Award-winning clothing designer Alice Fogel will lead a one-day workshop titled “Transform Your Clothes” on Saturday, July 14 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Sharon Arts Center School of Art & Craft, 457 Rt. 123.

In addition to being a sewing sybil and custom clothier, Fogel is also a poet, writer, author, and teacher and holds multiple degrees in the arts. She has studied at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology and has created costumes for productions at the Kennedy Center, San Francisco and Houston Operas, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film. Fogel has also held the post of Head of Costuming at Theatre by the Sea in Portsmouth, NH.

Her obsession with sewing and design, she said, began with making rock star outfits for her troll dolls’ band, The Cherries, when she was eight years old. While she has been a formal member of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, Fogel says her true love is re-fashioning unwanted old materials into “unexpectedly desirable new clothes.”

“Everyone has that fondly-remembered piece of clothing–or many of them–still in their closet,” she says, “but that is no longer wearable for one reason or another.” She hopes the Sharon Arts workshop will inspire those attending “to pull out those sweaters, blouses, skirts, even t-shirts, and turn them into something new and exciting you’ll feel good wearing.”

During the workshop, participants will be guided in how to re-think, fit, cut, and pin. Those who are new to sewing can get aid from the instructor, while experienced sewers can bring their own machine or use the instructor’s. No experience is necessary. Everyone will end up with their designs turned into finished pieces.

“The ability to re-imagine and transform preexisting clothing components makes sense economically and environmentally,” Fogel says, “and provides a new outlet for creativity.”

Registered students will receive a list of what to bring to the class, other than their creative vision. For tuition rates and further information, call (603) 924-7256

Sharon Arts Center will present an exhibit titled “Works in Colored Pencil: A Juried Exhibition” from July 6 to August 7 in their downtown Exhibition Gallery, 30 Grove St., Peterborough.

The exhibit, which will feature both national and regional works from newcomer and veteran artists, is sponsored in conjunction with the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) New England chapter 112 and made possible through the generosity of People’s United Bank. An opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held July 6 from 5 to 7 pm.

Juror for the exhibit is Kimberly Kersey Asbury, a painter and mixed media artist who holds a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from Boston University. She is a Fulbright grant recipient in the arts and is Assistant Professor of Art and Design at Saint Anselm College in NH.

“Many of us remember colored pencil from our childhood days – our first foray into fine art,” said Asbury. “We began there because the materials were easy to use, it seemed, affordable for schools, and not too messy. Some of us fell in love with that handful of color and others have forgotten it, moved onto other mediums, and not stuck around to see what can be done with these nifty materials.

“In fact, for those die hard colored pencil fans there’s a whole other category of colored pencil out there packed with saturated artist grade pigments and the artists in this exhibition show all of us just how far one can take this material.”

The CPSA was established in 1990 with its sole focus set on colored pencils. Established in 16 countries and with over 1,600 members, the CPSA provides services such as international exhibitions, workshops, newsletters, and product research as well as a networking directory and chapters for members throughout the continental U.S.

Artists selected to participate in the exhibit are Laurie Biebeck, Paul Bongiovanni, Kasey Micheal Child, Roland Coates, Lee Dunholter, Jenn Falcon, Kendra Ferreir, Debbi Friedman, Marilyn Kusela, Liz Winchester-Larson, Elly Miles, Elizabeth Patterson, Sheli Petersen, Catherine Palmer, Martine Villalard-Bohnsack, and Anne Ward.

Highlights of the exhibit include work by Elizabeth Patterson of Maine, who has won recognition in competitions such as The Artist’s Magazine and had works featured in both regional and international CPSA exhibitions. Her “O.J. and Blues,” a studied formalist approach to still-life, results in a composition that, according to juror Asbury, “vibrates with the play of light and shadow, texture and vibrant color.”

