OPTING OUT OF MYSELF

EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Mo Ringey

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carey Kalimba Scanlon Ascenzo
Lisa Clark
Susan Bergeron-West
Joyce Conlon
Doris Madsen
Sarah Pebworth
Michelle Cotugno
Bruce Barone

ADRIFT IN PERPLEXION, HAVING BEEN MYSTERIOUSLY OPTED OUT OF MYSELF

When I logged in to Constant Contact this morning I noticed that a subscriber had opted out so I looked to see who it was. I get very few opt-outs. I think I have had 5 or 6 opt-outs ever. When I see people who have opted out I give them a mysterious Mona Lisa smile because we both know they have opted out of something special and are now *marked* for life. Ok, I made that last bit up.

Most opt-outs are people with AOL addresses because even though AOL is a partner with Constant Contact, this newsletter does not fully display in AOL so these folks have to opt out of the AOL address and sign up again with another address. I see the pattern. I get that.

But why did I, of all people, opt out? I like getting my newsletter. And I read it, all of it. I don't just check to see if my event made it in, I look over all the events and try to get to some of them.
Lately, however, I am panicky and work is nonstop and I might not even be able to finish my last piece for my upcoming show so outings are not options, or, opt-ins. I resent the hours I need to sleep; rest is not an opt-in. We all know how that goes. But, in opting out of social options, did the universe opt me out of my own newsletter, or worse, my being? Who am I now then? Is the universe trying to protect me by refusing to send me a listing of options that are forbidden to me? Is it self-preservation even though I had nothing to do with it? Have I been opted out of myself? Have I been un-co-opted from my newsletter, my life, my self? Perhaps co-opted to a chain gang of me, a one person incarcerated work team? Gosh. The drama, the metaphorical opt-ins, the optential and potential psychic opt-ins and -outs, the wonder. How to unravel the myriad complexities of this simple action.

Why ME? I'm just a Mo (sometimes short for "Monkey" or "Mosely Josely" but never short for "Moderation", of the aggrieved psychic sort, clearly) Why do I have to wrestle such existential conundrums? I longed for the days when I could merely ponder such things as what to have for lunch.

And then the mystery was solved; I checked the archives of past newsletters on my site and sure enough the unsubscribe link is at the bottom of all the newsletters. Someone clicked on one of them and since the archive was of an email newsletter mailed to me, that action opted me out. Phew.

Although I had to then spend HOURS removing that link from the bottom of all the archived newsletters and because each week that link has new tags I couldn't just do a "global search and replace". But if you think about it, what if it *were* possible to do a "global search and replace" of a psychic sort? Like, "Search string: all negative thoughts and inclinations", "Replace string: happy happy, joy joy, nice, nice, nice". Oh the places we humanity would go!

Anyway-this is what happens in my head when I check my comparative metrics and take a terrifying ride on the existential metaphor-go-round.

IMAGE: Self-portrait with red sweatshirt and body bits randomly opted in and out.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS & COSTS

This ain't no website.

RATE CARD and STATS:

Cost of Subscription = $0

Cost of Submitting events for publication= $0 + 10 minutes of your time to cut and paste your text into the submission form.

Average weekly newsletter views (taken from CC comparative metrics and web stats specific to newsletter archives) = 1000+ unique weekly visitor views.

Cost of newsletter and site archives production= $50 monthly + 25-40 person hours monthly. Approximately 20 minutes per event submission using the form. Additional 10-15 minutes per submissions that do not use the form. 5-10 minutes or more extra for resizing overlarge images.

If you would like to skip the submission form and send me a press release; I am willing to put in extra time to create a submission for you from a press release and resize your image for a donation to the newsletter expenses. Please inquire.

If you miss the deadline for the newsletter that week: for a larger donation to the newsletter befitting the extra hours to create a special announcement I will make an addendum for your event alone. See me.

Forward email

NEWSLETTER: For future reference, and because my website is averaging 4-5 thousand unique views each month and I want to share that, I reformat and post each weekly newsletter in the Archives
BLOG: I write a thrice weekly-ish blog; Art & About with Mo, at The Valley Advocate
RADIO: Wednesdays from 8-9 AM at 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio.

