Farewell, Elaine!

By River Cortes

Elaine whoops it up at her retirement party. 

Elaine Abboud, one of Gateway Arts’ longest-standing artists, has retired after thirty-seven years of wonderful artwork and unflagging enthusiasm.

Elaine has explored nearly all that Gateway has to offer since she first came in 1976. She worked in ceramics, made countless drawings and paintings (often featuring her distinctive, elflike figures), developed her impressive knowledge of embroidery, and wove many unique scarves. Elaine also participated in the drama group and performed in numerous plays, and she impressively bolstered her reading and writing skills in the Adult Education group. She exhibited her artwork in many venues.

On February 20, Gateway celebrated Elaine’s career. Gateway artists, staff, Elaine’s good friend and fellow Gateway artist Nancy Cunningham, and Nancy’s brother Jack and his wife Judy attended the festivities. Elaine was sent off with love, gifts, and songs. We will miss Elaine’s beautiful artwork, her enthusiasm, her joyful and resilient spirit.

Elaine with her quilt, which took several years to complete. 

One of Elaine's whimsical drawings.

Emmanuel Preston croons at Elaine's send-off party, with Peter on guitar. 

Elaine with her dear friend, Gateway artist Nancy Cunningham.

Thanks for your dedication, Elaine! We will miss you. 

Staff Pick: Card by Susan Shepp

By Stephanie Schmidt

Susan Shepp created this beautiful 5”x 7” drawing of a special animal in my life- my cat Scottie. I commissioned Shepp to make the card, giving her a photograph I had taken of Scottie when he was just a kitten, relaxing in his circle bed. After a few weeks, Shepp presented me with this expertly rendered drawing. She managed to capture his unique characteristics: white fluffy collar, stripe pattern, stretchy back leg, and relaxed overall look.

I'm very pleased with this card, and I have enjoyed looking at it as a special work of original art. Shepp first drew the image with a pencil to map it out; then, she filled in the outlines with black Sharpie, and finally used colored pencil to give the black pen more depth. Notice the pink shadow underneath his body, which delineates the soft pillow receding below his fur. The toothy paper adds texture to the fur and fluff. Her final gesture on the page is her signature, a trademark of all her drawings.

Shepp was one of the first artists to attend Gateway’s studio “58 A”, now called Studio A, where she expresses her artistic voice through drawing. Shepp draws all types of animals, usually working from a photograph for reference; she is inspired by her own pets, those of her neighbors, and wild animals she observes while on vacation.

Shepp also finds inspiration in popular culture, and stays updated on the trendy fashions of famous mainstream women. She loves to design stylish outfits. Shepp is an accomplished photographer; she has combined her photography and drawings to produce unique environments, which have been made into distinctive calendars. Work by Susan Shepp, including a 2014 calendar, is currently for sale in the Gateway Crafts Store and Gallery.

Staff Pick: Sculpture by Ken Reynolds

By Peter Laughlin, Folk Art Studio Supervisor

Photographs by Melanie Bernier

Ken Reynolds has produced lots of amazing artwork over the years, but recently, his sculpture career has taken a meteoric rise due to an exciting new series. For this body of work, which he simply refers to as “Sculpture,” Reynolds engulfs found objects with thousands of colorful glass beads strung on thin wire.

Part of what makes these works so amazing is the sheer volume of beads contrasted with their miniscule size. At 20 beads per inch of wire, this sculpture has more than 50,000 seed beads affixed to a repurposed armature. Laid end to end, the beaded wire would span the seventy yard line from one end-zone of a football field. This piece summons powerful insights on time and space as each bead, just a seed of a moment, is repeated in cycles at subtly varying scales.

It must be mentioned that Reynolds performs this intricate work persistently, but without ever seeing it.  He creates his sculptures entirely through the “sight” of his two sensitive hands.  The process is unimpeded and swift; Reynolds can produce about two meters of beaded string in a 60- minute sitting.  When he decides to create a new sculpture, Reynolds naturally selects looping objects, such as a primitive harp and scraps of a chair. 

A fascinating man in so many ways, Reynolds has acute attention to calendar time, even possessing the rare ability to forecast numbered dates with their corresponding weekday. Through his quiet persistence, he offers us work that can be enjoyed in hand and on display. The first work in this series was sold in Gateway Gallery’s winter show, 100 and Under, while another will be included in a spring exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum, titled Shine a Light.

The Art of Valentine's Day

Text and Photography by Melanie Bernier

Our Valentine's Day Tips will prep you for a divine February 14th. 

When it comes to all things charming, original, and sincere, Gateway artists are the authority. Their Valentine’s Day products wrap up sentiment and style in one remarkable package. So if you’re looking for some Valentine’s Day inspiration to get your engine revved, take a cue from Gateway’s Valentine’s Day Tips.

