September 2024

Autumn's Plein Air Gathering & Luncheon

Saturday, October 12th, 2024

Mel Haughton's Farmstead, Phillipston, MA

95 Baldwin Hill Road, Phillipston MA

A lovely country luncheon will be provided

RSVP by October 1st, by emailing Colleen at Colleenrichard79@yahoo.com

Come celebrate the day, explore Mel's farm and enjoy a country lunch with other artists. The farmstead is surrounded by flowers, a barn, antique car and truck, a cabin with a view of New Hampshire mountains, a pond across the road, an old cemetery on the outskirts of the land.

Those students who had taken Louise's plein-air workshop and Susan's watercolor class may want to join us on this fall day. This is your chance to do some local plein-air. Those of you that missed Louise's plein-air class due to rain-date, you may come to this event. You may meet Louise at 10:30 at the top of hill at the cabin and she will teach you a quick 15 minute get started approach. We can provide the gouache materials. You must let Deb know if you plan to attend: Debgiordano59@comcast.net.

You must RSVP for this plein air because we need the count of how many will be staying for a wonderful country lunch. Everyone is invited to participate.

No cost to attend

Come visit on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. A wonderful lunch will be served at 12 Noon which is included. Rain date: Oct 13th.

Come and join your fellow artists for painting, drawing, photography, or any portable medium in the fresh air. Then come to GALA's next Art Critique in October and share your finished pieces.

Next critique is scheduled for Saturday, September 21st, 10am-12:30pm.

Upcoming critiques:

Saturday, October 26th

Saturday, November 16th

10 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: All dates will be at the Old Murdock School

52 Murdock Avenue, Winchendon MA

Elevator to 3rd floor, Alumni room

Bring up to 2 pieces of your artwork (finished or unfinished) to share with the group. The first 20 minutes we will be networking, then we will go into discussing our artwork.

You may attend even though you didn't bring any artwork, feel free to join us.

Free to all GALA Members. New artists, first class is Free.

A great way to receive heartfelt feedback from your circle of artists friends.

Janet Dupuis will help guide us during our get together. Email Janet to let her know that you will be joining us at Jandu516@gmail.com.

Mark your calendar!

We have many art classes planned, including the following:

• Playing with Watercolors
• Greeting Card
• Alcohol Ink
• Zentangle
• Autumn's Plein Air
• Holiday Bisque Painting
• Teen Explorations

Download a schedule of upcoming classes, or visit our Facebook or the GALA website for more details.

Please give a warm welcome to Sharleen Britt as our new board member. She graduated from New Hampshire Institute of Art. She lives in Leominster and has strengths in working with people, website design, and grant writing. Sharleen will be focusing on grants and working where she can to help GALA. We feel Sharleen will be a great asset to our organization.

Would you like to teach an art class or are you looking to find a specific art class to take?

We would like to introduce our new Event Coordinator, Meghan Whitehead. Meghan is an active GALA board member and is working on setting up more art related classes and workshops.

If you are interested in teaching a class in the arts, please fill out this online form to let us know you are interested. We will work with you to put together your class.

If you are interested in taking a class or workshop in the arts, you may also fill out the online form and let us know what you are looking for and we will get back to you.

We are looking for instructors and individuals who will teach or lecture in various forms of art: fine arts, photography, ceramics, writing, poetry, music, digital art, and more.

We have several locations in the area where we can host classes.

Beautiful Mundanity at ArtsWorcester

Joanne Stowell's large-scale paintings in her Beautiful Mundanity series will be on display at ArtsWorcester alongside the work of seven other artists who were all recipients of the 2023-24 Material Needs Grant. Material Needs 2024 will be on view September 5 through October 20.

Reception: Wednesday, September 4, 6:00-8:00PM

Artists include: Christian Bachez, Lisa Barthelson, Nathan Fiske, Colleen Fitzgerald, Bridey McGlynn, Julia Mongeon, Danielle Ray, and Joanne Stowell.

