Judge's Choice Reception Changed

Due to the large expected snowfall this coming weekend, the reception for the Judge's Choice Exhibition will be moved to Saturday February 13, from 3 to 5 pm. The exhibition will be on display during regular gallery hours through February 19th.

More Exhibitions in 2010

The Image 2010 photography exhibition is over, but there is a full slate of scheduled shows coming up at the Boatworks all throughout the year. Below is the list. More details will be posted as each gets closer, both here and on our main website.

Feb 6 to 19 Juried Art Show 5 winners- The six award winners from last year's Annual Jersey Shore Juried Art Show. Paul Qian, Melissa Dayton, Freya Gervasi, Vicky Culver, Ralph Katz, and Barbara Edelhauser. Opening reception on Saturday, February 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Feb 27 to Mar 17 Walking the Line- Original drawings in any linear medium. Information and entry form available from the BAC website.

March 27 to April 30 Jersey Shore Juried Art Show 6. Annual juried show for artists 17 and older. Work will be juried in six categories: best in show, graphics (drawing and printmaking), sculpture and fine crafts, painting, photography, and mixed media.

May 8 to 28 Youth Art Shows. Featuring students from regional high school art programs.

June 5 to 25 The Green Man- Artists are invited to submit work in any medium exploring the theme of environment, myth, and magic.

July 10 to 30 Art in Motion- 2D, 3D, and performance artists are invited to interpret the idea of motion, from the implied to the truly kinetic.

Aug 7 to 28 Belmar Urban Myths- Explore an existing local legend or create a brand new urban myth for Belmar. Work can be visual arts, music, drama and film.

Sep 11 to Oct 1 L Jetty- Last year's surf art show was so popular, we're having a new one again this year.

Oct 9 to Nov 15- After Sunset- There's a whole other kind of energy after dark. Artists are invited to interpret it in their favorite medium.

BAC Photography Exhibition

Tonight was the opening reception for the new Image 2010 exhibition, devoted to photography based work. There is a wide variety in the over 80 images on display, everything from traditional photography to digital to photo-based graphic work.

Tonight's reception was very well attended. There were two awards, chosen by professional jurors Richard Gaffney and Steven Yahr. The two winners (seen below) were Keith Mills for Best in Show Advanced, and Dana Cahoon for Best in Show Amateur.

The exhibition will remain on display at the Boatworks during regular gallery hours (Wed to Sun, 1 to 5 pm) through January 29, 2010. Admission is free.

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If you are interested in photography and would like to explore the artistic and technical aspects with the guidance and interaction of fellow enthusiasts, consider joining the Belmar Arts Council's Photography Group. The group has regular meetings on the first Monday of every month. Learn more on the BAC Photo Group blog.

New Art Classes in 2010

As part of tonight's regular member's meeting we had a special presentation from Trevor Bryan. Trevor is an active member artist as well as an experienced art teacher. He talked about his lifetime interest in art and his training, and then did a quick demonstration of painting from a source photograph.

He put out a variety of acrylic colors on his palette and started sketching the basic composition. After that he mixed and added colors to the still life. Twenty minutes later he had brought the painting to the state you see below.

Part of the reason for this demonstration was to promote a new series of children's painting classes that Trevor will be teaching. It will meet Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 pm through the months of January and February. The 8 week session will cost $125, with all materials provided.

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Also starting this month is the latest session of Drawing and Beyond, the popular workshop taught by Sven Widen and Lizzie Schippert. The still life is explored in drawings and paintings. Good for the beginner and the experienced artist, and especially helpful for teens putting together portfolios for art school applications. This workshop meets Thursdays at 3 pm, from January 7th through February 11. The 6 week session costs $168 (3:00 to 5:00) or $240 (3:00 to 6:00).

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For information about either workshop or to register, contact the Belmar Arts Council at (732) 749-3360.

BAC Holiday Party

Tonight we held our traditional Holiday Party at the Boatworks. The building was decorated inside and out during the week.

Part of tonight's function was to collect donations of food for the Belmar Food Pantry, so all in attendance brought all kinds of non-perishable foods to help feed those in need. The bin decorated for that purpose was filled and then some.

We were able to feed ourselves as well. Dinner was served pot luck. Above is the ever evolving food table, with new dishes arriving all though the evening. A separate dessert table was also crowded with treats. Below some of the crowd are taking advantage of our cafe tables to enjoy a little dinner.

While we enjoyed food and drink, the jam band, known for tonight as the Hanukkah Bobs, provided a variety of rock, blues, and seasonal music.

Another event of the evening was a round of Yankee Swap, with about 30 people participating. Most people ended up keeping their first picked gifts, so the presents were generally of high quality.

Several dozen members and friends came out for the evening and had a great time.

December Movie Nights

Movie nights are back at the Boatworks. Films begin at 7:00 pm and admission is free.

Tuesday December 8 (artist movie night) Lust For Life (1956, color) Biographical story of painter Vincent Van Gogh, starring Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn.

