A Day at the ArtWalk

Today was a busy day around the Boatworks, and around the town.

A major outdoor project was begun, which will provide landscaping and a large scale outdoor sculpture.  One needed step was removing some dead trees from the empty lot area next to our building, to make way for the labyrinth that will be built soon.  Our own Jim Aberle is the person leading it.  More on this as it develops.

The Art Walk is an event that places local artists and their art in spots all over Belmar- on the street, inside businesses, and in public spaces, such as above and below, events in Pyanoe Plaza.  For example, we had chalk art being demonstrated by Anthony Cappeto, and live music from the band 40 Winx.

We had a large group of individual artists set up in front of the school on Main Street.  Attendance was not only free, but there was an incentive-

People who collected all the code words from all the locations that artists were at were entered into a raffle for this prize basket, filled with lots of Belmar merchandise.

Seems like it's been raining on New Jersey a lot over the past several months, but today we lucked out and had sunny day.  Good for the artists and good for art lovers walking around.

More than one way to paint in Belmar

All kinds of painting goes on with BelmarArts.  We created murals for the outside of our building, and quite a few other buildings around the town.  Give us concrete traffic barriers, we can paint them.  You need a lesson in how to paint, come to our open studio.  Want a more complex subject- perhaps our costumed model group can help you out.  Today we had a volunteer painting the cases that hold our library.  And another one helping with the trim in our back room.  There's always something to paint in Belmar.

photos courtesy of Rebecca Szabo

Open Studio for Drawing and Painting

Today something new started at BelmarArts, an Open Studio Class for Drawing and Painting.

 Instructor Mark Sadiang-Abay will be running it.  The class is suitable for students grade 6 to adult and anywhere in between, and any level of experience.  The open studio aspect means that participants can work on whatever they want, whether it be something already in progress, or trying something new.

There will always be a still life set up, such as the one that was there earlier today, for those who wish to practice working from objects in front of them, and the instructor will be there to provide whatever level of guidance is needed.   However, participants are not limited to still life, and can work out with the instructor what they need to work on.  Learn what you want at the pace that suits you.

Needed materials for the class will depend on what the participant wishes to learn about.  The class page on the main website lists suggestions-  bring pencils, charcoal, pastels, paints- whatever interests you- along with paper or canvas suitable to your medium.  We have tables and chairs in our new dedicated classroom space.  Cost per session is $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and can be paid in advance, or when you show up to participate.  Every Wednesday from 2 to 5 pm.  Space is limited, so reserving your spot ahead of time is recommended.  To learn more, you may contact the instructor through the class page, or the office at BelmarArts.

JAS 13 Opens in Belmar

Tonight was the official opening for the JAS 13- the 13th Annual Juried Art Show from BelmarArts. It's our longest established event and one of our most popular traditions.  This year we had 182 entries, competing for 84 spots on the walls.  Not surprisingly, that meant a lot of visitors to this reception.  Attendance was light in the opening minutes, but it quickly built until the building was full.

A variety of mediums were represented in the list of accepted works- including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking.

The exhibition juror Richard Buntzen selected 9 pieces for awards.  These were the choices, announced during tonight's reception:

Juror Awards

Jimmy Hendrix

Stephen Harrison

What Lies Beneath

Sandy Taylor

Horsehair Raku

Kimberly DeMartino

Tired

Dana Cohoon

All Wrapped Up

Alexandra Cummings

End of Winter

Guido Guazzoni

Honorable Mentions

I've Got My Eye on Your

Lisa Foley

Shadows on Bamboo

Joan Myers

The Ukulele Player

Margaret Kukafka

The JAS 13 will be on display through May 15, 2017, with regular gallery hours Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 pm.  

photographs of artworks provided by the artists