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)