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January 2020
In This Issue
Welcome New 
GALA Members!

Nicole Belval
Sylvia Blonder
Jacqueline Sheehan
Gerold LeBlanc


GALA Board of Directors

Deb Giordano  President
Nowell Francis Treasurer
Paula Botch (Secretary)
Guy Biechele  
Chuck Heidorn
Bethany Price
Susan Ellis
Christopher Guerra


GALA was organized to promote the arts as an essential component of a healthy community. We believe that artistic expression is a community's greatest legacy for future generations. GALA will increase awareness and appreciation of the arts by way of exhibits, instruction, theater productions, musical programs and provision of scholarships to students in local schools.
 
GALA 
PO Box 664 
Gardner, MA 01440
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Newsletter Editor
Dana Armstrong

Massachusetts Cultural Council
Send Us Feedback!

[email protected]

President's Note

Hello friends,

Happy New Year everyone! As I write this note on Monday morning during the ice storm, I am thinking how beautiful it will look outside when the sun comes out tomorrow. Opportunities are lurking everywhere outside. Now that our arts gallery is closed for the winter months, I have time to paint and create.

I thank everyone who helped with all the art shows we had, helped in the gallery, and so on. We had a wonderful year! We kept true to our mission statement: " GALA was organized to promote the arts and culture as an essential component of a healthy community. We believe that artistic expression is a community's greatest legacy for future generations. GALA increases awareness and appreciation of local arts and culture by way of exhibits, instruction, musical, and spoken word performances." I believe we have successfully done this and more-we sold art work!

GALA Arts Gallery Group Art Shows: We are now taking proposals for 2020 Group Shows. Would you like to have a Group Art Show at GALA Arts Gallery, or do you want to join a Group Art Show? Click here for more detailed information and to fill out a Group Show Proposal.

2020 Membership Cards: We have selected the winner's art piece to use for the back of our 2020 membership cards. We chose the artist from the 1st place winners from our 2019 Spring Show. Congratulations to Sarah Leeann Lamsa for her "Sunflowers".

Winter Art Critiques: Will be happening at the Winchendon Beals Memorial Library! Mark your calendar: Saturdays, January 11th, February 29th, and March 21st, from 10 am to 12 noon. Notify Janet Dupuis to register at [email protected] or 978-868-0183. We just purchased some better lighting, so see you there!

Giving Tuesday Fundraiser: We raised $515 for our Facebook Giving Tuesday Fundraiser. Let's hope that Facebook does indeed match our funds towards a new roof! We'll keep you posted!

Mark your calendars: GALA's Annual 2020 Spring Show will be on the weekend of April 24 - 26

Have a Happy and Creative New Year and see you at our Spring Show!



Sincerely,

Deb Giordano
GALA President
978-407-1419

 

  eventsGALA Events/Announcements
Winner of 2020 Membership Card       


Congratulations to Sarah Leeann Lamsa for being chosen to have her art piece on the back of GALA's 2020 Membership Card!

Each year the GALA Board of Directors will chose from all the Annual Spring Show first place winners the art piece that they want to see on the back of the membership cards. Maybe next year it will be you!
 
Small Works Holiday Show       

Our Small Works Holiday Show was again very successful this year! Thank you to all who helped in the gallery! Your volunteerism means so much to our organization. Have a wonderful winter and see you again when the gallery opens in May!






GALA Art Critiques      


GALA members wished to continue our art critiques through the winter months. Since our arts gallery will be closed for the winter, we have made arrangements with the Winchendon Beals Memorial Library to host our critiques there. The library is actually right across the common from the gallery. Park on the street and enter the side building and take the elevator up to the auditorium.

Next Art Critique Dates at the Library!
50 Pleasant Street
  • Saturday,  January 11, 10 am - 12:00 noon
  • Saturday,  February 29, 10 am - 12:00 noon  
  • Saturday,  March 21, 10 am - 12:00 noon
Please email or call Janet Dupuis to register and let her know that you will be attending: [email protected] or 978-868-0183

You must be a GALA Member to attend critiques. Critiques are free if it's your first time and free if you are a member's guest.
 