NOTE: The blog and the radio show are not extensions of this newsletter and are not further venues for submissions/events although there may be overlap in some cases. They are separate pursuits about arts in general and are not calendar, newsletter or event-centric. They are things I do for fun.

May 28, 2007
TO SUBMIT CONTENT TO THIS WEEKLY MONDAY NEWSLETTER PLEASE USE THE FORM AT THIS LINK
Submissions are due by Sunday at 5 pm for submission the next day. Please size images to be 100k MAX. Proof your work. Send only ONE submission per event. Gather all the information beforehand. Your stitch in time saves nine of mine.

Events run for 2 weeks, in most cases.

THIS WEEK ON ON VFR: 103.3 FM

MO RADIO---> This Wednesday, June 6, 8-9 AM,

My guest is John Stifler, who teaches writing to economics majors at UMass, writes a Daily Hampshire Gazette column about running, and for 25 years wrote one about music. Also is publicist and elite athletes' coordinator for the annual Mt. Washington Road Race.
______________________________

THIS WEEK ON WRITER'S VOICE: Humorist Kate Clinton and Patricia Klindienst on Ethnic Gardens.
06/07/07
Time: 8 - 9 am
Political Humorist Kate Clinton talks about writing for comedy. Also, Patricia Klindienst on THE EARTH KNOWS MY NAME: Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans.
______________________________

COLORS FOR A FRIDAY MORNING ON VALLEY FREE RADIO

06/08/07

Time: 10am to 12noon

Colors for a Friday Morning is an electric musical journey presenting a wide range of musical styles. From the Jazz Standards, the Blues, Motown, R & B, Doo-Wop, Reggae, Souka, Latin New Song, and African rhythms. Aretha, Hendrix, Furtado, and Wonder are just a few others that can be heard on Colors for a Friday Morning.

KATHY HIBSHMAN'S FIRST SOLO SHOW!
06/01/07 - 06/29/07 AT Northampton Center for the Arts

Northampton Center for the Arts

KATHY HIBSHMAN'S FIRST SOLO SHOW!

Kathy Hibshman: Watercolors

06/01/07 - 06/29/07

Time: Gallery Hours

Although this is Kathy Hibshman s first solo exhibition of paintings, it could be said that she has been enthralled with the creative process for virtually her entire life. Hibshman's mother painted and worked with clay. Consequently, she was exposed to numerous artistic opportunities even as a little girl.

After studying art at Northwestern and Washington Universities, Hibshman moved to rural Vermont and and founded Kaleidoscope Pottery. However, during the 25 years that she ran her production pottery (in Vermont, and later here in the Northampton area) she carried a sketch book wherever she went, and recorded a visual diary of her travels. Many of the works in her current show were inspired by those sketches.

Although Hibshman worked primarily in black and white in her sketch books, she became passionate about adding vibrant hues to her paintings after experiencing the profusion of brilliant colors in the Caribbean on a vacation to Jamaica in the late 1980 s.

Since selling Kaleidoscope Pottery in the early 1990 s, Hibshman and her husband, Barry Schechter, have traveled to a number of places that have been influential in the development of Kathy s artwork. In particular, New Zealand s incredible scenic beauty and Italy s culture and artistic tradition have had major impacts on her imagery. She has also been captivated by the big skies and quality of light in the Tucson, Arizona, area, where she and Barry have spent winters in recent years.

AMHERST TOWN HALL HOSTS AN ART RECEPTION FOR "THE MOTHER AND THE MONK"

Thursday June 7th 2007. INTAGLIO PRINTS ON FABRIC BY GINEEN COOPER

Thursday June 7th 2007

Show is up until August

Time: 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

"The Mother and the Monk",a new show opening at the Amherst Town Hall this Thursday,features work by local artist Gineen Cooper. The opening is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and takes place during Amherst's Arts Night Out Walk.

Meditations on the themes of spiritual practice,innocence and compassion are at the center of these of intaglio prints. The artist experiments with colored inks, fabric, antique wallpaper,handpainting, tinfoil and pvc vinyl as well as traditional paper. Selections from five different series will be on display until August. Stay tuned for an artist talk and upcoming art workshops in the artists studio in Holyoke, Ma. www.gineen.com

Many blessings to all who helped make this possible!

