Belmar & Our Neighbors Reception

Tonight was the opening reception for the latest exhibition at the Boatworks.  Belmar & our neighbors (sponsored by Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay & Family and the OceanFirst Foundation) features Fine Art and Fine Crafts inspired by Belmar and our surrounding shore community.  More than 50 artists have contributed work to this show, which fills all three rooms of our building.

From the very start of the reception, we had a good crowd today, a constant flow of visitors for the whole two hours, and more arriving as we were cleaning up.   Unlike most of our exhibitions, this one is being conducted as a cash and carry; if you see something you like, you can pay for it and take it home immediately.  More than a few people took advantage of the opportunity.

In addition to all the art objects, the reception featured a spoken word performance from Carla Beuthe (above) and live music from the Belmar Bums (below)

The show organizers chose seven works for awards in some creative categories:

Best Representation of the Show Theme

Sandy Huston

The Inlet

oil painting

Funniest Depiction of a Fish

Lois Kiely

Ancient Fish Migration

acrylic

Best Use of Shells
Alexandra Martin
sculptures

Best Inclusion of Sea Glass

Nicole Vincenti

Rolling in the Deep

mixed media

Most Interesting Integration of the Written Word

Carla Beuthe and Sandy Cook

A Day at the 'Squan

Poetry and Photography

Most Awesome Sunrise

Richard Rappleyea

Morning Surfing

photograph

Best Use of Humor

Bonnie Smith

Hitchhiker Surfboard

mixed media

The Belmar & our neighbors show will remain on display through August 23, 2013.  The Boatworks has extended gallery hours through the summer- 1 to 5 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 1 to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday.   Artists can replace anything sold during the show, so be sure to visit again, as you may find something new.  Admission is free.

2013 Summer Performance Series

The 2013 Summer Performance Series kicked off tonight with a concert in Belmar's Pyanoe Plaza.  (Main Street, between 8th and 10th, at the traffic light for 9th)  This year's first show was by the Barksdales, featuring Avon native Ann Bonner.  By the time the show started, the heat of the day had faded, and the growing audience could enjoy listening, dancing, and dining to the band's music.

The Summer Performance Series, co-sponsored by the BAC and the Belmar Tourism Commission, will bring a new band to the plaza every Saturday evening from 7 to 9 pm, weather permitting, through the end of August.  A complete list of all the scheduled acts, dates, and other details can be found on the events page of the main website.  The concerts are all free to the public.