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.

Surf Art in Belmar

There is a very unique show in the Boatworks right now, called The Innermost Limits of Pure Stroke. The show is all art with a surfing theme- paintings, photos, drawings, etc- even some special surfboards. More than 100 pieces will be on display. The exhibition, which benefits SurfAid International, officially opens on September 5, and will have a special reception on Sunday, September 13, from 6 to 8 pm. The show will remain on display during regular gallery hours through October 2nd.

Tonight was our regular monthly member meeting and we had a special guest. Jay Alders is a very busy local artist- a prolific fine artist who has exhibited pretty much anywhere with a coastline, but also producing quality commission work for publications and products. Much of his art depicts one of his favorite activities, surfing. Of course he has some work in this current show, but tonight the more than 30 people in attendance saw a slide show of past and current work, including step by step views of his process.

A Journey Through Wine Country

This past Saturday the BAC put together an exciting event called A Journey Through Wine Country. Members Patricia and Richard Hoynes opened up their beautiful Belmar home to over 120 guests for a night of wine tasting with a specially selected tasting menu. Guests started arriving in the early evening. Wine was provided by Ocean Wine and Spirits, and the food came from Brandl's, Sickles Market, and Pierre Chocolat. A group of musicians led by Tim McCorry provided entertainment. In addition to the wine and gourmet menu, those in attendance had the opportunity to bid on over 30 artworks, including a hand painted cafe table in the fashion of those we have at the Boatworks. There was also a big 50/50 drawing. The fun continued into the evening, people enjoying the music and good company.