Tip #1: Carefully Select Your Valentine. The first and most basic Valentine’s Day tenant is: Give an authentic Valentine! Gateway artists spend all of January crafting original cards. These hand-drawn Valentines by Donna Esolen are small works of art: 

Four portraits by Ray Salter have been reproduced on cardstock, each featuring an American poet alongside a verse of poem. It turns out that Edgar Allen Poe, with all his morbidity, was quite the romantic: “. . . And this maiden she lived with no other thought/Than to love and be loved by me.”

Tip #2: Adorn Yourself, or Someone Else. Whether you wear it or gift it, V-Day is the occasion for statement jewelry. Multi-strand necklaces, sterling earrings with Swarovski, and beaded bracelets enhance any outfit and make fantastic gifts. Each hand-made piece is one of a kind, so no matter which you choose, your Valentine will never see it on anyone else.

This embroidered necklace by Valerie Walker is flirty and original:

. . . while this heart-stopping beaded lariat blows Tiffany’s out of the water.

Tip #3: Presentation is Everything.  On this day, wine shall not emerge from a brown bag. Place a fine bottle of red in a wine bag by HughCameron to make your sweetheart smile . . . 

. . .  or bind a gift box in hand-drawn wrapping paper. From left to right: Claude Fourel, Hugh Cameron, Francelia Brea, and David O'Toole. 

Any gift is sweeter if it comes in a Gateway gift bag. Here’s one by Debra Belsky:

Smell the Roses! The sentiment will linger on when your bouquet comes in a wheel-thrown vase that’s freshened every Valentine’s Day. Here are some great examples from Andrew Granger and Edgardo Vasquez:

Tip #4: Set the Mood. If you’re hosting, select visually interesting home accessories to create ambiance and stir up excitement. Loom-woven placemats by Joe Salonis brighten up the dining table for a home-made meal from Cook Your Arts Out.

Pillow talk, anyone?

A nude by Rebecca Bella Rich is mysterious and beautiful.

Tip #5: Take Advantage . . . of a sale, that is! All items in our Crafts Store, including the products above, are 20% off until February 28th. Clip the coupon here and you’re on your way to a romantic evening. Craft Store hours: M - F, 11am - 6pm. Sat, 12 - 5pm. 

Interview with Gary Batty

By Melanie Bernier and Gary Batty. Photography by Gary Batty. 

The artwork of Gateway's young and emerging artists reflects their attempt to understand the complex world around them in Gateway's current exhibition, The Young and the Restless.

The exhibition, which runs through February 22 at the Gateway Gallery, was co-curated by Gary Batty, an artist and Gateway facilitator. Working closely with several of the exhibiting artists in a studio setting, Batty has unique insight to draw from when describing the collection.

Jeffrey Crockett

What is the general concept behind the show? Being more of a survey exhibition, there is not much of a concept behind it. One day I was talking with Stephen [De Fronzo, Gateway’s art director] about the work Jeffrey, JB and Neri were producing in Studio A, and he suggested a show around some of the younger and newer artists at Gateway. I thought it was a good idea.

Several of these artists make up the core of the exhibit. Others were included who we feel have similar interests or outlooks.

When gathering work for the exhibit, I was conscious to void work that seemed more about what or who the image was; rather, I was interested in emphasizing the artist’s craft and personal connection. A viewer from outside the closed walls of Gateway seeing a pop culture image placed upon a canvas against a solid colored background - essentially a pedestal - 

might be led to interpret the piece on some ironic, “Arty”, “it-is-enough” level, and I have no interest in that. I think it takes away from what I find beautiful in the work here. 

Neri Avraham

What do you see in the work? I see two ends that balance the exhibition, much like how the head-strong manner of youth is balanced with doubt.

On one end there is the physicality of work like that of Jeffrey Crockett and Neri Avraham, where source material is pushed out by the psychical force coming from medium and hand. It’s interesting to see a drawing by Crockett next to his paintings. Like the drawing, the paintings start out fairly structured, but images are soon taken over by colors which have specific meaning to him (purples, reds, black), creating an atmosphere of his subject. While hanging the work, Stephen observed that the pieces are an abstraction of his original intent, and I agree. Along the same lines and equally interesting is Avraham’s work, where the image hangs on but hangs on through a body and texture of paint that allow it to show through like a crinkled photograph someone has been carrying around for years in their pocket. Any sort of doubt in these two artists’ work is overcome in what may seem like stubbornness and raw emotion.

On the other end is the controlled and quiet approach by

Emmanuel Preston and Betty Antoine.

