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April 2016
In This Issue
Welcome New 
GALA Members!

Diana Suskind
Debora Marques
Kabilgangai Subramanian
Linda Keech
Jeff Bowers

GALA Board of Directors

Deb Giordano President
Nowell Francis Treasurer
Paula Botch (Secretary)
Michael Marcinkiewicz (Accountant)
Guy Biechele
Ashley Bird
Kevin Bird
Chuck Heidorn
Doreen LaScola
Bethany Price


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 664 
Gardner, MA 01440
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Newsletter Editor
Dana Armstrong

Newsletter Tip

Clicking on images in this newsletter will generally open a larger image. Underlined text is generally a hyperlink - clicking on it may take you to a related website. 

Massachusetts Cultural Council
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[email protected]

President's Note

Dear Friends,

Spring is finally here and our Spring Art Show starts today! The show will run April 1-3rd at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner. Do you believe this is our 16th Annual Spring Show! This is one of our biggest shows yet, so don't miss it. If you are looking for art on your walls this is the place to be. We will have art entries from four High Schools in the surrounding areas. We are excited to see their work too.

We will also be officially announcing our BIG Surprise tonight (Friday) just before the awards. Come and find out what all the excitement is about.

See you at the show!

Sincerely,

Deb Giordano
President of GALA

We are working on new plans to help our musicians. We have produced a survey to help us identify what you are looking for, so we are better able to support you as an artist. If you are a musician, please take a few minutes and fill out our survey. Click on this link that will direct you to the survey: https://form.jotform.com/galaform/musician-survey.

You may also find the survey on GALA's Events Website, galagardnerevents.weebly.com.

Thank You!

SAVE THE DATE! 
 
GALA 2016 SPRING ART SHOW WITH LIVE MUSIC
April 1-3, 2016

GALA Color Logo Opening Reception Tonight!: Friday, April 1, 6-9 pm (Judges' Awards at 7 pm)

View wonderful art and enjoy fantastic live music.

Please visit the show web page for more info including: Music Schedule, Silent Auction artwork, Artist Demos and Show Artists.

Custom Label Wines to Benefit GALA
Whether you love art or love wine 
(or both!), purchasing our wine is a super way to support the local arts community.

They make very creative 
and tasteful gifts as well. 

Get all the info about the wines & order today here and enjoy a toast to art!

MemberNewsMember News & Exhibits
Discover Your Imagination Sculpture Project by C.M. Judge
NH Arts Learning Network
Discover Your Imagination, a public sculpture project, created during C.M.Judge's residency at East Kingston Elementary School with 155 students is being featured on the NH Arts Learning Network website. "It was a joy to work with art teacher, Merrilyn San Soucie and a wonderful group of students. A 96' wall goes from bland gray to spirited color with the beauty and goodness of children's art!"

 
Inside the Lines: Adult Coloring Book by Emily Royal
Lulu.com
Emily Royal has self-published an adult coloring book "Inside The Lines: Colorful Meditations." It is available through lulu self publishers and can be found at the following web address: http://tinyurl.com/hc8zrbg.

Emily is a graphic designer who daylights at The Gardner News and moonlights as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator at her home in Winchendon, Mass. For more information about the artist, you can find her @crazyowlem on Instagram or online at http://royalsnapshots.wix.com/emilyroyal. She can also be reached through e-mail at [email protected].

Keila Ploof
Center for Wound Care, Heywood Hospital
 
Chiesa Madre by Keila Ploof
Paper Artist, Keila Ploof, will be exhibiting her artwork during regular business hours at the Center for Wound Care, Heywood Hospital, 250 Green St., Gardner, MA, for the months of March and April, 2016.

Keila "paints" using paper to create unique works of art. Her subject matter is varied; from figures to Italy to farms. Texture plays a dramatic role, the raking light changes the works in new and exciting ways. A must see in person!

Keila Marie Ploof
Paper Artist
Joanne Holtje
Amy H. Carberry Fine Art Gallery
 
Inlet No.4 by Joanne Holtje
Joanne Holtje, along with three other artists will be featured at the Amy H. Carberry Fine Art Gallery in a show called Playscapes. This show invokes the sense of place or elements of the natural world, but through less traditional representations that encourage the viewer to be aware of their relationship to the world around them. These landscapes are created for play, imagination, reflection, and personal moments.

