Regional printmakers ‘Making an Impression’

Sonya Vartabedian

August 02, 2007 12:46 am

— Ten printmakers from the region introduce viewers to the multiple facets and methods of making a print in their fourth annual show opening today at the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St., Newburyport.
“Making an Impression” includes an exhibit of recent work by the artists as well as demonstrations of their craft. The participating printmakers are:
r Mary Tuttle of Salem, an elementary art teacher and graphic designer, who works primarily with monotype and etching. Her work is informed by explorations with her students.
r Susan Jaworski-Stranc of Newburyport, who specializes in the creation of reduction linoleum prints. She has exhibited her handcrafted books and limited-edition prints in juried fine art and craft shows and maintains a printmaking studio in Lowell.
r Mary Arthur Pollak of Ipswich, an art teacher, clay artist, weaver, painter, photographer and collector who has spent most of her life developing monoprint techniques. She works at her Indigo Artist Studio in Newburyport.
r Barbara Nachmias-Kedesdy of Newbury, a former art teacher who enjoys the exploratory nature of monotype and the rich combinations of drawing, painting and printmaking that the process offers.
r Elaine Insero of Haverhill, a multimedia artist and printmaker who has been involved in the art world for most of her life. She describes her work as “spontaneous, intuitive and always experimental.”
r Glenn Szegedy of Lowell, a versatile sculptor, textile artist and printmaker.
r Mary Carolyn Webber of Milton, a painter and printmaker who “is inspired by the natural world viewed through the lens of lyrical abstraction.”
r Nancy Marculewicz of Essex, who is known for her acrylic paintings and collages of coastal images as well as her prints. She is the author of “Making Monotypes Using a Gelatin Plate.”
r Jean Winslow of Lowell, a printmaker and painter who lives and works in Lowell.
r Ellen Sklar-Abbott of Newburyport.
An opening reception for “Making an Impression” takes place Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. The show will be featured in the art association’s Sargent and Hartson galleries through Aug. 8, and then continues in Hartson Gallery through Aug. 15.
Several of the printmakers will be leading demonstrations during the show. The schedule is:
Today, 3 p.m.: monotype and collagraph
Tomorrow, 1 p.m.: monotype
Sunday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m.: dry point etching
Monday, Aug. 6: 1 p.m., reduction linoleum prints; 3 p.m., monotype
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 3 p.m.: monotype
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 3 p.m.: gelatin prints
Regular gallery hours at the Newburyport Art Association are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more, call 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org.
‘Faces of Haiti’ exposed at Port Art Association
When West Newbury native David Grover traveled to Haiti in April 2004 as a photographer for the nonprofit organization, Ipswich-based Partners in Development, his aim was to take photographs that told stories.
He gets his chance to showcase those images in an exhibit opening today in the Laura Coombs Hills Gallery at the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St., Newburyport.
“When people look at my portraits from Haiti, I want them to see that each person’s face tells a story — of their life, and their heart,” he said. “For many of these people, each day is a struggle.”
Grover, a member of the art association, will present 17 original images from Haiti and three digital montages, many of which have never been seen before. The show will feature his works on canvas for the first time, a decision Grover made to give the show a more authentic feel.
“Faces of Haiti” runs through Wednesday, Aug. 8. A reception takes place Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Call 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org.
‘Burlesque’ hits
Playhouse stage
The Valley Players serve up a collection of skits, bad jokes, musical numbers and lots of shtick for “Burlesque” which is running through Sunday, Aug. 12, at Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theatre, 194 Main St., Amesbury.
The show features dancing girls in energy-filled musical numbers, classic skits like “Who’s on First” and plenty of traditional burlesque entertainment.
Performances are Wednesdays with dinner at 6 p.m. and the curtain at 7:30, and Fridays and Saturdays with dinner at 7 p.m. and the curtain at 8:30. Two shows are planned on Sundays — a matinee with dinner at noon and the performance at 1:30 p.m., and an evening offering with dinner at 5 p.m. and the production at 6:30.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling 978-388-9444. Visit www.amesburyplayhouse.com for more.
Photographer ‘Finding Focus’ at the Firehouse
Photographer Eva Timothy, who relocated to Newburyport from Eastern Europe a year ago, underscores the need to slow down and value the little things in life in her new exhibit, “Finding Focus,” which opens next week at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport’s Market Square.
As a photographer, Timothy sometimes feels as though all of life is processed through a lens. She aims to filter out the distractions from the inspirational material, focusing on the present, the beauty in the moment, the reasons for being grateful and the opportunities to make one’s life extraordinary. Her exhibit, she says, is about kindling such aspirations by seeing more of the light in life.
