Art Opportunities, 3rd week of June

This week at the Boatworks we have two activities that may be of interest to visual artists.

On Wednesday, June 18 we have the next meeting of the Figure Drawing Group, from 7 to 9 pm. We provide the space, a live model, and easels. You bring your choice of drawing and painting materials and $10 for the model fee. Open to artists over age 17.

On Thursday, June 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm there will be the monthly meeting of the Fine Arts and Fine Art Photography Critique Group. Bring a piece or two in any medium and get the educated opinions of your fellow artists. The regular participants say they have been really getting some good feedback. And it's free.

Successful Art Show

Saturday, June 14, 2008


The opening of the 'I Love Belmar' benefit Art Show was attended by a good crowd and many voiced their approval of the show. Honorable Mention awards were handed out to artists Trevor Bryon, Mary Fenton, and Wendy Ritch. The Best in Show award went to Joe Villa. Fifty percent of the entry fees was donated to the Belmar First Aid Squad and Franie Hines accept the check from BAC chairman Ron Anderson. With sales still going on more will be donated after the close of this show on the June 27. Paintings and photographs will be picked up on June 28th between 10am and 1pm.


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Performance Series- Shanna Nolan

Live at the Boatworks- June 21

Vocalist and Belmar native Shanna Nolan will be performing a mix of original compositions and songs by other artists. Doors open at 7:30 pm, perfomance begins at 8 pm. Admission is only $10, but interest is strong in this show and seating limited, so it is recommended that you buy tickets in advance. 

Plein Air in Ocean Grove

The Plein Air group will be back in Ocean Grove on Friday, June 13. Meet up first at 1 pm at Patricia's Boutique, 60 Main Avenue, and then find a nice spot in town to draw, paint, take photos, or whatever artistic medium you enjoy.

Summer Classic Film Series

The Belmar Arts Council is launching a summer classic film series this week, hosted at the Boatworks by BAC member Luke Suppa. The movies will run on alternate Wednesdays in June, July, and August. It opens on Wednesday, June 11 with the comedy/horror classic Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. The black and white 1948 film unites the NJ born comedy duo with some of Universal's greatest movie monsters- Frankenstein's Monster (Glen Strange), Dracula (Bela Lugosi), and the Wolfman (Lon Chaney Jr).

The movie begins at 7 pm. Admission is free.

Some of the other films scheduled for the rest of this series include-

June 25- The Postman Always Rings Twice, starring John Garfield and Lana Turner (1946)

July 9- Tarzan and His Mate, starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan (1934)

July 23- On the Town, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra (1949)

August 6- Animal Crackers, starring the Marx Brothers (1930)

August 20- Angels with Dirty Faces, starring James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Pat O'Brien (1938)

Artists Outdoors in Ocean Grove

A small group of BAC artists met in scenic Ocean Grove to enjoy some outdoor art making on a beautiful day. Here we see Ron on a corner doing a sketch of buildings across the corner. Other artists were scattered around town trying watercolor and photography.

June Members Meeting-Updated

Tonight was the monthly members meeting of the Belmar Arts Council. The agenda included the following information:

Musical perfomance by Shanna Nolan & Friends on June 21st.

Summer exhibitions "I Love Belmar" (opening on Saturday, June 7) , "Food for Thought" (July) , and "Art in the Round" (August).

Summer movie series featuring classics from 1930's and 1940's.

A new mural for the north side of the building.

More details about all of the above will be posted soon.

Our special guest tonight was John "Hutch" Hutchinson, who gave us a demonstration of Pro/DESKTOP, a 3D drawing/design program that can be used by engineers and artists for a variety of applications. Above is a photo of the man himself, and one of him in action, using a laptop to demonstrate some of the program's functions, which we saw projected on the big screen. Those who were in attendance were very impressed with the possiblities, and took information to help them get started.

Plein Air Group Goes To Ocean Grove

The Plein Air group will go on the road this week, meeting in scenic Ocean Grove. Those who are interested in participating should gather at Patricia's Boutique, 60 Main Ave, at 1 pm. Further information will be given at that time.

Plein Air Group Met at Lake Como

The Plein Air group is expanding their painting sites. We were just at Lake Como, and are moving on to Ocean Grove this Friday at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to join! See you there in front of Patricia's Boutique at 60 Main St.

Coming Soon- I Love Belmar

More than 50 artworks were submitted for the upcoming "I Love Belmar" juried exhibition, and today the best of those were installed in our main gallery. Thanks to our new hanging system, the installation went quickly. The official opening will be Saturday June 7, from 4 to 6 pm, but anyone coming to any of this week's scheduled activities at the Boatworks (including Figure Drawing on Wednesday evening, and the monthly member's meeting on Thursday evening) can get a preview.