Betty Antoine

Both have great ability to depict the world as through their eyes and each has such a beautiful and loving hand to their craft. This combination fills the work with the beliefs and values, concerns and respect akin to those of the artist. The women in Antoine’s pieces seem a blend of Victorian and Contemporary culture. Her care in the handling of materials seems to touch on the complexity of this combination to her. The double signature in the bottom of the floating woman piece is a great addition. Preston’s pieces present themes of Magic and sexuality without sensation or ego through an admirably humble hand. Perhaps both artists work with the doubt that any one person can have an impact on the world; by accepting this, they are able to create their own terms.

The work in the rest of the exhibition seems to fall somewhere close to a happy meeting between these two ends.

Are you connected to any of the work as a facilitator? I work directly with Neri, Jeffrey, JB, and Emmanuel. I have worked with Josie and check in with some of the other artists on a regular basis.

Can you talk about your approach to facilitation with young adults or spectrum adults? My aim is to encourage individuals to wander, avoid routine and to make, then consider mistakes. How this goes about changes from individual to individual.

View more images from The Young and the Restless on our website. 

The 2013 Year in Review

By Courtney McKenna

What a way to ring in 40 years! We’ve had an incredible, fun-filled year, which would not have been possible without the gracious support of so many. So cheers to you! 

Here’s 2013 in a nutshell…

Rodel Treggiari, Kristina Barney, a friend, and Fran Brown.

5th Annual Family Potluck

Old friends were reunited and new friendships were formed as we gathered around a plethora of delicious food.

10 Gallery Exhibits 

2013 was a great year for Gateway artists, whose work appeared  in the Gateway Gallery and three outside exhibition spaces. 

Our first off-site exhibition of 2013 was in Drive-By Projects, where you may not always have time to drop in, but always enough to drive by! Owned and operated by Beth Kantrowitz and Kathleen O’Hara, Drive-By is a small space committed to exhibiting provocative work in its storefront windows and small gallery. This innovative space had Gateway work on view during Gateway Arts Presents and in the DBP Annual Holiday Sale. 

A selection of the work on view at the Waterworks Museum.

The Waterworks Museum in Chestnut Hill hosted Opening Doors: 40 Years of Gateway Arts, an exhibit of paintings on the subject of water, in conjunction with our 40^th Anniversary Gala. These large-scale, beautiful works were such a hit that half the catalog was sold during the gala.   

Each winter, Gateway is approached to create 40 canvas paintings for Barney's NY in Copley Square. This year was no different, as forty artists illustrated the New York City skyline in expressive urban landscapes and busy city sidewalks. 

And of course we had our own exhibits right here in the Gateway Gallery: Then and Now, Flowers: A Benefit Exhibition, Ray Salter: Portraits, Summer Salon, Opening Doors, The Work of Paul Stevenson, and Cash and Carry. 

View more exhibit images on our Facebook Page.

Pat Cameron with her daughter, Beth Knipstien, at the reception for Then and Now. 

Toast to Gateway 

Artist Jeffrey Crocket lifts his glass at  Toast to Gateway.

Toast to Gateway was the kick-off fundraising event for our 40th Anniversary celebration, featuring a 100-piece collection of artwork by Gateway artists and staff titled Flowers. Robin’s Candy of Boston brought a variety of chocolate candy, which paired perfectly with the bubbly and festive mood. Three cheers to Gateway! View pictures from the event. 

3 Holiday Parties 

There's not much that can compare to a Gateway holiday party. In 2013, artists and staff came together to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and the winter holiday season. We sure know how to celebrate; the merriment always includes costumes, food, performance, dancing, and singing.

The Halloween Party starts with a costume parade and ends in a dance party. From left to right: Maria Field, Carl Phillips, Kristina Barney, and Alison Doucette.

Artist Donna Johnson paints in her UTL studio.

Up the Ladder Launch

Thanks in part to the Shapiro Family Foundation, 21 Gateway artists have been given specialized career development with the launch of the Up the Ladder project. Working in small groups to allow greater focus and minimum distraction, these artists have been given access to individualized support from Gateway's staff of professional artists. Staff members instill in these artists an understanding of their creative practice and how to turn it into a real career option.  

Project director Courtney McKenna is working one-on-one with each individual to develop an artist statement and professional resume, while portfolio director Gary Batty photographs finished work to build their digital portfolios. McKenna and Batty's work will facilitate the mainstream art world's access to the inventory of these 21 artists, opening their careers to added exhibition possibilities. Field trips to museums and galleries have allowed our artist to gain exposure to a wider breadth of contemporary artwork, including the work of artist Barry Magee.

The Gateway Players present Anne of Green Gables 

The Gateway Players with director Nancy Ames

In June, the Gateway Players presented their stunning adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Directed by Drama Facilitator Nancy Ames, the Players spent a year hard at work building and painting sets, constructing costumes, and, most importantly, learning their lines. Family members and friends joined us to watch the magic unfold! 

