Postcards: Fabric Collage by Colleen Williams

A series of travel narratives created from bits of fabric, thread and fabric paint, by Colleen Williams, is on exhibit at "EPOCH at Melbourne Place" throughout the month of December.

These small compositions were first created as "sketches" to express a feeling of experiencing a place or a moment in time, while remembering her travels. Having sewn from an early age, Colleen begins each construction by blocking out the composition with color fabric swatches--usually solids--in cotton/cotton blend fabrics. Colleen then applies pattern and pictorial elements to the composition by using fabric paint and self-designed stencils (cut from mylar) to complete the story.

The final step is to sew together and embellish with colored thread. The threads are used to add contrast in certain areas and to emphasize some of the stitching lines. Colleen states, "In an effort to add a bit of randomness and spontaneity, bits of colored ribbon are thrown down onto the collage and glued into place. As in everyday life and in traveling, the random acts are something that we must accept as occurring. I just allow it to happen."

Colleen primarily works in porcelain clay and her sculptural vessels and line of "Local Texture" jewelry are always on display at NAACO Gallery.

EPOCH at Melbourne Place

140 Melbourne RD (out by the airport)

Pittsfiled, MA 01201

413.499.1992

Open to the public: 9 am - 4 pm

Want a piece of history?

The story of "American Love", by Robert Kend

(subtitled "How it is that we have this for sale at the gallery.")

In the mid to late 1960's, a young entrepreneur named David Kend from New York, established a small company on Long Island called Paperweights, Inc. The concept was simple: a small square piece of Italian marble with a custom enameled logo on a round or square metal plate. Sold through the New York Times to Fortune 500 companies, the giveaways were popular at trade shows, events and as corporate awards.

David approached executives at American Express in the 1970's with an idea to market "modern art" to cardholders. He met with various artists of the day, including Peter Max, to explore the idea. There were always little inserts with special offers for gold card members and (he) was convinced there was a market. David eventually contacted and hired Robert Indiana to do "American Love".

Based on the very popular "LOVE" postage stamp of his own design, Indiana changed the colors to red, white and blue and signed off on the new enameled process on a large metal plate.

As far as I know, very few of these "American Love" metal plates survive; perhaps only the 5 or 6 he brought back with him on the plane from Japan where they were made. None were ever sold through American Express. All have remained in the Kend family since then unless he (Kend) gave a few away to friends or sent a proof to Mr. Indiana.

Interested? Call the gallery...413.664.4003

New Show: "Complementary Contrast: Works By Joshua Primmer & Katie Richardson

"Complementary Contrast" is now open and it's awesome!

Artists Joshua Primmer of Bennington, VT and Katie Richardson of Belchertown, MA, have combined their talents to showcase their work separately and as it relates to each other's.

Joshua uses cone 10 stoneware to create both functional and sculptural pieces which have a streamlined, architectural form but with an organic surface. He brought in four birdbaths which haven't before been shown in a gallery setting....they are wonderful.

Katie creates sculptural works using metal, both sheet and wire, and combines glass bulb-forms to express themes of protection and enclosure. Also making its debut is a line of PMC/fine silver jewelry which are miniature versions of her sculptures. They are precious representations of pieces hanging on the gallery walls.

In two groupings, the artists created work which relates in both form and concept: All Seeing Eyes and Flange. I hope that you get the chance to see this special exhibition-it runs through November 29th. For a sneak preview of the exhibit online, CLICK HERE.

North Adams Open Studios

For several years now, North Adams' artists have opened up their studios and hearts each third weekend in October to give the public a peek at what's going on within their studios. If you have attended one of these events, you'll know that it can be addictive. You have the opportunity to freely move about the studios, art spaces and galleries without the pressure that a one-on-one visit may bring. NAACO Gallery is featuring new work by several of the artists who have studios open this weekend as well as several North Adams' own, who do not. For more info: http://www.northadamsopenstudios.com

This is a rare treat and really shouldn't be missed! So, come on by, pick up a map and enjoy the galleries along Main Street; enjoy the local cuisine and hang around for a special performance at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center on Saturday evening, featuring Alec Baldwin discussing the works of Billy Wilder.

