Month: November 2014

Holiday Concert

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The Elmer Thienes- Mary Hall Elementary School Band  and vocalists under the direction of Donna Arsenault will present their Holiday Concert at the Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main Street, on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $2/individual or $5 for a family (parents & children).

This collaboration between the school and the Arts Center has become an annual event which is anticipated with pleasure and enjoyed by all. These young musicians fill the Arts Center’s  Gallery with joyous sounds. They are young but they are musicians and their programs are always impressive.

The Marlborough Arts Center’s Artist Member Holiday Show in progress provides the background for visual enjoyment during the concert, along with the possibility to buy a special holiday gift while there. The Gift Shop will be open where the fine crafts of regional artists are also available for sale.

2014 Holiday Season and Artist Member Holiday Show

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The Marlborough Arts Center opens the 2014 Holiday Season and its annual Artist Member Holiday Show, with an Open Reception on Friday, November 14, 7-9 p.m. in the beautiful Charles W. Hall Art Gallery, 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT. Admission is free and open to the public. The Opening Reception always provides an interesting opportunity to meet and greet the artists themselves, and to view close up and reflect upon the creativity of the artists in our midst. The Artist Member Holiday Show will then be open every Saturday and Sunday, November 15 – December 28, from 1-4 p.m. for your convenience.

This Artist Member Holiday Show was judged by Katherine Simmons, a well-known and respected artist, teacher at the Glastonbury Art Guild, graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, elected Artist Member of the CT Plein Art Painters Society, member of CT Womens Artists, the Lyme Art Association, the Salmagundi Club, and the Oil Painters of America. She is sought after as a judge for her experience and acumen and Marlborough Arts Center is pleased to have had her judge this show. Awards presented at the Reception will be for Best in Show; also 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place plus 2 Honorable Mentions each for both Wall Art and for 3D Art. The popular People’s Choice Award will be presented at the conclusion of the Show in December.

This year the Show is accompanied by a plethora of very affordable fine crafts for sale. Skilled artisans of the region have created pieces ranging in price from $2.50 to $250. There will be a table of pieces for under $25 that would make wonderful gifts appreciated by anyone. Many are signed by the artist and each piece is unique.

The Marlborough Arts Center is a non-profit regional center for the fine arts, performing arts, and fine crafts. It is located in an historic building which is interesting in itself. It has ample lit parking areas and is fully accessible.

For fuller details on artistic activities, classes, membership, and volunteering, visit the website www.marlborougharts.org or telephone (860) 295-9389 and leave a message. A member of the Board will return your call. You can also visit Facebook.com/MarlboroughArtsCenter to like or share.

Gail Wade and Turning Point Annual Concert

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The Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT is extremely pleased to host Gail Wade and Turning Point for their annual concert in the Charles W. Hall Art Gallery on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 7:30 – 9 p.m. Gail Wade and her group are known both nationally and internationally. Their concerts have a particular dynamic between the musicians and the audience, some of whom are very familiar with their work while others are new to the sounds, yet all of whom are involved in the music and easy interaction. People don’t want to leave a Gail Wade Concert. They feel like friends at the end of the evening. It is an experience and the acoustics in the Marlborough Center’s Art Gallery make it an unforgettable one.

Gail Wade and Turning Point play an eclectic blend of Americana, Bluegrass, and Blues. Gail Wade is a singer, song-crafter, and guitarist. Her original music is soulfully crafted while she gives a fresh interpretation to the traditional. Peggy Ann Harvey plays fiddle, saxophone, harmonica, and writes brilliant vocal interpretations. Dan Menzon’s unique banjo style incorporates the traditional Scruggs style with a more fluid melodic line. Rob Rainwater, on acoustic bass, trained in jazz and classics, and brings great energy and musicality to the group. Tim St. Jean is a veteran mandolin player, well-versed in traditional music, yet makes himself at home with the many different genres of Turning Point.

Admission at the door is $15/individual. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. so come early to choose a seat and enjoy the art filled gallery. Seats cannot be reserved. There is ample parking and the building is fully accessible.

The Marlborough Arts Center is a non-profit regional center for the fine arts, performing arts, and fine crafts. Details about exhibits, classes, artistic activities, and membership can be found on the website www.marlborougharts.org or telephone (860) 295-9389 to leave a message and a Board Member will return your call. Visit Facebook.com/MarlboroughArtsCenter to like or share.

PRESIDENT JOAN C. LESTER’S NOVEMBER 2014 LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP

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November Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one.

At our last 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe (starring Steve Donovan, Mike Esatta, and Barbara Lewis), someone said to me: “This was wonderful! And to think, right here in Marlborough!” Yes, it was wonderful, as those of you who came know. But what her comment also expressed to me was delight, maybe even with some surprise, that we had so much talent around and that one could find it so easily “right here” in Marlborough’s Arts Center at 231 North Main Street.

And there are wonderful things happening this month too. In fact, our Artist Member Show will have its Opening Reception on Friday, November 14, from 7-9 p.m. and this annual show is a great reason for visiting, viewing the creations of our artists, and having the fun of meeting and talking with them about their works. The Show has been judged by Katherine Simmons, a well-known and respected art judge. Winning artists will receive their Awards at the Reception that is open to all, of all ages, with free admission. I mention all ages because there are many children who love art and who would enjoy the variety of the media exhibited and who are likely to be stimulated by it in their own work. The Show continues to be open every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. from November 15-December 28, so you have many opportunities to come even during the busy holidays.

Accompanying the Art Show is our Holiday Craft Show and Gift Shop. The creativity of our artisans is truly impressive. At this traditional season for giving , the Gift Shop at MAC is the place to find unique gifts. No two items are alike, so different from shopping in a Mall. Artist crafted jewelry, carved wood, ceramics, woven wool, small paintings, and much more. Prices vary yet we have a host of items from $5 – $25 that anyone would be thrilled to receive.

It is also one of our annual holiday traditions at MAC to have Gail Wade and Turning Point give a special musical concert in November, this year on Friday, November the 21st, 7:30-9:30 p.m.. They are known both nationally and internationally with Gail as singer, song-crafter, and guitarist and their music is an eclectic blend of Americana, Blues, and Jazz. With our beautiful Charles W. Hall Art Gallery and its great acoustics as background, and their open interactive way, being at this concert is a gift to yourself. Admission at the door is $15/individual. The doors open at 7:00 so come early to peruse the art and the Gift Shop before you settle down for the music. As I’ve mentioned before, we cannot reserve seats for any of our shows.

After an hiatus in November and December, our monthly 4th Fridays @ the Arts Cafe resume in January, 2015. But before then we have two other holiday traditions coming in December: the concert by the Elmer Thienes Elementary School Band on December 4, as well as The Dance Academy of Colchester’s Holiday Dance Spectacular on December 13, 14, and 15. These young and talented artists bring such joy. They rock the place!

 I hope you do join us “right here in Marlborough” for these holiday pleasures. As you plan your own holidays, think MAC. And right now, again best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, my personal favorite holiday of them all.          Joan                             (lee.lester@att.net)