CONTACT:
Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco
Society for the Encouragement of the Arts
978.283.8333
jgdefalco@verizon.net
seARTS Wearable Arts Show Enters 4th Year & Expands
Adds new fiber artists and national outwear designer
GLOUCESTER, Mass. ‘ The seARTS Wearable Arts group presents its fourth annual show to coincide with Gloucester’s historic Middle Street Walk. The Show and Sale begins with a Friday night reception and continues throughout the day December 11th. The Wearable Arts Show provides a unique opportunity to showcase local jewelers, fiber artists, and designers – while at the same time benefits the Sawyer Free Library and the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS). The show is unique as it is run by the artists who each contribute to making it a warm and welcoming event. The venue itself, the historic wing of the library, provides an intimate setting for art lovers and holiday shoppers to mingle with the artists, try on ‘wearable art’ and enjoy music, food, and community spirit. The seARTS show continues to grow as the only event on the North Shore dedicated to wearable art.
Returning jewelry artists include Meredith Anderson, Lee Cunningham, Jacqueline-Ganim-DeFalco, Susan Kenna, Candy Marshall, Rebecca Williams, Beth Williams, Jan Weinshanker & Judy Wright. Returning fiber artists are Margaret Derby, Camilla MacFadyen and Nina Lapchyk who works out of Winchester. They will be joined by three new textile artists, Beverly Gillett and Jenny Beauchamp, who have been working in different surface design techniques and Marlene Cann who works in a wide variety of fabrics.
For the first time, the seARTS group welcomes the designer Maralyce Ferree represented by Mike Cianci. Maralyce Ferree recently moved its shop to Amesbury and was invited to join the show to add its colorful outwear to complement the collections of jewelry, scarves, and shawls. Maralyce Ferree has provided innovative design since 1984. Starting with one fleece jacket for a friend, to a collection of fashionable outerwear sold throughout the United States and parts of Canada. To add to the overall spirit of the event, Maralyce Ferree will offer special pricing for the show. Collectively, the group will offer something for every taste and price point – from lush velvet scarves, to intricately beaded jewelry made from hand-made glass beads, precious gems, felt, exotic beads, and semi-precious stones. And more fabulous gift items include – sachets, table ‘wear,’ sea glass hair accessories; elegant purses and belts, charming children’s clothes; and seaweed block prints on scarves and T-shirts. The show is a feast for the eyes for the range of creativity and colors on display. The Friday evening reception will engage all the senses as each artist brings a favorite appetizer and Carol McIntyre graces the show with harp music.
The 14 artists along with local businesses have also donated a piece of their work or a gift certificate to a corollary raffle fundraiser to benefit the Library. Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, one of the organizers comments, ‘The Library has been a tremendous partner, each year working more closely with us to expand the show and share the treasures of the Saunder’s House with the community. All the artists are enthusiastic about returning to this wonderful place.’
All donations will be displayed in the glass case across from the front desk of the library beginning mid-November. Tickets $2 or 3 for $5 are available from any participating artist or at the Library desk during the weeks leading up to the show. The Wearable Arts show is organized and supported by the artist members of seARTS. 15% of all sales will be donated to seARTS
WHAT: 4th Annual seARTS Wearable Arts Show & Sale
WHEN: Friday, December 10th 5-8:30 PM; Saturday December 11th 9-6PM
WHERE: Saunders House at the Sawyer Free Library, Middle St. & Dale Avenue
Free & Open to the Public
Information: http://tinyurl.com/WearableArt2010
The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts is a coalition of individual artists, art organizations, cultural and civic groups, and businesses working to improve the economic base for the arts on Cape Ann, and to promote Cape Ann’s thriving arts community and rich arts heritage. The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts has been a recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Adams Arts Fund for Cultural Economic Development.