Show runs from March 8th - April 9th
Reception  March 22nd 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square, Springfield, MA
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12:30-4:30 and Saturday 10-2 p.m.

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ArtShowsandExhibits
Art Shows & Exhibits
On the Cusp: Photographic Art by Natasha Hanna
Nina's Nook, Turners Falls, MA
 
Shoes by Natasha Hanna
Experience Natasha Hanna's photographic art at Nina's Nook from March 31 to May 7 in her exhibit called "On the Cusp." Hanna's lens brings the viewer into a magic world through a focus on the everyday scenes transformed with digital artistry. "My photos are on the cusp of dream and reality...the line in-between is so vague."

Meet the artist at a closing reception at the Nook on Saturday May 7, 5-7 p.m. Nina's Nook is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. and by appointment: 413.834.8800. It is located at 125A Avenue A in Turners Falls, next to the Black Cow Burger Bar and online at ninasnook.com.
 
 
Perspective Exhibit: Opening Reception
Post Road Art Center, Marlborough, MA
 
Saura by Joan Rubin-Deutsch
Please join us at the Post Road Art Center for the free opening reception of the Perspective Exhibit on Thursday April 7th from 5:30-8:00 pm. There will be plenty of great artwork, refreshments, and good company. All artwork is for sale and on view in our gallery until April 28th.

Post Road Art Center
1 Boston Post Road East
Marlborough, MA  01752
508.485.2580
www.postroadartcenter.com
  
 
Eclectic: A Retrospective Exhibition
The Jaffrey Civic Center
 
Fractured by Micella Carla Statuto
The Jaffrey Civic Center is pleased to announce a Young Artist Spotlight exhibit which will showcase the work of local young artists under the age of 30. The debut exhibit of Micella Carla Statuto, will include her mixed media work titled, Eclectic- A Retrospective Exhibition in the first floor Display Cases beginning March 11th through April 7th. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, March 11th from 5pm to 7 pm. A native of Peterborough, Micella graduated with a BA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she hungrily delved into every facet of art, from painting to welding. As the daughter of a physician, the study of human anatomy highly influences her surrealist pieces, in particular. She is a self-taught jeweler, and is currently pursuing a career as a professional art teacher. She recently completed an internship at the Jaffrey Rindge Middle School where she was an Art teacher intern. In addition, her jewelry can be found locally at Alice Blue in Peterborough.

Statuto breaks through boundaries and challenges conventional thinking and ideas with each interesting and dynamic piece, and her need to convey a vast array of profound and sometimes uncomfortable emotions is what truly drives her work. Her passion for artistic expression in nearly all mediums stems from her innate desire to visually communicate with a diverse audience, while positively impacting others.
 
 
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ArtClasses
Art Classes & Instruction
Painting Joy  
May/June Workshop with Catherine Judge
 
Learn at your own pace as instructor, Catherine Judge, works with you to design an individual plan of instruction that inspires you. This five session workshop allows students new to painting the opportunity to get training in the fundamentals while more advanced students enjoy tackling challenging projects under expert guidance. Students are encouraged to choose subject matter that appeals to them while experiencing various painting techniques and styles from observational work to abstraction. Media include oil, acrylic and pastel. Five classes meet every other Thursday morning starting May 5th, 2016.

10 am to noon on May 5th & 19th; June 2nd, 16th & 30th. Five class workshop: $125
The Venerini Learning Center, 84 Prospect Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420

Bring your own art supplies or a list will be sent to those new to painting.
To register, please e-mail Catherine at [email protected] or call 978-343-7557. 

Students will get plenty of personal attention, and Lisa's enthusiasm for still life painting is as contagious for the beginner as it is for the experienced painter.

Lithography Courses with Corinne Rhodes   
Worcester Art Museum
 
Life Jackets by Corinne Rhodes
Lithography is returning to Worcester Art Museum! GALA member Corinne Rhodes of Cherry Press will be teaching two lithography courses focusing on new, non-toxic techniques at WAM during their upcoming Spring Session. Introduction to Lithography meets Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. starting April 26 - June 14. Advanced Lithography will introduce new, non-toxic techniques to artists already familiar with the art of lithography and/or experienced printmakers and meets on Thursday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m. starting April 28 - June 16. These classes are both eight sessions long and an incredibly good bargain. If you have questions about the classes at WAM or would be interested in learning one-on-one or renting printmaking studio time at Cherry Press please email Corinne at: [email protected].