Artist Kendra Bidwell Ferreira, too, has a history with colored pencils. A graduate from the Massachusetts College of Art, Ferreira holds a signature membership of the CPSA in two areas, one of which is in the exploration of using alternative mediums and surfaces with colored pencil. Impressive examples of her experiments with materials on display include “Joyous Spirits” and “Splendor.”

“While there is a strong theme of naturalist realism running through the many entries for the exhibition,” Asbury says, “a few artists take their inspiration from elsewhere.” Such is the case, she said, with Liz Winchester-Larson’s “One Red Spot” in which inspiration comes from the motifs and compositional arrangements found in theorem paintings she once saw demonstrated at Old Sturbridge Village. “A play between volume and flatness, realism and the decorative continuously hold the viewer’s gaze in these drawings,” Asbury says, adding that she hopes area residents will view the exhibit “to see masters of this difficult, sometimes overlooked medium that blurs the colorful boundaries between drawing, illustration, design, and painting.”

First, second, and third place awards will be announced at the opening reception.

For more information call (603) 924-7676

“French Kitchen Still Life” will be the theme of Sharon Arts Center’s next ArtBar Studio Night, to be held Saturday, July 14 from 7-9pm at their Exhibition Gallery, 30 Grove St.

Upcoming ArtBar themes will be “Pink and Green Lily Fest” Aug. 11; “Pop Art/Op Art” Sept. 15; “Monadnock Landscapes” Oct. 13; “Duck Decoys” Nov. 10; and “Star Bright, Starry Night” Dec. 8.

For more information call (603) 924-2787.

A summer Mini-Camp will be held for little artists ages 3 1/2 to 5 from June through August at Sharon Arts Center School of Art and Craft, 457 Rt. 123, Sharon.

For more information and to register, call (603) 924-7256, email register@sharonarts.org.

Veil: http://veil.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veil/268769353164516
Speaker For The Dead: - http://speakerforthedead.bandcamp.com
Olde Pine: http://oldepine.bandcamp.com/album/reservoir
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Pine/185366421528483
Andrew Mello: http://www.myspace.com/andrewmellomusic

Sharon Arts Center’s Good Neighbor Series continues on June 21 at 7:30 pm with an evening of music by groups Mystery Bear, Dream Team, and Banjo Assault. Tickets for the event are $6 and can be purchased at the door. Refreshments will be available.

Mystery Bear is Peterborough-based Dave Seidel, who creates improvised electronic music. He was the featured artist of the month in May of this year on Stillstream.com, an internet radio station specializing in ambient music. He also plays bass, formerly with local improvisation collective Sister and Brothers, and occasionally with the Hornworn Ensemble and Hedges, both from western Massachusetts.

The Dream Team is a three piece DIY new music ensemble from New England, consisting of tenor sax, harmonium, and guitar played by Jack Callahan, David Kant, and K.C.M. Walker.

Music by Callahan, who holds a B.A. degree in music composition and theory from Hampshire College, has been performed throughout the United States and Europe. Kant holds a B.A. degree in mathematics from Yale University and an M.A. in digital music from Dartmouth University and says he writes “music for people, computers, people with computers, computers with people, people with people and computers with computer.” Walker’s music has been performed in various cities in the U.S. and Europe. He holds a B.A. from the College of Charleston and an M.A. in composition from Wesleyan University.

Banjo Assault started in 2011 on the streets of Northampton, MA, as an ensemble dedicated to primarily outdoor performance. The group, consisting of Matt Robidoux and Tom Crean, aims to play in unconventional spaces and settings, exploring relationships of performer, environment, and “experiencer.”  Recent releases include “The Streets of Northampton Volume 1″ (Inn Studio Recordings) and “4th of July Pizza Tape” (Hidden Temple Tapes).

