Letter from the President 3-30-2010
Six months have flown by and I have been overwhelmed with the accomplishments of our organization and our individual members. The prints from the “Field Report” members show are nearly all packaged up and on their way back to the artists. Big thanks go out to Carolyn Muskat and Jon Cartledge who spearheaded the ongoing unpacking, packing and shipping of the show in its numerous venues. The exhibition garnered wonderful reviews and set the model for our next traveling members show “thINK.”
The prints for “thINK” have arrived and are looking terrific. Membership really captured the spirit of the show’s theme, sending in images that are innovative and diverse, and accompanying those works with thoughtful, clever interpretations of the “recipe card.” Board Members are currently working to section the show into smaller segments so that we can more easily travel “thINK” to numerous and varied venues. Our first opportunity to display the exhibit will be at the Zullo Gallery in Medfield, MA during May and June of this year. First though, we’ll be posting the show as an online exhibition on our website. Please contact us if you know of a possible site for “thINK” (particularly those members outside the local Boston area).
On March 24, I’ll be heading to Philadelphia with several other BP Board Members to participate in the Southern Graphics Council Conference. The Boston Printmakers are again sponsoring a Publishers Table and we will have our newly printed book “60 Years of North American Printmaking: 1947-2007” available for sale. We welcome visits to the table or, if you have time, volunteers to man the table for an hour or two.
“60 Years of North American Printmaking: 1947-2007,” is everything that we could have hoped for. The essays by David Acton are superb—informative and personally poignant descriptions of award-winning printmakers and their works. Christiane Corcelle-Lippeveld’s book design is elegant. And finally, recognition for Renee Covalucci who had the foresight and determination to fulfill the book’s other sections to chronicle and celebrate an arts group that is steeped in tradition yet is also daringly responsive to new trends and innovations in the field. At our book release party in November, we were so pleased to see so many of the book’s represented artists and their families. Many thanks to BP member Liz Shepherd for hosting the reception.
The Cuban print show “Making Connections: Contemporary Cuban Printmakers” hosted by The Boston Printmakers in cooperation with the Laconia Gallery in Boston, was a huge success. The heart and spirit of these incredible images captivated art appreciators on the First Friday South End gallery night in Boston on October 2nd and drew many others into the Laconia Gallery throughout the duration of the show. Thank you Marjorie Javan and Candy Nartonis for organizing the exhibit.
Looking ahead to 2011, I am excited to announce that Jim Dine has agreed to be the juror for our next Biennial. An internationally acclaimed artist, Dine’s prints, paintings, drawings and sculptures are included in the collections of the Guggenheim Museum, the Guggenheim Bilbao, the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate Gallery, the National Gallery in D. C. , and Boston’s own MFA, among many others. I am doubly pleased to announce that the Danforth Museum in Framingham, MA will host the 2011 Biennial and the Arches Student Show. We look forward to working with Museum Director Katherine French in bringing the exhibits to such a beautiful venue.
James Baker has done an amazing job of revamping and redesigning our website. He has included slide shows that feature our newest members’ works. We also have links now to member websites, so if you haven’t already, let James know about your site.
As always, I encourage all of the members to let us know about your individual accomplishments. Though Jon Cartledge, the current newsletter editor, is stepping down from the Board, Regional Board Member Marty Epp has volunteered to take on the job. Thanks Marty and thanks Jon for your very productive time. So, members, keep us posted about your projects, exhibitions, residencies, and awards.
All the best until next time.
mcote@framingham.edu
