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!

Maynard's Arts Community Keeps on Growing

Over the last year and some change, Main Street has seen a big increase in the filling of vacancies by arts based business. 6 Bridges took over the old Brazilian Market, I don't even remember what used to be where Denault Studios was, and smARTroom took over Tish's. It feels like there's something in the air.

When La Rosa nail salon left a few weeks back, we all feared another empty store front. Yesterday I was pleased to see some people inside doing a little work. I thought maybe there were people working for the landlord to get it ready to rent. I was wrong. Today when I went by, there were skateboards in the window, eclectic fabric, a Christmas tree that looks like it has been in a tussle with some spools of ribbon, and a motorcycle—yup, a real motorcycle.

As I went to get coffee and work my shift at 6 Bridges Gallery, acquaintances I ran into asked me if I knew what was going on, and who was moving in to the location. I didn't have the answer. But when my shift was done, I walked through the rain to go get a quick bite for lunch, and as I passed La Rosa I saw two young men stepping inside. I couldn't resist, so I knocked.

Let me introduce you to Ian and Dillon. They were nice enough to let the weird lady on the street take a picture of them. (Sorry the photos are blurry; it was chilly and I was in a hurry.)  These young guys are adding to the fabric of our arts scene. I didn't get to talk to them much because I needed to go, but they were very friendly. In the brief time that we chatted, I learned that they will be running it as a studio space. I think they said they're thinking of calling it "Dissonance Archive". If I'm correct, and I may not be, I think they said that they would be doing both audio and visual art.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to them again soon, and get better details.

In the meantime, let's welcome them to the neighborhood! We wish them luck and we'll be watching as they transform their space to reflect their creativity.

Really Cool Art Show at ArtSpace Maynard “From Cave Drawings to Selfies: #painting people”

I missed the 2nd Saturday art opening at ArtSpace last weekend, and now that I've had a chance to see the show, I'm really sorry that I didn't make it. I would have loved to have met the artists. The work is phenomenal and the combining of the images of these two artists' is spot on. I heard that there might have even been some important people in the art world who attended the opening.

In a suggestion of an urban setting, Ann Strassman and Youngsheen A. Jhe paint images of people in all their raw and imperfect beauty, either juxtaposed with mannequins that seem to be imitating their stiff and impersonal posturing, or in deliberately incomplete settings where the negative space seems as important as the positive. Strassman's paintings done on unfolded cardboard boxes, use the surface to add another layer of depth and meaning to the work. The large scale format of these pieces is striking.

I am not doing this show any justice with my writing or my photo. You just have to see it in person. I think you'll be impressed.

This show will only be up through December 31st. If you have family in town for the holidays, this might make for a great visit. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 11:00 am- 3:00 pm. The gallery will not be open on Christmas Day. 

Here's the description that is posted on the ArtSpace Web site:

“From Cave Drawings to Selfies: #painting people”
Featuring Ann Strassman and Youngsheen A. Jhe
The ArtSpace Gallery is pleased to present an exhibit by Ann Strassman and Youngsheen A. Jhe.  The work of both women is contemporary using clothing, objects and architecture of current culture that reflects the choices of our times by depicting the human face and figure and how it has changed over the history and mankind, which gives the viewer a greater appreciation of this discipline.

I hope you enjoy this show as much as I did.

I Heard the Vietnamese Restaurant is Supposed to Open on Friday 12/4

Yesterday ArtSpace artist Jen Maestre (you know her as the Pencil Woman) mentioned that she happened to be walking by the soon-to-open Gigi's Vietnamese restaurant and saw someone inside, so she walked in. She asked if they were open yet and they told her that they were planning on opening tomorrow, Friday, December fourth. They gave her some business cards (and maybe some menus) to share with people. Jen said she'd have them in her studio during the ArtSpace Maynard Holiday Sale this weekend.

The menu is available online. I'm looking forward to sampling some Vietnamese cuisine soon!