Winners of the Toy Town Coloring Contest     

The Gardner Area League of Artists and Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue held a coloring contest over the Summer. The coloring poster is of the Toy Town Horse, K-9 Clyde and Sqeaks Town Hall Kitty. Many posters were submitted at the Beals Memorial Library and at the Templeton Library, and they were all beautiful. It was difficult to choose the winners but here is the list. All placed winners and runner ups had received their prizes. Prizes were donated by GALA and Ahimsa Haven. Thank you for participating.

1st Place: Lydia Draleau, Age 9, Athol
2nd Place: Wade Davieau, Age 6, Winchendon
3rd Place: Skylar Gallant, Age 10, Phillipston
4th Place: Brody Ellis, Age 5, Templeton

Runners-up:
  • Avery Ellis, Age 10, Templeton
  • Caleb Goldstrom, Age 12, Texas
  • Riley Gallant, Age 8, Phillipston
  • Wendy Wang, Age 10, Winchendon
  • Aenea Batista-lin, Age 6, Winchendon
  • Wesley Ellis, Age 7, Templeton

First Place, Lydia Draleau

Second Place_ Wade Davieu
Second Place, Wade Davieu

Third Place, Skylar Gallant

Fourth Place, Brody Ellis

Wade Davieau, 2nd Place

Lydia Draleau, 1st Place

Aenea Batista-Lin, Runner-Up

MemberNewsMember News & Exhibits
Dual Nature         


Along with three other artists, GALA members Doreen LaScola & Linda Widstrand will be showing at the Sprinkler Factory in March 2020 in a show entitled "DUAL NATURE". The concept is an exploration of the similarities and differences between encaustic and other paint mediums. Please join Linda Bigness, Joanne Holtje, Doreen LaScola, Linda Widstrand and Neil Wilkins at their opening reception Saturday, March 7, 5-8 pm at The Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow Street, Worcester, MA. Regular Gallery Hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 pm.

The Sprinkler Factory
38 Harlow St
Worcester, MA

Samantha L Durfee        

A sample of Samantha Durfee's scanography will be on exhibit in The Seventh Annual One, ArtsWorcester's largest annual exhibition. Featuring over 200 artists, this exhibition is non-juried, non-themed, and allows any active artist member to display one work in the ArtsWorcester main galleries at 44 Portland Street.

Gallery hours are free and open to the public. This exhibit will be on view in the East and West Galleries through Saturday, January 11, 2020.
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ArtShowsandExhibits
Shows & Exhibits
January Events at Gallery Sitka           
Gallery Sitka

Covered Bridges - Into History & Beyond
Suzanne Blanchard & Steve Brown

This photography show will host the work for two New England photographers - a series of historic covered bridges from all over New England. Come for light refreshments and to meet the photographers. Call The Bull Run in advance to book a table for lunch.

Opening Sunday, January 5
12-2 PM
The Bull Run
215 Great Rd, Shirley, MA 01464

Saturday Morning with Alice
Colette Shumate Smith & Friends

Join us as we present our 3rd. Alice in Wonderland art exhibit by Colette Shumate Smith. She and some of her fellow artists will have clocks, tiny framed art, sketches, 3D animals, and some furniture, ceramic art teapots and coloring books for kids on display. Come discuss the story of Alice and what it means to Colette. Enjoy Alice cookies / cupcakes and tea!

Opening Saturday, February 1
11 am - 1 PM
The Bull Run
215 Great Rd, Shirley, MA 01464

Contact Gallery Sitka with Questions:

Phone: 978.425.6290
Fax: 978.425.6280
[email protected]
gallerysitka.com

The Seventh Annual One            
ArtsWorcester, Worcester, MA

Our biggest members' show of the year is back! The Seventh Annual One: A Members' Exhibition. Featuring over 200 artists, this exhibition is non-juried, non-themed, and allows any active artist member to display one work each in our beautiful new galleries in the Printers Building.

