belmar arts council

Friday, May 15, 2015

Making the Papers

No, this isn't a smoothie in progress, much less a daiquiri, unless you like newsprint based beverages. What you're seeing is the start of a demonstration from today's meeting of Fiber Fridays. The topic today was making paper. Papers are made from plant fibers, some more processed than others. Today Rebecca gave a demonstration as to how a simple paper base can be made from old unwanted paper. The contents of that blender were essentially shredded newspaper and water, then blended into a pulp.

The next step was to layer the mix in a form, on top of screens that would eventually allow the excess water to drain away. Some metallic threads were placed on top, and the crowd watched them dance around. Eventually the bottom was opened allowing the rest of the water to drain quickly, leaving the sheet of paper.

Several minutes of blotting and sponging followed, gradually removing more and more water from the new sheet of paper. Finally we had the piece below.

This was just a very basic piece, but other options include adding color, and more textural items, or making thicker pieces and molding them into three dimensional forms that will eventually dry.

The Fiber Fridays shared interest group meets bi-monthly at the Boatworks. Planned for July's meeting is stamping on various materials.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Belmar Art Walk 2015

With the new paving project well in hand, attention could be turned to the 2015 edition of the annual Belmar Art Walk. This year we had 35 locations lined up, mostly along Main Street, but all within walking distance. Very early this morning we had a brief return to winter, with below freezing temperatures across much of the state, but the sun and spring weather were back in place by the early afternoon.

Thanks to the warm weather, a lot of the event was held outdoors. Artists set up their displays on racks and tables on the sidewalks (above) and across Pyanoe Plaza (below), where they could interact with all the visitors passing through town.

Of course, some of our artists were set up inside their business locations as well, taking advantage of their walls and shelves to show their arts and crafts.

Some of the artists provided demonstrations of their skills along side examples of their completed art, and this could be done both outdoors and indoors.

One thing that encouraged visitors to check out all the locations and visit inside the hosting Belmar businesses was a Secret Word Game. These words were displayed inside many of the places hosting art today, and the maps that were distributed all around town included a place to record these words.

The Boatworks was open for the duration of the event, listed as stop number 4 on the map, though people could visit the 35 locations in any order they wanted. Well over 100 visitors were recorded, enjoying our current 11th Annual Juried Art Show. At the end of the day, the Boatworks and its new outdoor brick paver paths hosted a gathering open to all. Live entertainment was provided by local band Forty Winx.

Anyone who had found at least a dozen of the secret words during the day could drop their map off at the Boatworks, where it was their entry for a free drawing that was held late in the day. The prize was a large basket of goodies, donated by Belmar businesses.

The winner of the basket was Lorraine Brennan (above center), who was enjoying the day in Belmar along with friends Yuki Terao and Marion Pizzo. Now they were enjoying it more, and really looking forward to their next planned visit later this summer.

The Belmar ArtWalk was organized and sponsored by the Belmar Arts Council, the Belmar Tourism Commission, and the Belmar Business Partnership.

Boatworks Improvements Continue Again

Having a building like the Boatworks is a great thing, and we get a lot of use out of it, something going on almost every day. However, it's a place that requires a lot of work and improvements. A few years ago we had a plan improve our exterior, using donated pavers to create some all weather paths around the building. The south side of the building was taken care of a while back (thanks to Belmar), but the plans for the north side got delayed...until now.

This morning found a large contingent of helpers from Boy Scout Troop 258 of Howell, NJ, all there to provide their knowledgable volunteer labor in creating some paved areas. Under the direction of Eagle Scout candidate Joseph Smith, they used rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, power saws, and other machinery to do the job. Anyone who has ever worked this property can tell you, it's not easy, with mystery pockets of gravel, asphalt, concrete, and rock buried under the dusty soil.

Several hours later, a whole lot of work had been done. We now have a solid level all weather brick paver path leading from our front door, around the building to our side door (above), plus a short path (below) that leads from our back door to our storage shed, where things used to get very sloppy in rainy weather.

Come see for yourself next time you are at the Boatworks.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Jersey Shore Juried Art Show 2015

For the occasion of the 11th Annual Jersey Shore Juried Art Show we had practically a summer day. Sunny, around 70 degrees, and way too many cars filling the highways and local roads. We estimate about 200 of those people paid a visit to the Boatworks to visit our opening reception.

Exhibition juror Janet Cook chose 60 pieces out of 159 entries for inclusion in this show, a mix of painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, photography, printmaking, mixed media, fibers. and digital art.

The show fills all three rooms of the Boatworks.

Local classical musician Dr. Keith Calmes was on hand to provide musical background through the reception.

Participating artists were asked to provide refreshments and did they ever. Food continued to arrive over the course of the reception and the tables were still pretty full when it ended.

About halfway through the reception, Pat Hutchinson announced the Jersey Shore Juried Art Show award winners as chosen by juror Janet Cook:

Best in Show Shell Hunter Kriss Olsen

First Prize Yikes Bill Ross

Second Prize Arpeggio Freya Gervasi

Third Prize i always wanted to be a redhead sori Gottdenker

Fourth Prize Escape Sandy Taylor

Belmar Arts Council Merit Awards:

BAC Composition Award Descent Kristopher Schoenleber

BAC Honor Award Snowy Owl Bonnie Smith

BAC Founders Award Bay Sunset Ken Stetz

BAC Innovation Award Dionysis Catherine Trapani

BAC Board of Trustees Award Cavern Guide Michael Scherfen

BAC Award Gravity Colleen Lineberry

Honorable Mentions:

Scenes from the Grand Opening #10 Paul Bonelli

Grape Lamp Alison Bowie

I Am Curious (Yellow) Sheila Kramer

Yellow Hibiscus Vince Matulewich

Window Dressing Lizzi Schippert

Dabbling Duck Lisa Bagwell

The JAS11 Jersey Shore Juried Art Show will remain on display at the Boatworks through May 15, 2015. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 pm. Admission if free.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

People Come to Belmar

Belmar is a great place to go people watching. The beach, the boardwalk, the marina, Main Street, they all can be very exciting in the warm weather. Unfortunately the weather has been quite frigid the past few months and the summer is still months away. However there is one place you can go right now to get your fix of people, and that's the Boatworks, which is hosting PEOPLE A Juried Photography Exhibition. Show jurors Robert and Elizabeth McKay have chosen 46 photographs to be part of this exhibition, which opened tonight.

Two consecutive days without new snow is reason enough to go out, but tonight's crowd, estimated at around 135, was also very interested to see the artwork.

This exhibition fills all three of our galleries. Many different styles and settings, both color and black and white, but all have in common a portrayal of humanity.