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.

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.