Tuesday December 15 (classic film night) To Have and Have Not (1947 B&W) A thriller romance wartime adventure starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall.

Small Treasures Exhibition

Tonight was the opening reception for the Small Treasures show at the Boatworks. Hundreds of items were on display on walls and in bins and racks, and quite a few people came by to enjoy the art, the refreshments, and live entertainment from our own Gypsy Dave Taylor. The art remains on view and for sale (everything under $75) through the end of December.

Small Treasures Coming Soon

Today was the intake day for the upcoming Small Treasures show at the Boatworks. More than 40 member artists dropped off items for display and sale- framed work, matted work for the bins, cards, and a variety of crafts. All will be on display beginning Saturday, November 21, including an opening reception that day from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The show will remain up during regular gallery hours through the end of December. A great opportunity to find creative gifts for the holidays, and everything under $75.

Boatworks Back In Business

The Boatworks has been closed for several weeks to allow for some necessary repairs and cleaning. We have a new roof, new ceiling, and a lot of fresh paint inside, just finished up today. Tomorrow the BAC picks up where it left off.

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On Wednesday, November 11 there will be a reception following Veteran's Day ceremonies at nearby Doughboy Park, and in the evening a meeting of the costumed figure drawing group from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

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On Thursday evening there is an artist roundtable where artists can share information and discuss art issues, starting at 8:00 pm.

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On Friday there is a reception at the nearby Central Jersey Bank for an exhibition by BAC artists. The reception is from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, with the work remaining on display during bank business hours through December 4, 2009.

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Then Saturday, November 15 is the intake for the first show in our reopened building, Small Treasures 2, which will include inexpensive member art for sale through the holiday season. Works need to be dropped off from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The show opens Saturday, November 21 with a reception from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

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More information about many of the above events and other upcoming scheduled activities at the Boatworks is available on the BAC main website.

2009 Beaux Eaux Ball

The Boatworks may be closed for the moment, but the Belmar Arts Council is still ready to party. We're having our annual Beaux Eaux Ball on Saturday October 24 at D'Jais Oceanview Cafe and Bar, on Ocean Avenue and 18th in Belmar. People are encouraged to come in costume, and enjoy all evening snacks and hors d'oeuvres, a Chinese Auction and a 50/50, plus great music including a live performance from local favorite Holme. Doors open at 7:30 pm. All this for $10, with the money benefiting the Belmar Arts Council. Tickets are available in advance from our website, at the Boatworks, and from the Artifacts Boutique at 1012 Main Street in Belmar.

Boatworks Renovations

If you've been wondering why things have been quiet here on the BAC blog lately, it's because the Boatworks has been undergoing some needed repairs and renovations during the month of October. We are hoping that everything is back up and running by early November, with the return of our regular schedule of events- exhibition, movie nights, performances, art classes, group meetings, etc. Check back here or the BAC main website for details.

Surf Art Awards

Several artworks from the current surf themed exhibition received awards. Don Tarrant judged the show and gave the following awards:

The Kowabunga Award: John Glen- Danny's Daydream, paint pen on board

The Most Off The Wall Award: Frank Errickson- Paradise, stained glass

The Most Rad Award: Joe Hodnicki- Under the Lip, oil on wood

Most Surfadelic Award: Paul Miller- Winter Sunset, acrylic


In addition to those awards, people attending the reception could vote for favorite pieces. The top three received People's Choice Awards. Those three are shown below:

People's Choice Award: Ben DeMarco-Surfer on Yellow Board, Photograph

People Choice Award: Mark Ragucci- Free Ride, charcoal

People's Choice Award: Sara Abromovic- Perfect Wave, oil

To see these and the 98 works in the show, as well as be able to bid on the silent auction artworks, stop by the Boatworks between now and October 2.

Surf Art Reception

Labor Day may have passed a week ago, but at the Boatworks we had one last summer party to officially open up our new exhibition The Innermost Limits of Pure Stroke, a show devoted to art inspired by surfing. The crowds built early, with close to 200 people coming by to see some very exciting art. Inside the building we had more than 100 works on display in a wide variety of media- paintings, drawings, prints, photos, sculptures, and some interesting mixed media work.

But the exhibition was only the beginning. In the back room we had work that could be bid on as part of a silent auction. A portion of all the money raised by this show is going to benefit Surfaid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization. Also in the back room we had surfing videos projected on our famous biggish screen.

As wonderful as the exhibition is, the real party today was outdoors. The bad weather of the past week has moved on, allowing us to set up in the parking lot. We had great food provided by Joe Leone's in Point Pleasant, Fins in Bradley Beach, and the Little Red Barn in Belmar, plus live music by the surfBobs. The party went on as the sun went down.

The reception may be over, the show goes on. The exhibition will remain up at the Boatworks through October 2, during regular gallery hours- Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. Gallery admission is always free.