Realistic Still Life in Pastel with Lisa Ober- Only a few spots left! 
Stone Arch Village Community Room, Keene, NH
 
Artist Lisa Ober, PSA, will teach a color-filled workshop on how to create beautifully detailed still life paintings in pastel. Lisa will take a step-by-step approach through her unique still life technique, from the first sketch to the finished piece using a photo reference (provided). 

Students will get plenty of personal attention, and Lisa's enthusiasm for still life painting is as contagious for the beginner as it is for the experienced painter. 

Date:
September 17th & 18th, 2016
10:00am-4:30pm

Location:
Stone Arch Village Community Room
835 Court Street, Keene, NH

For more information on Lisa Ober click the following link: www.lisaober.com

 
The registration form should have all the information you need, but please feel free to contact Carol at [email protected]

Our first 2 workshops for 2016:

Abstracting the Landscape-Barbara Danser
Two-day workshop
April 9 & 10, 2016
10-4 p.m.
Registration Form

To see Barbara's work go to: danserart.com

John Sirios-Oil/Acrylic
May 21, 2016
Registration Form

To see John's work go to: johnsiroisart.com

Please visit our website for forms & more info: www.monadnockareaartists.org

Welcome Spring!
Petersham Art Center, Petersham, MA
 
Petersham Art Center is sponsoring two classes in April to welcome spring.

 On Sat, April 9, from 10AM-12Noon, Lynn Hartman of Hartman's Herb Farm in Barre will help participants create a Fairy Dish. Using sedum moss, decorative plants, a garden dish, and of, course, fairies, the class will take home their own miniature wonderland, for inside the home or to display in the outdoor garden. The cost is $15 members, $35 nonmembers, with a $30 materials fee.

Sue Morello
On Sat, April 16, from 9AM-12Noon, Sue Morello from Sheldon Farm Baskets in Barre will  return to teach yet another of her ever-popular basket classes. This class will make their own flower-gathering basket to heap spring blooms into from the garden. The cost is $15 members, $35 nonmembers, with a $15 materials fee.

Call the Petersham Art Center, 8 North Street, at 978-724-3415 for more information and to register.


Four Fine Artists, Four Fine Teas
Petersham Art Center, Petersham, MA


Acclaimed artist, Jeannette Martin of Petersham, will be the second artist to share her personal artistic adventures and world-view of art in the Petersham Art Center's Four Fine Artists, Four Fine Teas series, on Tuesday, April 5, from 3:30-5PM. The series is sponsored in part by a grant from the Petersham Cultural Council.

Ms. Martin has studied art at Bennington College, City College of New York and the Art Students League of New York. She also maintains her own art gallery in Port Clyde, Maine. She has worked her artistry in oils, watercolors, acrylics and many other mediums for her renderings of still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and  the everyday passages of daily life.

Abigail Rorer of Petersham with be the third artist in the Petersham Art Center's "Four Fine Artists, Four Fine Teas" series on Tuesday, May 3, from 3:30-5PM. Rorer has gained an international reputation as a fine print engraver. Her Lone Oak Studio in Petersham has been the birthplace of many limited edition fine art books and prints. She was chosen to illustrate such heirlooms as "Faith in a Seed," by Henry David Thoreau, a compilation of his last manuscript, and has created her own print fine art book with excerpts from Thoreau, "Of Woodland Pools, Spring-Holes & Ditches." Everyone is welcome to enjoy fine tea, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and fine conversation. Reservations are a MUST! Suggested donation is $5 for this event at the Petersham Art Center, 8 North St, Petersham. Call 978-724-3415 for reservations.

The tea and artist talks will continue with Janet Palin on June 7th. These fine artist talks and teas are sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Petersham Cultural Council.

Reservations to the Four Fine Artists, Four Fine Teas events are an absolute must due to limited space. Donation is $5 per event. Please call Petersham Art Center, 8 North Street, Petersham, at 978-724-3415 for reservations and for more information.


Accounting for Artists
ArtsWorcester, Worcester, MA

Saturday, April 9, 2016
10:00am to 12:00pm
ArtsWorcester
660 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610

Tax season is approaching and handling the financial aspects of a creative career can be daunting. This workshop, led by Anna Koon, will cover topics like deductions for artists, year-round bookkeeping, creating a budget, taxes and accounting tools. Participants will walk away with a confident understanding of how to effectively handle their finances, no matter how big or small their business aspirations.

