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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, 2011
In This Issue
Alan Ruuska & Gary Ruuska Win Awards in Jaffrey
Call for Artists-Worcester Art Museum Juried Show
Contra Dances at UUSG
Len Haug Wins First Place in Grafton Fine Arts Festival
Mark Fisher-Intro to Songwriting Class at MWCC
Mark Fisher Trio Will Perform at Gardner Ale House
Southern Rail Bluegrass Group in Ashburnham
Pottery Open Studio Event
Linq Nominated for OutMusician of the Year
Call for Entries-FAM Regional Art & Craft Exhibit
Princeton Arts Society Art Exhibit & Sale
Gary Ruuska Colored Pencil Workshops & Classes
Lori MacDonald Introduction to Acrylics Class
Guy Biechele Macro Photography Workshop
Art Walk Opportunity for Artists/Artisans-Fitchburg
More Shows, Classes, Etc
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GALA  Board of  Directors
Ed Schneeflock, President
Jeff Gallant, Treasurer
Guy Biechele
Nowell Francis
Luis Gonzalez
Chuck Heidorn
Vicki Heidorn
Ellen Schneeflock  
Our Thanks to Sally
Sally Sargent has informed the GALA board of her need to resign to attend to personal matters, and with regret the board has accepted her resignation. We appreciate the commitment, hard work, and enthusiasm with which Sally served. She assured us that she will continue to help the organization whenever she can. We wish you well, Sally!
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Greetings!
Happy spring!
Alan Ruuska & Gary Ruuska Receive Jaffrey Awards

Congratulations to Alan Ruuska and Gary Ruuska

on their public voting awards in the
Jaffrey Civic Center Spring Area Exhibit! 

Image Alan Ruuska-Barn on Bayberry Hill

Alan won 2nd Place in Photography for
"Barn on Bayberry Hill"


Image Gary Ruuska-Wintervention

 

Gary won 2nd Place in the
Multi-Media portion of the show for his Colored Pencil painting, "Colonial Theatre, Keene, NH"   

Call for Artists-Worcester Art Museum Juried Show

Worcester Art Museum, in collaboration with ARTSWorcester, is accepting entries for a juried exhibition titled,

In Context: Art of Here and Now.

Internationally known artist, Annette Lemieux will be the juror.  Cash prizes will be awarded.  Exhibit will be at

the Worcester Art Museum, Higgins Education Wing from

June 16 -August 12, 2011. Intent to Submit due May 20.

For more info and form.

.
Contra Dances at Unitarian Universalist Society

2011 SPRING CONTRA DANCES

Music: The No Name Band

4th Sat. of the month - 7:30 to 10 pm, May 28 & June 25

Set to live music, contra dancing is a traditional New England dance that is easy to learn as all dances are taught by the caller. No need to bring a partner.  Beginners and experienced dancers, all ages and level of ability are welcome!

Please wear clean, soft-soled shoes.

Suggested donation: $6.00 per person.

All proceeds used towards handicapped accessibility.

Call Terry 978-632-6677 or email [email protected] www.uusg.net   66 Elm Street, Gardner, MA 

Len Haug Receives First Place Award in Grafton

Image Len Haug-My Farm House 

Congratulations to Len Haug!  

 

"In the Shade of My Farm House"

won First Place in Mixed Media at the Grafton Fine Arts and Music Festival.
This piece by Len has also won awards at other shows including First Place in Mixed Media in the GALA 2010 Spring Show.

Intro to Songwriting Class with Mark Fisher

Mark Fisher will be teaching Intro to Songwriting

at MWCC in Gardner, MA. A class for anyone who wants to write, or perform their own songs, or wants to be more inspired with their creative experience. 

Thursday nights 7-9 pm on June 9, 16, 23 & 30,  $69

For more info 

Mark Fisher Trio Will Perform at Gardner Ale House  

Image Mar Fisher TrioMark Fisher Trio returns to the Gardner Ale House on Saturday night May 14 after a 15 month absence. They will be playing music from Mark's 5 CD releases, along with familiar music by The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Motown, and more.
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Southern Rail Will Perform Bluegrass in Ashburnham

The Southern Rail bluegrass group will perform in a fundraiser for the Ashburnham Conservation Trust at the Ashburnham Community Church on May 7, 2011, starting at 7:30 pm.

For more info 

Wallace Hill Pottery Open Studio Event  

Annual Open Studio Event at Wallace Hill Pottery
May 14 & 15, 2011   9 am - 4 pm
at 98 Wallace Hill Rd, Townsend MA with potters

Joan Sinatra Hathaway    www.sunburstpotteryonline.com 

Deb Oatman Gardner   www.wildwindstudios.com 

Lorna Fredd    (Artful Codger Studio)

Paula J. Barry    www.wallacehillpottery.com 

All can be found on facebook.

There will be a great selection of handmade pottery, new forms, familiar works and local treats.
There will also be seconds and discontinued pieces (so, visit early).
For more info, email [email protected] 

Linq Nominated for OutMusician of the Year

Image Linq-Oh Bully CD Cover                                Congratulations to Linq! 