Free Screening of "Codegirl" at Fine Arts Theatre, Sponsored by Yieldbot, Monday, December 14th

I'm really proud that my husband and the company he helps run (Yieldbot) out of Mill & Main thought the subject of girls in technology was important enough to bring "CODEGIRL" to Maynard. And I'm so pleased that our local theater (Fine Arts Theatre Place) agreed. 

On December 14 at 7pm, Yieldbot is sponsoring a free screening of "CODEGIRL" at Fine Arts Theatre Place. 

"CODEGIRL" is a recent documentary that centers around an app competition (specifically the 2014 competition) that is held yearly worldwide that encourages girls to get into technology. My husband watched it during a brief period when it was being offered by Google on Youtube for free. He felt it was important and thought that we have a great chance to get even more people to see it.

Back in college he was part of a team that did a study that found that one of the big reasons that girls, even at a young age, don't go into technology is that they don't identify with the image of who they think is good with technology. This is slowly changing, and competitions like the one in the movie are doing their part by giving girls direct access to working with technology, working towards a goal, and being successful with it.

But the movie itself can play a big role as well, by giving visibility to these girls and their struggles and success. It reminds everyone that there's no reason they can't do it, and provides an opportunity for our girls to see these girls as an example and inspiration for what they can do if they want to.

We have a daughter, and we don't ever want her to believe that the things she might want to do could be limited by her gender. Whether or not you have a daughter interested in technology, the film inspires thinking. Reserve your free ticket now because this is an important topic. 

Here's a link to the trailer.

 

ArtSpace Mourns the Loss of Artist Doris Carlson

I met Doris Carlson sometime in the early two-thousands, when I joined ArtSpace Maynard. What struck me about meeting her was how kind she seemed. Somehow she managed to convey compassion, a sense of humor, patience, and understanding, all with her gentle voice. I'm sure it's something that all who knew her loved about her. On Friday, November thirteenth, at age eighty-eight, she died in hospice from complications of cancer.

There are many artists that I admire at ArtSpace, but Doris was always on a special pedestal that my mind holds for people that I want to be like when I grow up. I remember her telling me about the decision she made to, when she was in her fifties and after her kids were grown, go to art school! I hadn't even had the courage to apply to art school as a young woman! With that little story she flipped a switch in my brain.

Now, one might think that a woman who had spent most of her days as what was then referred to as a "homemaker" that decided to go to art school might stick to some conservative approach to art; maybe painting some flowers and leave it at that. This was not the case with Doris. She once gave me and my (then four-year-old) daughter a tour of her home, the art she collected, and her own art. Each piece that she showed me opened a door to new possibilities. We stood before a highly textured and gilded piece that was lovingly framed and in a hallway. "Do you know what that is?" she asked. When I said that I didn't, she smiled and declared wryly, "Cocoa Puffs cereal! I have another one upstairs that I did that is Shredded Wheat!" And we laughed.

Doris was more than just a late-blooming artist with a playful personality, she was also legally blind. Macular degeneration had begun to rob her of her sight many years ago, but let me assure you that she never let this be the defining trait that people would remember her by. It was certainly a part of the last several years of her life, but mostly only because she couldn't drive herself places. And if she saw your shadowy figure in the hall, she'd have to ask you to tell her who you were.

When I would give friends tours of the ArtSpace building, along the way we'd come to some of Doris' work—bold patterns of stripes, glazed in metallic paints, angular and bulbous intertwining abstract formations. I'd tell my touring friends that she was legally blind, and they'd invariably express their sympathy. But by my judgment, Doris didn't feel sorry for herself. She hardly complained about her struggles, even when she found out she had cancer. Mostly she'd talk about the nuisance of symptoms, as if she were holding the thing in her hand and showing it to you so you could both nod and agree about it being a real pill. That's just how she was.

As do most artists, I often have doubts about my art. But when I had chances to talk to Doris, her spirit always left me feeling grounded and secure, like nothing was really impossible and things weren't such a big deal. Her story never got old, and she often seemed surprised by how much I loved hearing it. She didn't see herself as a maverick, and I'm not sure she ever grasped how much of a heroine she was to me.