In addition to her career as a full-time painter, Anna is a board member and educator for the Jamaica Plain Arts Council. She is the Director of the Focusing Series, a "Partner in Residence" at Uforge Gallery in Jamaica Plain, and has developed workshops for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, the Danforth Museum and ArtsWorcester. Through Creative Coaching, Anna has offered principled guidance and practical assistance to artists and entrepreneurs for over a decade.

Participation is limited to twenty five, and registration is first come, first served. You must be a current member of ArtsWorcester to register.  Please register by email. A wait list will be held.

We thank the Melvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation for its support of these workshops.

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Cultural Influence Exhibit: Call to Artists
Post Road Art Center, Marlborough, MA
The Post Road Art Center will be hosting a juried exhibit in May. The theme of this upcoming show is Cultural Influence. As always, the theme can be interpreted in many different ways. Don't be afraid to think outside the box! Please visit our website for suggestions, submission details, and the registration form. Submissions will be accepted April 21 -28 until 7:00pm. The opening reception will be on Thursday May 26th 5:30-8:00pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and People's Choice winners. There are also opportunities to win gift certificates to Post Road Art Center.

Post Road Art Center
1 Boston Post Road East
Marlborough, MA  01752
508.485.2580
www.postroadartcenter.com

Art in the City: Call To Artists
Family Health Center of Worcester
You are invited to participate as a donating artist in Family Health Center of Worcester's 18th Annual Art in the City Gala. The art auction gala raises funds to support needed health services for low-income families living in Worcester County and South Worcester County. Art in the City will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Washburn Hall at Mechanics Hall in downtown Worcester.

The Art in the City Planning Committee is seeking donations of original works of art for our silent auction. Donating artists are invited to join us as our guest for the evening of the gala. In an online gallery at artinthecity.org, community members will be able to preview your work, read your biography, and view links to your personal website before and after the event. Your biography will also be listed in our program booklet.

Please return the Call to Artists form no later than March 25, 2016.

 
 
Call for Artists: Annual Spring Art Exhibit and Sale
Princeton Arts Society, Princeton, MA
All members of the Princeton Arts Society are invited to participate in our 25 Years of Community Creativity spring show, May 13, 14, and 15. Opening Reception will be on Friday from 6:30 to 9:00PM. Gallery hours include Saturday, May 14, from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday, May 15, from Noon to 4 PM.

The show is open to all two and three-dimensional media artists and will be judged as a single body of work with $50 cash prizes awarded in three categories: 1) technical execution, 2) level of creativity, and 3) visual impact.
Call for Artists
Entry Form

Princeton Arts Society
Princeton Center Building

18 Boylston Ave, Princeton, MA
princetonarts.org
 
North American Open Show: Call for Artists
New England Watercolor Society
The Pearl by Gerarde Doucette
The prospectus is now available for the 2016 North American Open Show, hosted by the North Shore Art Association in Gloucester MA, from September 25 to October 29.

We are now accepting submissions. The deadline for entries is midnight, July 28th. Over $7000 in prizes will be awarded to participating artists.

The show will be juried by Mary Whyte, a renowned and well-respected figurative watercolorist, best known for her sensitive portraits of the Gullah people of her native coastal South Carolina.

Full details are available on the NEWS website.

Download the prospectus.
 
Call for Artists
Amherst Public Art Commission
Amherst Town Hall
Amherst Town Hall
The Amherst Public Art Commission invites area artists or groups of artists to submit work for consideration for exhibition in the Amherst Town Hall Gallery, beginning in July 2016. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Exhibits are on display for two months. Artists are encouraged to participate in the monthly Amherst Art Walk during their exhibition.

Various hanging media including painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, pastels, mixed media, fiber and illustration will be considered.

Submission requirements: Completed application, resume, 4 digital images and a $20 entry fee. Applications must be received no later than April, 1, 2016 and are reviewed as they are received.

To request an application or ask additional questions, contact Amy at [email protected]
 
The Art Exhibit Committee
Athol Public Library
Athol Public Library
The Art Exhibit Committee of the Athol Public Library invites area artists to submit work for consideration for exhibition in the library's conference room.

The committee will review work for one person shows on an ongoing basis.

Various hanging media including painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, photography, textiles and mixed media are eligible.

