Rocky Neck Art Colony comes alive this weekend

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May 24, 2012

Rocky Neck Art Colony comes alive this weekend

By Gail McCarthy Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Thu May 24, 2012, 05:28 AM EDT

The historic Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester will be in full swing this Memorial Day weekend with several public art opening receptions and the season kick-off of a weekly mug-up event.

The first event takes place Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. with the grand opening of a new gallery, Aquatro Gallery at 77 Rocky Neck, Gallery 7, featuring jewelry, hand-painted textiles and contemporary art by Gigi Mederos and Grace Edwards.

Saturday will be bustling with a celebration of new work and new talent with the Best of Rocky Neck Members Exhibition and sale at the Rocky Neck Gallery at 53 Rocky Neck Ave. The public is invited to a reception Saturday for this annual show and a special student show from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Rocky Neck is again showing art work by students from Endicott College and Montserrat College of Art in the "Emerging Artists Exhibit," running through May 28, next door at the Kismet Wharf Gallery at 51A Rocky Neck Ave.

White Bird Gallery, which features the photography and painting of Kathleen Gerdon Archer, at 75 Rocky Neck Ave. No. 15, and Alma McLaughlin Studio and Gallery at 75 Rocky Neck Ave. No. 11, will have opening receptions on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Then starting at 9 p.m. Saturday, there will be an '80s dance party with the popular Gloucester band, Safety 80s, at Madfish Grille next door.

Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery at 77 Rocky Neck, G3, on Madfish Wharf, are in full swing, having reopened for the season. The first guest artist show of the season is "Spirit of the West," featuring photography and paintings by Judith Monteferrante and Roger Salisbury, which runs through June 7. The public opening reception takes place this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

"It's kind of mind boggling how much is happening," said Karen Ristuben, president of the Rocky Neck Art Colony. "All the galleries are full on Mad Fish Wharf. There is such great energy and good people and great art."

The art colony was one of five sites in the state to receive the new designation as a "cultural district."

"One doesn't need an exact destination to enjoy Rocky Neck. Just come on down and walk around, have a bite to eat and then stop at the Gloucester Stage Company to see the line-up. We are, after all, a cultural district and it's share and share alike in all the cultural offerings. We are working together to promote the heritage and future of Gloucester."

The Khan Studio also has a Sunday morning event open to all when its "mug up" tradition resumes.

Every Sunday morning from 9 to 11, the Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery hosts a well-attended coffee hour.

"The gallery provides coffee and deviled eggs. Everyone is welcome and invited to bring along some mug-up type fare to share," said Ellen "E.J." Lefavour of the gallery. "Come enjoy meeting new and old friends."

For more information, visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org.

Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.