Humor Reception

Is this a swampy African plain? Or an American safari park? No, it's the Belmar Arts Council, where this large mixed media piece (from Bob Mataranglo) was on hand to greet all visitors to the new Humor & The Lighter Side of Life exhibition. The Hippo is one of 56 artworks in the show, which includes a variety of sculpture, photographs, paintings (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), prints (woodcut, silkscreen), pastels, pencils, and video.

Several dozen people turned up for our opening reception, to check out the art in the front room and fun stuff in the back.

Today was our first time using our new addition to the Boatworks. We set up our food table back there (above) and had a couple of photo cut-outs of famous artworks (below) for people to pose in. We'll try to get some photos of the results up on this blog soon.

Meanwhile, our back room was set up with tables where people could enjoy the refreshments along with a little live music.

As you can see, participants brought in an impressive variety of art that fit within the exhibition theme. Over the length of the opening reception visitors could vote for a people's choice award. The winning piece (shown below) was Opening Day, a pastel from Jean Maliza.

The Humor exhibition remains on display at the Boatworks during gallery hours through March 25, 2011.

Humor Show Opens March 5th

This past Saturday was the intake for the upcoming Humor themed show. More than 50 works of art, including paintings, prints, photos, drawings, and sculptures will be in the exhibition. The show opens with a reception on Saturday March 5, 2011 from 3 to 5 pm, and remains on display during regular gallery hours through March 25th. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

An Addition is Born

It's been almost a year since the BAC broke ground on a new addition to the Boatworks. As much as we loved the building as it was, there have been days when we had too much going on for the space we had. Money was raised for some of the construction, and volunteers picked up a lot of the rest. It's been a long road, but our new addition is finally finished. Here's a look at some of the construction highlights-

Back in March the foundation was dug, and the concrete poured. It extended out from the north side of the building, from the building's back to our side door. That side door would become the interior entrance to the new room. Meanwhile, we had a cool patio.

Framing began in May. The plan called for the addition to be divided into two spaces- the larger to be a new all purpose room, the smaller to be some much needed storage space. Each space would open to both the inside and the outside.

Our volunteer crew continued work on the frame, including adding ceiling joists.

By the end of July the plywood sheathing was finished and a contractor had put a new roof on the whole structure.

In August and September, the various windows and doors were installed, and siding started to go on.

With the exterior finished, it was time to finish the inside. Our volunteers wired it for electricity and installed insulation, drywall, and lights.

In recent weeks everything got a fresh coat of paint, and new interior doors were added. And now it's officially finished and ready to be used.

Above is our new all purpose room, which can be used to hold small classes and meetings, or be a workspace when the other rooms are otherwise occupied. Below is the new storage space, with plenty of room for our new chairs, extra tables, easels, the model stand, and lots of things we use every week. And we won't need to go outdoors to the shed to get them.

Thanks to all those who donated their time, skills, and money we now have these two great useful spaces at the Boatworks. Next time your there, come see them for yourself.

JAS6 Judges' Choice Reception

Tonight was the opening reception for the JAS6 Judges' Choice exhibition, a show featuring artwork from the award winners from last year's big 6th Annual Juried Art Show. On display are about 40 artworks from seven artists: Trevor Bryan, Beverly Golembeski, Guido Guazzoni, Pat Hutchinson, Andrew Kazmierski, Dave McGrath, and Christina Sanes.

Unlike previous editions of this exhibition, all the work was hung together, rather than be grouped by individual artist. Paintings, drawings, and photographs all side by side.

The crowd built slowly, perhaps because of yet more winter weather, but by the end of the first hour several dozen people were in attendance to enjoy the artwork and refreshments.

The JAS6 Judges' Choice show will remain on display through February 25, 2011. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

Salon Critique Night

Tonight we held the latest Salon event at the Boatworks. Participants put work into the show that filled our front room gallery, almost 50 pieces overall. The second Thursday of the month is the regular meeting night for the BAC critique group, so tonight's event also served that function. This evening over 25 artists showed up to present their work and to answer questions and hear opinions about it from the assembled group.

Things got off to a interesting start with a short excerpt of a collaboration between printmaker Molly Johnson and dancer/choreographer Kristin Dexnis of DeXdance. After that we settled in for a series of more traditional gallery artworks, including paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, sculpture, and jewelry.

As usual, everyone who was there enjoyed the experience. Artists always benefit from the critique process. Talking about one's work requires the artist to reconsider everything that went into it, and the assembled group brings fresh eyes to the work, with the resulting questions and comments providing useful feedback for the artist to use in current and future art.

Tonight's participants included some veterans of past critique groups, but there were many new faces as well. We're hoping that many of the first timers decide to become regular participants of the Belmar critique group, and take advantage of this great opportunity. Meanwhile, the Salon exhibition remains on display at the Boatworks during regular gallery hours through January 28, 2011. Admission is free.

Pastels in Belmar

Tonight was the first member meeting of 2011. We had a great turnout, more than 25 people in attendance- mostly our regulars, but a few new faces joined us tonight. We discussed some of the many groups, workshops, and events coming up in the next several weeks, then turned things over to our guest speaker, Sangita Phadke. She will be teaching a 5 week class in pastel painting beginning in February, but tonight everyone in attendance saw a free demonstration of her skills. She also answered many questions about materials and process.

