The church has a new owner!

I've heard that the church on the corner of Main and Summer has been purchased and will remain a church. If the rumor is correct, the congregation is Presbyterian. I'm not much of a religious person, but I'm glad it's staying a church.

Yarn anyone?

Oh, I just love good news. Someone emailed me today, and it looks like Maynard will be getting a yarn store! So tell all your knitting and crocheting friends about it, and when the store opens in July, let's make sure they know we're glad to have them.

I absolutely took this image from their Web site

I got this from their blog, but here's a link so you can see it for yourself:

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"The BIG, IMPORTANT Announcement

Posted on May 18, 2016 by islandyarn

I’ve had a stressful few weeks in the store that started with a letter from the landlord informing me that he was going to be doubling the rent.  I hope that NONE of you ever get such a letter.  It is no fun.  And as many of you remember, this is often the letter that means the yarn shop is closing.  So, I went right to work draining my cell phone battery and calling everywhere to try to find space that was affordable and had parking and even tried to explore some more “creative” options.  (Knit a store, anyone?)  And all I found were dead-ends.  Until, the perfect space came up….just down the road on Main Street in Maynard.

Take a deep breath.  It is much closer than you think….I’ve clocked it several times.  From the Market Basket in Waltham, 20 minutes.  That’s all.  And not 20 minutes of congested Waltham driving, but 20 minutes of  -open-the-windows-and-relax driving.  Gorgeous and easy to find.

Though I’m sad to leave our current space and certainly wouldn’t have chosen to go if I didn’t have to, I’m excited to put together the new space, and I know you guys are all going to love it!  And for those of you that can’t make it as often as you would like, bookmark us here!  You can always shop online and we’ll get your goodies to you (you can even drop me a call or email to get some guidance before you order).

We’ll have loads of information in the coming weeks, but as it stands now, Island Yarn will be moving to 189 Main Street, Maynard at the end of July."

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You can follow Island Yarn Company on Facebook. Let's get those "likes" happening. 

This weekend, MCG celebrates 22 years of plant sales!

This Saturday the Maynard Community Gardeners will host their twenty-second plant sale. It's amazing to see that this tradition of getting the community gardening has lasted so long!

A dedicated small crew of MCG members manages to make it happen every year. It's part of their overall mission statement: “Dedicated to sharing a common interest in horticultural activities, promoting town beautification, and creating gardening opportunities for all.” The plant sale fulfills this mission across the board. Firstly, they get plants
to people, creating gardening opportunities. Secondly, the crew of MCG members at the plant sale will gladly spend lots of time talking to you about what kinds of plants would be suited to what you're trying to do. If someone doesn't know an answer to your question, they'll try to find someone who does. And thirdly, the part about town beautification—the money that MCG raises at the plant sale pays for all those beautiful planters that you see downtown during the warm months (that money also goes into paying for garden-related activities that are usually open to the public, but most of the money spent is town beautification).

 
The organization started in 1995, when a vacant parcel of land close to the downtown was slated to become a parking lot. Neighbors to the property fought against the proposal, offering to turn the empty lot into a public garden. And that's what they did! That is why Maplebrook Park exists, because people cared enough to make it something better. All these years later, the club is still caring for that garden; adding plants and pathways, pulling weeds, and dividing perennials. They've got a lot to be proud of. That garden is adjacent to the area where the plant sale is held every year.

If you've been eyeing your property and wondering how to bring a little extra life to it, head over to the plant sale this coming weekend, May 21, 9am-noon. Along with some annuals provided by a local grower, you'll find perennials—plants often dug from members own gardens, and a crew of people happy to talk to you about things that grow around here.

MCG Plant Sale 

May 21, 9am-noon, 

at the corners of Maple, Brooks, and Summer Streets

Don't miss the chance to be part of a public arts project!

While traveling in Portugal last year I saw an amazing art installation done on an art deco shopping mall located on a busy cosmopolitan street in the beautiful city of Porto (or Oporto as it's called in English). Hundreds of ordinary citizens (adults and children, alike) helped build the pieces that made the final installation. The result was an amazing explosion of blue tubes that moved with the wind. It was really cool. I wish I had been part of the project.

Public art changes the flavor of places. It's like a beautiful necklace, or better yet a hat ;-), that takes a basic outfit and turns it into something truly special. That's where Catherine Evans comes in. She's a Maynard Artist who creates, what I think of as "visual rhythms". Her art brings community attention to overlooked environments.