A portion of the proceeds of sales will be given to Zen on Main, a space for contemplative meditation practice and once-a-month all-day retreats in the heart of Northampton.All are welcome. Zen on Main, 178 Main St, Noho,MA www.zenonmain.org

Note: thank god i took my own advice! and the form is like a smooth steamship now....!

thanks MO you are suprimo, supremo

Blessings, Gineen

PAINTINGS BY LARRY SMITH AND ANNIE ZIRIN
Opening reception and Amherst Art Walk: June 7, 5-8 pm. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street, Amherst.

PAINTINGS BY LARRY SMITH AND ANNIE ZIRIN

June at Gallery A3

6/7/07 - 6/30/07

Time: 1:00 - 7:00 pm

Larry Smith and Annie Zirin are exhibiting at Gallery A3 throughout June.

Larry Smith's work offers a fresh approach to still-life painting and the common objects of our everyday lives. He's interested in chance juxtapositions like the toothbrush left on the TV set or the car keys next to the bananas. Rather than fitting his works into categories like breakfast piece or workshop tools, he prefers the ambiguity of objects removed from their typical context. Ambiguity is also part of his formal painting style, favoring the use of intuition over any particular method or theory.

Annie Zirin's new paintings are based on images from New Orleans in the days after Hurricane Katrina. Zirin s work is lush, colorful and sometimes playful. It s also a clear expression her questioning and criticism of the government's actions in New Orleans. She wrote in a recent statement, To me they speak painfully to the empty promises and disastrous rebuilding efforts that have unfolded over the last two years policies that have ensured that the culturally vibrant, largely African-American city we knew before the storm, is now just a memory.

Opening reception and Amherst Art Walk: June 7, 5-8 pm. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street, Amherst. Hours: Wed-Sun, 1-7:00. Phone: 413/256-4250 www.gallerya3.com.

Image: Here Comes the Flood, acrylic on board, Annie Zirin

AN EVENING OF SONG
Sarah Winawer-Wetzel (soprano), a student of Jane Hanson's, will perform a variety of modern and classical works in Helen Hills Hills Chapel.

AN EVENING OF SONG

Free & Open to the Public

06/08/2007

Time: 8 pm

Sarah Winawer-Wetzel (soprano), a student of Jane Hanson's, will perform a variety of modern and classical works in Helen Hills Hills Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public.

Sarah Winawer-Wetzel, soprano, graduated from Smith College in 2005, where she was a member of both the Smith Glee Club and Chamber Singers. She currently studies with Jane Hanson and works at the Northampton Community Music Center and the Northampton Survival Center. This fall, she will pursue her MBA at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Note: Thanks for all you do, Mo!

DANDIE IN THE UNDERWORLD IS IN SEARCH OF LOCAL INDIE/DIY CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS
call for indie crafters

DANDIE IN THE UNDERWORLD IS IN SEARCH OF LOCAL INDIE/DIY CRAFTERS AND ARTISTS

call for indie crafters

Start Date: now

End Date: ongoing

Time: 24/7

Dandie in the Underworld is opening very soon and we need you.

We re a small boutique and art space hidden in an alley of downtown Northampton, MA selling crafty- type goods from local artists (western mass peeps). The boutique is entirely decorated with recycled goods, things we found and have given new life. We re giving back to the community by providing an outlet for all of the local underground crafters and we hope you want to be a part of it.

Art meets function here. Everything is unique, no two pieces are the same. But we re not a gallery. We re not looking for fine-art, it s all about those funky/cutesy things you make. Anything from hand-knit scarves, bags, wallets, jewelry, cards, clothes, pins....whatever you do, we want. It doesn't t have to be traditional, and the less traditional the better. Nothing is too out there for us. This is the opportunity for all of you with that knack for creating stuff to have it showcased in our boutique.

If you re as excited as we are and want some more info or have stuff you want to sell please email marisa at marisa@marisafilippone.com or give a call (ask for rosa) at 413.387.6778.

We need your goods soon so hurry!