Below is an example of a finished pastel painting. Additional examples of Sangita Phadke's work can be seen on her website.

The pastel class will meet Mondays, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, from February 7 through March 7, 2011. For further details, including how to register for the class, see the main website.

New Chairs in Belmar

Almost as exciting as the pastel demonstration tonight was the debut of our new folding chairs. Strong, and padded for extra comfort. If anything, maybe even too nice for a room that gets used as an art studio, but they are a necessary upgrade from the ugly resin chairs that we've been using up until now. Come by some time and give them a try.

Lots To Do in 2011

It's a new year, which brings many new opportunities for activities at the Belmar Arts Council

Thursday Jan 6 6:30 - 9:00 pm First member meeting of the year. Learn about what's coming up for the BAC. Featuring guest speaker Sangita Phadke, who will be offering a pastel course next month.

Saturday Jan 8 10 am to 1 pm Intake for the next exhibition at the Boatworks, a new Salon des Artistes. Bring up to 3 artworks ($5 per artwork) to hang in the show.

Thursday Jan 13 6:30 - 8: 30 pm Critique Night. Artists with work in the Salon des Artistes are invited to come present their work and to receive useful feedback from all in attendance.

If you're looking to make some new art and want to improve your skills or try something new, in the coming months the BAC is offering workshops and classes in drawing, painting, pastels, watercolor, photography, digital processes, and graphic design, plus a new writer's group is forming. Details about all of the above (and more, such as music and films) can be found on the main website.

WUF Opening Reception

Today was the opening reception for the new Wearable, Usable, Functional exhibition, in which all the artworks on display are hand crafted items that combine visual appeal and a practical purpose. As you can see from the photos below, artists are exhibiting a variety of clothing, ceramics, furniture, home decorations, jewelry- all for sale.

A nice crowd turned up for the opening, probably close to 100 visitors stopped by over the course of the two hour reception, with many sticking around to look over the various creations, and enjoy the refreshments.

And as with many of the functions at the Boatworks, our own Jam Band provided live entertainment for everyone.

The Wearable Usable Functional exhibition and sale is on display at the Boatworks during regular gallery hours through January 7, 2011.

Wearable, Usable, Functional coming to BAC

The next exhibition at the Boatworks is Wearable, Usable, Functional, and the title says it all. This juried show features a variety of hand crafted items that fit one or more of the above categories. The show officially opens with a reception on Saturday, November 13th, from 5 to 7 pm, and remains on display through the end of December.

New Belmar Attraction

Belmar's latest mural is now complete. (Click on the above photo to enlarge it) Artist Jim Fitzmaurice painted the large 5 panel mural on the back of the upper part of Freedman's Bakery. This beautiful mural can be seen from the east side of the train, or when driving on 8th Avenue from Route 35 toward the beach, but to truly enjoy it, pull into the parking lot behind the bakery, park your car, and spend a few minutes reminding yourself of some of what Belmar has to offer.

Last Chance for The Royal Family

The BAC benefit performance of The Royal Family at the Spring Lake Community House Theater is coming up this Friday night, October 15th. Thanks to the great efforts of BAC members, the performance (and accompanying dessert reception) is almost sold out. As of last night, only 37 tickets remained. So if you've been interested, don't delay- go to our main website and learn how to buy some tickets, before they're all gone.

The Mural Capital of the Northeast

Back in 2007, the members of the Belmar Arts Council took a look at the dull gray concrete exterior walls of the Boatworks, our headquarters, and decided that they could use some colorful murals. So that year a group of volunteers put one on the long side of our building, and the following year another group put one on the shorter side. Now it seems like everyone in town wants one, and we're going to try to make that happen. This year the BAC Downtown Mural Project got going, funded by the Belmar Tourism Commission. Four sites were budgeted for this year and we're more than halfway there. The first two are complete, and the third is underway.

Professional muralist Bob Mataranglo produced the above Bruce Springsteen themed mural on the side of the 2nd floor of the Yarnold Building (near Main and 10th), a spot from which Bruce could look out and see his beloved E Street. Bob was an advisor on our first mural, as well as adding the 3D pieces to both of the Boatworks murals.

Beth Gersten, also a professional muralist, was another major participant on our first Boatworks mural, and this year she painted the large one seen above on the side of the Acropolis Diner (Main and 6th), combining a typical local beach scene and a view through a colonnade of Greek style caryatids.

The third Belmar mural is in progress right now. This time around the artist is Jim Fitzmaurice, another experienced muralist and his is going to cover the whole upper half of the back of Freedman's Bakery (Belmar Plaza and 8th Ave). The subject is some of Belmar's annual events, with the surfing competition, St Patrick's Day parade, and typical beach activities showing up so far. Stop by Belmar Plaza in the near future and check on the progress for yourself.

As for the 4th mural, negotiations are in progress right now for a spot further down Main, one that will be painted by BAC volunteers. And the plan is for this series of Belmar murals to be an ongoing project, so look for news about more to come in 2011.