Seven Cape Ann artists and business owners have been honored for their contributions to the growth of "wearable art" on Cape Ann, with the accolades given at the recent wearable arts fashion event hosted by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS) at Bass Rocks Golf Club.
Those hailed for their dedication to their craft, business and art in the community include:
Creative Main Street — Together, these three have given nearly 100 years to Cape Ann: Mahri of Manchester. who is known by her first name only, was recognized for her 40 years in business in downtown Manchester; Kathie McCarthy, of London Ventures in Rockport, was recognized for 37 years in downtown business there, and Beth Williams of Gloucester was recognized for 20 years in business in downtown Gloucester.
Design & Fashion Leadership — Sigrid Olsen, and Mary Hughes and Caro-Gray Bosca of SideStreet Gallery.
Overall Dedication to Wearable Art — Kate Seidman of Art Room Boutique, Claire Sanford of Top Dog Studio.
After a successful runway show featuring local and invited designers, the audience also voted for its favorites through viewers' choice awards in three categories:
Most Creative Table (designed by exhibiting artists) went to Beth Williams, whose table was completely adorned in glass. Honorary mention went to Marlene Cann of Manchester, who created a runway on her table with purses as the "models."
The Favorite Fashion Designer award went to Jennifer Greeke of Gloucester for her Harpy Fashion 2011 collection; honorary mention went to Shayln Webber of Boston, who presented the Lichen Collection.
Favorite Runway Artist Presentation went to Julia Dusman of New York City for three neck pieces from her collection, with honorary mention to Beth Williams for her neck art piece called "Electric Murano."
Stepping up for Rotary
The Gloucester Rotary Club has added a new member — and she's one of our own here at the Times.
Marybeth Callahan, who has been advertising manager at the Times for the past eight years and worked with the Times' local parent companies for 26 years, is the newest member to be inducted into the Gloucester club during a brief ceremony held as part of the club's meeting this week at Cruiseport Gloucester.
In fact, as club President Tony Corrao of Precision Roofing put it, Callahan Tuesday became "the world's newest Rotarian."
Callahan, who lives with her husband Rick in Salem, said she's excited and looking forward to working with the local Rotary group, which carries out a number of local service projects.
"I'm looking forward to getting more involved in our community — the community we all serve," Callahan said. "There's a lot of great people here, and I know this is a club that really makes a difference."
Making music
Local band The Bandit Kings toiled hard at Bang-A-Song Studios on Rogers Street this summer, working and recording with good friend Tony Goddess and guest producer Dave Mattacks.
They also had visits from Russ Lawton, who can be heard most of the year with the Trey Anastasio Band, and Nelson Bragg, on a short break between world travels with the Brian Wilson band.
Now the Bandit Kings — Renee Dupuis on lead vocals and keys, Ann Marie, also on lead vocals, Dennis Monagle on drums, Joe Cardoza on bass, and Dan King on lead guitar — look forward to sharing the fruits of this labor at a CD release party scheduled Nov. 5 at The Rhumb Line on Railroad Avenue.
'Queens of Noise'
A Gloucester artist has made a mark for herself in the neighboring state of New Hampshire.
Kate Bresnahan, whose mom runs the colorful Pauline's Gifts shop in West Gloucester, was presented the award for Best in Show earlier this week at City Hall in Manchester, N.H., as part of the "Art on the Wall" exhibit featuring alumni from the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
The event was sponsored by the city of Manchester's Arts Commission.
Bresnahan's winning painting is titled "Queens of Noise."
A collection from afar
When Kaminski Auctions hosts its two-day Autumn Estate Auction next Saturday, Oct. 15, starting at 10 a.m. at the gallery at 117 Elliott St, in Beverly, a group of Inuit art items collected by a Gloucester couple will be on the block.
The Inuit items, 17 in all, include soapstone sculptures, whale bone carvings and carved antlers, all carefully collected by the late Russell White and his wife of Gloucester, according to the auction house. The Whites developed their interest in Inuit carvings in the 1960s during family visits to Canada. Starting bids on the items range from $100 to $300.
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, Siberian Russia and Alaska.
Bidding will be at the auction house and online at liveauction.com.
Honored veteran
The flag at the Veterans' Center will fly this week in honor of Korean and Vietnam War veteran Philip Gardner Francis. Born April 5, 1932, he entered the U.S. Navy and Air Force on July 25, 1951.
A cook and air policeman, the GSSN commissary seaman and airman 2/c served with Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Wadleigh DD689, Sumner Class Destroyer USS English DD696, and 310 CDS 310 Combat Supply Group (SAC).
Francis was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Medal (European Clasp), the Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
He was discharged Sept. 13, 1960, and died July 10, 1988.
The flag was requested to fly in his honor by his wife, Nina Francis, and sons.
Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.
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