INNOVATIVE PROCESSES:
Reception: June 8th, 5:30-7:30 PM. PRINTS BY ABBIE HENDRICKSON, CONSTANCE JACOBSON AND JOYCE SILVERSTONE EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATION AT ZEA MAYS PRINTMAKING

INNOVATIVE PROCESSES: PRINTS BY ABBIE HENDRICKSON, CONSTANCE JACOBSON AND JOYCE SILVERSTONE EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATION AT ZEA MAYS PRINTMAKING

05/25/07 - 06/29/07

Reception: June 8th, 5:30-7:30 PM

All three artists included in this exhibition take a very non-traditional approach to printmaking. Jacobson prints with powdered graphite suspended in oil, Silverstone on clayboard with alternative plates, inks and paints, and Hendrickson is highly mix-media, printing on dried tea bags, including stitching, gesso and more.

The artists will be demonstrating their unique approaches to printmaking during the reception, FRIDAY JUNE 8TH - 5:30-7:30 PM. Come join us for this opportunity to see the magic!

The exhibition is open Tuesday - Friday, 12-5 and the first and third weekend of June, 12-5. Zea Mays Printmaking is located at the Arts and Industry Building, 221 Pine St. #320, Florence, MA. 413.584.1783.

www.zeamaysprintmaking.com

CLOSING THE GAP: NEW PAINTINGS BY SARAH BLISS
OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 5:00-7:00 P.M.

CLOSING THE GAP: NEW PAINTINGS BY SARAH BLISS

The A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton presents exciting new work by Sarah Bliss: an exhibition of large paintings on paper which combine oil and acrylic with drawing media.

Opening Reception: Friday, June 8,

5-7 p.m. during Northampton s Arts Night Out.

Bliss, a Montague-based artist with a studio in Greenfield, describes her paintings as physical records of a quest to close the gap between the lived experience in the body and the physical manifestation of form through paint. Starting from the body, she explains, I fall into the materials. A pulse is activated that is then expanded through the opening of the third eye.

This seeing-into and seeing-more-than pulses only as long as the mind s chatter is set aside, and it is fed through a lateral seeing, a sidewise, elliptical, spacious seeing. It is a tracker's seeing, scanning continuously, unarrested and open. The seeing happens through not only the eyes, but through the whole body, and the body reacts and twitches: energy transformed into marks, energy traveling in a circuit through eye, belly, feet hands.

Concurrent exhibition in Gallery 1: photographs by Kati Koti and paintings by Ryan McDonnell.

A.P.E. Gallery

3rd Floor, Thornes Marketplace, 150 Main Street

Gallery hours:

Monday through Saturday: 10-5

Sunday: 12-5

For more info:

Lisa Thompson, A.P.E. Gallery

413-586-5553

www.apearts.org

Note: Thanks so much, Mo, for this gift to the community. It is HUGELY appreciated and a valuable resource!

ART WALK EASTHAMPTON ON SATURDAY, JUNE 9.
PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY, SCULPTURE & SONG, DRAWING & DRUMMING.

YA'LL COME ON DOWN!

ART WALK EASTHAMPTON ON SATURDAY, JUNE 9.

PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY, SCULPTURE & SONG, DRAWING & DRUMMING.

YA'LL COME ON DOWN!

Art Walk Easthampton, June 9

06/09/07

Time: 5-8 PM

Summer is a great time to explore Easthampton's eclectic Art Walk. Join us on Saturday, June 9th from 5-8 PM for free visual, music and performance events all around town. Look for the large, yellow Art Walk banners outside each location. A complete event guide and printable map are at www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org

* Nick Baxter at Off The Map Tattoo

* Marisa Zuniga and Brandee Simone at Awen Tree

* Jacquie Gouveia at KW Home

* Michelle Bellici at Paradise One

* Majorie Tauer at The Pirate's Den

* Michael MacTavish and Jack Braudis at Nashawannuck Gallery

* Jim Ingram at Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream

* Marcia Reed in her studio, Old Railroad Station Building

* Silas Kopf in his workshop, Old Firehouse Buiding

* Rick Beaupre, Coren Rau and Amy 'Bannerqueen' Johnquest at Shelburne Falls Coffee

* Jennifer Holmes at P.A.C.E.