Summer Sidewalk Sale

On July 13^th, our Summer Sale started with a bang! The sidewalks were filled with jewelry, ceramics, wearable art, toys, woven rugs, cards, hand painted furniture, and more. Inside, the store and gallery were brimming with one-of-a-kind wonders. To promote the event, Melanie Bernier and Peaches David Goodrich created our first commercial with the song "40 Summers" by Tommy Guerrero.

Gallerists Lisa Tung, Kathleen O’Hara, and Beth Kantrowitz at the 40^th Gala.

40^th Anniversary Gala

After 40 years creating careers in art, Gateway threw a Gala! Held in Boston's historic Waterworks Museum, the event was a wonderful retrospective of Gateway artists and the livelihoods they carved out in our studios. Artists, staff, advisory committee members, and supporters were all honored for their hard work. The flooding of support was an energetic reminder of the care Gateway Arts receives from our community. Thank you, everyone! View pictures from the event. 

Holiday Fair 

The 40th Annual Holiday fair was a delightful time! Again, under the direction of Melanie Bernier, Peaches David Goodrich, and Natalie Minik, we created a charming promotional video to get the word out. Local jazz band Stoli delighted shoppers and snackers upstairs, while holiday tunes rang throughout our bottom floor. Other highlights include our first-ever customized Keds sneaker display and our 2nd annual Fabric Studio ornament display. View pictures from the event.

Successful Fundraising Campaign

With the help gracious aid of our supporters, Gateway exceeded the $300,000 fundraising goal for a grand total of $501,050. Thank you for attending our opening receptions, coming to family potlucks, shopping in our craft store and, most of all, for being you!

Artist Charlene Murphy with our fundraising thermometer at the beginning of the campaign

Six Unique Holiday Gifts!

Text and Photography by Melanie Bernier

Does your holiday gift list need more style and soul? Give something truly unique this holiday with a present from Gateway Arts. We have six festive gift ideas meant to impress anyone on your list, from the young to the young at heart. Every item tells a story! Best of all, your purchase will support local artists with disabilities. Most of these items are available to purchase online – and shipping is free!

Images: Melanie Bernier 

Chenille Scarf, $45.

The perfect gift for: Fashionable men and women will appreciate this soft, colorful winter accessory. The rich, velvety texture and classic stripe design can be dressed up or down, while the weight and fabric provide cozy warmth. Chenille scarves drape wonderfully for a composed winter style. Each unique scarf is hand-woven on our looms at Gateway and come in a wide range of colors.

Buy it: In the Gateway craft store.

Image: Melanie Bernier. Model: Lucas Horgan, Financial Manager.

         

Trash T, $22. Design by Larry Edmiston

The perfect gift for: Both satirical and edgy, this graphic statement T is perfect for the young adult on your shopping list. Printed on the ever-popular American Apparel cotton T, it comes in a variety of styles including men & women’s sizes, heather grey, white, crew neck, and V-neck.

Buy it: Online or in the Gateway craft store.

        

     

Barney's NY 2013 Canvas Collection, $150 per canvas.

Artist: Donna Esolen. Image: Gary Batty.

The perfect gift for: Art enthusiasts, city dwellers, and lovers of the five boroughs will be charmed by these paintings of the Big Apple. On display now at Barney’s NY in Copley Square, this stunning collection portrays NYC past and present, as uniquely interpreted by our artists. Each 12x16 canvas makes a perfect, affordable gift for the cosmopolitan in your life.

Buy it: Online, through the Gateway craft store, or by contacting Lucas Horgan at (617) 734-1577 x19 or horganl@vinfen.org.

Opening Doors: 40 Years of Gateway Art, $30. 

The perfect gift for: This book is a must-have for lovers of outsider art, supporters of adults with disabilities, and curious bookworms. Gateway history is told through the work of our artists in this comprehensive volume of artwork highlighting the lives and careers of 18 Gateway artists.

Buy it: In the Gateway craft store.

Artist: Rebecca Levy. Image: Melanie Bernier

500 Piece Puzzle, $25. Design by Rebecca Levy

The perfect gift for: You can’t go wrong with this gift. A calming activity on long winter nights, puzzles provide entertainment for families, roommates, couples, and individuals alike. The busy and colorful abstract design by Rebecca Levy will continue to challenge with each use. Ages 12 and up.

Buy it: Online or in the Gateway craft store.

Artist: Melissa Shamfield. Image: Andrew Levine

       








Baby Cow T, $12. Design by Melissa Shamfield

The perfect gift for: Kids age 3 – 24 months can move freely in this adorable cotton T featuring a wide-eyed cow. This popular design is comfortable, affordable, and cute! Choose from mint green (not pictured), heather grey, and ruby red crew-necks in a variety of sizes.

Buy it: Online or in the Gateway craft store.