The Little Gallery... is getting bigger!

Over the past few years, I have been working with Arts Extensions Services through the University of Massachusetts Amherst toward a certificate in Arts Management. I am very happy to say that I have finished the core certification program in Arts Management this month. Over the past few years, I have studied Strategic Planning with Craig Dreeszen, Marketing and Arts Programming with Maren Brown, and Fundraising with Marete Wester.

From the Arts Extensions Services website:
"The Arts Extensions Services is one of the leading providers of community arts information and training in the nation. In our 30 years of operation, we have built a reputation for timely, accurate information that arts managers, civic leaders, volunteers, arts educators and artists can put to use today. Through our programs and services, we have served hundreds of thousands of people in the field, helping them to do their work more efficiently and effectively."

To learn more about Arts Extensions Servies, visit their website:
http://www.artsextensionservice.org/

Arts Extensions services also offers a plethora of support for artists looking to professionalize and sustain their careers. http://www.artsextensionservice.org/index.php/artists Let them know I sent you!

We have chosen not to pursue non-profit status at this time because LynnArts and RAW Art Works, two local non-profits are already in place and competing for funding with these two fabulous arts organizations would be counter-productive on many levels. We also want to preserve the original vision of the gallery and have control over it as an artistic process in itself. However, we run the gallery as if it were a non-profit, with the best interest of our artists and our community at the core of all of our endeavors.

During my final course through AES, I put together a program plan for the upcoming VOICES: Mothers Who Create exhibition. This exhibition, our second annual exhibition for mothers, opens on February 6th. We are accepting work starting THIS MONDAY. Artists who enter early will be included in our initial run of advertising and promotions.

This year's exhibition will be accompanied by programming including the opening reception, a gallery discussion, a screening of one of C.M. Judge's FemLink film collages with a guest appearance and Q&A with C.M., a house party viewing of Pamela Boll's Who Does She Think She Is?, as well as a one-hour dance presentation by Encore.

To submit work for this upcoming exhibition, see our website.

To become a business partner with the gallery, contact us. We are looking for sponsors to help promote the exhibitions and programming in exchange for visual recognition in all of our print and promotions.

For more information about becoming involved with this exhibition and its programming through volunteering, contact us.

Your support over the past nearly four years has kept us going and I thank you! We're looking forward to 2010 and seeing you at the next gallery event!

* Above: Gallery guests getting up close to Ellen Shattuck Pierce's floor tiles from our last exhibition, FLOOR PLAY. We love that our guests take the time to really experience and learn about our artists and their work in our comfortable environment; we invite you to become a part of the conversation!

VOICES

It's been a while since I've updated the blog or the website. The last exhibition, Ellen Shattuck Pierce's FLOOR PLAY drew a great number of people to the gallery and was well received by visitors. At the end of her exhibition, I was going to show some of my own work, but our family was hit with H1N1, and let's just say life got in the way. Instead of dwelling, I'm moving on to the next exhibition, VOICES: Mother's Who Create. Last year's exhibition drew hundreds of visitors and we will work to do the same again this year.

I curated the Balance: Mother's Who Create exhibition last year because I was fed up with reading statistics. I know that hardly any mother-artist's work is shown in the major galleries and museums. I know that women's work is sold for less at auction. I know that women are marginalized in the text books. There are only so many statistics I am willing to read without doing something about it. We can talk until we're blue in the face about the disparity in numbers, but unless we take action to change those statistics, they are useless.

I was sick of sitting on the sidelines and wanted to take an active role in being a part of the solution. One thing we need to do as women, as artists, and as mothers, is to stop talking about the inequities and do something about them. This year's exhibition, VOICES, is the continuation of that action. I invite you to be a part of the rising tide of mother's voices in the arts.

Donna Dodson's Newest Exhibit...and announcing The Elephant Tribe jewelry collection!