ArtsWorcester

44 Portland Street

Worcester, MA 01608

artsworcester.org

Drop a Grudge

A new installation by Paula Rendino and C. M. Judge, Drop The Last Stone, is a small gesture toward creating a more peaceful world. Community members are invited to consider participating in the artwork by choosing to drop a grudge. For details to participate: dropthelaststone.com.

The installation will be exhibited at The Art Gallery at Rivier University, Nashua, NH from January 27th - April 28th, 2025.

Surf & Turf: A Visual Feast of Color and Texture

Expressionist Landscapes by Mark Lore

August 3-September 28

Creative Connections Gift Shop & Gallery

56 Main St., Ashburnham, MA

978-827-6211

Artist Reception - Saturday August 3, 1-3:00pm

Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:00am-6:00pm

Two of my pieces have been juried into shows. One oil painting and one pastel.

The Guild of Boston Artists has selected my oil painting into this year’s New England Regional Juried Exhibition at its Newbury Street gallery from August 31 - September 28. Opening reception on August 31 at 162 Newbury Street.

My pastel Gondolas was also accepted into the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society National juried show, Marks of Distinction. Quite an honor because I really don’t consider myself a pastel artist. The 2024 Marks of Distinction National Exhibition is an in-person art show presented by the Central Mass Pastel Society (CMPS) at Fivesparks in Harvard, MA from September 10–October 4, 2024. Reception on September 21 from 4–6 PM.

Exhibition of Circles

Ashby Free Public Library, Ashby, MA

Massachusetts Women's Caucus for Art Exhibition of Circles

On view September 5 - September 28

Library Hours: 

Tuesday-Wednesday 10am-5pm

Thursday 1-8pm

Saturday 10am-2pm

Ashby Free Public Library

812 Main Street, Ashby, MA 01431

Participating artists currently include:

Alana Garrigues

Bonnie Iannotta

Christine Regan Davi

CM Judge

Deb Giordano

Deirdre Haynie

Helen Obermeyer Simmons

Jan Puccelli

Jane Keddy

Joan Sinatra Hathaway

Joanne Stowell

Nicol Wander

Shara Osgood

Kristi DiSalle

This exhibition is still accepting circles! There is no fee and WCA membership is not required. Circles must be 18" and based on the theme "The Mother Cycle." Any materials may be used. Contact MA WCA President Joanne Stowell to submit a circle.

We are just 10 days away from celebrating Jan Roy’s expressionistic abstract art that captures her remarkable life through a painted diary.

Tickets are still available so RSVP today and save your spot for a phenomenal night of beautiful art and & hors d’oeuvres.

The interest in the “Keeping a Diary” collection has been wonderful and the number of inquiries we’ve received on different pieces is exciting. We have enjoyed sharing Jan’s story, her inspirations, what drew Allyson to this collection, and how we are bringing it to you. Thank you for going on this journey with us.

We look forward to enjoying this collection with our effervescent community who simply love art and celebrating the artists that bring us so much joy.

RSVP

About the Opening

The ‘Keeping a Diary,’ exhibit at Inner Space explores Jan’s artistic journey, yet there is a cohesiveness to her group of paintings. The work ranges in subject matter, the degree of abstraction, and the palette, but what ties these pieces into one is a sense of place.

The exhibit will feature over two dozen of Jan’s original artworks which range in size from large 48”x36” statement pieces that would transform a space to smaller 8”x8” works that could add a pop of interest or color to a room.

Jaffrey Civic Center’s Juried Show: Contrasts in Time, Tradition and Transformation

The Jaffrey Civic Center is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest art show, “The JCC Juried Show: Contrasts in Time, Tradition and Transformation,” showcasing the work of Jill Fischman, Seth Holtzman, Mary Bradley, Edith Beal Tuttle, Judy Unger-Clark, Susan Garry, Don Collins, Martha Behrens-Temple, Amy McGregor-Radin, Holly Harmon-Morse, Paul R Cooper, Phil Bean, and Maureen Ahern. The exhibition will run from August 10 to September 21 in the Auditorium Gallery in the Jaffrey Civic Center, located at 40 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH.