Art In and Out

This morning was the intake day for the "I Love Belmar" show, as well as the distribution of circle marked canvases for the "Art in the Round" show. The summer exhibition committee and other volunteers were on hand to accept entries from the steady stream of artists dropping off work for the "Belmar" show. The juried exhibition will open on Saturday, June 7 with a reception from 4 to 6 pm. Meanwhile, more than 30 artists took advantage of the opportunity to pick up a specially prepared canvas for "Art in the Round". Those will be judged in late July, so it's not too late to pick up a prepared canvas and be part of the Table Top Challenge. Contact the Belmar Arts Council for details.

Spring Cleaning at the Boatworks

We held the Clean Up Day event at the Boatworks this morning. An army of volunteers came out with shovels, rakes and hoes and helped with the clearing of weeds and sod on both sides of the buildings, as well as planting the flower bed in front. In addition, the posts for our new roadside sign were mounted, and the shed got a coating of pink paint. Lots more work to go, but today was a great start. The photos (most of them thanks to Pat Hutchinson) show a few of our crews at work, and the results.

Summer Shows at the Boatworks

Just a reminder- Saturday, May 31 is a busy day around the Boatworks. First, volunteers are needed to help with a spring clean up around the building. Then for the next few hours artists can drop off their entries for the "I Love Belmar" juried show, as well as pick up canvases needed to participate in the Tabletop Art Challenge.

It all begins at 9 am for the Boatworks clean up, then the art show drop off/pick up is from 10 am to 1 pm.

Plein Air Group and a Sunny Day

We've had a lot of rainy Friday's in May, but the next one looks to be a nice one. If you would like to join the Plein Air group, meet in the restaurant parking lot at Belmar Marina (near 10th Ave) at 1 pm. It's a great opportunity to create a work for the upcoming "I Love Belmar" juried show (drop off on May 31st) at the Boatworks.

BAC Figure Group

For about a year now, a figure drawing group has been meeting at the Boatworks. Tonight was the latest such meeting. The photo shows a few of tonight's participants in action. The group usually meets on alternate Wednesdays, from 7 to 9 pm. The BAC provides the easels, you bring your materials of choice (charcoal, pastels, paints, etc) and $10 to cover the cost of the model. The next group meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2008. Check the calendar page on the BAC website for lists of future sessions.

May Fine Art Critique Group

Tonight we had the monthly meeting of the BAC Fine Art Critique Group. Artists each brought a piece or two and we took turns displaying our work and discussing the pieces. Those in attendance asked questions and provided comment on the pieces, and when invited to do so, offering suggestions for how the works could be improved. The educated opinions of your peers can be very valuable to an artist. A good time was had by all. The group meets the 3rd Thursday of every month and all artists and fine art media are welcome. The next one will be June 19th at 7:30 pm.

Mid May News Roundup

Lots of things going on at the Belmar Arts Council this summer. Here's a few events that may interest you. Click the links for the full press release with all the details.

Table Top Art Competition- Create circular art and enter a competition to have your piece used to decorate table tops for the Cabaret Space at the Boatworks. All entries will appear in an exhibition in early August, but interested artists need to sign up and pick up a special canvas on May 31.

Watercolor Workshop Series- Local artist Rose Reilly Leonard will be conducting a series of weekly watercolor painting workshops for teens beginning Thursday, May 22, and continuing through June 12. All meetings will take place from 4 to 6 pm at the Boatworks. Supplies included for registered students.

Summer Music Performance Series- Summer music performances kick off this weekend with Pipe on the Hob on Saturday, May 17th at 8pm. Traditional Irish music, refreshments, and all for a suggested donation of $5.

Critique Group- Bring an artwork (finished or in progress) and present it to other artists for critique. Meets at the Boatworks the third Thursday of every month, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Work is critiqued in order of arrival, so come early. The next one is May 15th.

Plein Air Group Meets Again (Updated)

The BAC Plein Air Group will have its second meeting, weather permitting, on Friday, May 16, 2008. Once again it will be near Belmar Marina at 1:00 pm, but this time go to the 10th Avenue entrance, and meet near the boats, restaurant, and restrooms. Then meet back at the same location at 3:00 for a group critique. That's a whole lot of outdoor fun and it's free!

May Members Meeting

Tonight is the May Members Meeting of the Belmar Arts Council. It should run from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Tonight's agenda includes reports on some spring activities, news about upcoming exhibitions and performances, information about some arts groups that will be meeting in and around the Boatworks, plus a talk by children's author Carol McNamara. As always, the meeting is free and open to anyone.

The meeting will be at the Boatworks, 608 River Road in Belmar. For directions and other information, see the BAC website.

Plein Air Group Begins

The new Belmar Arts Council organized Plein Air Group will have its first meeting, weather permitting, on Friday, May 2, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Anyone interested in participating should meet by the tennis courts in McCleary Park, by the Belmar marina. Bring your own materials for painting and/or sketching. Participation is free. Further dates and information will be posted when it's available.