We have candy corn!

Ellen Joffe-Halpern featured at Tunnel City

Mixed media artist, Ellen Joffe-Halpern of Williamstown, has been showing many of her paintings and drawings at Tunnel City Coffee in Williamstown. The current show will be in place through the end of October. Ellen is particularly happy to be sharing the wall space with her husband, Chip, who is an established photographer. While both have simultaneously exhibited in the North Adams Regional Hospital Community Art Program's Exhibit in North Adams, this is the first time they are featured together.

Ellen has been a member of NAACO since we established the gallery in our current space, during 2009. I first met her during an art "open studio" event a few years back, while visiting one of the artist buildings in Pittsfield. I really enjoyed seeing her compositions and the fresh, contemporary manner in which several media are employed in one piece: watercolor, pastel, ink, etc.

Her recent submissions to the NAACO Galleryhave included landscape depictions of Mount Greylock and scenes from a Moroccan trip she'd taken with Chip...really nice!

Weekend Workshop in Watercolor: Tony Conner

Contemporary watercolor painter, Tony Conner of Bennington, VT, is offering a weekend workshop entitled, "Watercolor Simplified-Beginning Watercolor" on August 7th-8th.

Tony states: "Although perceived to be a difficult medium, watercolors' unique working characteristics and unique working process are easily learned. Whether you are a beginning watercolor painter or have worked with the medium for some time but still find it difficult, this class is for you."

Tony has several fine examples of his work at the gallery. Most are of landscapes but there are several still lifes, as well.

For those who like the idea of painting the landscape on site, Tony offers a few upcoming "Plein Air" workshops in September/October...and is there any better place than Vermont and the Berkshires to spend this time of year, outdoors in all its colorful glory? I think not.

For more info on these workshops, please see http://www.tonyconner.com/ -cw

Something in the Works by Jennifer Smith

The very versatile artist Jennifer Smith is preparing a new "yarn painting" for exhibit within the next few months. This will be her largest piece to date and will have taken months to complete. Jen combines yarn, embroidery floss, beads and paint to create these textural, colorful collages by placing the fiber with dental tools into place on a prepared wooden base. They are most beautiful when viewed in person because the sheen of some fibers and metallic paint that is used shifts with your viewpoint. This one, entitled "Underwater World" is currently on view at the gallery.


Jen has been best known for her unique, stylistic pen and ink drawings. According to Jen, these drawings of flora, fauna and everyday items (like magic carpets) are born out of her doodles. She's a serious doodler. When Jen is attending the gallery's front desk, the margins of our notebook for recording daily notes and sales is beautifully decorated with swirls, patterns and sometimes, critters--each margin possibly initiating the sketch for her next pen and ink masterwork!



Jen has prints and notecards on display at the gallery in addition to the original pen and ink drawings and fiber collages...much to see! --cw

Katherine Borkowski-Byrne at Becket

Abstract expressionist painter, Katherine Borkowski Byrne joins two other female painters in an exhibition at the Becket Arts Center. This upcoming weekend will be the last chance to view this exhibit, as it runs through July 19.

Katherine has been a participating member at NAACO Gallery since the beginning of the 2009 season. She is clearly one of the most prolific artists within the group. She almost always enters a new painting (or two) into each month's themed, Front Hall show and routinely rotates her paintings with newer ones, within the main gallery.

Katherine lives art. She reads and converses about it daily with enthusiasm, just lighting up the room as her voice grows louder for emphasis. If you happen to catch her while she is manning the gallery desk, don't hesitate to ask her some thoughts regarding the art world and today's art market...she's a wealth of knowledge.

