Kaleidoscope Collection at the Boatworks

This past Sunday the Boatworks hosted an exciting event, organized by local resident Charlie Sweeny. He brought together a bunch of creative people representing many different artistic media for a one night art exhibition in our back room. Besides the art covering the walls, the Kaliedoscope Collection also included a temporary half pipe constructed outside (see below) for skateboarders to show off their skills, and a musical performance from local band Brick and Mortar. Most important, he also found a whole lot of people who were interested in being part of this and got them to come to the Boatworks. Estimates are 350 to 400 people, even more than Sweeny had hoped, and further proof of how much local interest there is in the arts. Things kicked off in the early evening and went until about 10 pm, just as the rain arrived.

Our friends at the Coast Star published a few stories about the event, and sent their camera crew over to do a video piece about it. Check it out to learn more about how it came together, and some of the people involved, as well as to see examples of the art that was on display.

Collage Workshop

Last week saw the conclusion of Paste Paper, Collage, and Painting, a workshop led by Sandy Taylor that explored many mixed media materials and strategies for making art. The four sessions were held through June, July, and August, with about half a dozen participants joining in the fun. The workshop started with artists learning how to make their own decorated papers for collage, using such materials as paste, textural tools, paint, crayons, markers, and collected items. Next, these items were used to create a small collage, and in the last stage (seen above) artists created larger collages, combined with paint. The participants enjoyed learning about the process and materials. Perhaps this workshop will be offered again in the future- check the main website for information about the many art classes held at the Boatworks.

Picnic at the BlueClaws

Tonight the BAC celebrated the summer with its first ever official picnic. This special occasion did not happen at our home location, but rather in Lakewood at BlueClaws Stadium. We reserved a part of the stadium picnic area, where we feasted on unlimited burgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, chicken, salads, and beverages. Not only that, but we had great seats right along the first base line to watch our local representatives from the South Atlantic League take on the Delmarva Shorebirds. Possible rain never arrived, making for a lovely evening, ever so slightly spoiled only by the BlueClaws losing the game.

A Different Kind of Belmar Video

The current Belmar Urban Myths exhibition on display at the Boatworks is breaking new ground (for us) in that it includes multiple entries in the medium of digital video, in addition to excellent works in the more traditional media that we are more accustomed to seeing there. Those who attended the reception early this past Saturday saw a different kind of video in progress. The BAC has always enjoyed excellent local press coverage, especially from the weekly Coast Star. For the recent reception they sent a whole team, and shot a video that looks at some of the art in the exhibition and includes interviews with a few of the participating artists. If you want to see the digital videos in the exhibition you will have to visit the Boatworks during gallery hours between now and August 27th, but if you want to see the news video from the opening reception, that can be viewed on YouTube from the comfort of your home computer.

Belmar Urban Myths Opening Reception

Today we held the opening reception for the new Belmar Urban Myths exhibition at the Boatworks. This show invited artists to explore the idea of the urban myth and local legend and folklore, and to work in almost any medium imaginable. Work in the show included paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, mixed media, short story, and digital video. The videos were shown on both a small monitor in the gallery (above) and on the biggish screen (below) in the back room.

A nice crowd turned up to see this unusual show and to learn legends old and new about the Belmar area. In addition, those who attended had the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece. The voting will remain open through the end of the show, so make sure to come by and make your opinion known.

The exhibition remains on display during gallery hours through August 27th. Admission is free.

Belmar Myths Coming Soon

Today a small crew installed the wall and pedestal portions of the upcoming Belmar Urban Myths exhibition, an interesting combination of paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures. The show will also be featuring a number of pieces in video format, which will debut at the opening reception, this coming Saturday August 7th, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Come be a part of this special event.

A Record Performance

The Belmar arts scene can now claim a special distinction, a world record. The 27 O'Clock Players performed "The Bald Soprano" by Eugene Ionesco...for more than 25 straight hours. They started at 8:00 am yesterday at the gazebo in Silver Lake Park (these photos were taken around 9:15 that morning) then moved across the street to Taylor Pavilion in the evening.

Things wrapped up this morning around 9:00 am, setting a Guinness World Record. This wasn't a BAC production, but we were involved. The Guinness people require a certain number of witnesses on duty at all times, and the BAC was called on to contribute to the effort.

Art In Motion Opening Reception

Today the BAC hosted the opening reception for the current exhibition, called Art in Motion. The theme asked artists to submit artwork that involved motion in some way, and about 30 people took up the challenge. Some made work that literally moved, such as Dave Taylor's piece above.

Or this spontaneous kinetic art performance piece.

And Hutch's Dr. Science says "Gimme your money!" entertained as it lured spectators into providing donations to the BAC.

We had a good turnout to come see the art on the walls, and enjoy another kind of art in motion- live music.

