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.

Boatworks Construction Crew

Work continues on the new addition to the Boatworks. Today we had a whole crew working on the project. Thanks to Dave, Hutch, Mike, Tom, and Edmond we are a little bit closer to having some new rooms. Still a long way to go, so anyone interested in donating money and/or time to the project should stop by the Boatworks or our main website and find out how.

BAC Addition Campaign

The new addition to the Boatworks is coming along nicely. As you can see, framing has begun, giving us a sense of how the new space will eventually look. Volunteers are doing all the work, but materials cost money and we need a lot of materials: rafters for the ceiling and roof, exterior sheathing, ceiling and wall insulation, windows, and a door, among many other things. Donations of any amount are welcome. For more information and to donate online, visit the BAC Addition website page. Or you can donate in person during regular hours (Wednesday to Saturday, 1 to 5) and see in person the latest state of our construction efforts.

Jersey Shore Juried Art Show VI Redux

Our current 6th Annual Juried Art show is too enjoyable for just one reception, so today we had a second one. The excuse was that the town of Belmar was hosting its annual ArtWalk, with artist events at many locations around the downtown area. Not quite the crowd we got for the exhibition's main reception, but those who did come today got to enjoy some live music, refreshments, and another viewing of the art itself.

If you haven't come by yet to see it for yourself, the exhibition remains on display through April 30th. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

6th Annual Juried Art Show Reception

Today the Boatworks hosted the opening reception for the 6th Annual Jersey Shore Juried Art Show. As has been the case the past few years, we had hundreds of visitors come to check out the 88 artworks selected for the exhibition. Inside we had refreshments and live music, and beautiful weather for those who gathered outside.

Exhibition jurors Vincent Nardone and Thomas Valenti awarded a Best In Show prize and Honorable Mentions in eight different categories of artistic mediums. Below are the winners:

Best In Show

Trevor Bryan

Natura Morta

Honorable Mention Sculpture

Riccardo Berlingeri

Somewhere, Somehow

Honorable Mention Watercolor

Beverly Golembeski

Nana's Lighthouse

Honorable Mention Oils

Guido Guazzoni

Stillness

Honorable Mention Acrylics

Pat Hutchinson

Holly with Orange Scarf

Honorable Mention Photography

Andrew Kazmierski

The Snow Must Go On

Honorable Mention Graphics

Dave McGrath

Coffee Shop 4oth Street

Honorable Mention Mixed Media

Christina Sanes

Love's Evolution

Honorable Mention Pastels

Allison Smith

Japanese Sunset

To see these nine artworks (and all the rest) in person, stop by the Boatworks between now and April 30th. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, and admission is free.

6th Annual Juried Art Show is Coming Soon

Just in case anyone needs a reminder, intake for the 6th Annual Jersey Shore Juried Art show is Friday March 26th from 5 to 8 pm, and Saturday March 27th from 10 am to 1 pm. Artists may enter up to 2 artworks in the show. Notification of acceptance (not guaranteed) will be April 2nd. Full details about entry rules, including entry form to download, are available on the BAC main website.

The exhibition itself opens on April 10 and remains on display through April 30, 2010.

A Growing Organization

The Belmar Arts Council loves the Boatworks, our headquarters for the past few years. But we would love it even more if it was a little bit bigger. That process has begun. With winter over (we hope) the ground has thawed and the foundation has been begun. When the addition is complete we will have a new room, allowing us to use the back of the building for more than one thing at a time, as well as providing some much needed storage space. I'll be posting updates here from time to time, or check out the progress for yourself next time you come to the Boatworks.

Walk The Line Exhibition

That's right, we have a new show up at the Boatworks, an exhibition of drawing called Walk The Line. About 3 dozen works are on display, including such mediums as charcoal, pencil, pastels, ink, and some creative combinations.

The latest snowstorm was not going to keep people away. By the end of the first hour the place was getting packed, with some hanging out in the front room gallery, and an even bigger crowd enjoying the refreshments and live music from the BAC jam band.

Around 7:00 pm exhibition coordinators Gerrie Vergona and Edy Ottesen announced the three award winners, chosen by our juror.

First Prize: Pat Hutchinson for her charcoal and conte drawing "So You Say"

Second Prize: Pat Knight for her graphite drawing "Bubo"

Third Prize: Tina Adamitis for her pen and ink drawing "All Froze Over"

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The exhibition remains on display during regular gallery hours through March 19th. As always, admission is free.

Judge's Choice Opening

The snow stopped falling long enough for the BAC to host a reception for the Judge's Choice exhibition, featuring artwork from the six award winners from last year's annual Juried Art Show. Five of the artists were in attendance. (above from left to right: Freya Gervasi, Vicky Culver, Barbara Edelhauser, Ralph Katz, and Paul Qian)

A nice crowd turned up to enjoy the reception and see the wide variety of art in the exhibition. Just one more week left to see the show, which remains up during gallery hours through Friday, February 19th.

Judge's Choice Reception Changed

Due to the large expected snowfall this coming weekend, the reception for the Judge's Choice Exhibition will be moved to Saturday February 13, from 3 to 5 pm. The exhibition will be on display during regular gallery hours through February 19th.

More Exhibitions in 2010

The Image 2010 photography exhibition is over, but there is a full slate of scheduled shows coming up at the Boatworks all throughout the year. Below is the list. More details will be posted as each gets closer, both here and on our main website.

Feb 6 to 19 Juried Art Show 5 winners- The six award winners from last year's Annual Jersey Shore Juried Art Show. Paul Qian, Melissa Dayton, Freya Gervasi, Vicky Culver, Ralph Katz, and Barbara Edelhauser. Opening reception on Saturday, February 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Feb 27 to Mar 17 Walking the Line- Original drawings in any linear medium. Information and entry form available from the BAC website.

March 27 to April 30 Jersey Shore Juried Art Show 6. Annual juried show for artists 17 and older. Work will be juried in six categories: best in show, graphics (drawing and printmaking), sculpture and fine crafts, painting, photography, and mixed media.

May 8 to 28 Youth Art Shows. Featuring students from regional high school art programs.

June 5 to 25 The Green Man- Artists are invited to submit work in any medium exploring the theme of environment, myth, and magic.

July 10 to 30 Art in Motion- 2D, 3D, and performance artists are invited to interpret the idea of motion, from the implied to the truly kinetic.

Aug 7 to 28 Belmar Urban Myths- Explore an existing local legend or create a brand new urban myth for Belmar. Work can be visual arts, music, drama and film.

Sep 11 to Oct 1 L Jetty- Last year's surf art show was so popular, we're having a new one again this year.

Oct 9 to Nov 15- After Sunset- There's a whole other kind of energy after dark. Artists are invited to interpret it in their favorite medium.

BAC Photography Exhibition

Tonight was the opening reception for the new Image 2010 exhibition, devoted to photography based work. There is a wide variety in the over 80 images on display, everything from traditional photography to digital to photo-based graphic work.

Tonight's reception was very well attended. There were two awards, chosen by professional jurors Richard Gaffney and Steven Yahr. The two winners (seen below) were Keith Mills for Best in Show Advanced, and Dana Cahoon for Best in Show Amateur.

The exhibition will remain on display at the Boatworks during regular gallery hours (Wed to Sun, 1 to 5 pm) through January 29, 2010. Admission is free.

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If you are interested in photography and would like to explore the artistic and technical aspects with the guidance and interaction of fellow enthusiasts, consider joining the Belmar Arts Council's Photography Group. The group has regular meetings on the first Monday of every month.