A Writer Returns to Belmar

On this beautiful Sunday afternoon in Belmar we had a book event going on at the Boatworks.  Author Mick Bennett grew up here, before going to Pennsylvania for college and establishing a life in Gettysburg, also a town that sees its share of tourists in the summer.  Times at the beach gave way to writing, but now the two have come together.  He was here in town today to promote his first published novel, "Missing You in Belmar, NJ."  The story and characters are pure fiction, but the setting is based on his experiences growing up in Belmar.  This book, set in the 1980's, is the first novel of a planned trilogy built around the central character.  Above, Mick Bennett with his book, below, the crowd enjoys hearing him read an excerpt from the opening chapter.  Those in attendance were very excited by what they heard and are looking forward to future installments.

Grass Roots Opening

Tonight the Boatworks hosted a show unlike any we've ever had before.  This exhibition consists solely of work from participants in classes, workshops, and shared interest groups offered by the Belmar Arts Council, work all from 2014.  This building is busy almost every day of the week, so it's no surprise that we ended up with over 50 pieces representing the variety of what can be found here.

Starting in the front room, visitors to this show can find

photography from both the photo interest group (above) and from the many photography workshops (below),

paintings and drawings from participants in those long running classes,

work including text from participants in the writers group,

and examples of the kinds of things covered in the embellished surfaces workshop series.

And then as visitors move into the back gallery, they will see paintings from the summer's watercolor class,

several relief prints from the woodblock printmaking class,

various products of the Fiber Fridays special interest group,

and paintings and drawings from participants in the Wednesday evening costumed figure drawing group, plus one item from the landscape painting class.

Sure, many of our art receptions include live musical performances, and we had a few people (above) providing that for us tonight, but we also had a reading (below) from a member who not only took the self publishing workshop series, but then published her book.

We had the usual big crowd at the opening, including much of the refreshments provided by members.

The Grass Roots exhibition will remain on display through November 7, 2014 during regular gallery hours, with the Bob Steeler Solo Exhibition running in the side gallery through October 10th.  Admission is free.