Exhibition juror Bob Mataranglo chose five works to receive awards. The pieces are shown below:

Best in Show 3D

Amy Puccio

Fall to Pieces

wood

Best in Show 2D

Tom Lozinski

Untitled (wave)

Photograph

Honorable Mention

Beverly Hertler

Rhapsody of Orbiting Stuff

mixed fiber

Honorable Mention

Mary Del Negro

Falling Colors

photograph

Honorable Mention

Mary Fenton

Splashin' Around

photograph

The Art in Motion exhibition remains on display during regular gallery hours (Wed to Sat, 1 to 5 pm) through July 30th. Admission is free.

Art In Motion Reception this Weekend

Just a reminder that the opening reception for the latest BAC exhibition, Art in Motion, will be Saturday, July 10, from 5 to 7 pm. Look for photos on this site shortly afterwards.

Mythmaking Video Workshop

Preparations continue for the upcoming Belmar Urban Myths Exhibition at the Boatworks. Back in May and June the BAC hosted two writers workshops to help potential participants shape their ideas for this all media show. This week exhibition co-coordinator Mark Ganguzza spent a few days at the Boatworks, available to help artists who wished to use video as part of their submissions for the show. Mark's extensive experience in working with video and audio guarantees that some of the work in next month's Myth show will be unlike anything we've seen before in the Boatworks. Artwork intake for the exhibition is July 31 (with an opening reception on August 7th), so there is still plenty of time to come up with an interesting angle on your favorite local urban legend, or to create one of your own. More information, including a cool video, is available on the BAC main website.

A Seafood App?

This weekend Belmar hosted its annual Seafood Festival. In recent years, crowds have been estimated at around 100,000 people over the course of the weekend, and this year looked like business as usual.

The BAC decided to join the party, with a booth to promote the new iBelmarGuide App. Having the app is its own reward, but for the past few days anyone who has downloaded it enjoyed a bonus- showing it at our booth earned the bearer a free ticket for a raffle conducted earlier this afternoon.

Looking for some good seafood now that the festival is over? The iBelmarGuide can tell you about dining options all over town. Go download it today!

BAC Critique Group

Tonight was the latest meeting of the Belmar Arts Council's monthly critique group. Participating artists bring in artwork, finished or in progress, and present it to the group for feedback. The questions and comments that result can be very useful for the artist. We had all regular members tonight, but the group is open to any interested artists. The critique group meets the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

Green Man Reception

Today we had the opening reception for our new Green Man exhibition, in which artists addressed environmentally related issues through art. We had an excellent turnout as usual, to see the art, enjoy the refreshments, and experience a performance from some special guests- the Millstone River Morris dancers.

Exhibition juror Rebecca Biskaduros chose five works to receive awards. All are shown below.

Best 2D

Sheilagh Casey

Green Man Springs

Most Powerful Environmental Statement

Sandy Cook

Shrinking Glacier

Most Original

Patricia Griffin

Hermes

Best 3D

Massim Guazzoni

ManMade Machine Made Man

Best Use of Recycled Materials

Michal Sparks

Earth War Green Man

The Green Man exhibition will remain on display during regular gallery hours through June 25, 2010.

Belmar Urban Myths Coming Soon

It's refreshments. It's a metaphor and exercise for creative writing. No, it's both, and all part of the first workshop related to this summer's Belmar Urban Myths event. This exhibition and competition will be unlike anything else we've done before. We are seeking urban myths about Belmar. Maybe you know a classic legend about Belmar, or perhaps you want to make up one of your own. The story can be told in the form of traditional 2D or 3D art, but we also will welcome audio, video, poetry, music, and a variety of mixed media.

Tonight the Boatworks hosted a workshop related to developing creative ideas and providing information about the procedures. Merry Brennan took care of the first part, while Mark Ganguzza (below) handled the second part. Don't worry if you missed it tonight, as a similar meeting will be held on June 10th. Then on July 7th and 8th there will be a video workshop, where interested participants can receive some technical advice and assistance on their entries. Actual submissions are due July 31, 2010, with the exhibition opening August 7th.

Have We Got an App for You

The BAC is proud to announce the launching of a new application for the iPhone and other devices that can download Apple applications. It's the iBelmarGuide, a handy guide to much of what Belmar has to offer.

Created through the efforts of our own John Hutchinson, the iBelmarGuide provides information about local businesses (dining, accommodations, shopping, services), events, recreation, entertainment, stuff for the kids, and more. For example, if you need a hotel- choose Lodging, select from a list of options, and get all the information. If you like what you see or want to know more, and if your device is also a phone, you can choose to get directly connected. Dozens of locations are on there already, and more are being added as word is getting out about the app. (once you have the app, updates are free) It's useful for the first time visitor to Belmar, and for the full time resident who just needs a little information about things around town. All that for only $1.99, with most of that going to benefit the BAC. The application is available for download now at the Apple iTunes store.

As a special benefit, stop by the Belmar Arts Council's table at the Belmar Seafood Festival on June 12th and 13th, show us that you have the app, and you'll be entered in a raffle for a variety of cool valuable prizes.