A Lot of Old Shoes Walk In the Door

This evening the Boatworks hosted its first exhibition of the year- Old Shoes.  Over two dozen works featuring a theme of old shoes and whatever that concept meant to the artists.  In recent years this first show has been a salon format, meaning the artists are asked to take a few minutes to introduce their piece and take questions if there are any.

Our front room gallery had a good crowd from the start, and more kept arriving as the artists were presenting.  We had close to 80 people there, about as many as can stand in the space.

Visual qualities are always important in any gallery show, but more than most of what we present in this space, the annual salon show is about the stories.  We learned about processes and materials used in these pieces, and about decades of personal history that are reflected in some of them.

The artists have all gone home, and the stories left with them, but the artworks will remain on display during regular gallery hours through January 29, 2016.  As always, admission is free.

Meanwhile, the back room is displaying examples of things produced in some of our Shared Interest Groups and in classes.  The schedule for 2016 is forming as I write this, so stop by the Boatworks during office hours, or check the website to learn more.

Fleece Blankets return to the Boatworks

No snow yet, but outside temperatures are starting to feel like winter.  Seems like a good time for blankets to return to Belmar.  Fleece blankets that is, the kind produced and distributed by Blankie Depot, a non profit headquartered in Hazlet.  Last January our Fiber Fridays group hosted Greg Isnetto and produced 11 no sew blankets for his organization, which distributes them to children in need.  This time Greg and Stacia showed up with bolts of fleece material in a variety of patterns and 11 members set to work.

Not a very complex process- fleece is cut to size, edges are fringed, and the fringe pieces tied in a variety of styles that is both decorative and prevents the fleece material from unravelling.  And that's pretty much it.  Two hours later the group had finished producing 13 blankets, shattering last year's record.

They left the building, but anyone interested in making a donation, or volunteering, can visit their website, blankiedepot.org to learn more.

New Show for 2016

Today was the artwork intake for the debut exhibition of 2016.  It's called "Old Shoes" and it's a BelmarArts Member Salon, meaning that the opening reception will include the participating artists saying a little bit about their work.  The show will include 25 works in a variety of media.  Expect to see a lot of shoes.

The show opens to the public on January 13th.  The Opening Reception is on Saturday January 16th from 5 to 7 pm, with the Salon event beginning promptly at 5:30 pm.  The work will remain on display through January 29, 2016.  Admission is free.