Donna Dodson: Elephant Tribe at Boston Sculptors Gallery
November 11-December 20, 2009
Opening reception: Saturday November 14th, 3-5pm
SOWA First Friday Reception: December 4th, 5-8pm
Gallery hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12pm-6pm
Boston Sculptors Gallery • 486 Harrison Ave. • Boston, MA 02118 • 617-482-7781 • bostonsculptors.com

Announcing: The Elephant Tribe jewelery collection

Saturday November 14th thru December 20th 2009

Knight&Hammer jewelry designer Joseph Knight was immediately captivated by Donna Dodson's sculptures. For Knight, it merged ancient cultural ideology with modern linear lines, and resonated with the core tenants of his own design aesthetic. Dodson & Knight began their collaboration with the goal of taking her modern tailsmen and interpreting them as desirable statement jewelry for today's woman. Sharing a commitment to better the world, lead them to partner with Dr. Stuart Pimm, founder of Saving Species. Knight&Hammer and Donna Dodson are proud to present "Elephant Walk"; a one-of-a-kind necklace/belt and "Elephant Princess"; in a necklace and earrings, as the first limited edition series benefiting Saving Species. All jewelry is created by American craftsmen in fine sterling silver

September newsletter is now online

Newsletter

Ellen Shattuck Pierce, opening reception Saturday, September 12, 2-5pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Jocelyn Almy – Testa, Director
The Little Art Gallery Under the Stairs
jocelynalmy@tlguts.com
781-715-1445

RE: OPENING RECEPTION ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, FROM 2-5 PM AT THE
LITTLE GALLERY UNDER THE STAIRS, LYNN.

FLOOR PLAY: WORKS BY ELLEN SHATTUCK PIERCE

(Lynn, MA – AUGUST 21, 2009 ) - - FLOOR PLAY– an exhibit showcasing relief prints and an
installation of floor tiles created from linoleum carvings by Ellen Shattuck Pierce will be on display at The Little Gallery Under the Stairs in the LynnArts, Inc building in Lynn, MA, thru October 10, 2009.

The public is cordially invited to an opening reception for FLOOR PLAY, a solo exhibition of Ellen Shattuck Pierce's new works, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2009, from 2-5 pm.
In her FLOOR PLAY exhibit, print media artist Ellen Shattuck Pierce recycles linoleum carvings into a tiled floor. While inking linoleum blocks, Shattuck Pierce preferred looking down upon their shiny surfaces more then printing them on paper and placing them on the wall. Her linoleum floor consists of thirty 12 x 12" tiles, each individually pieced together from a fifteen year collection of the artist's used linoleum. "Floor Play" both embraces and subverts traditional ideas of polished kitchen linoleum by providing a glossy and menacingly carved floor. In addition, a suite of six related relief prints are on view.

In addition to the opening reception, the artist will also host a gallery talk about her work on September 26th at 1pm , during the Meet Me Dowtown Festival, hosted by LynnArts, Inc. , in collaboration with the City of Lynn. The Little Gallery under the Stairs will be open to visitors during the festival, and will also have a booth outside.

The Little Gallery Under The Stairs opened in June, 2006 in the lower level of the LynnArts Building in Central Square, Lynn, MA. The Little Gallery under the Stairs, also known as T.L.GUTS is the only independently owned for-profit gallery in Lynn, MA. Gallery owner Jocelyn Almy-Testa, says, “This little gallery gallery is a space where people get to tell their personal journies through visual arts, just as we did moons ago on the cave walls.” The gallery is also home to two art studios as well as an artist resource room where members of the gallery share artist's tools.

Almy-Testa specializes in artists whose works act as story tellers, conveying stories, journeys or points of view which are easily relatable to a larger audience, and cross cultural boundaries to express shared qualities of humanity.

The FLOOR PLAY exhibit is on display at The Little Gallery Under the Stairs thru October 10, 2009. The gallery is located in the lower level of LynnArts Inc., 25 Exchange Street, Lynn, MA 01901.

Gallery hours: Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm, Saturdays 10-6pm, and by appointment. Free to the public.

For more information about this exhibit and upcoming workshops hosted at the gallery, email:
jocelynalmy@tlguts.com, call 781-715-1445.
### END ###

Claudia Waters' current exhibit at the Attleboro Arts Museum Congratulations Claudia!