Catherine is getting ready to start a new project, but even better—part of the project involves bringing people together through art. Just stop right there. Doesn't that sound wonderful, the bringing of people together through art? I may not have been part of the Porto art project, but I can certainly be part of this one.

When finished, the work will be installed on the fence across from ArtSpace, and stay up through the summer, adding to ArtSpace Outdoors 2016, an outdoor display of sculpture. Maybe you haven't been by yet, but over the last few months, the ArtSpace grounds have become a wonderful display of form and color. We have some very well-know artists from New England and New York displaying their work here in Maynard. With these new additions, art now spills out of the studio building and into the community, which is just what Catherine Evans is trying to do with her project.

So how can you join me in being part of this? No artistic knowledge is needed. You don't need to be able to draw a stick figure or a straight line.  To quote Catherine, "Each person will express themselves differently in creating their piece. The coming together of those pieces, that is the beauty. And that is community. A big reason behind the project is to make art more accessible to everyone. And not just art done by professional artists."

Of course I love that.

You don't have to be a Maynard resident to be part of this. Artists of all ages are encouraged to participate. You could gather a bunch of your friends, bring your cups of coffee, tea, or juice  boxes and hang out putting these things together. Each participant will make a piece that will become part of the total project.

This project will be started and finished soon, so if you want to be part of it, get on board! One may participate at the following places on the dates listed:

At smARTroom
79 Main Street
Saturday May 7th, 5 to 7:00 pm
(during Maynard Art Walk)

At smARTroom
79 Main Street
Wednesday. May 11th, 7 to 9:00 pm
Saturday May 14th, 1 to 4:00 pm

At ArtSpace
63 Summer St.
Saturday, May 14th 4 to 6:00 pm
(at opening reception of ArtSpace Outdoors 2016)

If you have a large group that would like to participate (troop, club, group), but can't make the dates, drop me a note or message here, I'll try to put you in touch with Catherine as soon as possible so that she might be able to set you up with what you need to join in.

Catherine is still in need of old t-shirts and and CDs/DVDs to use in the project. If you have any to donate, please drop them off at smARTroom.

And don't miss your chance to appreciate more art at ArtSpace. There is a gallery opening for artist Richard Kattman's big, colorful abstractions from 5-7, and tour the outdoor art at ArtSpace and meet some of the artists. May 14, 4-6pm.

Fans of Film is showing "Il Postino: The Postman" May 10 and 11

I'm a founding member of the Fans of Film at Fine Arts Theatre, Maynard. We organized ourselves last year. Here's a post I did about what we were trying to do. This month is the last film in our first six-month series. The next six movies will start showing in June. So keep a lookout for them.

This month, we proudly present "Il Postino: The Postman".

Show dates and times are May 10 and 11 (Tuesday and Wednesday) at 7:30pm.

When exiled Cuban poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret) arrives on a tiny Italian isle, there's so much mail coming to the island that Mario (Massimo Troisi), an unemployed, uneducated lay-about, is hired as a postman. His job is simply to deliver Neruda's daily mail. Mario soon becomes a student of the poet, learning the art of poetry to woo a local barmaid (Maria Grazia Cucinotta) and sharing his experiences as a struggling working-class villager. A firm friendship develops, and the postman is a changed man.

Among countless awards, "Il Postino: The Postman" received five nominations and one Academy Award in 1995. The film's score, composed by Luis Enriquez Bacalov, won the Academy Award for Best Music (Original Dramatic Score). The film was also nominated for: Best Picture; Best Director (Michael Radford); Best Actor in a Leading Role (Massimo Troisi); and Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published). In the categories for Best Actor and Best Writing, Troisi received posthumous nominations. He had postponed heart surgery so that he could complete the film. The day after filming was completed, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Please join us for this wonderfully romantic tale of love and friendship, set against the breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean.

Fans of Film shows are every second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. Ticket price are $7.00 and should be purchased at the door.

We are an independent group of moviegoers whose mission is to promote the showing of exceptional films at our local theater. Celebrating the art of film-making by promoting indie, documentary, foreign and classic film.

All screenings are at: Fine Arts Theatre Place, 19 Summer Street, Maynard, tele: 978-298-5626

Time for the Russian Bazaar again!

I'm fairly new to the Bazaar Russe; I've only attended three times. This event is small town at its finest—delicious, fresh foods, mixing of ages, and banquet-table seating that will have you making a few new friends as you bond over pierogi. I did a couple posts about it last year. Here's the first one and the second one.

