Montserrat College of Art Awarded Interdisciplinary Learning Method Grant

from Davis Educational Foundation Grant

 

Beverly, MA – A generous grant from the Davis Educational Foundation is recognizing Montserrat College of Art’s creative teaching style, developed by the college’s academic leadership team, which emphasizes learning that is interdisciplinary, team-taught and project-based.

Last spring the Davis Foundation announced that Montserrat would receive a $150,000 grant over two years for the Gateway project, which emphasizes this experiential teaching style.

The grant will provide funding for two new programs that serve, respectively, as gateways into and out of college. Funding will support the two parts of the Gateway Initiative, including: planning, implementation, outcome assessment and, creation of curricular models (best practices, guidelines, handbooks, documentation, templates, online resources) for future use.

Montserrat College of Art President Steve Immerman said, “Montserrat recognizes the need to go beyond the traditional classroom structure to introduce experiences that relate directly to those students will encounter in their professional lives. We are grateful to the Davis Foundation for provding this opportunity to offer new teaching methods to Montserrat students.”

 1.  FX (the Freshman Experience)

Offered to freshman in the first semester, FX serves as a gateway from high school into college. The course is team-taught, interdisciplinary, and integrates studio practice with historical and cultural analysis. Methodologies from studio art and liberal arts (particularly art history) are combined to provide a holistic introduction to the visual arts while helping students to acclimate to college-level academic and studio work. This combination of rich content and tactile experience is designed to fully engage students as visual learners. The aim is to break down preconceptions about art, art making, and contemporary studio practice.

 This 3-credit course features a closely coordinated series of lectures, museum/gallery/studio visits, research, writing, class discussions, team-based and individual projects. Small group meetings for discussion, research, and studio immersion complement three keystone lectures and field trips to the Peabody Essex Museum, Mass MOCA and New York City. The course is designed to function in the way that artists interact with the world, across disciplines at the intersections of research, writing, collaborating, current culture, and making.

 2.  StudioXL (the Studio for Experiential Learning)

StudioXL serves as a gateway out of college and into the professional world. It provides students with a series of carefully structured opportunities, offered outside the traditional classroom/studio, that build skills such as team-work, collaboration,  project management, and working between disciplines in real world settings.  Some, if not all projects, will have community partners, bolstering our relationships with the local and regional businesses and community-based organizations that fuel the creative economy of the North Shore.

 The college has appointed Kate Luchini, formerly of the Lynn Museum and Peabody Essex Museum, as the director of Studio XL.

 The enormously successful pilot project in StudioXL was a team-taught collaboration with Footprint Power at Salem Harbor Station. Montserrat structured it a course called Across the Bridge: Three Perspectives, it combined fieldwork, research and art making. Students examined and documented the decommissioning of the coal-powered Salem Harbor Power Plant, now Footprint Power, which funded the project. Thirty students guided by three faculty members developed a visual and narrative legacy of the plant and the community of people who worked there, through writings, paintings, photography and video, sculpture and installation, and design. The project culminated in an exhibition in the turbine hall in June 2014 that was seen by more than 1000 visitors; it concluded with an evening poetry reading among the turbines, which was organized by the director of the Impossible Places Poetry Tour. That night the turbines sounded for the last time and the dismantling began the following day.

 The second StudioXL project for fall 2014 is a course called Food and Culture. In contrast to the power plant project, this course was initiated in-house; it combines cultural history, research into food economies and politics, resulting in the production of creative work. Among the local partners are the Food Project and Beverly Bees.

 More collaborations are being planned for future semesters.

 For more information about this grant, please contact Montserrat College of Art’s Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs Laura Tonelli at laura.tonelli@montserrat.edu or 978.921.4242978.921.4242 x 1601.

 Montserrat College of Art is a small, private, residential college of visual art and design, founded in 1970, by artists, for artists, educating the creative problem solvers of tomorrow. The college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, continuing education classes and four galleries exhibiting works by international, national and regional contemporary artists, intended to offer art education beyond the Montserrat classrooms through a series of public lectures, gallery talks, catalogs and events. www.montserrat.edu

 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Elizabeth Gianino

Media Relations Coordinator

elizabeth.gianino@montserrat.edu

978.921.424 x1121

One-Woman Show                              Oct. '14 thru Jan. '15 

The Mass. Gen. Hospital Cancer Center, Danvers, invited Sheila Farren Billings to do a 1-woman show as part of their Illuminations Program, a rotating art exhibit designed to enhance their environment of care. The show will run Oct. - Jan. featuring "feel-good" paintings. Reception: MGH Yawkey Ctr., 55 Fruit St. Boston, Tues. 10/28 5:50-7pm.

