Katherine Roberts paintings begin year two of Alchemy of Art series for Gloucester Education Foundation

Alchemy Bistro continues it’s ‘The Alchemy of Art’ Gallery Series, a yearlong art showcase featuring local artists and benefiting arts education in Gloucester through the Gloucester Education Foundation.

This month’s featured artist is beloved Gloucester painter Kathy Roberts. The January show will open Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 5:30-7:30 with an open gallery night at the bistro featuring complimentary appetizers, the music of Chelsea Berry and our weekly Ladies’ Night Specials on selected Wine, Appetizers and Desserts for $5.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

There are many ways to creatively express oneself. I chose to express myself through watercolor & acrylic painting. An expression that requires discipline, persistence, and lots of experimenting with different brush strokes and color techniques. Sometimes I have been inspired by the enthusiasm of an art teacher, my imagination, a vision I have had or something I have been passionate about. This has helped to shape my interpretation of a subject; my own vision of how I see a finished painting.

I am a native of Gloucester, have a spouse who supports my creative journey and we have two adult children. I have painted part time for the last 10 years, after receiving my Masters in Social Work and working in the community. I became a member of Local Colors, an artisans’ cooperative, where I was able to paint full time and publicly display my work. I have continued to paint full time and teach art classes for youth and adults for the past two years. I have combined my skills as a therapist and artist to help children use expressive art as a means for healing while experiencing grief or loss.

I have received most of my art education at the school of Cape Ann, where my classroom changes with every new painting venture and venue. I have participated in art workshops, classes and seminars in watercolor painting at the Northshore Art Association and the Rockport Art Association where I studied with many Master Artists’: Betty Lou Schlemm, Margaret Laurie, Marilyn Swift, Bernie Gertsner and Ruth Hagstrom.

This seacoast community has inspired and challenged me to capture its natural beauty. The views of the inner harbor, numerous beaches with shifting sand dunes and changing tides, daily walks around the backshore, changing sunlight on the warm, rugged rocks and the rhythmic ocean waves crashing towards them have been my constant teachers Our native spring and summer flowers have always inspired me to paint their varied shapes, vibrant colors and delicate beauty.

Artists often are drawn to subjects that carry a strong emotional connection. For me it is Cape Ann’s scenic coast, where I spent my summers at the beach as a child and teen; I always feel at peace when I am painting in that environment. I am a member of NSAA, NAA and SeARTS. I have exhibited in many solo shows and group shows on the North Shore. Many of my paintings are included in art collections nationally.

All paintings are available for purchase on-site at Alchemy Bistro, 3 Duncan Street in Gloucester with cash or credit at the event and throughout the month. The series benefits the Gloucester Education Foundation with a 10% donation from the sale of all paintings throughout the year donated to that organization to support and grow arts programs in the schools. A year-end gala auction is in the works with 100% of the sale of auction proceeds also going to the GEF.

Alchemy would like to extend our Request for Artists and invite local artists who are interested in potentially showing their art at Alchemy to contact us and we will send out our ‘Guidelines for Consideration’ package. Artists to be showcased in 2011 will be contacted by Alchemy. For more information please contact Matt Rose at mattalchemy@gmail.com or at Alchemy at 978-281-3997. For information on the GEF and it’s mission go to www.thinkthebest.org

Serenitee Restaurant Group, owners of Alchemy and Latitude43 and Minglewood Tavern in Gloucester, Cala’s in Manchester, 15 Walnut in South Hamilton, Backstage Bistro at North Shore Music Theater in Beverly and Hale Street Tavern in Beverly Farms share news from their restaurants.