“8 Visions” 
Exhibition: August 12 – September 12, 2009
Opening reception: Friday, August 14; 7 – 9 pm

Jurors Hope Turner, Founder/Owner of the Arden Gallery, Boston, MA and Leonie Bradbury, Director/Curator, Montserrat College of Art Galleries, Beverly, MA have chosen eight powerful and diverse member artists for this annual group show. 

2009 "8 Visions" Artists
Clare Asch - Marlboro, MA
Laura Harvey - Green Harbor, MA
Jenny Jope - Middleboro, MA
William Martin - Warwick, RI
Sarah Mott - Attleboro, MA
Cynthia Nelson - Narragansett, RI
Barbara Ottmar - North Attleboro, MA
Claudia Waters - Montclair, NJ " Claudia was a participant in the Balance: Mother's Who Create Exhibiti

Attleboro Arts Museum 2008 “8 Visions” Jurors
Ms. Leonie Bradbury
Director/Curator, Montserrat College of Art Galleries, Beverly, MA
Originally from The Netherlands, Leonie Bradbury graduated Summa cum Laude with a B.A .in Art History from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Followed by a M.A. in the History of Art from Boston University in 2001. As the Director, Curator of Montserrat College of Art Galleries, she curates contemporary art exhibits that feature a range of artists of national and international note. She has received two curatorial awards from the Association of International Art Critics.www.montserrat.edu/galleries/

Ms. Hope Turner
Founder/Owner, Arden Gallery, 129 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Hope Turner is the founder and owner of Arden Gallery in Boston, Massachusetts. For 21 years the gallery has focused on exhibiting an eclectic mix of contemporary artwork by nationally recognized artists. The gallery mounts monthly shows of a wide range of styles and genres ranging from traditional to innovative artworks. 

During this time Hope has been a curator of art exhibitions and a juror of art shows. She has traveled extensively to catalogue and to inventory a substantial collection of artwork. Private collectors, as well as corporations, have depended on her for advice and direction in creating unique art-inspired environments. www.ardengallery.com

Questioning and Answering

Over the past week, I have been taking some time for myself, time to decompress from the past year's serge of activity at the gallery and in life in general. One of the things I have been reflecting on is how to keep growing the gallery while maintaining a balance in my life, which is quite ironic after the exhibit held in the beginning of the year. 

One of the things I had to face was my deteriorating health due to exhaustion and neglect. I used to get by on just a few hours sleep. After all, with babies waking in the night it was normal to get by on such little sleep. But over the past few weeks, my body said, "enough" and I had to listen.

So after the gallery talk last Saturday, and the Art Salon Boston on Sunday, I decided to give myself a vacation from all things gallery related, as much as I could anyway, and try to regain a semblance of what life would be like without the influence and influx of gallery work. It was unbelievably hard to do, and I'm not quite sure I pulled it off as well as I thought I could.

The truth of the matter is, the gallery is like a fifth child. It needs to be nurtured, spoken to and with, physically cared for, and like a child, it's relationships need to be fostered. And as in motherhood, or parenthood I should say, the rewards or end pay aren't immediate, and you have to put faith in the presumption that good work will eventually yield good results.

Sometimes I wonder, in the back of my mind, why I still plod on, in the middle of a recession (or towards the end if you believe the New York Times - I'm still waiting to see a difference) while bigger and more notable galleries are folding under the pressure of low sales and attendance. But I chose to start this gallery because I am passionate about the promotion of ideas through art and can't imagine a line of work that doesn't involve working with artists. I don't know what else I would do, if not this.

At the end of the day, though, I need to think about the long late hours and how they affect my health and my family. With two toddlers no longer napping, and a new school year beginning, the thought of the work ahead is exhausting in itself. A quiet part of me is whispering "slow down" and another voice is yelling, "GO!".