Salem resident Jim Bostick, a local photographer, began creating his own tarot card deck, shooting locals in his Salem home’s photography studio, in 2009. Here he hangs his photographs in In a Pigs Eye on Derby Street in preparation for his show on Sunday, Oct. 12.

WICKED LOCAL PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Wicked Local Article

Jim Bostick’s grandmother gave him his first tarot card deck as a Christmas stocking stuffer when he was about 6 years old. The deck’s cards depicted characters of the James Bond 007 movie franchise.

"I started playing the cards, and I still have the deck. I love it," said Bostick, standing on Saturday morning inside In a Pig’s Eye, the Derby Street pub where he curates a monthly revolving door of art exhibitions for owners Jenny and Jon Reardon.

His grandmother’s gift not only sparked a lifelong fascination with tarot cards as a craft of fortune telling and divination but also as individual and collective pieces of artworks that tell stories.

"To me, they are creative things. I look at them as storytelling devices, too, and I think that is how people who read them interpret them," Bostick said. "When they are laying out the cards, they are telling as story."

Bostick, a talented local photographer and Lancaster, Pa. native, began creating his own tarot card deck, shooting locals in his Salem home’s photography studio, in 2009. The ambitious project now years in the making is over two thirds done, with 66 of 78 cards completed.

Recently, Bostick finished all 16 court cards and is displaying blown-up, matted and framed images of them on the walls of In a Pig’s Eye through October.

"I’ve been working the project for a solid five years now, I’ve been jumping around," said Bostick as he set up the show Saturday morning. "I’ve been buying armor for like four years, because I couldn’t afford to buy it all at once."

All of the cards, which one could also consider as group and individual portraits, contain theatrical and old film-stills qualities, brought about through Bostick’s impressive manipulation of light on his subjects.

"I like to refer to them as a little piece of theatre, because each one is center stage, props, costume and actors, and took some effort to put everything together," Bostick said.

Bostick completely photographed in white-and-black, believing color to be frivolous, unnecessary and a hindrance to the art-goer’s interaction with the art pieces.

"I don’t want them not to look like photographs," Bostick says. "You see a lot photographs people try to make look like paintings or illustrations."

He continued, "I love the rawness of photography, and I want to celebrate that."

And this month-long exhibition is as much about the rawness of photography - the art of showing rather than telling - as it is a celebration of people, Bostick said, who he has met since he and his husband, Liam, moved to Salem.

"Jim is a receptive person, well liked open and includes anybody and everybody," said Judy Rudd, who is the subject of Bostick’s darling-of-the-show "Queen of Swords" on display. "He cares about the subject and his artwork."

Every Thursday 5pm-7pm Sketch, Doodle, or stop in and say hello!

Newest Public Mural Complete!

Sheila Farren Billings' set of graphic murals on the five doors of the Danvers Art Association are complete! The murals are designed to give the historic building a splash of color and make it apparent to those passing by that the antique brick school house is now a lively, vibrant art gallery. The murals depict painter's palettes and brushes done in a bold style in all the colors of the rainbow. The DAA is located at 105 Elliot St., Route 62, Danvers, MA 01915.

October 3 - November 2, 2014

Artists Reception October 11^th,   4-6 pm

 

 

 

 

Join us for the 4th annual Gimme Shelter Birdhouse Auction event by Salem Collective of Artists and Musicians next door to Salem Arts Association located on Artists Row 24 New Derby St. Salem, Ma.

This event is always fun and will benefit the animals of Northeast Animal Shelter. We hope to see you there. 

Kate Luchini, Executive Director

director@lynnmuseum.org

Lynn Museum

590 Washington Street

Lynn, MA 01901

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Lynn Museum holds Artists at the Atlantic exhibit and programs

 

LYNN, Mass. (August 18, 2014) undefined This September, the Lynn Museum and LynnArts come together to present a two-month celebration of Artists at the Atlantic. Inspired by the enduring legacy of the Lynn Beach Painters, whose impressionistic style celebrated the beauty of the Lynn Shore and by the caliber of local North Shore artists working today, the Lynn Museum and LynnArts have created a series of opportunities to engage with living as well as historical artists who have captured the beauty of this stretch of coast.  The series includes a number of free programs, an exhibition, and an auction to benefit the Lynn Museum and LynnArts.

