West Newbury Cultural Council

09/04/2024

Calling All Local Peeps!

September 21st: Newburyport Art Auction

A great way to support local art as well as add original art to your home in a more inexpensive way.

My painting, Fractured Florals: Bouquet of Dreams” which is a 24” x 24” acrylic on gallery depth wood panel will be part of the live auction.

Tickets on sale now at link below! See you there…

https://newburyportart.ejoinme.org/ArtAuctionTickets

10/03/2022

Local Cultural Council Grants are available to apply for. Go to https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/apply-now-for-lcc-grants-supporting-community-based-arts-culture-projects/ for more information. Deadline is October 17, 2022.

06/22/2022

06/18/2022

What a beautiful day for the Garden Tour! There's still time to visit gardens. The tour doesn't end until 4 PM. Here are some shots of the artists and musicians that we took today. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success!

06/17/2022

Today is the last day to get your tickets for Art in the Garden at the GAR Memorial Library, the WN Food Mart or Haverhill Bank.

Tickets will be available tomorrow at each of the gardens on the tour or at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) from 10 - 4pm.

Artists will be selling their art and musicians will be accepting tips - please support the wonderful artists and musicians on our tour!

06/16/2022

As you walk down the stately driveway of garden #9, you’ll be transported from civilization to a riverfront retreat where the eagles fly and foxes, turkey and deer wander the grounds. The owner, inspired by the vivid colors and rich textures of Maine’s botanical gardens, continually plays with her palate to create a relaxed and welcoming feel to her garden. The front beds are abundant with color and feature “Chamy” cypresses, a tree peony and a lovely Japanese maple. Behind the house enjoy views of the Merrimack River and a magnificent beech tree on the river bank. A long border garden features three “frog ponds” surrounded by several varieties of hosta, pink and yellow bleeding hearts, geum and sweet woodruff.

Artist: Kristen Kyle
Kristen Kyle finds her inspiration in “a spark of color, a gesture, figure positioning, architecture, light and shadow, a poem, song, conversation - all that I take in everyday. My work was once described as a “crazy quilt,” as there are unique themes that fit together to create a body of work that is vibrant and diverse, yet melds together well with histories weaving throughout."

Website: kristenkyleartist.com
FB & Instagram:

Artist: Erica Nazzaro
Erica Nazzaro is an award-winning painter based out of Amesbury. She deals with complex landscapes by using bold strokes and unique color choices. Erica combines watercolor, pastel, and ink to create mixed media pieces. She has won an artist's residency in the Dunes of Provincetown, and has shown her work in Boston, Art Basel in Miami, and internationally in Cuba and Italy.

Website: www.ericanazzaro.com
Instagram:

Musician: Jeff Bullis (afternoon)
Local singer and songwriter, Jeff Bullis has been playing acoustic and electric guitar in the Amesbury area for over 30 years. From an early age Jeff was influenced and inspired by the universal Renaissance man, Jerry Garcia, the poetic imagery of Bob Dylan and the gifted stories and storytelling of John Prine. Jeff can often be heard playing at the Hope Church in Newburyport and at Coastal Connections in Amesbury where he is the Health Care Supervisor.

Tickets (cash or check only) are available for this event at the GAR Memorial Library, The WN Food Mart and Haverhill Bank (WN branch) thru Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available on Saturday, June 18th from 10am - 4pm at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) and at individual gardens. For more info visit wngc.org

06/15/2022

Saturday, June 18th is shaping up to be the perfect day for Art in the Garden! Celebrate Mother Nature at her best and get your tickets to this beautiful event at The GAR Memorial Library, Haverhill Bank & the Food Mart through Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available at Old Town Hall starting at 10am. Tickets are $20 (cash/check only) and those under 17 are free. See you there!

https://www.newburyportnews.com/news/art-in-the-garden-to-blossom-in-west-newbury/article_579d4fba-e88e-11ec-b292-4fe905116ff0.html

06/14/2022

The first thing you notice as you enter garden #8, is the view of the Merrimack River. Sitting on a hill, you can look up and down this beautiful water-way and savor breathtaking sunsets. As you walk over the river stone garden paths, you’ll find a majestic magnolia tree that provides shade to azaleas, hostas, holly bushes, lilies and a variety of perennials. The birds love this garden and nest in the handmade copper roof bird house. By the patio, enjoy the water garden complete with a water fall and floating hyacinth. Three varieties of fish co-mingle in the pond and a hearty Japanese maple provides partial shade to tall ornamental grasses. Make your way to the front of the house and enjoy the deck views of the Merrimack. Potted plants thrive in this area and the mandevillas climb their trellis up to the roof of the gazebo and outdoor shower by mid-July.