She was loved by her ArtSpace colleagues and will be missed. You can still find her work on display in the hallway outside the studio space that she shared, the studio with the purple door. I hope you'll consider coming to see it at the next ArtSpace Open House.

Miracle of Miracles—the Plywood Has Been Removed!

If I hadn't kept my wits about me, I might have skidded off the road due to a miracle that I was witness to today. Maybe you saw it, too. As I approached the intersection of Powdermill and Waltham Streets, I saw a most wondrous sight. There were workers... replacing the windows... of the old Murphy and Snyder building!

Somebody pinch me.

Whether it was the letter writing campaigns, complaints to Town Hall, a trend toward improvements of commercial buildings all over town,  or Maynard's Guerilla Plywood Painter (GPP), the message got through to Mr. VanValey, the owner of that parcel of land.

And so...

Here ye, here ye!
From this day forward let us declare November nineteenth to be an informal holiday in Maynard! In this season of giving thanks, this one might be close to the top of the list.

Now, what do we call this holiday? "Bye-Bye Ply Day"?

Latest Show "Visual Narratives" at ArtSpace Maynard's Gallery

“Visual Narratives by Studio 7” Exhibit at the ArtSpace Gallery

Featuring the works of: Sara Arshad, Ruth d’Autremont, Caroline Lindeke, Nancy Mimno, Jane Paulson, Ann Schauffler, Pamela Wickham

Curated by Sally Santosuosso

Since pre historic times, artists of every culture, period and genre have crafted visual stories to describe their history, beliefs, values and important events.  Such stories spring from within our collective intellectual and imaginative experience. Stories are essential to convey and honor the nuanced spectrum of human life. The ArtSpace Gallery is pleased to present a group exhibit of 7 artists from Studio 7, representing an eclectic variety of collage, assemblage, painting, drawing, ceramics and fiber art as they share their vision of “Visual Narratives.”

The exhibit runs through November 27th.  Gallery hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays,11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Come join the art scene in Maynard!

The ArtSpace Gallery located at 63 Summer Street in Maynard and is free to the public and is wheelchair accessible.

For more information, please call (978) 897-9828 or go to www.artspacemaynard.com and like us on Facebook.

So What's the Deal With the Brewery?

As I've been moving about town, I've heard a lot of people wondering what's happening with Battle Road Brewing Company, the brewery that's expected to take up a good portion of building five of Mill & Main. I figured I'd ask. I reached out to them on Facebook, told them that Maynard was anxious for them to open, and here's what they told me.

"Our brewing equipment has been ordered and is in transit as we speak. Demo has begun on the brewery/restaurant area and the second floor offices are complete. I don't want to give you an expected opening date because these things can (and often do) change quickly, however we are hopeful for early 2016. Cheers!"

I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything will line up for them and that things will go smoothly. We patiently await their arrival.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Fine Arts Theatre, Maynard

Fans of Film at Fine Arts Theatre, Maynard is pleased to present the first of its installation of films at the newly renovated Fine Arts Theatre Place in Maynard:

Join them December 8th and 9th for “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, To Kill a Mockingbird earned an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and won three Academy Awards (including Best Actor for Gregory Peck). It was nominated for eight others, including Best Picture, and marked the film debut of Robert Duvall.

(Willow Bookstore will be in the lobby selling the two Harper Lee novels.)
Tickets are just $7.00. Check the Facebook page or the theater website. 
And stay tuned for more great films to come!

Films selected by the Fans of Film will be shown on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month, so mark your calendars.

Fans of Film at Fine Arts Theatre, Maynard—celebrating the art of film-making by promoting independent, art, documentary, foreign and classic films.

Fine Arts Theatre Place, 19 Summer Street, Maynard, MA
Tele: 978-897-8100
Website: http://www.fineartstheatreplace.com/

Don't Forget—Bazaar Russe is This Week, Friday and Saturday

I don't have much time to post, so I'm just going to remind and send a link for the Bazaar Russe—happening this Friday and Saturday. Get some fabulous Russian food.

Here's a link to my blog post from the spring that gives more descriptive information.