Robidoux, who holds a B.M. from Keene State College where he performed with Graph/Sisters and Brothers collective, is based in Northampton, MA . In addition to Banjo Assault, he tours and records with the rock group Speedy Ortiz, and is music director at The Well School, Peterborough, as well as the RFK EWT School, Holyoke, MA. Crean received a B.A. from the Hartt School of Music and an M.A. from Wesleyan University. As a performer/composer he has traveled extensively across Europe and the U.S. and currently lives in Massachusetts.

For more information call (603) 924-7676

A two-day celebration of clay featuring live demonstrations, food and music, and hands-on activities for both children and adults is scheduled for Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 from noon to 6 pm at the Sharon Arts School of Art and Craft, 457 Rt.123, Sharon. 

Sharon Arts Center and the New Hampshire Institute of Art are partnering in this event to feature master clay artisans who will be onsite both days with demonstrations of how they work.

 

 

 

 

• LEARN ABOUT UPCOMING CLAY CLASSES

“We hope that Clayfest will be an important catalyst in creating a greater awareness of the beauty and accessibility of clay,” said Sharon Arts Executive Director Keri Wiederspahn. “We’re pleased to be bringing the community together in this creative and family-friendly event.”  

Wiederspahn added that during this year’s Clayfest Sharon Arts will be introducing their Japanese Anagama Kiln Project, which they will be launching through an upcoming fundraising campaign in order to build and provide community access to a state-of-the-art Anagama kiln. Next year’s Clayfest, she said, will be preceded by a four-week educational program encompassing the actual building of the Anagama, engineered with clay artist James Mitschmyer along with Japanese potter and kiln builder Koichi Ohara, a master guest artist coming from Japan to help facilitate the project.

 

 

 

 

Master clay artisans from the New Hampshire Institute of Art who will be onsite both days with demonstrations of how they work include Maureen Mills, Chairperson of Ceramics at NHIA, Karen Orsillo, NHIA Adjunct Ceramics faculty, John Baymore, NHIA Adjunct Ceramics faculty, and Chris Archer, NHIA Ceramics faculty. 

Saggar Pit Firing

On Saturday, June 23 Mills will demonstrate “Sectional Wheelthrowing” and Orsillo will explain “Textured Slab-Building Techniques.” On Sunday, June 24 Baymore will do “Wheelworking Techniques,” demonstrating how to make various jars, cups, and other signature forms which will incorporate and cover a variety of wheelworking techniques, and Archer will demonstrate “Complex Forms,” which will focus on throwing techniques and altering techniques. All of these demonstrations will be held from noon to 2 pm and again from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Ongoing through the weekend there will be outdoor firings managed by Sharon Arts faculty member and local potter Janet Duchesneau of Eastwind Pottery along with renowned New Hampshire potter Glen MacInnis. Visitors will be able to witness Raku firings, Saggar Pit firings, and sawdust firings. Raku, meaning “joy” in Japanese, was created in 16th century Japan and features crackled glazes, which are brought to their full beauty when interacting with the carbon of the firing process. Saggar Pit firing originated in China and allows the artist to incorporate any number of organic materials to achieve different colors and effects.

Hands-on workshops will be available as well. On Saturday from 4 to 6 pm, Sharon Arts faculty member James Mitschmyer will lead a segment on printing on clay. On Sunday from 1 to 3 pm Duchesneau will be leading an introductory segment on creating with clay, covering basic handbuilding and wheel techniques.

Youth-specific workshops will include Handbuilding for Kids on Saturday from noon to 3 pm with New Hampshire clay artist Shana Brautigam of Rooted in Clay. Also on Saturday, from 3 to 6 pm, Sharon Arts faculty member Connie Gray will lead a mini-class on creating with Polymer Clay. On Sunday from noon to 3 pm Karrie Mitschmyer will lead a mini-class on creative sculpture for kids. These youth offerings are open to ages 6 through 12. Younger children accompanied by a parent are welcome.

Participants are limited to eight per workshop, and signups will be taken the day of the event. Observers are welcome at all demonstrations.