Timothy’s photography has taken her around the world, capturing the heart and light of the cities she has visited. She has exhibited and published her work throughout the United Kingdom and New England, and is the recipient of the 2005 UK CACC Slide Championship Judges Individual Choice Award..She holds a degree in communications with emphasis on film and photography from University of Utah, and a licentiateship certification from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. She is the owner of Illumea Photography based in Newburyport.
Timothy’s photography goes on display Monday through Monday, Sept. 3. An artist’s reception is planned for Saturday, Aug. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. Call 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org for more.
Tours, yard sale
at harbor lighthouse
A yard sale to support Newburyport Harbor Light on Plum Island Point takes place Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Space is available for rent for $15. The Friends of Plum Island Light, which is dedicated to preserving the lighthouse, is also accepting donations of items to sell.
The lighthouse will be open for tours during the sale. While tours are free, donations to support the upkeep of the lighthouse are welcome. The rain date for the sale and tours is Sunday, Aug. 19. For more, call Ralph Esposito at 978-462-4593.
Sadie Pawkins Walk unleashed in Port
A Sadie Pawkins Walk to benefit the YWCA of Newburyport takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in Newburyport.
The 2-mile walk will start from the Anna Jaques Hospital parking lot on Highland Street. Dogs are welcome to join the fun. There will be pet-friendly vendors, contests, obedience and agility demonstrations, canine “pawticures” and more. The event goes off rain or shine.
For more, call 978-465-9922 or visit www.ywcanewburyport.org or www.sadiepawkins.com.
A poetic afternoon for Whittier’s 200th
The Whittier Home Association and Tapestry of Voices are teaming up for a celebration in honor of John Greenleaf Whittier’s 200th birthday on Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the garden of the John Greenleaf Whittier Home, 86 Friend St., Amesbury.
The program will include readings of Whittier’s poetry as well as original works. The featured readers will be Sally Lavery, Penelope Johnson, Susan Herman, Cynthia Costello, Harris Gardner, Lainie Senechal, Rhina P. Espaillat, Joanna Nealon, Walter Howard and Isabella Nebel.
An informal reception with light refreshments will follow. Admission is free. The meeting room of the Whittier Home will serve as the rain location. Call Gardner at 617-723-3716 or the Whittier Home at 978-388-1337 for more.
Sacred Music celebrates Odonata Ecovillage
The Odonata Ecovillage Initiative celebrates the formation of its first board of directors with a concert on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the woodland home of Odonata board member Jacalyn Bennett, 52 Rogers St., West Newbury.
The concert, which is part of the group’s Sacred Music Series, will feature DeLuna on Celtic harp, accompanied by Julie Corey on a variety of percussion instruments.
A self-taught harpist, DeLuna has released five CDs that include a soulful mix of traditional music from various parts of the world as well as original compositions. She has performed at many festivals and centers around the country.
Corey is a musician and drum enthusiast who specializes in Native and African drums, flutes and singing. Her vision is the recreation and rebuilding of community through music and the healing arts. She has been teaching drumming since 1998.
The performance will follow the board of directors meeting.
‘Life in Newburyport — 1900-1950’ focus of talk
Retired Newburyport High School teacher Jean Foley Doyle will highlight her soon-to-be published book “Life in Newburyport 1900-1950: A Collection of News Events, City Affairs, and Memories from the First Half of the 20th C0entury” on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St.
Doyle’s book will be a resource for those researching Newburyport history. Doyle, who taught history for 30 years, has also included interviews with local residents that were conducted by student researchers. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the program is open free to the public.
Civil War Roundtable recalls camp bands
“Civil War Camp Bands” will be in the spotlight when the Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack meets on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Senior Center, 61 Lafayette St. (Route 1), Salisbury.
Thomas DiGiuseppe will lead the program. Admission is free, and anyone with an interest in America’s Civil War is invited. Call 978-462-8518 for more.
New Works Festival seeks submissions
The Firehouse Center for the Arts is seeking submissions from New England playwrights in the New England area for its sixth annual New Works Festival, which will take place Jan. 23 through Jan. 27.
Plays may be full-length, one-acts, or 10-minute scenes, and will be uniformly staged readings. A work may have already been stage-read, but must not have been fully produced. The entry deadline is Monday, Sept. 24.
Last year’s selected plays came from Boston, western Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as the North Shore. While organizers are casting their net wider in search of entries, the production of the staged readings will remain local, drawing on the Newburyport area for directors as well as actors. Auditions will be held later in the fall.
Young playwrights ages 5 to 17 are also being encouraged to submit their 10-minute plays in the youth category. Plays may be written by a single author, a team or a group. The deadline for youth submissions is Monday, Nov. 26.
For complete festival rules, call the Firehouse at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org.
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