Gallery hours are free and open to the public. This exhibit will be on view in the East and West Galleries through Saturday, January 11, 2020.

44 Portland Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508.755.5142
www.artsworcester.org

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ArtClasses
Classes & Instruction
Taxes for Artists, Freelancers, & Creative Businesses                    
Arts Alive!, Keene, NH

Artist to Artist: Taxes for Artists, Freelancers, & Creative Businesses
January 27, 2020, 4 - 6 pm
$20 for Arts Alive! members, $30 for nonmembers

Instructor: Hannah Cole, Enrolled Agent*, of Sunlight Tax

What can I deduct? Do I bring receipts to my accountant? Is my art a business or a hobby? What is a Schedule C? How do I deduct my home studio? Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and artists.

As a long-time working artist with a high-level exhibition history and a tax and money columnist for the art blog Hyperallergic, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. She will discuss the basic tax equation, self employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the working artist, and other tax issues specifically relevant to artists, followed by a question and answer period.

Hannah Cole is the founder of Sunlight Tax, which specializes in friendly, informative tax preparation for artists, and engaging, art-world savvy tax education workshops for artist groups.

Register
  
2020 Workshop Calendar                   
Monadnock Area Artists Association, Keene, NH

Lisa Regopoulos-Pastel snow scenes
March 7

Please check our website after the first of the year.

Kendra Ferrier-colored pencil & watercolor pencil
April 25

In this fun and informative workshop students will learn to create vibrant and colorful drawings with the simple tool of colored pencils by layering, blending, burnishing and creating rich darks. Colored pencils are an easy transported medium and can be used for simple sketches to complex layered drawings. We will also be combining and learning about mixing dry colored pencils with watercolor pencils and how this mixed media approach allows for a quicker build up of color and tone. Artists of all levels will enjoy expanding the boundaries of this versatile colored pencil medium.

Intermediate to Advanced Watercolor
Jane Davies-mixed media "Intuitive Painting"
May 8

Connect directly to your intuition and express yourself with paint, drawing, and collage.  Discover new tools and techniques that get you out of a rut and into a more spontaneous way of working. We will paint to music, paint without brushes, draw with crayons, play painting games, make collaborative collages, make our own collage papers, create spontaneous mono prints, and more. All techniques are accessible, so those with less experience can jump right in. Experienced painters will find this a refreshing way to reenergize their art practice. If you have never painted before, this is a great way to start!

Rita Kirkman-pastels- 3 days
October 31, November 1 & 2

All workshops take place in Keene, NH unless otherwise noted.

We will be adding a few more workshops so please check our website after the first of the year.

Monadnock Area Artists Association
Keene, NH
www.monadnockareaartists.org
  
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Amherst Town Hall Gallery
Amherst Public Art Commission, Amherst, MA

The Amherst Public Art Commission invites area artists or groups of artists to submit work for consideration for exhibition in the Amherst Town Hall Gallery in 2020-2021 (July 2020-June 2021.) Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Exhibitions are on display for two months, and artists are asked to participate in the monthly Amherst Arts Night Plus (first Thursday of the month) during their show.

Various hanging media including painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, pastels, mixed media, fiber and illustration will be considered.

Submission requirements: Completed application, artist statement and/or resume, and 5 digital images. A $20 entry fee is payable upon acceptance to exhibit. Applications must be received no later than January 19, 2020. Artists will be notified of the jury's decision by February 9, 2020

Applications may be completed online

Please send questions to Amy at [email protected]
 
The Art Exhibit Committee
Athol Public Library
Athol Public Library
The Art Exhibit Committee of the Athol Public Library invites area artists to submit work for consideration for exhibition in the library's conference room.

The committee will review work for one person shows on an ongoing basis.