When I was a competitive runner, my friend Megan and I would cheer for each other with just that one word, with as much depth and determination as we could muster. The sound of her voice bellowing that one word has stuck with me, through births, through the passings of friends and family,  through those spots in life when things seem they can't get any better or worse, I hear her voice pushing me forward, telling me to "GO!" I hear her now.

I choose to keep going, but it isn't really a choice at all. This gallery is a part of me, and a part of my family. My children have grown up here. I have countless hours, not to mention dollars, invested in education, professional development, networking, relationship building, and the physical business itself. How does one stop their life's work mid stream? That's a question I can't find an answer for, not that I've been looking. A better question would be, "What is my most important work?"

I asked my son how he felt about the hours I spend working on the gallery, and whether he felt neglected at all, sharing me with my work. He very quickly responded, "No." Anyone who knows William knows he is an old soul, wise beyond his years. He doesn't want to be responsible for me not doing what makes me happy. I think we forget sometimes, as adults, that we have the same needs as our children: the need to learn, to explore, to be loved, to love, to enjoy ourselves and have fun, to wonder, to contemplate, to spend time alone and to have meaningful relationships,  to make meaningful contributions to our family and community, and to be physically nurtured. My most important work is of course, raising my children, but it is not my only work. Thank you foremothers. 

My mental vacation is over, if it ever began. I am ready to move forward, push forward with promotions for Ellen Shattuck Pierce's upcoming exhibit, Floor Play, which moves the focus of the viewer from the wall to the floor, finish up with the website, work on the new member's pages and get the online gallery figured out, amongst many, many other to-do's. 

In order to get all of these pressing tasks done, I will be working a full work week in the gallery next week. My husband and I are switching positions. He will be working from home with the kids, and I will be in the gallery. I'm sure by the end of the week we'll have a better perspective of each other's lives, and of our own. Maybe, just maybe, some of the questions I ask myself, my internal conflicts, will come closer to resolution, or maybe I'll just have more brain space and relaxed shoulders as a result of a shorter to-do list. Either way, at the end of each day, I know that with my new-found respect for my physical limitations,  I'll be grateful for my family, my work, and all of the people in my life who support and encourage me to GO!

Thank you.

Extended Hours at TLGUTS

This summer, I have met many new and fantastic people who have come to the gallery to see IMPORTANT THINGS, and to see what the buzz is down here. I am going to open the gallery for the week of August 18th -22nd for those who want to see the show and need to come during the week, but feel a little shy about calling and making an appointment to see the gallery.

The operating hours will be:

Tues Aug 18th 10am -5pm

Wed Aug 19th 10am -5pm

Thurs Aug 20th 1pm - 8:30 pm

Fri join us at the Peabody Essex Museum for Free Fun Friday!

Sat Aug 22nd 10am - 6pm, artist pick up

I will be at the gallery during those hours preparing for the fall/winter line-up, including Ellen Shattuck Pierce's Floor Play exhibit, an exhibit of photographs by moi, and then Salonified -a salon style open exhibit for the holiday season. The itty-bitty gift shop will be open, the Important Things exhibition will be in it's final week, and the artist resource room will be open for use. 

I will also be available for those who wish to bring sample inventory for consideration for the itty-bitty gift shop. I am currently working on the August newsletter (our newsletters are sent out mid-month), so you will be hearing more about what's happening soon.

To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.

Recently Published in Art Throb

I recently had the privilege of meeting Andrew Carr, a young painter from Salem. Here is a link to the published article I wrote about the studio visit... more to come on this.

http://www.nsartthrob.com/2009/08/06/studio-visit-with-salem-artist-andrew-carr/#more-3368

Reminder: Gallery Talk

A reminder that this Saturday, August 8th, I will be hosting a gallery talk from 1-2:30 regarding the Important Things exhibit, as well as making the most of a juried exhibit, and how the juried exhibit process works from the gallery's perspective.

Don't worry, I won't be talking for the whole 1.5 hours. There will be plenty of time for networking, Q&A, and to view the work. The gallery is open until 6pm. 