She also has obtained the most impressive painting tool I've ever heard of. Her son, while visiting China, brought home a very valuable, wide Chinese brush as a gift for Katherine. She hasn't wasted time in putting it to use either. Recently, she collaborated with another artist-member, Ed Carson, on a couple of large-scaled works on paper, reminiscent of Franz Kline. We hope to be able to showcase these works in the months to come.

Becket Arts Center is located a 12 Brooker Hill Road in Becket, MA. (closed on Wednesdays)

Lori St. Pierre's Latest

Ceramic artist Lorie St. Pierre of Chicopee, MA, has brought in ten new vessels and two figurative sculptures this past week!

Made of very thin textured slabs of a high fire, red-body clay, her pieces are widely collected. Her shapes are unusual; some are with decorated flat tops, others are open forms with textured bands. All of the vessels seem to have little personalities, especially the ones that stand on three or four legs.

We were introduced to Lori by way of another ceramic artist who is a member of the gallery, Linda Siska (her work can be seen in the "Front Hall" image above). In addition to her ceramic talents, Lori also is a painter. We hope to be able to showcase a few of her paintings later in the year.

It's Back!

"Born on the Blue Planet" by Joseph Tracy is back in the gallery's window. The large stained glass piece had graced our window for several months over the late autumn through late winter until the piece was removed for an exhibition of art glass in New Hampshire.

This has been a favorite with gallery visitors. It's subtitled "Homage to the Blues" which is clearly evident in pictorial narrative....it's a terrific piece and will most likely find a permanent home soon.

Joseph has also brought in a number of new fused glass bowls. Demand has been high for his work; we placed a new piece--a leaf-patterned bowl-- out this weekend which didn't last two hours on display before it found its forever home. He also brought in some fresh strawberries straight from his garden, so you can see why we are always glad to see Joseph make a visit.

New Work by Joshua Primmer

Ceramist Joshua Primmer of Bennington, VT has delivered several new pieces to the gallery this past week. All are functional, sturdy, wheel-thrown pieces made with Stoneware clay and fired to cone 10 in a gas kiln constructed by Joshua, himself.

I have been to Joshua's studio. He has small but efficiently designed outbuilding where he does his throwing, handbuilding and assembly. The gas kiln is housed in another outbuilding and it is impressive in size. Joshua will work for several months before accumulating enough work to fire the kiln.

Later this year, Joshua and metal/glass artist Katie Richardson will be the featured artists in NAACO Gallery's second, two-member exhibition. The show will run from October 27 through November 28 and will feature both sculptural pieces and items appropriate for the gift-giving season. The title and theme for the show is still being discussed but advance talk is that Josh is creating bird baths!

Open Studio Event

Gallery member, Franco Pellegrino, will offer one of these open studio/wine tasting events once a month over the tourist season.

He is one of those eclectic artists whose body of work seems to interpret mostly flora or fauna. However, abstract paintings are also among his offerings. We like Franco for many reasons: he brings a new body of work into the gallery nearly every month, he likes visiting North Adams (he used to live here) and he's a really nice guy...always has a smile on his face. Plus, he sends in little drawings on lined paper to the gallery, so we now have our own mini-collection of Pellegrino's!

If you are in his neighborhood, check out Franco's studio in Housatonic, MA. We'll see you there.

Saturday, June 26, 2010, from noon 'til dusk

Pellegrino's Studio

63 High Street

Housatonic, MA 01236

413-274-6669

Welcome new member to the NAACO Gallery: Jason Betinis

Jason is a highly motivated, skilled sculptor residing in Shelburne Falls, MA. He sculpts figurative works in wax which are later cast in bronze. His bronzes are inspired by Greek mythology and fantasy imagery.

We are pleased to be able to exhibit two of his works in our next featured, monthly exhibition entitled, "Taking Flight" which opens on Thursday, June 24, 2010. The opening reception is from 6-9 pm and is held concurrent with the grand opening of DownStreet Art.

Jason is currently casting four more figurative works which will be exhibited in the gallery in July