* Amanda Petrovato at Time Machine Records and Books

* Joy Gosselin and artists from Riverside Industries at Elusie Gallery, accompanied by The Off-Beat Drummers, Old Town Hall

* Virginia Harlow, Molly Rupp, Larry Ditman and Janice Sorensen at Apollo Grill, Eastworks Building

* Sarah George at Create Art Studio, Eastworks Building

* Luke Cavagnac at The Invisible Fountain, Eastworks Building

* Carol Ostberg at her studio, Eastworks Building

Get your map at www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org
Photo Caption:

Marisa Zuniga's paintings at Awen Tree.

IMAGE RESIZED TO FIT THIS PAGE

"SURFACING" - 20 ALL NEW, THEMATICALLY INTERWOVEN WORKS BY NICK BAXTER

06/09/07 - 07/08/07

Opening Reception 06/09/07 5-9pm

The fine art gallery space at Off The Map Tattoo Studio in Easthampton, Massachusetts, will present an exhibition of paintings and photographs by Nick Baxter entitled Surfacing. The exhibition, which is Nick s first ever solo showing, opens June 9 and continues through July 8, 2007. It will feature 20 all new, thematically interwoven works. The opening reception is from 5 9 pm on June 9, coinciding with the ongoing Art Walk Easthampton event (www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org)

Baxter, born in 1981 in New Haven Connecticut, has followed a lifelong passion for creative self-expression. He attended many prestigious art schools before pursuing a career in tattooing. He continues to develop and pursue his interest in other fine art mediums such as painting, mixed media collage, and photography. Tattooing six full years, Baxter has gained international acclaim in the body art community for his thought-provoking, innovative motifs and has become widely recognized by others in the tattoo industry for his combination of fine art and technical tattooing skills. He has shown fine art works in numerous group exhibitions since 2003, and has been featured in every major tattoo art magazine.

For more info. and directions to the tattoo studio and its fine art gallery space, call 413-527-6574, email them through (frontdesk@offthemaptattoo.com), or view the website at (www.offthemaptattoo.com).
For a comprehensive collection of Nick s artwork, visit his website at (www.nickbaxter.com)

KATIE KOTI AND RYAN MCDONNELL
TWO YOUNG AND CHALLENGING EMERGENT ARTISTS THAT PRESENT A TANTALIZING PAIRING OF TALENTS THIS JUNE IN GALLERY ONE OF THE A.P.E. ARTS SPACE.

KATIE KOTI AND RYAN MCDONNELL ARE TWO YOUNG AND CHALLENGING EMERGENT ARTISTS THAT PRESENT A TANTALIZING PAIRING OF TALENTS THIS JUNE IN GALLERY ONE OF THE A.P.E. ARTS SPACE.

New Work by Katie Koti and Ryan McDonnell

06/08/07 - 07/07/07

Time: M-Sat.10-5, Sun.12-5

Katie Koti presents two photographic suites, In the Light of Day and What was Lost Along the Way that are visual extractions she has explored from the common world. Koti s use of an abstract approach in the way the camera is placed and the distance from which the subject is examined, allows her to transform the simple into the profound and the mundane into beautiful. Her use of extreme textural details exposes beauty in struggle and light in sadness.

Ryan McDonnell creates a wall sized painting that is reminiscent of Jean-Michel

Basquiat, but with a spiritual twist. Ryan pursues his painting process as monks do in the rituals of sand painting, only McDonnell's ecstatic gestures and drips leave a permanent document in the layered painterly surfaces, a perfect compliment with Koti's precise surfaces. The process of art making is truthfully shamanistic to him, and sensitive viewers will sense this.

More info: www.apearts.org

Image: KaieKoti.jpg

3RD ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, June 10th from 1- 4 pm, Northampton Survival Center

Northampton Survival Center

3RD ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

Northampton Survival Center

06/10/07

1-4 pm

On Sunday, June 10th from 1 - 4 pm, the Northampton Survival Center will host its third annual Open House, opening its doors to the 16 communities it serves throughout Hampshire County.