This dynamic exhibition brings together 13 artists' work, chosen by our juror Craig Stockwell, in accordance with our theme: let’s bridge the gap between past and present, inviting audiences to appreciate both the timeless beauty of tradition and the dynamic creativity of transformation in art. We hope our exhibition of "Contrasts in Time: Tradition and Transformation" will spark dialogue about continuity and change in art.

The exhibition will be open to the public Wednesdays-Fridays 12-5pm and Saturdays 10-2. Admission is free, and our building is handicapped accessible.

The Life That Surrounds Us by Jim Murphy

Jaffrey, NH – Step into a world where nature's subtle whispers are translated into vibrant brushstrokes at Jim Murphy's latest exhibition, "The Life That Surrounds Us," held at the Cunningham Gallery at the Jaffrey Civic Center. Renowned for his deep connection to the trees, forests, and skies of the Monadnock area, Murphy brings forth a series of impressionistic works that capture the essence of these landscapes not merely in form but in spirit.

The event will run from August 17 until September 28, offering ample opportunity to experience Murphy's distinctive style that intertwines the warmth and coolness, darkness and light, of the natural world. Unlike traditional landscape painting, Murphy uses trees as a medium for personal expression. His art is imbued with the dynamic movement of trees and the transformative interplay of light within forested vistas. The play of warm and cool colors masterfully conveys the dualities found in nature, rendering each piece a complex, emotional tapestry.

Join us in honoring the profound beauty of the Monadnock region through the eyes of Jim Murphy. "The Life That Surrounds Us" is more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to see the world through the delicate, impressionistic lens of an artist who finds boundless inspiration in nature’s embrace.

The Jaffrey Civic Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit cultural facility founded in 1966. The Center’s mission is to provide and sustain a public venue where citizens and residents of the Monadnock region, as well as visitors to the area, can pursue artistic, educational, and civic activities. The Center’s goal is to contribute to the cultural enrichment and enlightenment of the community. The Center does not charge an admission fee, and all art shows and receptions are free and open to the public. The Center also hosts fee-based educational and other programs, as well as serving as the home of the Jaffrey Historical Society. For more information about the Jaffrey Civic Center, please visit the Center’s website.

All programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children. Inclement weather cancels outdoor programs. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Wheelchair accessible. For more information call 413-863-3221 or visit: https://www.mass.gov/locations/great-falls-discovery-center; or email janel.nockleby@mass.gov. The Great Falls Discovery Center is located at 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376.

Visitor Center Hours: Open 6 Days a Week

• Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays—Sundays, 10 a.m.—6 p.m.
• Open Monday, September 2, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.

Explore the natural, cultural, and industrial history of the Connecticut River Watershed with our dynamic exhibit dioramas. Adjacent to the Canalside Rail Trail, the center also includes the Great Hall exhibit gallery, restrooms, and drinking water.

Great Hall Exhibit: A First-Class Machine Shop *

Ongoing, September 29— December 1

Our Great Hall building here at the center was once a machine shop for the Montague Paper Company. This exhibit examines the critical supporting role that metalworking and machining had in launching industrialization in Turners Falls. High quality newsprint and book paper would not have been made here were it not for the knowledge, skills, innovation, and physical labor of metalworkers, machinists, engineers, and master mechanics.

Hallway Gallery Exhibit: Made in Montague *

Ongoing, May 5—Oct. 27

This exhibition explores products made in Montague today. Some have a long local history. Others are on the cutting edge of technology. Businesses include food, farms, beverages, factories, music, movies, electricity, fine arts, photography, fabric, and fashion arts. Curated by Anne Harding and Michaela Henry for our Food, Farms, and Factories project. All ages.