Artists at the Atlantic, Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 10-4 pm (Free) There is no rain date for this event.

In conjunction with Essex Heritage Trails & Sails weekend, the Artists at the Atlantic series kicks off with a day of artists creating original works “en plein air” or “in the open air” at three locations along the coast: Lynn’s Red Rock Park, Swampscott’s Fisherman’s Beach and Marblehead’s Chandler Hovey Lighthouse Park on the Neck.  Stop by between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to observe and interact with artists working in a variety of mediaundefinedpainting, photography, sculpture and more. The work created on location will then be featured in the Lynn Museum’s Artists at the Atlantic exhibition opening Wednesday, October 8. 

Free Artists at the Atlantic Family Day at the Lynn Museum, Saturday, September 27, 10-2 pm

Enjoy a nautical afternoon at the Museum during our next free family day! As part of Essex Heritage’s Trails & Sails weekend the Lynn Museum invites you to check out our exhibits and then stay for the fun while you paint your own seashells, try your hand at sketching or watercoloring your own Lynn Beach Painters scene, or make an edible mini lighthouse. There will also be a special performance by You and Me Puppets and showing of the film Finding Nemo. This day has something for everyone!

This program is generously sponsored by Gayle Richardson and Steve Babbitt.

 

MESA: Museum Enrichment Series for Adults, Wednesday, October 8, 2014, Noon (Free)                                 

On the opening day of the Artists at the Atlantic exhibit, join D. Roger Howlett, author of The Lynn Beach Painters: Art Along the North Shore 1880-1920, as he takes a look at the influence of the sea and Lynn’s great history of seaside painters.  Bring your brown bag lunch and join us at MESA, the Lynn Museum’s signature lunchtime series.                                                             

Sketching at the Museum, every first Thursday, 4-7pm starting October 2-December 4, 2014 ($5.00 Admission/Free for Members)

Experiment with different drawing approaches as you sketch from original works of art in the Artists at the Atlantic exhibition galleries. These monthly drop-in sessions are a great way to look at the artwork up close and start to understand the artful way of thinking. Drop in for all or any part of a session. Materials are provided.

Artists at the Atlantic Exhibit Opening Reception, Thursday, October 9, 4-6 pm (Free)    

Celebrate the opening of the Artists at the Atlantic exhibit with a toast to the great Lynn Beach Painters, past and present.  The exhibit features the artwork created on location during the Trails & Sails event, along with works by the Lynn Beach Painters from the Museum’s collection as well as a selection from private collections never before on public view.  Light refreshments will be served.                                                                                                                                                

Artists at the Atlantic ExploraTour, Wednesday, October 15, Noon; Thursday, November 13, Noon; Friday, December 12, Noon (Free)                                                                                                             

Enjoy a lunchtime tour of the Artists at the Atlantic exhibit led by Lynn Museum Assistant Director Abby Battis.  Learn about the art, culture and history of this magnificent collection of works.  These hour-long ExploraTours will focus solely on the special exhibition and are free with Museum admission.  Please note: ExploraTours are geared toward an adult audience.                       

Artists at the Atlantic Auction, Saturday, November 15, 7 pm. $35.00 per person.     

Save the date for this exciting live and silent auction to benefit the Lynn Museum and LynnArts!  Auction items will include contemporary art from the exhibit as well as other non-art items such as show tickets, sports tickets, and gift baskets. Enjoy light refreshments, a cash bar and live music while you bid on your own piece of Lynn Beach history!  

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Lynn Museum & Historical Society, 590 Washington Street, Lynn MA, 01901, 781-581-6200, W&F 12-4pm, Th 12-7pm, Sat. 10-3pm.

 

Call for Work

Artists at the Atlantic

The Lynn Museum and LynnArts invite all plein air artists to participate in our fall Artists at the Atlantic exhibit, auction and programs.  Inspired by the natural beauty of the North Shore, our series begins with a day of plein air art-making on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 10-4 pm.  The three locations for this event are Red Rock Park, Lynn; Fisherman’s Beach, Swampscott and Chandler Hovey Park, Marblehead.  Subject matter is not limited to traditional maritime scenes and artists are invited to work in all media. 

