JAS8 Judge's Choice Reception

Every year for the past 8 years, the BAC has held an annual juried show in the spring.  And for the past 6 years, the tradition has been that the award winners from that show get an exhibition of their own the following year.  So the process of putting together the current exhibition at the Boatworks goes back to last April, and the 8th Annual Juried Art Show, but things didn't pick up until the beginning of January and the reopening of the Boatworks.  The artists met a number of times over the past month, to work out such details as the layout of the show, their contributions to the opening reception, production of the postcard announcements, and the installation of the show.  But each deadline was met.  All the work was in place a few days ago, the threats of snow never materialized, and the artists all showed up with arms full of food and drink.  And before too long, the viewers showed up, too.

Three of the artists shared the front room of the Boatworks.  A crowd above checks out some digital abstracts from Rick Alvarado, as well as the clay sculptures of Carol Gleason.  Below, a few more sculptures and some of Guido Guazzoni's landscape paintings.

The back room featured art from two artists, both using grids as part of their design.  Seen above is part of Paul Bonelli's 366 woodcut print Fourth of July series, which occupied the whole back wall.  Beverly Hertler filled the remaining walls with her colorful quilt pieces, combining traditional fibers and other materials.

Several dozen visitors came through, all very impressed with the artwork both individually and collectively, leaving a tough act to follow for next year's group of winners.  This year's Judge's Choice exhibition remains on display during regular gallery hours through March 8, 2013.

March 8th is also the first day of intake for the 9th Annual Juried Art Show, so start thinking now about what art you'd like to submit.

This Weekend at the Boatworks

Over the past several days the five winners of last year's annual juried show have been filling the Boatworks with examples of their art.  There are digital abstracts from Rick Alvarado, woodcut prints from Paul Bonelli, hand made clay sculptures from Carol Gleason, oil paintings from Guido Guazzoni, and fiber arts from Beverly Hertler.   It all officially debuts this coming Saturday evening at the opening reception.  The reception is from 5 to 7 pm on February 16th and the show remains on display during regular gallery hours (Wed to Sat 1 to 5 pm) through March 8, 2013. Admission is free.

After the receptions ends we'll be getting the building ready for our latest musical performance.  The BAC will be hosting the Rodeo Junkies, featuring Jo Wymer, Vic Della Pello, and Helen Radtke.  The show begins at 8 pm, with tickets available for $10 at the door.

Art Walk on A Street

Despite whatever the groundhog tells us, we still have at least a little bit of winter left.  We spent a good bit of today in the 20's, and we ended the day with snow.  Despite the cold and wind that seem like they've been around for weeks, a lot of people have been on A Street, checking out the concrete barrier murals.  Some driving by, and some braving the cold to tour them on foot.  And the volunteers have been busy on the few warmer days that we've had, because some new ones have been started, and some earlier ones have been added to.  Our blog page about this project has been updated to include the  latest versions of this concrete barrier art, so if a visit to this gallery along A isn't practical, check the work out on our blog.

Black And White Reception

A very exciting night tonight, the debut of the newly restored Boatworks.  Freshly painted walls and floors greeted the crowds who started pouring through the door this evening at 5:00 to be part of our Black And White Salon Exhibition.  Paintings, drawings, prints, photos, sculptures, all executed in black and white.  Even those in attendance (we estimate at least 100 people) were dressed in black and white.

This show fills both the front and back galleries.  Above, visitors check out some black and white art on our new angled wall, which gives the whole room a better view of the stage.

Many just grabbed a table early in the reception to enjoy refreshments, and to talk with old friends who  were happy to be able to come to the Boatworks again.

Black and white wines?  No, we couldn't pull that off.  But red and white seemed to work just fine for tonight's crowd.

The main purpose of tonight's gathering was the Salon.  All artists who were present gathered in the front room starting at 5:30 for the event.  We started with work #1 on our checklist, and went around the room, with each artist having the opportunity to talk about their piece.  Some of the participants regularly work in black and white, while others talked about it as a challenge, but one worth exploring.  The crowd, as large as any that have ever squeezed into that room, could ask questions of the artists if they wanted, and sometimes they did.

The Black and White exhibition will remain up through February 8, 2013.  Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 1 to 5 pm.  Admission is free.

The Boatworks is Back in Business

This Saturday night, January 19th, the Boatworks will officially reopen for BAC activities.  First is the opening reception for the year's first exhibition, Black and White.  More than 60 works were dropped off last week by BAC members, many different media, all executed in black and white.  The reception is a Salon, so artists in the show will be invited to briefly talk about their pieces and processes.  The reception begins at 5:00 pm, with the Salon itself to start by 5:30.  All in attendance are requested to dress in black and white.  As usual, there is no admission fee for the reception.

The Salon ends at 7:00 pm, and then we will get ready for our first musical performance of the year, in our newly reconfigured back room.  Gwynne and Paige Alden will be performing a mix of original folk, pop, and alt country, beginning at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  There will be lots more music coming up in 2013- a list of some of the scheduled performers can be seen on the home page of the BAC main website.