Here's this year's schedule:

The next Bazaar Russe will take place on
Fri, May 20  (10:00 a.m.- ­ 8:00 p.m.)
Sat, May 21 (10:00 a.m. -­ 4:00 p.m.)
at 15 Prospect Street, Maynard.

Traditional slavic food for eat in and take out will be available all day starting at 11:00 a.m. on both days.  Eat your fill of pierogi, blini, potato pancakes, borscht, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, and more and then buy something to take home.  After you've eaten, browse the items for sale including imported Russian nesting dolls and crafts, Russian-style jewelry, handmade crafts and baked goods.

Free parking. Free admission. The bazaar is held in the parish hall of Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church.

Sample menu available here.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to both eat great food and tour the fairy princess church!

So many things, so little time!

Sometimes I'm so busy enjoying Maynard's coolness that I don't have time to share everything that's going on. Now I'm forced to try to cram everything, so forgive me for the long post.

Erikson's!

Photo: Andrew Child, ArtSpace

The scoop on the scoops! Erikson's opened for the 2016 season on April 9th, much to people's delight.

Business Hours:
Monday through Saturday 12:00-9:00pm
Sunday's 11:00 - 9:00 pm

Outside of the standards, here are some of the flavors that have been made over the last weeks:

M&M
Mocha Almond Fudge
Snikkers
Strawberry Cheesecake
Purple cow
Dark n stormy

Mill & Main
Mill and Main installed their new signage. Other things: I mentioned in March that Building 10 was razed (that's where the expected courtyard will be). The area is now being cleaned up for its new look. And the area that will be the sort of gateway to the pond is getting cleaned out.

In the past people have come in with plans for various projects. Then it either takes forever, or the plans never come to fruition. It's nice to see that Saracen Properties is diving into this.

I've heard that Battle Road Brewing will be finished later in the summer, and that the boardwalk around the pond may be finished the end of summer 2017.















Jimmy MacDonald's new project
I've given you scoop on Jimmy MacDonald before. He owns three apartment buildings in town. Some disagree with the brick aesthetic of the exteriors of his buildings, others love it. He sure has done the town good by getting rid of some major (even condemned) eyesores.
Most recently (through my own observations), it seems that Jimmy is remodeling a colonial-style property that is opposite the post office on Florida Street. I'm guessing it will be apartments again. It's looking good.

Do you remember the yellowish building that this was? I wish I had a photo to show you.

The Purple House is no longer purple!
I'm not the biggest fan of purple, or asphalt-paved yards, so I'd shake my head whenever I passed  the Purple House when driving round the back of the fire station on Rte. 27. Last year I did a post on purple houses in Maynard. Many of you were good enough to share some that I had missed.

A few months ago I was amused to see that there were others who agreed with me—there was a commercial sign in the window that read "We buy ugly houses!" Yesterday I grabbed a picture of the house, where you can still see the sign in the window. Now there are only patches of the color left. It will be interesting to see what else happens there.

The Murphy and Snyder building got a new window
In November we were all amazed as we watched the plywood get removed from the windows of the Murphy and Snyder building. Here was the post that I did. The joy was brief as we watched new plywood go up in the window. I feared that the owner had done it out of spite because he had been getting phone calls and letters, not to mention the guerilla citizen who had painted the plywood black. Not so! I was glad to see that it was just a lull in the work and that the window was finished during the winter. Hooray! I'm sorry I don't have a picture of that one to share. If I get one, I'll add it to the post.

The Corner Closet got their sign up
It's nice when things feel more permanent, so seeing the Corner Closet's sign on the building made me feel good. If you haven't been in there, there's lots to see. We often think of them as having women's and children's clothes, but there are lots of clothes for teenagers, and clothes (need a suit?) for men.

Photo: Dave Griffin, Confluence Visuals

Don't miss the Spring ArtWalk!
While I've got your attention, I may as well remind you about the Spring ArtWalk coming up on Saturday, May seventh, from five o'clock to seven o'clock. This will be its fourth year, and every year it just gets better and better. There will be music and art in many downtown locations and artists doing there thing outside. River Rock Grill, Blue Coyote, El Huipil, and The Halfway Cafe will be offering 10% off to ArtWalk guests.
In the past there has been an art giveaway based on a scavenger hunt. You can see more pictures from past ArtWalks by clicking here.