This family-friendly event will take place rain or shine, and will feature free food, face-painting, and a magic show. Once again, award-winning storyteller Jennifer Jacobson will present fables and true life stories about how children make the world a better place, to delight listeners of all ages. Special musical guests The Lonesome Brothers will provide live music for the event from 2 - 4 pm.

As the NSC s major annual fundraiser, there will be multiple opportunities to make donations. Food boxes will be displayed showing the various costs of providing food to clients (e.g. $100 helps us feed one child breakfast and lunch every weekday for the summer ), and contributions toward our Buy a Box of Food Fund will be tallied and periodically announced to the guests. There will also be opportunities to tour the emergency food pantry, meet Board, staff and volunteers, and hear from local speakers about the vital role of the NSC throughout the County.

Major Sponsors for the event include Northampton Area Pediatrics, Easthampton Savings Bank, Florence Savings Bank, and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST.
THE PROBLEM IS HOW TO REMAIN AN ARTIST ONCE WE GROW UP. ~PABLO PICASSO.

The Elusie Gallery, Old Town Hall, Easthampton, MA

JOY IN ART

06/09/07 - 07/07/07 (oh my! is this bad luck?)

Artists reception June 14, 5-8pm

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up (Pablo Picasso): Could it be that individuals with mental or intellectual challenges are actually able to do so? The question, and potential controversy, is out. And some possible answers may be attempted while visiting the Elusie Gallery's latest exhibit: JOY IN ART, featuring original and limited edition work by Joy Gosselin; and original art by Steven Kennedy, Tony Sadlowski, Dee Dee Sagan and Deyce Ferrer from the Riverside Arts Workshop.

Joy Gosselin, a resident of Chicopee, MA and 2005 graduate of Chicopee High School is known for her use of vibrant colors and familiar objects in her art. In order to bring her love of art to a broader spectrum, she started her own fine arts business aptly named Joy to the World, in 2005, offering limited edition prints and art cards reproduced from her original work.

Her work has been displayed at several venues including the Chicopee Public Library and The Elms College. Last year Joy showed some of her work at the A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton as part of "The Artistic Abilities Exhibition of Visual Art" sponsored by Best Buddies Massachusetts.

The Riverside Art Workshop is a program run at Riverside Industries by local artists Cailin Gibbons, Denise Herzog, Justin Kim and Cyndy Sperry and funded by the State Department of Mental Retardation. The work on display at the Elusie Gallery is the result of a nine month pilot workshop.

SAVE THE VIOLIN!

TRADITIONAL JEWISH MUSIC CONCERT, Fundraiser to Repair 1731 Violin

SAVE THE VIOLIN!

TRADITIONAL JEWISH MUSIC CONCERT,
Fundraiser to Repair 1731 Violin

06/15/07

Time: 7 pm

On Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7 pm, Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh and Jazer Jiles Schwartz will perform Jewish music from the Eastern European, Gypsy, and Klezmer traditions. The concert will be held in the Recital Hall at the Northampton Community Music Center and hopes to raise funds to repair the 1731 violin owned by Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh.

While not the first collaboration between the two artists, this concert s mission is unique in that it seeks to raise funds to repair Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh s 1731 violin, which is currently unplayable due to a need for age-related maintenance. Ms. Miranda Elmaleh has been playing it for 16 years and praises its sweet and warm sound. The violin is an antique instrument discovered in a pawn shop many years ago, she explains, and the quality of its sound superbly complements the rich melodies of the music I play.

Yaeko Miranda (violin) graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music. Yaeko has numerous competitions to her credit, including first prize in the Arlington Philharmonic Concerto Competition and second prize in the Brockton Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. She was also a finalist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. Yaeko tours with the internationally acclaimed "Klezmer Conservatory Band." She has studied with Fudeko Takahashi, Michele Auclair, Ran Blake, and Hankus Netsky and currently teaches at the Northampton Community Music Center.

BLUE PLATE SPECIAL: REALISM FROM A BYGONE ERA
June 1 - 30, reception on Saturday, June 16 from 3 - 6 p.m.,
free and open to the public.