Also of note, our Salem sister galleries, Experimental Art and The S

alem Art Association are hosting opening receptions on this date starting at 4pm. So come to the gallery talk, grab a bite to eat at my new favorite place, Tacos Lupita, where you can fill your belly with the best Mexican food on the North Shore for around $5, and then head into Salem for the openings, check out some more work, have a glass of wine, and enjoy!

Images:

Sand T,  The Space Between

Sarah Kinne,  Dudley station at Night

TLGUTS featured in artist's blog

When you work without expectation, for the sake of the work itself, it is wonderful to be recognized for your efforts. Please read Claire Burke's recent blog post about TLGUTS. Claire's work was featured in the Balance, Mother's Who Create Exhibit, as well as the current exhibit, IMPORTANT THINGS. Her next exhibit, We are Made of Dreams and Bones,  is a solo-show at LynnArts Inc. in the Willow Community Gallery. Her website is beautiful and easy to browse through, so look around after reading the post. 

Thank you Claire, for your art work, for your support of the gallery, and for your kind words.

News from our sister gallery, Experimental Art in Salem

Alter-A-Tions
July 3-August 2, 2009
Opening Reception: July 11, 4-7 p.m.

SEE Scapes
August 7-30, 2009
Opening Reception: August 8, 4-7 p.m.

Tyson Schroeder
The Abandoned Well
October 9-November 1, 2009
Opening Reception: October 10, 4-7 p.m.

Also, check out their latest interviews:

http://www.examiner.com/x-7238-Boston-Artisans-Examiner~y2009m7d9-AlterATions-at-the-Experimental-Art-Gallery-in-Salem-MA

http://as16online.blogspot.com/2009/06/featured-artistgallerist-elise-mankes.html

Mothers' Salon this Saturday

This upcoming Saturday the second mother's art salon will be held from 10am - 12pm. Our topic of discussion will be maintaing your professional identity as an artist while mothering. 

The salon will be modeled after Donna Dodson's Boston Art Salon. We will start with brief introductions, followed by discussion, then share upcoming events to wrap up the salon. Please feel free to bring invitations, business cards, current art work or a snack to share. 

RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated!

Caleb Cole, Current Exhibiting Artist @ TLGUTS Artadia FInalist

Caleb Cole, IMPORTANT THINGS "Best of Show" recipient, and our site's home page featured artist, has been named a finalist for the Artadia Boston 2009 awards. 

For a full press release and more information about Caleb Cole, see Artadia's website and Caleb's online portfolio. Congratulations Caleb!

Excerpt from the Artadia Press Release:

SHORT-LIST OF 15 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR ARTADIA AWARDS 2009 BOSTON

New York, NY—The exceptional range of artists living and working in Boston was evident as three internationally prominent jurors selected the 15 Finalists for the second cycle of Artadia Awards 2009 Boston. Jurors Sanford Biggers (artist, New York), Dan Cameron (Founding Director, Chief Curator, Prospect New Orleans), and Randi Hopkins (Associate Curator, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston) named the finalists out of the nearly 600 applications received for the second cycle of Artadia Awards in Boston.

The 15 Finalists for the Artadia Awards 2009 Boston are: Claire Beckett, Cree Bruins, Ambreen Butt, Laura Chasman, Caleb Cole, Margo Cooper, Raul Gonzalez, Eric Gottesman, Wendy Jacob, Erik Levine, Steph Plourde-Simard, Nick Rodrigues, Amie Siegel, Suara Welitoff, and Joe Zane.

Artadia Board President Christopher Vroom stated, “Possessing top notch centers of education, museums, galleries, art patrons, and artists, Boston’s cultural community is one of the most vibrant in the country. We are proud to be a part of it, supporting artists directly and raising the visibility of creative practice around New England and across the country.”

Itty-Bitty Gift Shop

 TLGUTS now includes a gift shop featuring hand-made items and art work priced under $100. This shop gives artists and artisans a place to sell their lesser priced, high quality works and prints. It also helps fill a niche* in the downtown Lynn community by offering a quality, affordable retail option to our neighbors and audience. Each month we will feature an artist/artisan's work here.