The Feline Film Festival is sure to be a good time!
I saw this on my Facebook feed and had to share. "TICKETS ON SALE!!! CaRMaH (Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson)'s long awaited Feline Film Festival will hold their premiere at the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre on Friday, May 20 at 7 pm! Dress fancy or plain, and come join us! We expect a sell out, so order your tickets early—just $10, and all proceeds go to the cats!"

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author, Jeff Kinney speaking in Maynard
How cool is it that author Jeff Kinney will be coming to Maynard!!  Many thanks to the Maynard Public Library for helping to make this event happen.

Wednesday, May 4th at 6pm.
Fowler Middle School Auditorium
April 19 at 7:45pm

From the Friends of the Library:
"We're excited to announce that children's author Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will be here in Maynard!! Jeff will visit the Fowler Middle School Auditorium on Wednesday, May 4th at 6pm.

Kinney is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books featuring a middle-school weakling named Greg Heffley, his friends and family. The first Wimpy Kid book was published in 2007 and became an instant bestseller. Now numbering 10 books, the series has more than 164 million copies in print. The books are currently available in 51 editions in 45 languages. In addition, three movies based on the book series have been filmed and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Musical premiered earlier this month.

Since initial publication in 2007, the series has gone on to win many regional and national awards around the globe including two Children’s Choice Book Awards and five Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for Favorite Book. Jeff Kinney was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world. Jeff lives with his wife and two sons in Plainville, Massachusetts, where he owns a bookstore, An Unlikely Story."
Full details here.

Big Band at the Fine Arts Theatre

You can see a big band orchestra perform right here in Maynard! The Hal McIntyre Band will be performing a tribute to Peggy Lee, with the vocal stylings of Jody Ebling, Thursday, May 26, 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the theatre. 

This might make a great Mothers' or Fathers' Day present!

I grabbed this from the Fine Arts Theatre's Facebook page:

Here's a little history:

"Billed as “The Band America Loves,” the original McIntyre Orchestra debuted at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, NY in 1941, as well as headline venues including New York’s Commodore Hotel, Hollywood’s Palladium Ballroom and Chicago’s Sherman Hotel. During the war years the group regularly played overseas for U.S. troops as well. McIntyre continued leading the orchestra well into the 1950s (including an appearance backing the Mills Brothers on their 1952 chart-topper “Glow Worm”.) Hal died in a house fire at his home in Los Angeles on May 5, 1959. 

With permission from the McIntyre family, Don Pentleton continued the band. Don is the musical director and drummer. He is a veteran Big Band drummer who has also performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Skitch Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and comedians Phyllis Diller, Pat Cooper, Frankie Fontaine, and George Jessel." -Maudslay Arts Center, 2015

General Admission: $28, Seniors, $25. Come down to the box office for your tickets.

My dear neighbors, with so many things happening in Maynard you are going to be busy. I didn't get to list everything that's going on, but I hope to see you at many of these great events!

Street Sweeping to Start March 21

I got this from the Town Administrator's blog:
Please be advised that the 2016 annual Town-wide streets sweeping begins on Monday, March 21st. We expect the sweeping to take four to six weeks, weather dependent. Our sequence of sweeping will be as follows:

Want to know when your street will be done? Click on this link to see where in the sequence of sweeping your street will fall. 

Second Building (Building 10) Teardown at Mill and Main

It's nice to see that work continues down at Mill  & Main. It means that we're that much closer to that beautiful plan that they're working toward. The impatient person in me feels like it will never get here fast enough, but I know it has to be done right.

Someday we'll struggle to remember what the old mill complex used to look like, and we'll wonder why nobody had thought to bring this plan forward sooner.

What are People in Maynard Reading?

I was recently somewhere here in town where conversation suddenly turned to the books people were reading. It was really interesting, and I mentioned to the people I was with that I would love to have their reading list. I started to think about what other people in Maynard might be reading and thought, Why don't I ask people and then do a blog post about it?

So here, in no particular order, are the books that some of your fellow citizens are reading. It's so cool to see the diversity of all these titles. 

Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life, by Peter Gray - Denise
Rick Steves Snapshot Lisbon, by Rick Steves - Denise
Men Explain Things To Me, by Rebecca Solnit - Holly
The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh - Michel
Ivy Cole and the Moon, by Gina Fargo - Claire
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo - Claire
The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough - Ken
Team of Rivals, by Dorothy Kearns Goodwin - Ken
Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand - Ken
Raising the Curve: A True Portrayal of Classroom Life, by Ron Berler - Lauren
Tragedy & Hope: A History of the World in Our Time, by Carroll Quigley - Amanda
Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, by David Holmgren - Amanda
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? An Uncle Eric Book, by Richard J. Maybury - Amanda
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, by Nathaniel Branden - Amanda
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel
Secret Sisters, by Jayne Ann Krentz - Meghanne
Missing Pieces, by Heather Gudenkauf - Meghanne  
Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline - Meghanne
Coaching the Artist Within, by Eric Maisel - Pencil Lady
Memoirs of Hadrian, by Marguerite Yourcenar - Pencil Lady
After the Reich: A Brutal History of the Allied Occupation, by Giles McDonogh - Rob
The World Below, by Sue Miller - Brenda
Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande - Kat
How Should a Person Be?, by Sheila Heti - Sue
Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katerine Boo - Sue
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism, by
Doris Kearns Goodwin - Margaret
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude, by Ann Vanderhoof - Andrew
The Drums of Autumn  (Outlander Series Book 4), by Diana Gabaldon - Gwen
The Tao of Physics, by Fritjof Capra - Gwen
Skinner Luce, by Maynard author Patricia Ward - Priscilla
The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton - John
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr - Whitney and Joan
Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, by Lois McMaster Bujold - Rob
Too Many Children Left Behind, by Bradury, Corak, Waldfogel, Washbrook - Rob
Death in Paradise, by Robert Parker - Joanie
The American Class Structure In an Age of Growing Inequality, by Dennis Gilbert - Dennis
Charleston, by John Jakes - Larry
Seveneves, by Neal Stephenson - Katrina
Bernini: His Life and His Rome, by Franco Mormando - Liz
The Chronicles of Master Li, by Barry Hughart - Josh 
Number Ten Ox, by Barry Hughart - Josh 
The Space Below My Feet, by Gwen Moffat - Donna
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman - Lauren
The Purpose Economy, by Aaron Hurst - Lauren
The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton - Jan
The Whites, by Richard Price - Jan
Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, by Maryanne Wolf - Carolyn
The Fifth Season, by N K Jemisin - Liz
Into Oblivion, by Arnaldur Indrisason - Dottie
Faithfully Feminist; Jewish Christian and Muslim Feminists On Why We Stay, edited by Jennifer
Zobair and Gina Messina-Dysert, and Amy Levin - Lois
The Gold Eaters: A Novel Hardcover, by Ronald Wright - Laura
The Yacoubian Building, by Alaa-Al-Aswany - Elizabeth
Daughters of the Samurai: Journey from East to West and Back,  by Janice P. Nimura - Christie
Needles and Pearls, by Gil McNeil  - Christie
The Art Forger, by B. A. Shapiro - Loretta
Rival Rails: The Race to Build America's Greatest Transcontinental Railroad, by Walter Boardman - Christie
Along the Infinite Sea, by Beatriz Williams - Trudy
Ready Player One, by Ernst Cline - Trudy
The Grownup, by Gillian Flynn - Trudy
The Bat, by Jo Nesbo - Trudy
Protocol Zero, by James Abel - Trudy
Silo series, by Hugh Howey - Trudy
The Ringed Castle, by Dorothy Dunnett - Laura
An Instance of the Fingerpost, by Iain Pears, - Linda
Made in Detroit ( poetry), by Marge Piercy - Linda
the Bible - Linda, Dorothy 
A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving - Dorothy
The Cold War: A New History, by John Lewis Gaddis - Sander
Candy Freak, by Steve Almond - Kathy
The Pale View of Hills, by Kazuo Ishiguro - Kathy
With this next one, I couldn't help but keep the readers book report with it:
"I came upon a great mystery series that is totally engrossing and unexpected! It takes place in the 1970s in newly Communist Laos. You read me right, Laos. The hero is a 72 year old man (!) the country's only coroner—not by choice. Oh he also happens to have the spirit of a 1,000 year old Hmong shaman residing within him. It is hysterically funny! I am totally transported into a culture as foreign to me as can possibly be and can't stop reading them. It reminds me of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books that take place in Botswana. Anyway the series is The Dr.Siri Mystery Series I am currently reading the 3rd book Disco for the Departed. (He's haunted by a particularly cruel spirit that plays disco music.). The first one is The Coroners Lunch, - oh, all by Colin Cotterill. - Kathleen

This was kind of fun. Maybe I'll make it a regular post that I do a couple times a year. Thanks so much to everyone who participated. 