Artist: Margo Pullman
Margo Pullman has been making art since she was a child. She earned an art degree from Iowa State University in Commercial Design. For 15 years, she worked as a designer and art director in the areas of giftware design, advertising, package design, logos and more. Later as a freelance designer, she created the Pullman Design Company. Margo taught painting for 15 years in her West Newbury studio, 2 years in England and held plein air workshops in France. Currently, she is focused on her painting in addition to her newest artistic medium, flowers. She is a Floral Designer for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and hosts floral design workshops. Margo’s artwork is held in private collections locally, nationally and internationally. She is a member of the Surrey Artists Network, National Museum of Women Artists and the Newburyport Art Association.
Website: www.margopullman.com

Artist: Grace Marchese
Grace is an Award-Winning artist, designer, illustrator, and the proud owner of Studio 50-Salisbury, A Unique Artist/Artisan Studio and Gallery. She moved to the North Shore 17 years ago, as this locale lends itself to her artistic and writing endeavors. Grace finds her inspiration from the ocean and its ever changing tides, as well as the beautiful light. A great lover of nature, many days you will find her creating plein air paintings along the shore. Grace loves all facets of creativity and it shows in her gorgeous staging designs of home and small businesses. She has a true artist's eye for color and patterns and a passion for helping others create a "dream design" for their home or business. She is currently working on a children's book, screenplay and animated film, as well as an original character art line.
FB: The Grace Factor at Studio 50 Salisbury
Instagram: .words

Musician: Julia Spalding (morning)
Julia Spalding is a junior at Pentucket Regional High School. She is in multiple high school bands and plays the flute, piccolo, alto flute, and tenor sax.

Musicians: Dodging Frogs ~ Ric Page & Robin Bornstein (afternoon)
Ric Page is a seasoned musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter. Robin Bornstein worked with other bands as a singer/songwriter when she met Ric in 2016. They evolved into a strong duo as Dodging Frogs, playing seldom heard yet well-loved covers and originals. Their song list spans many genres including rock, blues, jazz, folk & country. There is something for everyone!

Tickets (cash or check only) are available for this event at the GAR Memorial Library, The WN Food Mart and Haverhill Bank (WN branch) thru Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available on Saturday, June 18th from 10am - 4pm at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) and at individual gardens. For more info visit wngc.org

06/11/2022

Garden #7 on our tour, is constantly changing as the owners expand areas, swap out perennials and move plants around. They joke that their plants need roller skates! A perennial Valerian, that blooms June through July, produces an intoxicating aroma from its lacy white flowers. Take your time to explore all the “rooms” this garden has to offer. An arched door between two hemlocks delights the owners’ grandchildren who enjoy hiding in their private castle. The purple lilac hedge by the pool was the inspiration for the gardens’ color scheme. Purple, white and pink flowers (with an occasional yellow) paint the landscape. A copper sculpture named Sherlock keeps a watchful eye over the property; you never know where he might turn up!

Artist: Ted Baker
Ted became interested in oil and watercolor painting as a teenager, but didn't pursue it for many years. Later in life, his hobby became a passion and he now works exclusively in oils. He particularly enjoys creating skies, water, and cloud formations. His works have been accepted in several juried shows and he always looks forward to participating in the Yankee Homecoming Art on the Mall event.

Artist: Susan Dougherty
A longtime West Newbury resident, Susan Dougherty is a retired art teacher and a realtor at Coldwell Banker. She has a passion for painting pet portraits and has a knack for capturing your favorite family member’s personality!