Plein air work created on September 20th, along with other juried artwork and a selection of historical Lynn Beach Painters scenes, will be included in the Artists at the Atlantic exhibit opening at the Lynn Museum on Wednesday, October 8.  The jury will consider including multiple artworks by individual artists in the exhibit if space is available.  There is no entry fee to submit work for this exhibit. There will be a special opening reception on Thursday, October 9 from 4-6 pm.  Finally, on Saturday, November 15, art from the exhibit will be included in an auction to benefit the Lynn Museum and LynnArts.  The auction is an important fundraiser for both organizations to support our educational programs.  Artists are given the option to make a tax-deductible donation of 100% of proceeds from the sale of their work, or to share a percentage of the profits (see below for details). 

Important Information

• ·         To participate in Artists at the Atlantic, please complete and return registration form by Friday, Sept. 12^th to the LynnMuseum: 590 Washington St., Lynn, MA 01901 or scan and email to: director@lynnmuseum.org.
• ·         All artwork must be submitted for the exhibit framed or otherwise professionally presented. 
• ·         All work MUST BE WIRED AND READY TO HANG.  If you are submitting a 3-D piece, we will assist with providing an appropriate base.
• ·         Drop-off for artwork is Thursday, October 2 from noon-4 pm at the Lynn Museum, 590 Washington St., Lynn, MA 01901.
• ·         Opening reception is Thursday, October 9 from 4-6 pm.  The reception is free and open to the public and all artists.  Drinks and light refreshments will be served.
• ·         For a full list of Artists at the Atlantic programs and events, please visit lynnmuseum.org/programs and check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

• ·         For additional information, please contact Kate Luchini, Executive Director of the Lynn Museum, at director@lynnmuseum.org or 781-581-6200781-581-6200

Download the full call here!

8th Peabody Essex Museum Inspirational Show

Totems: What Guides Us?

Inspired by the PEM’s exhibit, Raven’s Many Gifts:
Native Art of the Northwest Coast Judged by Karen Kramer, Curator of Native American Art and Culture at the Peabody Essex Museum. Ribbons will be awarded to Best of Show, Excellence, and Honorable Mention.
September 6-28, 2014 181 Essex St., Salem, MA Opening Reception September 6 from 5-9pm

Totem poles may recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. Some poles celebrate cultural beliefs while others are mostly artistic. The Native American art of the Northwest Coast is rich with patterns depicted include natural forms such as bears, ravens, eagles, orcas, and humans; legendary creatures such as thunder-birds and sisiutls; and abstract forms made up of the characteristic Northwest Coast shapes. Totem poles are the most well-known artifacts produced using this style. "Raven, an iconic trickster and culture hero who appears in countless Northwest Coast origin stories, is credited with carrying light into the world in his beak," says Karen Kramer, PEM's curator of Native American art and culture. "Despite profound cultural changes over the past 200 years, oral histories such as the story of Raven continue to inspire a rich and diverse array of creative expression in tribal communities along the Northwest Coast."
Call For Art hat cultural, environmental or social elements define you?
Take-in date are August 31st 11-2pm and September 2nd 5-8pm, IN-PERSON, at 181 Essex Street. 1-2 pieces can be submitted; all pieces need to be framed and WIRED appropriately undefined saw-toothed hangers will be rejected. A 4 foot height limit is applied. Artist will be notified via email if work is accepted. Work not accepted can be picked up on September 6 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Exhibit closing Pick-up Sunday September 28, 2pm-5pm IN-PERSON. $5 entry for SAA members per piece
$10 entry fee for non SAA members per piece

ALL accepted exhibiting artists are required to gallery sit at 181 Essex Street during open hours of the exhibit. A sign-in sheet will be provided at take-in. A minimum of four hours sitting is required for the month; more hours encouraged. The SAA takes a 25% commission on any sales. NFS pieces will be accepted.
For more info contact heatherreid.studios@gmail.com or cheryl.frary@gmail.com.
Works of fine art and craft with a value under $1,000 are insured for catastrophic loss only. Works with a value over $1,000 are not insured by the SAA. Artist’ must provide their own insurance if they wish.
Salem Arts Association is a non-profit organization.

If you wish to download the call to art please visit our "calls" page.