Royalston-based singer/songwriter Linq (GALA member Diane Lincoln) is headed to New York City this month as one of five nominees for OutMusician of the Year (music + activism) in the 7th Annual OutMusic Awards Show sponsored by the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA).  Category winners will be announced at the event.

This is Linq's second OutMusician of the Year nomination: in 2009 for "Change the Picture" and in 2010 for "Oh Bully."

 

Award website: www.outmusicawards.com      Visit Linq's website at http://www.linqmusic.com 

Fitchburg Art Museum Regional Exhibit Call for Entries

The Call for Entries for the Fitchburg Art Museum 76th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft 

is available on the FAM website.  Entries must be postmarked by May 14.
Exhibit Dates:  June 26 - September 4, 2011.  Opening Reception: June 26, 1 - 3 pm.

Princeton Arts Society Art Exhibit & Sale

The Princeton Arts Society 20th Anniversary Art Exhibit & Sale

Exhibit Dates: May 13 -15, 2011

Artist Reception with live music: Friday, May 13, 7-9 pm (Awards Ceremony 8 pm)

Public Gallery Hours: Saturday, May 14, 10 am-9 pm (Public Reception with live music 7-9 pm)

Sunday, May 15, 12 noon-4 pm (Popular Choice Award 3:30 pm)

Location: Princeton Center Building, 18 Boylston Avenue, Princeton, MA

For more info, download the exhibit flyer. 

    

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Colored Pencil Workshops & Classes with Gary Ruuska    

Image Gary Ruuska-Persimmons in a Square VaseGary Ruuska is offering Spring 2011 classes and workshops
at the Sharon Arts Center School in Sharon, NH.

     

Workshops: "Colored Pencil for Absolute Beginners"

Saturday, May 28, 10 am - 3 pm
Saturday, June 25, 10 am - 3 pm
8-Week Classes: "Painterly Colored Pencil"
Thursdays, May 5 to June 23, 10 am - 1 pm
Thursdays, May 5 to June 23, 6 - 9 pm
  
For more info see Gary's website registration page.
Introduction to Acrylics Class with Lori MacDonald
Image Boulder Art Gallery

Lori MacDonald is taking registrations for her next

Introduction to Acrylics class at the Boulder Art Gallery 

960 Main St., Fitchburg. The class will be held on four
Monday evenings from 6:30 - 9 pm, May 16, May 23,
(no class Memorial Day Monday), June 6, and June 13.

  

Discover the vast range of colors available in a split primary palette by making a color chart. Learn the effects of different acrylic mediums on a variety of surfaces. Paint with a palette/painting knife for a loose impasto painting. Also, paint a small landscape in one session with step-by-step demonstration (a photo reference is provided). The cost for the 4-session class is $60 plus materials. A materials list will be provided to purchase in advance.

 To register, call Lori at 978-407-9333 or email: [email protected] 

Visit Lori's website: www.macdonaldartist.com 

Macro Photography Workshop with Guy Biechele
Image Guy Biechele-Petalscape

Macro and Close Up Photography, May 14, 2011, 10 am-2:30 pm

at the Sharon Arts Center, School of Art and Craft, Sharon, NH.

                 Guy's website: www.guybiechele.com 

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.

What to bring: Compact digital camera with macro mode, or digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera with a macro lens. Also bring if possible a tripod, flash attachment, remote shutter release, sturdy shoes, insect repellent.

For more info or to register, see the Sharon Arts Center course catalog or call 603-924-7256.

Call For Artists/Artisans-Fitchburg First Thursday Art Walk 

Be part of Fitchburg's First Thursday celebrations!
  We are seeking tent vendors to set up on Main Street on first Thursday's from
May - October from 4:00/5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Great opportunity to promote your work.
Go to: http://theboulderartgallery.com/favorite_links.html to see a map and further details.
  
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More Shows, Classes, Etc.
Jaffrey Civic Center

Felting by Lynn Slade  On exhibit: now to May 26.  More info 

  
Fitchburg Art Museum
Every First Thursday of the month, museum admission is free from 4 to 8 pm
and tours and other activities are offered. Call 978-345-4207 for more information.
 
Eddy Troxler & The Jazz Depot
 See their website thejazzdepot.com for information on upcoming shows.
 
Websites of Interest to Artists
 Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and check out the MCC blog ArtSake.
 
 The Painter's Keys where you can subscribe to twice weekly letters from artist Robert Genn.
 
Art Exhibit Opportunities
Greater Gardner CDC: contact Vicki Heidorn at [email protected] or 978-630-2340
Heywood Hospital Wound Care Center: contact Vicki Heidorn (see above)
The Townsend Meeting Hall Gallery: contact Alice Struthers at [email protected] or
              978-597-2057
 GALA Receives 2010 Constant Contact Email Marketing All Star Award!
2010 All Star Award Logo
GALA has once again been named an All Star by Constant Contact for demonstrating best practices in the use of email marketing. Award winners were selected from over 400,000 small businesses and organizations.
All Stars are recognized for setting the standard of being a responsible, engaged, professional, and successful online marketer.

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SubmissionsNewsletter Submissions
Have news about awards, shows, events, classes, or new gallery representation?
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 [email protected] or the GALA mailing address.
Submission deadline is the 21st of each month.