That we have the Boatworks back in shape for art and music is due to the hard work of dozens of volunteers.  We couldn't have done it without them.  Here is a list of some of the names we recalled:

Jim Aberle, Harry Aschoff, Sally Behler, Alison Bowie, Barbara Brennan, Tom Brennan, Mike Carroll, Dana Cohoon, Tara Collins, Mary Fenton, Steve Harrison, John Hutchinson, Pat Hutchinson, Janice Keown-Blackburn, Chris Krebs, Ali Martin, Michael Miller, Glorianna & Dominick Parisi, Neil Scheck, Bonnie Smith, Dave Taylor, Sandy Taylor, Joe Villa, Tom Volker, plus Cody from  North Jersey and Mike the Sheet Rocker.    If we think of anyone else, we'll add them later.

Belmar in Black and White

Work has been progressing on the Boatworks.  New drywall is in place, and a few minor interior changes will make the space more usable.  The race is on to get the place cleaned and painted, but things are looking good for us to have our first exhibition of the year, Black and White.  This show is a Member's Salon, so it's not juried and open to all BAC members.  Just a few conditions- all work must be in black and white (and all the grays between those two), and they are requesting that all participants and visitors to the reception dress in black and white.  Being that this is a Salon type show, the reception will also provide all artists with the opportunity to briefly present their work to the crowd (like we did here and here) and even take a few questions.

The intake of work for the show is scheduled for Saturday, January 12, 2013, from 10 am to 1 pm, assuming that the Boatworks rehabilitation is complete by then.  (check the main BAC website for any possible changes, as well as the complete list of rules and the entry form) The Salon reception will be on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  The show will remain on display through February 8, 2013.

Time to Clean Up

Day 1

Those who have followed the news of the Belmar Arts Council over the past two months know that we have suspended most of our activities since the end of October and Sandy's arrival on our shores.  (the painted barriers closer to the beach are a notable exception) Belmar took over the Boatworks to use as an aid intake and redistribution center, filling the building with all kinds of relief supplies.  There are still several large truck trailers parked outside the building, which one assumes will eventually be hauled (along with their contents) to other places.  However, much of the building itself has been emptied, and so on Thursday morning the BAC began the process of clearing the building of what remained, and getting it cleaned up and ready for a new season of art.  Supplies that could be of use to local charitable organizations were packed up to be redistributed.

We had a great turnout today, 15 to 20 people running around the Boatworks, hauling boxes, moving furniture, scrubbing, demolishing, sweeping, etc.

As long as various repairs were going on, it was decided to remove a corner of the wall that separates the office from the rest of the back room.  This will give us a little more space, and a wider view of the stage for performances.

As we suspected, the front room saw a little more damage (some water had gotten in), permanently damaging the sheet rocked walls.  They looked fine, but had been in standing water, so disintegration and mold were inevitable.  The lower two feet were of wall board were removed all the way around, and the framing treated to arrest moisture damage.

Day 2

Work continued on Friday.  That corner of the old office that was cut off yesterday was framed and sheet rocked to create a new angled wall- a better view of the stage area, and we can still hang art on the wall.

However the bigger job was in the front room.  The lower two feet of sheet rock had been removed all the way around the room, exposing the wall studs and the outer wall of the building.  The framing was sprayed and fans were deployed around the room to speed the drying of the wood.  After we are satisfied that the wood is dry, fresh sheet rock will go up.

More volunteers will be needed in the coming weeks to continue the process of getting the Boatworks ready for a full schedule of art exhibitions, classes, performances, etc.  The walls and floors will all need a bit of work from our volunteers.  If you are interested in lending a hand, check the BAC main website on a regular basis.  Information will be posted there to let people know when various help will be needed.

Murals, Murals, Everywhere

The Boatworks is still serving an important function for Belmar's Sandy recovery, but we hope to be getting it ready soon for a busy 2013 series of exhibitions, classes, performances, etc.  But that hasn't stopped us from working on art.  As part of the clean up of Belmar, a series of concrete barriers was installed along A Street from 7th Avenue to 20th Avenue, to divert non-local traffic away from Ocean Avenue while the heavy equipment is busy.  Those concrete 'Jersey walls' are effective, but not particularly pretty, so the BAC was invited to help decorate them.  Belmar Paint and Decorating on Main Street donated large amounts of blue paint so that each could be given a background coat front and back, along with some brushes.  Volunteers jumped at the chance to adopt a barrier and turn it into something bright and colorful.  The process has been going on for a few weeks.  Below are some examples of these barriers:

8th Avenue and A

Bob Mataranglo

9th Avenue and A

Merry Brennan and friends

10th Avenue and A

Pat and John Hutchinson

11th Avenue and A
Katie Maricic

12th Avenue and A

13th Avenue and A

Garth Gutierrez

14th Avenue and A

Kathryn Paul and Ava

15th Avenue and A

Rochelle Ritacco (front)

Girl Scout Troop 1517 (back)

16th Avenue and A
Tim Lucas and Friends

17th Avenue and A

18th Avenue and A

Cindy Dunn

Louise Rempe

Neil Schenk
Linda Sanfilippo

A few of the barriers shown above are still in progress, and there are a few along the route that haven't been started yet, but if we get enough decent weather, I'm sure we'll find people to finish them all.  Some of the artists have told us they have been getting many positive comments from the people who live on these blocks, who appreciate the artistic efforts of the BAC and other Belmar volunteers.  Photos of other barriers around town can be seen on the BAC website.  Even better, park your car on A Street and stroll up and down from 7th to 20th and see them for yourself.