StoryWalk®: Call Me Tree, Llámame Árbol

Ongoing, September 4—October 22

Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book Call Me Tree, Llámame Árbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez for readers ages 5-9 years old and everyone who celebrates trees. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Nice & Easy Walks: Industrialization *

Fridays, September 6, 13, 20, & 27, 1 — 2 p.m.

Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Our September walks focus on community and industrialization in Turners Falls. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Find Us at the Farmers Market: Soils, Soil pH testing, and Pollinators *

Saturday, September 7, 10:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

As part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, join DCR staff, the Friends of the Center, and Western MA Master Gardeners to learn about soils, soil testing, and pollinators at the Great Falls Farmers Market, located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. Includes family-friendly activities—make your own pollinator! Bring your soil to be tested for free by following these directions: https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/calendar/soilphtesting/.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Bork, Tinen, & Kahn

Friday, September 13, 7 — 9 p.m.

Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy a tapestry of songs expressing the richness of human experience. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. For all ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

“Three Sisters” with Dan Shears and Brian Chenevert *

Saturday, September 14, 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.

At the Great Falls Farmers Market at Peskeompskut Park learn about “Three Sisters” and other traditions practiced by the Abeneki Nation. Dan Shears and Brian Chenevert discuss their collection of traditional handmade baskets and dried native foods. For all ages. The Great Falls Farmers Market is located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park.

Talk With the Indian Doctress: * Interpreting 19th Century Native American Medicine

Saturday, September 14, 1 — 3:30 p.m.

At the Shea Theater, Dr. Marge Bruchac discusses research on Native medicinal plants and practitioners, the approaches she uses to make these histories visible, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, in collaboration with the Nolumbeka Project. In 19th century New England, “Indian Doctors” and “Indian Doctresses” treated Native and non-Native neighbors alike. Connecticut River valley residents turned to Mohican and Abenaki practitioners for what we recognize today as herbalism, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and spiritual healing. As people moved increasingly towards modern medicine, these gifted healers were forgotten, and their knowledge exploited by patent medicine makers. Refreshments in the lobby at 1 p.m. Talk begins at 1:30 p.m. Free & open to all. Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A.

A French/Breton Jam Session

Sunday, September 15, 2:30— 4:30 p.m.

An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. Please note, this is not a performance but rather a coming together of musically minded friends. The event is free and open to the public to come and go at will. All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Common Ground Movie Showing *

Monday, September 16, 6 p.m. Gathering with Food; 6:30 p.m. Film; 8:15—9 p.m. Discussion

For older youth and adults. As part of our center’s Food, Farms, and Factories project, we are excited to announce that the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) are kicking-off Climate Week with a free showing of the movie Common Ground at Greenfield Garden Cinemas. The movie includes investigative journalism and personal stories from those in the food movement. Common Ground uncovers the reasons for our broken food system and profiles a hopeful movement of farmers who are using regenerative agriculture. Film to be followed by a post-screening discussion with farmers, land managers, and master gardeners. Free. Refreshments provided. Greenfield Garden Cinemas is located at 361 Main Street, Greenfield. Register for this free event: nofamass.org/events.

Harvest reading *

Wednesday, September 18, 6 — 7 p.m.

For older youth and adults. Join us at the Montague Center Library, in celebration of the Harvest Moon. A curated selection of 5-10 local authors share their poems or short pieces on the theme of the harvest. Join us for refreshments, inspiring readings, and to celebrate the season! The Montague Center Library is located at 17 Center Street in Montague.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour

Fridays, 9/13: Chipmunks; 9/20: Raptors; 10:30 — 11:30 a.m.

Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Meet in the Great Hall.

Art Naturally: Paper Marbling *

Saturday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Discover nature and history through story, poetry, and art in our series of free art programs. Using words and images, instruction and techniques you create an art piece inspired by this place to take home. Honor Turners Falls’ long history of making book & specialty papers by trying your hand at suminagashi paper marbling and mini book making. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall.

