The Tomie dePaola Installation

" I N T I M A T I O N S " february 7 - march 15 '08

Four fascinating Artists, SAS COLBY, JUDITH DANER, JILL HERRICK-LEE, and LAURIE MILES, who work in 'mixed-media', to say the least, and who construct resonating objects that compel and hold you...perhaps a humorous subtitle might be, "I enjoy being a Girl..."

OUR INITIAL OPENING RECEPTION on Saturday the 7th was attended by about 200 PEOPLE ! who stayed and stayed, bought art, ate tasty bits and wines, and amazingly left the Gallery in pristine condition...even though one could hardly move from one room to another! 

THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE, North Section, printed two photos (Daner's and Herrick-Lee's) and listed our show as well as this coming Sunday's second Reception...this time, from 3 to 6PM, to get all four artists together...which means SAS COLBY will be coming in from the West Coast. Sas will also be bringing several more Artists' Books...two Painted on Canvas, and her very newest, limited edition, "BUNNIES ON ICE".

Sculptures, Artists' Books, Kinetics, Paintings, explore memories and attitudes connected with little girl games and play, the journey to womanhood, the embrace of fashion, the poetry and art that thrilled... The Show remained on display through MARCH 15th.

Winter exhibit: crowds, sales, and terrific local press. Check out the extensive write-up on www.wickedlocal.com, the December 24th issue.

FRAGILE WONDERS EXHIBIT

Reviews...and Gallery Pictures

"F R A G I L E   W O N D E R S", Cut Paper Artists, November 8 to December 10..................

Our Current Show a BLOCKBUSTER ! ... FOUR CUT-PAPER ILLUSTRATORS,

GILES LaROCHE, STEPHANIE McGRAIL-LeTENDRE, HOLLY MEADE, and DENISE ORTAKALES  are gathering awed reactions by every visitor..."OMG ! ", predominating, and, "I've never seen any kind of Art like this before !", constantly repeated.  I've had to add several hand-held Magnifying glasses to the installation for viewers to really get close to the "mindboggling" intricacies of Giles' and Stephanie's work. We keep a sturdy stepping stool handy for the kids who come in with parents, so they can climb up for a better view. Book sales are brisk, and most are signed by the illustrators/authors. Several customers have left their books with special notes for the artists to sign them individually. As several of Giles' stunning books are out of print and rare, we've searched and located copies for you , of " SACRED PLACES",  and his Salem masterpiece,"RAGGED SHADOWS".

The Returning customer for this installation is unprecedented.

    We still have several of Orfanos' paintings in our 2nd Floor Gallery. We've recently renovated that Room to display many small works and prints.
"HYPNOPOMPIC REVERIES", Greg Orfanos' provocative show was reviewed in SKIRT MAGAZINE by Alison Murray, Editor...and  in 'wickedlocal', called ..."inventive, ...humorous, dream-like...and whimsical", we are reminded to see his permanent installations  at INDIGO Restaurant in Hamilton, The SOMA in Beverly, and the GULU  GULU CAFE in Salem.

GREG ORFANOS, "Hypopompic reveries"...(in a constant state of conscious dreaming)

OCTOBER 10th through NOV. 4, the Gallery exhibited a one -man show of GREG ORFANOS,

creating a  funhouse where comic surrealism & mischief meet formal issues of design & color.

"Art is the last stronghold of magic."roy deforest.

THORPE FEIDT & JENNIFER CUSHMAN(9/10 to 10/4)

(Gallery views: photos by Sarah Whitling, MCA'09)

" IN  PRAISE 

 OF  SHADOWS 

drawings and vine sculptures..."

Northshore press review....

"THORPE FEIDT's

haunting abstractions

appear to develop into ghostly narratives. We are invited to weave tales throughout each piece; much as his system

of additive/reductive  strokes and erasures allows him to 

pursue a shape, form, figure...

JENNIFER CUSHMAN's woven constructions incorporate 

hidden cavities,vines interlocking with branches and brush,

creating the accidental...and the deliberate."

LITTLE GEMS EXHIBIT attracts Montserrat Alumni artists

Eleven Montserrat Alumni and one current student (Sarah Whitling, photo, '09) were among the thirty-five exhibitors at the Gallery this month. Our Call-for-entries parameters of small-size/affordable price brought forth a wide variety of media and topics, as well as alums from quite a span of years at Montserrat. Former students from the 1980's, 90's, and 2000's submitted their current works to the Call, and the publicity brought even more alumni out to check out the Gallery. We are ALWAYS interested in seeing what you're up to, so pass the word along to your fellow alums! In December - "heads up!" - the show will be another Call-for-entries ... and the theme is ... " Winter". No size or price restrictions; MUST be ready for hanging. You can interpret the theme as broadly or specifically as you wish. Get busy!

Our 'Micro-Mini-Mall" site at #152-R Main Street

The Gallery Della-Piana Building is also the home of SEAMS, the couture fashion and accessories boutique. Harper is the designer/creator of original fashions, from elegant evening wear, the most unique brides, tailored women's suits, and adorable separates. Her fine embroideries and beadings are part of the hallmark of her exacting touch. Visit her website at Seamstheshop.com