Demo updates

Elissa Della-Piana with a few of her artist journals and books

Last week we had quite a successful turnout for Elissa Della-Piana's demo. We learned about artist journals and books, layout and sketching. Our next demo is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 7pm back at the Swampscott Senior Center with Carolyn Lantanision. Carolyn will demonstrate and talk about watercolor landscape painting, specific focus on layering sky. More info to follow.

Carolyn Lantanision, "Eastern Point Breezes", watercolor

Demo with Elissa Della Piana

Above, samples from Elissa's journal

Below, "Flapper", fashion illustration by Elissa Della Piana

*we will be raffling off a print of "Flapper" at the artist's demo

The Swampscott Arts Association will be hosting an art demonstration with Elissa Della Piana on Thursday March 8, 7pm at the Swampscott Senior Center. Elissa is owner of Gallery Della-Piana on Route 1A in Wenham, Ma.

A RISD graduate in the 1960's, Elissa (Scott) Della-Piana's career in the arts spans Exhibition Design, Theater, Illustration, and Fine Art. With over 40 years of teaching art (Illustration, Graphics, Fashion, History, Drawing) in many schools and colleges, she is recently retired from Montserrat College of Art. Her own work encompasses Licensed products in Natural Science and Fashion Illustration themes, and a personal obsession with intensive observational drawing. At the demo, Elissa will be talking about keeping journals, notebooks, and sketchbooks.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and we will be raffling off one of Elissa's prints to attendees.

To reach the center on Essex Road in Swampscott, drive around the high school building and enter at the rear. There is a sign on Essex for the school/senior center. (It’s across the street from Peak Performance Physical Therapy)

SAA Winter Show

The SAA winter show is now open and runs until February 1, 2012.

Gallery hours: weekdays 9am - 7pm, weekends 10am - 6pm.

Pictured below are SAA artists Ron Harrison, Peggy Farrell,

and Rick Cloren (first place winner).

Robin Samiljan (2nd place winner) talking with artist member Mimi Andler.

Grosvenor Park: a view of the gallery and art work.

President Barbara Gherzi announces the award recipients.

Honorable Mention - Noreen Nelson, "Jacob and Friend", photo

Honorable Mention - Ruth Rooks, "Backyard Jungle", watercolor

3rd prize - Karen Hosking, "Sculpture Court at the Met", photo

2nd prize - Robin Samiljan, "Tuscan Vineyards", mixed media

1st prize - Rick Cloren, "Schwabacher Morning", photo

Annual Meeting and Holiday Party

At our recent annual meeting and holiday party, we elected a new board for next year and paid tribute to Clayton Curtis and Debbie Gates, both long standing board members that are now retiring.

Officers for the coming year:

President - Barbara Gherzi

Vice President - Gail Gallop

Secretary - Ruth Rooks

Treasurer - Jeannette Yeaple

Membership - Judy Moynihan

Liaison to Marian Court - Liz Murphy

Members-at-large - Janet Cook, D.L. Kaulbach, Brenda Rangel, Michael Reardon, Robin Samiljan, Marjorie Snow

A few of our members spreading holiday cheer...

Pictured above (left to right) Pat Macaulay(sitting) Carmela Martin, Ruth Rooks - secretary, Jean Fisher, and Marianne Main. Below, Gail Gallop - VP, Jerilyn Morgan, Marilyn Cloran, Rick Cloran, Liz Murphy - liaison to Marian Court College, Leslie Teague, Jeannette Yeaple, and Debbie Gates.

Below, president Barbara Gherzi (pictured far right) holding our annual business meeting before dessert is served.

The party was held at the newly renovated Tedesco Country Club thanks to Joanie Johnson and her generosity. We are now looking forward to our winter show opening January 8 at the Gallery at Grosvenor Park.

Upcoming Winter Show

Our Fall Exhibition at Marian Court College

Our beautiful fall show finally opened on Thursday, October 13th. Of the 56 pieces hanging the following works were chosen for ribbons and awards:

The Marian Court Award was given to K Jean Fisher for her acrylic, "16th Century Tuscan Doorway"

Honorable mentions went to "Brown Eyes", acrylic by J. J. Cook

"Salem Harbor", an oil by Connie Donovan

"Misty Morn", an acrylic by Joanie Johnson

Karen Hoskins "A Day at the Beach" (photo)

1st place - Ruth Rooks, for her water color, "Highway Ahead"

2nd place - Robin Samiljan, for her encaustic on panel, "Waves"

3rd place - Richard Pohl, for his oil painting, "New Times Roman"

Bravo and congratulations all. The show is available to view until Nov. 1st, during regular school hours.

Flooding postpones Fall Show

The Swampscott Arts Association had to postpone the opening for the annual fall show due to town-wide flooding last week. We have been able to reschedule and the opening reception is now this Thursday evening October 13, from 6 - 8pm at Marian Court College on Little's Point. As always, the opening reception is free and open to the public.