Gallery 137

BLUE PLATE SPECIAL: REALISM FROM A BYGONE ERA

6/1/2007 - 6/30/2007

Hours: 11 - 3 p.m. Wed - Sat

Featuring iconic images of diners & caf�s by regional artists Mo Ringey, Jeff Neumann, Bill Rohan, and Deborah Rubin in an exhibition of classic Americana presented in oil, acrylic, assemblage and other mixed media.

Artists' reception on Saturday, June 16 from 3 - 6 p.m., free and open to the public.

Gallery Hours: Wed. - Sat. from 11 - 3 p.m. Call (413) 543-6994 or visit www.Gallery137.org for more information and upcoming event schedules.

Image: Blueplate Postcard front

THE ARTISAN GALLERY IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE NEW CERAMIC WORK OF STEPHANIE CRAIG AND TODD LEECH.

May 28-July 8, 2007

TRANSFORMATIONS: The Compelling Ceramic Art of Stephanie Craig and Todd Leech

05/28/07 - 07/08/07

Time: Mon-Wed 10-6

Stephanie and Todd bring everything to their work.

They explore, and probe, and sift through the mountain of evidence that we are but a small part of the natural world. They acknowledge we are only here for a limited duration. They encounter and respond to the natural world on a very personal level. Memories, growth, and disintegration are transformed by the alchemy of intellect, emotion and technical virtuosity into works of compelling beauty. If the success of a work of art can lie in its ability to arrest the internal chatter of the viewer then this work succeeds. If great art achieves a beautiful complexity and allows for a peaceful contemplation of the larger world - then this group of works is a success on every level.

For more information contact:

Northampton, MA 01060

www.theartisangallery.com

FIRST FRIDAYS - FEATURING JAZZ GUITARIST, DAVID ROSENTHAL
June 1, 7-9 PM. At Gallery 137, 137 Main Street, Indian Orchard.

Gallery 137

FIRST FRIDAYS - FEATURING JAZZ GUITARIST, DAVID ROSENTHAL

First Fridays monthly series

Start Date: 6/1/2007

Time: 7 - 9 p.m.

An Award-winning guitarist, Longmeadow native David Rosenthal has had the opportunity to perform with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Hank Jones, Barry Harris, Jon Hendricks, Oscar Peterson, and more.

At just 18, he has also sold out shows at The Iron Horse in Northampton and played extensively around the country, including his performances at the 2005 and 2006 Grammy Awards.

Call (413) 543-6994 or visit www.Gallery137.org for more information and upcoming event schedules.

Also visit www.davidrosenthal.com for more information on this amazing performer. Open to the public, suggested donation of $5.

8TH ANNUAL RESIDENT ART SHOW
Reception 4-5 pm on June 3

8TH ANNUAL RESIDENT ART SHOW

Title: Residents Gallery Art Show

6/03/2007 - 6/28/2007

Time: On Going

Come meet the eleven artists at opening reception 4-5 pm on June 3. Paintings in variety of mediums by Tiyo Asai, Ed Chandless, Annabelle Coelen, Lisa Colt, Margery Cornwall, Gerry LoGalbo, Jody Mills, Barbara Snoek, Diedrick Snoek, Marjorie Tauer, and Howard Sacks.

Note: This jpeg is a water color entitled "Monhegan Row Boats" by Ed Chandless.

mtauer70@yahoo.com

Marjorie Tauer

Lathrop Easthampton Art Gallery

"That Special Place"
"Flowers", A series of paintings by Pacifico A.Palumbo

"That Special Place"
Green Emporium Gallery presents "Flowers"A series of paintings by Pacifico A.Palumbo

"April Showers Bring May Flowers."Fiore, Fleurs, Flor, Flowers. No matter how we say it, we all love them.
Artist Pacifico A. Palumbo presents a collection of his latest "Floral Paintings" May 31st.- June 30th.
Opening reception Thursday May 31st.6 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Preview Show: www.pacificopalumbofineart.com Florals

Green Emporium Gallery On the common Colrain Ma. 4 Main Rd. Colrain Ma.info @greenemporium.com.

AFTER-HOURS AT CUP AND TOP CAFE!
THE ART SALON

AFTER-HOURS AT CUP AND TOP CAFE!