Musician: Owen Tedeschi
Owen is a junior at Pentucket Regional High School. He started playing the violin at age eleven and is first chair in the high school orchestra. He also plays the piano and dabbles in the ukulele.

Tickets (cash or check only) are available for this event at the GAR Memorial Library, The WN Food Mart and Haverhill Bank (WN branch) thru Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available on Saturday, June 18th from 10am - 4pm at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) and at individual gardens. For more info visit wngc.org

06/09/2022

Garden #6 on the Art in the Garden tour has mature gardens that provide color and beauty throughout the year. Azaleas abound in May, wisteria and peonies soak up the sun in June and the day lilies do not disappoint in July. The owner recently joined the West Newbury Garden Club and enjoys the members generous advice, instructions, and assistance. The WNGC is a sociable group of about eighty gardeners and garden lovers from West Newbury and surrounding towns that meets once a month to socialize, share ideas and host gardening related talks. The club seeks to cultivate an interest in gardening, to aid in the conservation of natural resources, to promote civic beauty and to encourage the study of horticulture and the environment.

Artist: Louis Gippetti
Originally from Long Island, New York, Louis attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in painting at the Yale School of Art. He was strongly influenced by expressionist painting in his early days as a painter, but his work has gradually moved toward more representational motifs primarily focusing on the figure and portrait. He works out of his studio in Somerville, MA and recently retired from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where he taught oil painting, drawing and portraiture for 27 years.
www.louisgippetti.com

Musician: Lillian Friend
Lily Friend is a sophomore at Pentucket Regional High School. She plays the trumpet in Big Band and French horn in concert band. She earned a place in the 2021 MMEA Northeast Senior District Music Festival for French horn when she was just a freshman. Lily is teaching herself to play the flute, clarinet, tenor sax, and piano during her free time.

Tickets (cash or check only) are available for this event at the GAR Memorial Library, The WN Food Mart and Haverhill Bank (WN branch) thru Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available on Saturday, June 18th from 10am - 4pm at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) and at individual gardens. For more info visit wngc.org

06/07/2022

The 5th garden on our Art in the Garden Tour, sits on the banks of the Merrimack River. Large stepping stones, grass and pachysandra draw the eye (and the wanderer!) to the beach and dock. Take a walk around the property and you’ll discover PJ hydrangeas, winding wisteria, rhododendrons, andromeda and peonies. Evening primrose, iris, rudbeckia, lilies and Montauk daisies abound. The owner of this garden finds that the challenge and the reward of the gardens are never finished; the canvas always awaits!

Artist: Tina Rawson
Tina Rawson took up the bold decision in 2021, amidst the protracted COVID-19 pandemic, to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a painter. She studied art in college at the University of Pittsburgh which helped prepare her for her work as an artist. Travels throughout Europe and across the United States inform her work. She works in beautiful New England and has a Swedish background which she draws upon in her work. For more of Tina’s work visit www.tinarawsonart.com and her Instagram .rawson.art

Artist: Melissa Witherspoon
Melissa's pieces are all one of a kind, hand-crafted and made the old fashioned way. She strives to create her silver and gold pieces in an eco-friendly manner, using recycled materials when possible; from hand and with no power tools. No modern jewelers chemicals are used in her treatment process and instead she uses basic safe household elements to assist in protecting the metal during the creating process. Visit Melissa’s website at www.thegreenbeestudio.com and her Instagram

Musician: Joe Casey
“He sang from his heart and sang from his soul. He did not know how well he sang; it just made him whole.” Harry Chapin
This quote sums it all up for Joe! He enjoys playing the guitar and signing and has been very fortunate to play with the Thomas Machine Works Band for 26 years. Joe says “the only thing better than playing by yourself is playing with others!”

Tickets (cash or check only) are available for this event at the GAR Memorial Library, The WN Food Mart and Haverhill Bank (WN branch) thru Friday, June 17th. Day of tickets will be available on Saturday, June 18th from 10am - 4pm at Old Town Hall (491 Main Street, WN) and at individual gardens. For more info visit wngc.org