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