Find Us At the Farmers Market! *

Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Montague Public Libraries is joining in our Food, Farms, and Factories fun with summer visits to the Farmers Market, with books and activities about growing food. The Great Falls Farmers Market is located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park.

Canal Draw Down History Stroll *

Thursday, September 26, 3:30 — 5 p.m.

Check out the annual draining of the Turners Falls canal, take a stroll along the Canalside Rail Trail, and absorb local history with Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center staff and DCR staff. Meet at the entrance of the Center for this free two mile walk on flat terrain. Meet at the Main Entrance.

Source to Sea Cleanup: Canalside Rail Trail

Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Hard work, real fun, true impact: the annual fall trash cleanup of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Join DCR staff to clean-up the Canalside Rail Trail. To register, visit SourcetoSeaCleanup.org/event/Canalside-rail-trail, or contact DCR staff at 413-863-3221 for more information. Meet at the main entrance.

Montague Community Fair

Saturday, September 28, 2 — 5 p.m.

Discover us at Unity Park! Celebrate “Good Neighbor Day” with an afternoon of free family activities and learn about local community organizations. Join DCR staff at the fair to learn all about our mammal neighbors at our activity table with mammal pelts and crafting. The fair has light refreshments, music, and fun activities for all ages, in collaboration with Montague Public Libraries. Unity Park is located at 56 First Street in Turners Falls.

Talk and Exhibit Reception: Franklin County Industry “Then and Now” *

Sunday, September 29, 2 — 4 p.m., talk begins at 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy refreshments starting at 2 p.m., and then at 2:30 p.m. Jim Terapane from the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage talks about the origins of some of Franklin County’s most influential industries and how this heritage endures today. Learn about how the descendants of these early pioneering industries are surviving and how our creative culture continues to evolve. DCR staff introduce our new Great Hall exhibit: A First Class Machine Shop. Meet in the Great Hall.

*Food, Farms, & Factories: In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Great Falls Discovery Center

Department of Conservation & Recreation

2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376

janel.nockleby@mass.gov  (413) 863-3221  she/her/hers

Open Hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesdays through Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Office Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays

This monthly dance occurs the 3rd Friday of every month, at the Montague Common Hall at 34 Main Street in Montague, MA.

Swing Dance Lesson is 7:00-8:00PM

Live music provided by the Butterfly Swing Band is 8:00-10:00PM

$20 for dance and lesson, $15 dance only

Supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council

Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, 12-5pm

Be part of Fitchburg Open Studios 2024. Connect with audiences, network with other artists, and share your creative work.

Open the doors to your studio/work space or pop up at a location in downtown Fitchburg. We welcome the participation of creative work spaces located throughout North Central Mass, but find that the largest attendance is in downtown Fitchburg. We have multiple locations within walking distance and encourage you to consider these options.

When you register for Open Studios, you will receive a listing in the 2025 publication of the North Central Mass Arts Guide.

Learn more

The deadline to register is Friday, October 4. Registrations submitted after the deadline may not be included in the map.

Discounted registration for FCA Members.

Register now

A reduced registration fee is available for artists with economic hardship. Please email studios@fitchburgculturalalliance.org for more information.

The Destination: Nature 2024 Juried Art Show invites artists inspired by nature to reflect their interactions with and response to the wild and scenic Nashua River Watershed. Juried by Jane Winchell, Director of the Art & Nature Center at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. Cash and future exhibit awards. Submissions open September 6, 2024. Artwork specifications and all additional information at destination-nature.org.



This year’s theme is “Wild and Scenic” offering artists the chance to reflect their interactions with and response to the wild and scenic Nashua River Watershed. Artists are free to interpret this theme in any way that captivates viewers' attention and imagination.

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.

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

Please send your news "publication ready" to news@galagardner.org. 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.