GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

Cape Ann photographer Leslie Bartlett will discuss the theme of panorama when he returns to the Rockport Art Association for a lecture on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. He will focus on three renowned quarries and discuss how the forces of time and space are altered and expressed in extended format.

Bartlett gave his first lecture at the Rockport Art Association last fall, highlighting the historic panorama and its development in England and Europe. He discussed the subsequent economic and artistic influences the panorama has had on the Hudson River School painters, many of whom visited Cape Ann.

Next week's talk will continue the theme of the panorama for the painter and photographer. Bartlett's talk will cover the Bibemus Quarry in France, Bethesda Quarry in Wales, and Babson Quarry at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. The discussion will include how assumptions regarding the frame and horizon are challenged in the face of the extended panoramic format.

Bartlett's work will be on display at the Cape Ann Historical Museum this fall in an exhibition titled "Chapters on a Quarry Wall: The Cape Ann Collection." Select pieces for this show will be previewed at next week's talk.

The lecture is $8 for the general public, $5 for members. For more, call 978-546-6604 or visit www.rockportartassn.org. For more information on Bartlett, visit www.followthegleam.com.

Second Artist Meltdown

Artists and those interested in art will gather next week for the monthly Meltdown hosted by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. The event takes place Monday at 7 p.m. at Cameron's Restaurant, 206 Main St., Gloucester.

SeARTS board member/photographer Allan Penn will lead the discussion on the theme "Still Life in Any Medium." Sculptors, painters, photographers and other interested members are invited to participate and bring up to three pieces of their work to share.

Monday Night Meltdowns meets the third Monday of each month. For more, visit www.searts.org or call 978-281-0680.

History and the sea

Gloucester Lyceum of the Sawyer Free Library presents Chester Brigham in a reading of his new book, "Gloucester's Bargain With the Sea," on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

Brigham summered in Gloucester starting in the 1930s, and has been a full-time resident since 1997 when he retired from freelance writing in the corporate world. His new book delves into the region's history and its relevance to residents living on Cape Ann today. Next week's program is free.

A photography 'salon'

"Voyeur: Three Photographers Share the Passion Behind Their Work" is the title of the first of four "salon" evenings being presented by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. The series kicks off Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Allan Penn's Photography Studio, 33 Commercial St., third floor, Gloucester.

Photographers Paul Cary Goldberg, Anne Rearick and Penn will show their work and discuss the creative process as well as their sources of inspiration and evolving visions. Susan Erony will moderate the presentation. Appetizers and refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for members, $7 for seniors, $10 for nonmembers, payable at the door or online at www.searts.org. For more, call 978-281-0680, ext. 2.

Schooner Adventure lecture series

Barbara Warren, executive director of Salem Sound Coast Watch, presents a free program titled "Changes to the Natural History of Cape Ann" on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Sawyer Free Library, in Gloucester.

Warren will explore some of the changes that continue to take place across Cape Ann, focusing on the rocky shore, harbors and tidal marshes. She will share the observations made by Coast Watch and its volunteers while monitoring marine waters for exotic creatures that have made Cape Ann their new home. Coast Watch, which will study six marshes this summer, has opportunities for public involvement.

Warren will conclude by talking about climate change and what it could mean for Cape Ann and the North Shore. She holds a master's of science degree in environmental and conservation biology from Antioch New England in Keene, N.H., and a master's degree in education from Lesley College in Cambridge.

The program is sponsored by Schooner Adventure. For more, visit www.schooner-adventure.org or call 978-281-8079.

Workshop combines art and writing

Learn the art of writing a cinquain poem and making a fold-out book that combines art and writing in a workshop for both children and adults on Thursday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Gloucester's Sawyer Free Library.

Instructor Yetti Frenkel began her career as a fine artist, painting scenes of everyday life on Boston's North Shore. She has painted murals for the children's departments of the Lynn, Swampscott, Saugus, Everett and Peabody public libraries. Her murals depict the joyful magic of a childhood influenced by books and reading.