Various hanging media including painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, photography, textiles and mixed media are eligible.

Application forms with submission requirements are available at the library circulation desk and online at:  www.athollibrary.org and
http://tinyurl.com/ptswy4v

For more information please or call Heidi at 879-248-9995 or email: [email protected]
 
 
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Resources 
Resources for Artists
The Fitchburg Cultural Alliance

Go to our website to sign up for our newsletter and check out our calendar of events in the North Central region.

A vibrant force advancing arts and culture in the Fitchburg community and in the North Central Massachusetts region.

www.fitchburgculturalalliance.org

Art Support & Other

Art Support is a website dedicated to providing support and resources for artists of all types.

The following is just a small list of support provided to artists: Organizations Helping Visual Artists, US Government Art Organizations, State Agencies and Art Commissions, Non Governmental Art Organizations, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Laws Regarding Visual Arts, Artist Consultants, Grants for Artists & Grant Assistance, Artist Health Insurance, and many other legal support and resources for Massachusetts artists.

________________

Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and check out the MCC blog ArtSake

The Painter's Keys where you can subscribe to twice weekly letters from artist Robert Genn.

Visit the Arts Marketing Project website for info, ideas, tools and training on marketing art.

Princeton Arts Society Blog

Mini Grants for Professional Development are available through NewVue Communities. More information.

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Opportunities 
Exhibit & Other Opportunities for Artists & Musicians
(Ongoing)
Exhibit Opportunities
Heywood Hospital Wound Care Center  Gardner, MA   (GALA Sponsored Venue)
Contact Vicki Heidorn a [email protected]  or 978-630-2340

Contact Alice Struthers a[email protected]  or 978-597-2057

The Arts Alliance has quarterly exhibits at the Hudson Town Hall, so if you are interested in a solo exhibit of your work, contact Danielle Moskowitz at (978) 562-1646 or [email protected].
 
Falmouth Artists Guild  Falmouth, MA

Post Road Art Center   Marlborough, MA
 
The Library is always looking for exhibitors to show their work in the Art Gallery. If you are interested in exhibiting as an individual or a group, please contact the Library Director, Kathleen D. Leslie at 978-632-5298 or  [email protected] 
 
Workers' Credit Union   Gardner, MA
The bank offers the opportunity for a small display of artwork at the 171 Main St. branch in Gardner. For more info, contact Monica Whitehouse at 978-632-9207.

Art & Music Instruction Opportunity
The  West Boylston Arts Foundation (WBAF) is always looking for artists, crafters, or musicians that would like to offer workshops or classes. 

Donating a portion of the course fee to the WBAF to support school arts & music would be most welcome. 

If interested, please contact  Mark Baldi (508) 767-2803 - work  (508) 835-6489 - home

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More Exhibits & Classes
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We Need Your Help! 
(Ongoing)
There are many ways to volunteer! Please email  [email protected]  to express your interest in helping out with our organization.

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NewsletterSubmissions Newsletter Submissions
Have news about exhibits, awards, events, classes, call for artists
or other art info?
Please send your news "publication ready" to  [email protected] . See  previous newsletters   for example formats and the type of info to provide.  We strongly recommend that you include a digital image related to the news  as well as your website address & links to any venues.  Image filenames should include the name of the artist and the work.  Please post your press releases online whenever possible and submit a link.  

 

Submission deadline is the 23rd of each month 
for publication on the 1st of the following month.

Inclusion of items/announcements is always at the discretion of GALA, but inclusion of submissions from non-members is limited to information deemed to be of benefit to
GALA members.

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award All Star Award
GALA has achieved Constant Contact's All Star Award for 10 years in a row (2009-2018) for demonstrating best practices in the use of email marketing.

Award winners were selected from over 500,000 organizations in recognition for setting the standard of being a responsible, engaged, professional, and successful online marketer.

GALA continues its efforts to put out an informational, entertaining newsletter every month to inform its members of recent, current and future art news.
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