Both Articles for Rezoning Passed at Town Meeting Tonight

In case you didn't make to the full-house, funfest that is Annual Town Meeing, just wanted to let you know that the rezoning approvals for both 129 Parker (the Shoppes at Maynard Crossing) and Mill & Main (formerly Clock Tower Place) have passed. I am hopeful that both changes will lead to more good things happening in Maynard. 

1st Building Demolition in Mill & Main Project has Begun

Seagull Cinderella Lives on Summer Street (sounds almost like a tongue twister)

"Have you seen that big bird?"
"What's with the bird on Summer Street?"
"There's like this giant sculpture of a bird with breasts on someone's lawn. Do you know anything about it?"

The Summer Street sculpture has had the town abuzz since the fall, when it appeared on the lawn of one of the houses. When I heard the chatter I knew what it was. I had heard that some known-to-the-art-world artists were moving to Maynard. I knew that had to be them. Obviously, I was all excited.

I have had the information to do a blog post on this for a little while, but there's so much to say that I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of writing it. I've decided that I just need to get it out and not waste any more time, so forgive me if I ramble!

Dear Neighbors of Maynard, allow me to introduce you to Donna Dodson, Andy Moerlein and Seagull Cinderella!

I was able to reach Donna via her blog, and she graciously invited me over to see their home and work space. On the day of our get together I eagerly approached their house—having already driven slowly by on a few occasions, I couldn't wait to see Seagull Cinderella up close. Along with the sculpture, their yard had workers and light construction equipment—they were having some work done on the place.

The barn of the property was being finished to be their studio, and though it didn't have any work in it yet, I did get to see it. All this work has meant that their house is acting as a temporary studio. There are sculptures and drawings simply but beautifully displayed everywhere. They've pretty much allowed themselves a kitchen and their rooms upstairs, but the rest of the first floor is a bit like a meandering working gallery, and the basement is currently where they get all the sculpting work done.

They are newly weds who met over art. If I'm correct, they both had sculptures on display in the same gallery, and bad weather left the show opening poorly attended. The two spent the entire time talking to each other. They became friends and kept trying to find ways to work together. The rest, as they say, is history.

Collaboratively they create ephemeral, large-scale, public-display sculptures as The Myth Makers. Both artists have a thing for nature—birds, trees, and stones seem to appear again and again in their work.

I was going to try to describe Donna's work, but realized that her artist statement already does: ‘My artwork celebrates the mystical relationship between human beings and the animal kingdom. Because there were no icons of women in the church that I grew up in, my vision is to create them. Through hybrid female-animal forms that I sculpt in wood, I flesh out sensuality, sexuality and soul with a well-proportioned figurative vocabulary. The natural grain of the wood interacts with the form and shape of my sculptures in a descriptive way, suggesting nostrils, and nipples or garments and fabric textures. I often stylize each piece to enhance the girl, woman, princess, queen or goddess within. The mouths, or in some cases beaks, are closed symbolizing the mysteries they embody. These figures are sculpted in sizes ranging from one to four feet tall. I use color in both subtle and bold ways to activate each piece. My inspiration comes from ancient iconography and mythological imagery.’

I couldn't find Andy's artist's statement, so you'll have to bear with my quick description. His work draws a lot of inspiration from rock. He talked to me about one of his favorite subjects, 'scholar's stones'—naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated by Chinese scholars. He dipped into the philosophical and touched on the perceived meanings of 'value', especially when it came to the idea of these scholar's stones. His own work imitates stone forms and texture, often carved out of wood. Take a look in their back yard and you'll get to see one of his large stone sculptures perched in a young tree that shouldn't be up to the task. They defy gravity, they do.

Not only are they cool artists who are new to town, but they're also good citizens; I ran into Andy at the 129 Parker Street meeting at the high school the other week. He was there with a clipboard in hand, likely working on some sculpture ideas, but also asking questions. That means a lot to me. It says that they're really here and present. And the only reason Donna didn't attend was because she had broken a toe when she banged it on one of her sculptures.

Another funny bit of information... I heard that someone in town dressed up as "Seagull Cinderella" for Downtown Trick or Treat. There may even be pictures out there somewhere. I told Donna and Andy about it. They'd love to see it, as would I—what a great idea!

They are not shy about talking to people about their work and hold open houses every now and then. So keep your eye on them and stop in if the chance comes up. And if you see them walking around, say hello and welcome!