                                                                                                                                          © Jeff Fioravanti, New Day Dawning

Jeff Fioravanti

This month we are featuring Jeff Fioravanti. Jeff is an extraordinary talent, and is based right here in Lynn. He has achieved national recognition for his pastel work which breathtakingly depicts the American landscape and has been featured in many publications, including American Artist Magazine. To learn more about Jeff, and to see his amazing work, please visit his web site. Contact Jeff directly for larger prints and originals. At the shop, we offer Jeff's smaller Giclee prints, including thirteen different images, signed/open edition (approximately 6x9), as well as card box sets.  Each comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the artist. 

*Note: The Lynn Museum & Historical Society (located behind LynnArts) also offers a gift shop featuring Lynn-based artists and Lynn specific items. 

Unju Sim Featured in "Making the Art Seen"

Unju Sim, one of the artists who exhibited in the Balance: Mothers Who Create exhibit, and honorable mention awardee, is featured in Sand T's newest project, "Making the Art Seen". 

Unju is an extraordinary artist and is well deserving of this latest recognition. To read her interview and see some of her newest works, visit Sand's new online gallery publication. 

Congratulations Unju! 

copyright owned by Unju Sim, Unknown Creature #1

Saturday Opening Reception at TLGUTS 2-5pm, drum circle to follow

You are cordially invited to the opening reception for

Important Things

Saturday, June 27th, 2-5pm

drum circle to follow

© 2009 Caleb Cole, Please 

Artists

Artists: Sara Ashodian, Claire Burke, Jane Coder, Caleb Cole*, 

Linda Kelly, Sarah Kinne, Becky Kisabeth Gibbs**, 

Gayle C. Heney, Jessica Lazarus, Jeannine Hunter Lazzaro, 

Ricardo Maldonado, Elise Mankes, 

Janet Parker, Ruth T. Segaloff, and Sand T**.

* Best of Show     **Exceptional Works

gallery hours:

Thurs 6:30 -8:30pm

Sat 10:00am -6:00pm

and by appointment

BIG New from TLGUTS

BIG News from TLGUTS

Hello! We have a lot going on over here at the gallery and wanted to let you know about the recent changes.

Current Exhibit

Important Things, our current exhibit, runs now through August 22. The opening reception is this coming Saturday, from 2-5pm, with a drum circle at 5pm. If you can't make the opening, stop by during our regularly scheduled hours, or call us to make an appointment. Check our new website for more information www.tlguts.com.

We launched a new website!

You can find information about the current and upcoming exhibits on our new website, www.tlguts.com. Please update any links to our old address with our new address. We are still moving information over, which we will soon complete. For now, the old website will redirect to this site.

This new site allows me to update the information in a more timely manner. I went against conventional wisdom by not waiting until the website is complete stylistically or back content wise because there's just too much new information coming in on a daily basis, and well, waiting until it was complete would havehindered our communications.

We launched a membership option!

With the growing number of people who want to become involved with the gallery, we have a new membership option. This membership policy creates a manageable work flow for the gallery, as well as allowing those who want to become more active various options of involvement.

We are updating our mailing list!

We also wanted to give you the opportunity to update your email preferences so that with these changes, you only receive the information you want to receive.We don't want to take up any more of your art making or art appreciating time than necessary.

To update your info or add yourself to our mailing list, complete this less than 30 seconds three question survey!

You can also use this survey to opt out if are working on a world changing project and don't have time to read our emails!

We have opened the Itty-Bitty shop

TLGUTS now includes a gift shop featuring hand-made items and art work priced under $100. This shop gives artists and artisans a place to sell their lesser priced, high quality works and prints. It also fills a niche in the downtown Lynn community by offering a quality, affordable retail option to our neighbors and audience. Each month we will feature a participating artist/artisan on our website. Members and are welcome to submit works for consignment. Exhibiting artists who are not members may consign qualifying work during the duration of their exhibits. This month's featured artist is Jeff Fioravanti. 