Application forms with submission requirements are available at the library circulation desk and online at: www.athollibrary.org and
http://tinyurl.com/ptswy4v

For more information please or call Heidi at 879-248-9995 or email: [email protected]
 
 
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Resources 
Resources for Artists
Custom Canvas Stretching
Doreen LaScola is offering services for stretching custom sized blank canvases. You supply the materials, and she will do the work. 

Please call 978-297-3427 for a labor-only quote and to arrange an appointment.  
Contact Doreen by email at: [email protected]
The Central Mass Chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art
The Central Mass chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art (CMWCA) is accepting new memberships.   We are a national organization that supports, develops and celebrates art making by women.  We create exhibition opportunities; network with artists regionally, nationally and internationally;  and offer educational programs locally. We are organized as an artists' collective where each member contributes to our vision and works as needed to carry our mission forward. 

For more information, see our websites: www.centralmasswca.org and www.nationalwca.org.

Art Support & Other
Art Support is a website dedicated to providing support and resources for artists of all types. 
 
The following is just a small list of support provided to artists: Organizations Helping Visual Artists, US Government Art Organizations, State Agencies and Art Commissions, Non Governmental Art Organizations, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Laws Regarding Visual Arts, Artist Consultants, Grants for Artists & Grant Assistance, Artist Health Insurance, and many other legal support and resources for Massachusetts artists.
 
________________  
 
Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and check out the MCC blog ArtSake

Leominster Art Center has launched a new website:  leominsterartcenter.com 
   
The Painter's Keys where you can subscribe to twice weekly letters from artist Robert Genn.

Visit the Arts Marketing Project website for info, ideas, tools and training on marketing art. 
   
Mini Grants for Professional Development are available through NewVue Communities. More information
 
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Opportunities 
Exhibit & Other Opportunities for Artists & Musicians
(Ongoing)
Exhibit Opportunities
Heywood Hospital Wound Care Center Gardner, MA  (GALA Sponsored Venue)
Contact Vicki Heidorn a[email protected] or 978-630-2340

Contact Alice Struthers a[email protected] or 978-597-2057

The Arts Alliance has quarterly exhibits at the Hudson Town Hall, so if you are interested in a solo exhibit of your work, contact Danielle Moskowitz at (978) 562-1646 or [email protected].
 
Falmouth Artists Guild  Falmouth, MA

Post Road Art Center  Marlborough, MA
 
The Library is always looking for exhibitors to show their work in the Art Gallery. If you are interested in exhibiting as an individual or a group, please contact the Library Director, Kathleen D. Leslie at 978-632-5298 or [email protected] 
 
Workers' Credit Union  Gardner, MA
The bank offers the opportunity for a small display of artwork at the 171 Main St. branch in Gardner. For more info, contact Monica Whitehouse at 978-632-9207.

Art & Music Instruction Opportunity
The West Boylston Arts Foundation (WBAF) is always looking for artists, crafters, or musicians that would like to offer workshops or classes. 

Donating a portion of the course fee to the WBAF to support school arts & music would be most welcome. 

If interested, please contact Mark Baldi (508) 767-2803 - work  (508) 835-6489 - home

Monthly Bluegrass/Gospel Jam
A bluegrass/gospel jam will be held on April 23 and May 15 from 6:30-10:00pm.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
79 Cross St.
Gardner, MA

Contact Pamela Harris at 978-895-3133 for more information. 

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More Exhibits & Classes
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We Need Your Help! 
(Ongoing)
There are many ways to volunteer! Please email [email protected] to express your interest in helping out with our organization.

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NewsletterSubmissions Newsletter Submissions
Have news about exhibits, awards, events, classes, call for artists or other art info?
Please send your news "publication ready" to [email protected].  See previous newsletters for example formats and the type of info to provide. We strongly recommend that you include a digital image related to the news as well as your website address & links to any venues. Image filenames should include the name of the artist and the work. Please post your press releases online whenever possible and submit a link.  

 

Submission deadline is the 23rd of each month 
for publication on the 1st of the proceeding month.

Inclusion of items/announcements is always at the discretion of GALA, but inclusion of submissions from non-members is limited to information deemed to be of benefit to GALA members.

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All Star Award
2015 Winner
GALA won Constant Contact's All Star Award 7 years in a row (2009-2015) for demonstrating best practices in the use of email marketing.

Award winners were selected from over 500,000 organizations in recognition for setting the standard of being a responsible, engaged, professional, and successful online marketer.

GALA continues its efforts to put out an informational, entertaining newsletter every month to inform its members of recent, current and future art news.
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