Participants in the workshop will write a five-line cinquain poem about an animal and then illustrate a five page, accordion-fold book. Reference material from the library will be used to help with the illustrations. Materials will be provided.

Frenkel has illustrated several books, including "Andre the Famous Harbor Seal" for Down East Books. Her book "The Big, Blue Lump" was a Children's Choices selection for 2006.

Children 7 and up are invited to the workshop, which received funding from the Gloucester Cultural Counsel

Sing out against the war

"Impeach," an event featuring Gloucester artists singing against the war, takes place tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the West End Theater in Gloucester.

The program features Shep Abbott, Inge Berge, Judy C., Janice Fullman, George Hall, Deb Hardy, Will Hunt, Satch Kearns, Marc Levy, Tucker Lindquist, Ian McColl, Ernie Morin, Sarah Slifer and special guests.

The cost is $10. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Vets Against the War in Iraq and Not In Our Name.

Scrabble fever

Beverly Gillett and Jan Bell hope to spread their love of the popular word game "Scrabble" on Sunday at the final installment of the Sawyer Free Library Campaign Committee's miniseries "Beyond Books."

The first "Scrabble Scramble" will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Compass Rose Room of the Gloucester House Restaurant, located at Seven Seas Wharf.

"It's a perfect family activity for a Sunday afternoon," Bell said.

"We hope everyone will catch the fun of one of our favorite games" Gillett added.

The event is free and open to all ages and skill levels. Families with children under 12 are asked to bring their own "Jr. Scrabble" sets.

A short "Q & A" on the library's renovation and expansion project campaign will follow the games. The Gloucester House Restaurant will offer a special dinner promotion to all the players after the event.

Reservations are preferred. Call 978-281-5049 with questions or to sign up to play.

Gloucester jazz vocalist debuts new work

Jazz vocalist Rebecca Shrimpton premieres "Requited," new songs created by the local songwriting team of composer and pianist Bert Seager and best-selling author Anita Diamant, on Tuesday, April 17 at 8:30 p.m. at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge.

Shrimpton, a Gloucester resident, will debut this "modern twist on the American Songbook."

"These pieces are both fresh and hauntingly familiar," according to a press release. "'Requited' presents a clear-eyed view of life well-lived, loss deeply felt, and love fully realized."

Shrimpton has been noted for her mastery of the art of singing and her interpretations. Her CD, "Madman's Moon," with guitarist Eric Hofbauer, received international praise and made two Top Ten CD lists in 2005.

"Requited" represents a new role for Diamant as a lyricist. She is the author of 11 books, including "The Red Tent." Two of her books, "Good Harbor" and "The Last Days of Dogtown," are set in Gloucester.

The band for the show includes Seager on piano, Rick DiMuzio on tenor sax, Jorge Roeder on bass and Bob Weiner on drums.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

Gloucester artist has opening

Gloucester artist Joan Frank will display her work as part of a group show opening Sunday at the Marblehead Art Association, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead.

A free artists' reception will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. The show runs through April 29.

Spring show at the RAA

The Rockport Art Association will host an opening reception for its Spring Photo Show on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. The show runs through May 8.

Garfish gig in East Gloucester

Garfish, a local rock and roll band, performs Saturday at the Harbor House in East Gloucester.

The band's music is co-arranged by classically trained Ross Rennex, who plays keyboards. Joining Rennex in the band are Gary Hiltz on bass and vocals, Doug Comeau on guitar and vocals, Dan Rehner on flute, trumpet, guitar and vocals, Frank Bernardini on vocals, and Walter Piscitello on drums and vocals.

Hiltz said the band promises a performance of songs not usually heard live from other cover bands.

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Around Cape Ann" is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-283-7000, ext. 3445, e-mail gmccarthy@ecnnews.com or fax to 978-281-5748.