We are moving forward with our artists' resource room

We have transformed a studio room into an artist resource room. While this room is still in it's beginning stages, we currently offer members and exhibiting artists use of non-consumable materials such as a slide projector, a small, but growing library, wi-fi, a matboard cutter, a copy stand for photographing 2d art work, small hand tools, a sewing machine, and more. This project is still in its early stages, but is moving forward.

Mini solo exhibits

We will feature mini solos in our artist resource room which run concurrently with  our main exhibits, except when there is a solo exhibit in the main gallery. This is an opportunity for those in between exhibits, or for those with small bodies of work. The current mini-solo features artist Carol Calabro, This option is available for members only. 

Art Salons

Our months art salon for mothers will run the last Saturday of every month from 10am - 12pm. A general art salon is in the works. If you are interested, drop us a line and let us know when you are available.

Workshops

We are starting a line of workshops, and are looking for presenters. Upcoming workshops include art as business workshops, color mixing, monotypes, and more. Check back for updates. Michiko Imai workshop registrations are ongoing for her calligraphy workshops and LynnArts will be hosting an artist trading cards workshop in August. Check their website for more information.

That's all folks! Thank you for your interest in TLGUTS!!

itty-bitty shop at TLGUTS open now!

THe Little Gallery under the Stairs announces the opening of it's "itty-bitty" shop. The shop, set in the gallery's alcove space, offers handmade objects, prints, and original works for under $100.00. Each month, we will feature a different artist on our website. July's artist is Jeff Fioravanti. 

Jeff, a Lynn based artist, has won numerous awards and has been included in many major art publications for his pastels. He is amongst the best our nation has to offer. His smaller Giclee prints are selling for $20.00, and notecards for $10.00. Quite a steal for such high quality imagery! Check out his website to see his beautiful work. Look for more about Jeff on our new website which we will be announcing this upcoming week!

Happy Father's Day to Jeff and all of the other Father-artists! 

Donna Dodson Exhibiting at Gallery Ehva

Donna Dodson, artist extraordinaire and founder of Art Salon Boston is exhibiting at gallery Ehva in Provincetown. She previously exhibited at TLGUTS in the "Goddess" exhibit. If you're in the area, or want to make a trip to Provincetown, this exhibit is worth seeing. 

Event: Donna Dodson, Andy Moerlein, Fawn Potash, Rob Westerberg
      "Contemporary Art Exhibition, July 3-15"
What: Opening
Host: Gallery Ehva
Start Time: Friday, July 3 at 6:00pm
End Time: Friday, July 3 at 8:00pm
Where: Gallery Ehva

Must Read for Artists

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS' PARTNERSHIP

Orphan Works: Back Again

6.17.09

In Orphan Works Land, no news has been good news, but that's about to change:

http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/06/11/copyright-holders-acknowledge-losing-battle-for-public-consciousness-at-world-copyright-summit/

       

US Copyright Register Marybeth Peters told Intellectual Property Watch that orphan works legislation is expected to be introduced within the next 10 days. It is her understanding there may still be some issues in the House version to be resolved, and there are some stakeholders - such as illustrators and other artists - "who are probably going to lobby pretty hard against it."

         

Peters said this issue is important to her, and the fact it came so close to passing last year is almost bittersweet. "What I hope it isn't ... is it's one magic moment you get" to finally get it passed, then it doesn't happen, she said.

We don't mean to disparage the Register's comments. She's had a long and distinguished career at the Copyright Office. But her statement deserves a reality check. Illustrators are not opposed to an orphan works bill. We're opposed to this bill.

We're opposed because its scope far exceeds the needs of responsible orphan works legislation.

Moreover, illustrators and artists are not the only stakeholders who oppose it. At last count, more than 83 creators organizations are on record against it, representing artists, photographers, writers, songwriters, musicians and countless small businesses:

http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00273

Last year, we proposed amendments to the Orphan Works Act that would have made it a true orphan works bill. The amendments were drafted by the attorney who was chief legal counsel to the House Judiciary Committee in drafting the 1976 Copyright Act. The amendments were co-sponsored by the Artists Rights Society and the Advertising Photographers of America. 

