke at JJJWorcester@hotmail.com or
              401-474-0380
SubmissionsNewsletter Submissions
Have news about awards, shows, events, or classes?
Have an article you would like to submit?
Please send it "publication ready", as we need to minimize the need for editing.
Send submissions including your contact info
to Anna Ruuska at webawr@comcast.net or the GALA mailing address.
Submission deadline is the 21st of each month.