In addition to the weekend’s activities, information about the proposed Anagama Kiln will be available as well as an onsite temporary weekend gallery featuring artisan wares for sale. Featured artists will include participating NHIA faculty, Sharon Arts Center juried crafters, and Sharon Arts Center students and faculty. Displayed work will represent a diverse cross-section of styles of functional and decorative pieces.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

An Art Exhibit at the Jaffrey Civic Center

Exhibition Runs June 14-July 14.
Opening Reception Thursday, June 14, 5:00-7:00pm.
Panel Discussion June 28, 4:00pm.

Creativity. When we are in its grip, we are alive, excited, delighted to greet each morning.  But what is it, how do we access it, nurture it, and dance with its power to make art in the real world?

Sharon Art Center instructor Mary Iselin believes that working in a series can help.  That is why this exhibit of over 25 area artists will be on display at the Jaffrey Civic Center from June 14-July 14, with an opening reception on Thursday, June 14, from 5:00-7:00pm. Artists participating have all worked with Iselin over the years at the Sharon Arts Center, though they range from professionals through emerging artists, and even include a few serious beginners.  Mediums are many, and styles range from abstract to impressionistic to realistic, and  from stylistic to academic.

A series allows one to study one’s motif or concept in depth; a series allows one to delve deeper, and also removes the fear that one ‘won’t get it right’, because there is always the next painting; there is always the next season or moment of light, or wetland, or animal, or view of the mountain, or color theory to explore.

The exhibit will run from June 14-July 14, at the Jaffrrey Civic Center in Jaffrey, NH, with an opening reception on Thursday, June 14, from 5:00-7:00pm.  The public is also invited to a panel discussion, “Working from a Series: Gateway to Creativity”, on Thursday, June 28, at 4:00pm.

Jaffrey Civic Center hours are:  Tues 10:00-6:00; Wed-Fri 1:00-5:00; and Sat 10:00-2:00.  Contact information is jaffreycntr@aol.com, or (603) 532-6527.

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“Through a Child’s Eye: Youth Art Exhibition,” works by young artists in the Monadnock region between the ages of 5 and 18, will be on view in the Members Gallery of the Sharon Arts Center Exhibition Gallery, 30 Grove St., Peterborough, through June 16.

The artists selected for the exhibit include Colleen Minnihan, Greenfield; Hannah Trutwein, Peterborough; Evening Iwanowicz, Peterborough; Fiona Johnson, Harrisville; Calvin Bates, Dublin; Audrey Sieswerda, Peterborough; and Amelia Johnson, Jaffrey.

Juror for the exhibit was renowned cardboard artist James Grashow, who was Artist-in-Residence at Sharon Arts from May 15 to 26 and worked with area students to create “A Garden of the Imagination” exhibit, which will be on display in the main exhibition area through June 28.

A first place award was given to Evening Iwanowicz, while Fiona Johnson received second place and Colleen Minnihan received third. Honorable mention awards went to Calvin Bates and Evening Iwanowicz.

Sharon Arts Through a Child's Eye exhibit painting by Fiona Johnson

For the seventh year Sharon Arts Center will be holding a plein air “Paint Out,” this year to be held on August 13-17, and invites area artists who would like to participate to register for the event by July 15.

While last year’s location was in Peterborough, Sharon Arts announces that this year’s location will be in and around Dublin’s mountains, lakes, and gardens. Participating artists will wrap up the week-long event with a reception at the Dublin School Gallery and a sale at the Sharon Arts Center Gallery in downtown Peterborough.

“The Paint-Out is a wonderful opportunity for artists to spend time with other artists and friends of Sharon Arts in a particular location painting, drawing, and creating works of art inspired by the scenery around us,” said Gallery Director Camellia Sousa. “This event, as always, will bring together our faculty, juried artists, their friends, and other celebrated artists. We are most excited about this time of having everyone working together and presenting a wealth of talent and diverse styles.”

To register, artists should email camellia@sharonarts.org. For more information call (603) 924-7676