They can be found here: 

http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/07/hr-5889-amendments.html

On July 11, 2008, we submitted those amendments to both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. In our preamble we wrote this:

As rights holders, we can summarize our hopes for the Orphan Works Act simply: to see that it becomes a true orphan works bill, with no unnecessary spillover effect to damage the everyday commercial activities of working artists. We'd be happy to work with Congress to accomplish this. No legislation regarding the use of private property should be considered without the active participation of those whose property is at stake.

Last year more than 180,000 letters were sent to lawmakers from our Capwiz site. These letters did not come from obstructionists. They came from citizens whose property is at stake. They may lack the resources of big Internet companies and the access of high powered lobbyists, but last year they spoke. They asked only one thing: that Congress respect their personal property rights and amend this bill to make it nothing more than what its sponsors say they want it to be - a bill that would affect only true orphaned work.

 We urge this Congress to listen.

- Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner for the Board of the Illustrators' Partnership

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For news and information, and an archive of these messages:

Illustrators' Partnership Orphan Works Blog: http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/

Over 83 organizations opposed the last Orphan Works bills, representing over half a million creators. Illustrators, photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians, and countless licensing firms all believe this bill will harm their small businesses.

Happy Fishing

I was just thinking about something. It has completely escaped me now. It was pretty important. Something I should do. A good idea. Something that was going to make something else better. Good ideas are sometimes fleeting. Ever happen to you?

It happens to me all the time. These fleeting ideas that are on the tip of my tongue make my tongue so heavy at times it's hard to speak at all. This is why I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go. I keep notes because I know I'll forget those ideas. I have a bunch of these notebooks. One for gallery ideas, one for inventions, one for sketching, one for consulting, a journal, one for home management... 

This week I'm going to do some reflective reading and see if I can find those gems that I should have remembered and turn them into action. 

My challenge to you is to fish through your journal or sketchbook this week, and see if you see any patterns in your work, anything you have done subliminally or knowingly in repetition, or any good ideas that you just haven't followed through on, and turn them into something concrete. If you feel so inclined, let me know how it goes.

 

Happy fishing.

Another Mother's Work Exhibit Good Luck Ladies!

http://www.airgallery.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.page&pagename=mothermother&pageid=148

A show for recent mothers to apply to, I thought you'd be interested.
Ellen Wetmore passed this along. Thank you Ellen!

A.I.R. Gallery
Open Call for Artwork in All Media
Pertaining to Parenting and/or Childbirth for Fall 2009 Exhibit at A.I.R. Gallery
“Mother/mother-", curated by Jennifer Wroblewski

DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2009
Proposals must be postmarked or hand delivered to the gallery on or before July 1, 2009 at 6pm. Proposals submitted online must be received by 11pm on July 1, 2009.

EXHIBIT CRITERIA: The curator seeks work (by women and men) made during a pregnancy, or within five years of the birth of the artist’s child. The work submitted does NOT need to be specifically about parenting or childbirth. The curator is interested in work that was made during the same period as the artist was also engaged with the thrills and problems of parenting.

Classes @ TLGUTS

Michiko Imai, Master Japanese Calligrapher, is starting a new session of classes at TLGUTS!

Sessions are held on Mondays from 1-3 regularly, but Michiko is open to discussing varied schedules with potential students.

To study with Michiko is truly an honor. Her website highlights the numerous honors and awards she has received as well as the rarity of the skill level she has attained within her field. 

The tuition for adults for four weeks is $130. Experience is not necessary  and students bring their own supplies: 1 bamboo calligraphy brush, suzuri (stone for preparing ink) and 1 ink stick. If you have a hard time kneeling on the floor, please let us so so that we can make accommodations for you.   

You can reserve your spot now by mailing in the form with payment or through paypal. 

Mail registration form with a check made out to The Little Gallery c/o TLGUTS, 25 Exchange Street, Lynn, MA  01901, or register through paypal. Please read through the terms and conditions before registering. 

Hope to see you at the gallery soon!