Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A More Open Door Policy




If you've been around the Boatworks, or on the BelmarArts mailing list over the past few weeks, then you should know all about the plan to upgrade our front door.  The current one works, but like the rest of the building, it's taken a beating over the past few years.  We have the opportunity to replace it with one that can open automatically.  This would not only make us 100% compliant with ADA regulations, but it would make life easier for everyone who uses the building.  If you've ever had to carry in a bunch of bulky artworks on a windy or rainy day, you know what I'm talking about.

So we set up an account through CrowdRise, a simple and secure online way to donate money to this effort.  Adding an extra incentive to get this done was a special charity challenge from OceanFirst, one of our sponsors.  The organization that raised the most money between April 14th and May 9th would receive a special bonus grant toward their current fundraising effort.  To sweeten the deal for potential donors, we offered an iPad Mini as a raffle prize, with everyone who made a minimum donation during that time period eligible for the drawing.



Since the end of the contest period coincided with our opening reception for the current Eleven Shades of Gray exhibition, we held the drawing for the iPad Mini that evening, and it was won by Gina Cioffi (shown above with her prize). And, well, we never even came close to winning that challenge, as we were going up against some big organizations.  But all the money we raised puts us closer to our goal of acquiring a new door, and we'll be on the lookout for more challenge opportunities like this one.  Meanwhile, the CrowdRise account is still up and running to receive donations- there's a link from the homepage of our main website- or you can donate through our office any time we're open.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Eleven Shades of Gray Reception




Tonight the Boatworks hosted the opening reception for the new Eleven Shades of Gray Black and White Photography Exhibit.  Despite the threats of rain, a crowd of at least 100 came through our doors to see the art and enjoy the event.



The show included 43 works, all black and white photos, though the subjects varied widely, from figures to landscape to still life to abstraction.



The crowd moved among the three gallery spaces, checking our the show, though some settled among the cafe tables to enjoy conversation and live music from some familiar faces, performing tonight as Alabama Meat & Potatoes.



About halfway through the evening, most of the crowd moved to the front, where exhibition organizers Michael and Beverly Miller and show juror Dennis Carroll announced the award winning pieces:


Best in Show
Memorial Day
Gina Cioffi



Honorable Mention
Hemisferic
Marilyn Baldi



Honorable Mention
Season's Over
Vicki DeVico



Merit Award
Lines
Rhonda Griscti



Merit Award
A Walk in the Rain
JoAnn Lense



Merit Award
Sleeping Beauties
Kathy Watson


This Eleven Shades of Gray exhibition remains on display during regular gallery hours through June 6, 2014.  Admission is free.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Fun As Summer Approaches



Today the Boatworks hosted the latest meeting of Fiber Fridays.  Lise Gayle led the group in the process of needle felting, using wool fibers to form various shapes.  Not sure what that means?  Then is sounds like you need to go to their next meeting, Friday, June 27th at 12:30.


And a bunch of new arts activities at BelmarArts were recently announced.  For example, if Fiber Fridays seems like something that would interest you, consider Surface Embellishment Open Studio, with Beverly Hertler and Marie Maber, three weeks of workshops dealing with fabric painting, relief printing, and beading.  In addition, experience educator Brian Elstein has two upcoming offerings: Mix It Up with Sculpture for Kids (age 8 to 12) a six week workshop starting May 21st, and the two week workshop Japanese Lantern Building (ages 14 and up) in June.  Follow the above embedded links to learn more, and sign up on our website or in person at the Boatworks.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

The Railroad Show Has Departed


The Railroad Show only had a short stop in Belmar, and closed yesterday.  All the votes were totaled for the People's Choice awards, and the following artworks were awarded ribbons based on those totals:


1st Place- Tie
Through The Show
Kevin Burkitt
digital photo



1st Place- Tie
Waiting
Pat Hutchinson
watercolor



2nd Place-Tie
Yellow Caboose
Lois Kiely
acrylic



2nd Place- Tie
Commuter Train
Gary Dates
digital photo



3rd Place
River Crossing
Kevin Burkitt
digital photo



4th Place
Untitled
Milton Quon
mixed media



5th Place
Crossing into Manasquan
Joel Gahr
pen & ink


At the conclusion of the Belmar and the Railroad show, the drawing was held for the raffle prize of the hand colored woodcut by Paul Bonelli, used for the postcards and other promotions of the show.  The winner was Richard Salls, one of the artists in the show.