Title: THE ART SALON

Start Date: Ongoing

End Date: Summer schedule TBA

Time: Sundays 5:30pm & Tuesdays 7:00pm

Description: For Beginners, Non-Artists, and Pros alike!

Hosted and Facilitated by Northampton artist Dana Wilde.

Creative drawing and writing exercises help you access your creativity, express yourself, and generate some ART in a fun, exploratory environment. Great for folks who feel creatively-challenged, and for artists who want to get unstuck, come out of isolation, or try on a whole new art-form!

90 minutes. $12. Materials provided. WWW.DANAWILDEART.COM

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign-in, get refreshments, and settle in. We start on time.

NEWSLETTER WISH LIST
Today's Crashes; 14. Today's possibilities for new equipment; -38,000

Functioning Computer and/or laptop
Extra Large Monitor
Radio
Valium

YOU, TOO, CAN GIVE AWAY OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY TO ARTISTS!
ECC seeks new members

stephanie.gibbs@gmail.com

Stephanie Gibbs

Easthampton Cultural Council

YOU, TOO, CAN GIVE AWAY OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY TO ARTISTS!

ECC seeks new members

The Easthampton Cultural Council needs you!

If you either live or work in Easthampton, and would be interested in supporting the arts and culture of the town by giving away grant money, please join us!

Meetings are on the third Wednesday of every month at 50 Payson Ave (City Offices), 7 pm. For more information, email eculturalcouncil@aol.com, or visit http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/

We distribute state money to local artists in the visual and performing arts. The ECC also participates in Arts Walk and other community arts activities. Individual members are active in many other community groups.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

We fund: individual artists both visual and performing; and organizations including: Art Walk Easthampton; Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail; Easthampton Arts Appreciation Museum Trips; Easthampton Family Center; Easthampton Historical Society; Easthampton Parks: Arts in the Park; Easthampton Schools; Emily Williston Memorial Library; Easthampton Windows Project; Flywheel; Late Bloomers Art Adventures; Pumpkins in the Park; Riverside Industries; Tri-County Schools

Illy coffee containers needed!

Illy coffee containers needed!

Art business in need of a supply of illy containers as bases for one of their robot clocks.

If you use illy coffee- regular, decaf or espresso or know an office or business who does, please contact Susan Boss or Mark Brown at bossbrown@bossbrownart.com or call 413-527-9675.

We will make arrangements to collect or pay shipping for the source. THANKS, and don't forget to recycle.

NCFA OFFERS BRAND NEW, INNOVATIVE AND VARIED SUMMER ART STUDIO

Title: Summer Art Studio

07/16/07 - 09/09/07

Time: Varied

The Northampton Center for the Arts is launching a summer-long educational fine arts program featuring a series of classes and workshops taught by some of Northampton's most prominent visual artists. The series is a response to frequent requests for community arts instruction, and the offerings have been chosen to be of interest to a wide range of students.

Called The Summer Art Studio, classes will be held in the Center's new community arts classroom, a versatile, air-conditioned space filled with natural light. The series offers an unusual opportunity for the community to interact with artists in engaging events and imaginative learning experiences.

Artists are: Nava Grunfeld, watercolor; Robert Markey, fundamentals of oil painting; Karen Dolmanisth, two workshops: Meditation, Drawing and Aqua Medium" and Basic Drawing; Lea Donnan, T-shirt art (collage, simple printmaking and textile application); Robert Masla, drawing fundamentals; Madison Cripps, bookbinding; Jane Lund, pastel still-life.

Those registering for Nava Grunfeld's session should do so at http://www.navagrunfeld.com/

For full information about all sessions and to download the registration form (for all except Grunfeld's), visit www.nohoarts.org or call the Center (413) 584-7327 to obtain a flyer.

RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
PLEASE NOTIFY ME WHEN YOUR SPACE HAS BEEN RENTED OR YOUR LISTING EXPIRES. THANKS-MO

THE BOLTWOOD MARKETPLACE IS AMHERST'S NEWEST OUTDOOR MIXED MARKET! ARISTS, CARFTS PEOPLE AND FARMERS: WE HAVE A MARKET FOR ALL OF YOU!

04/28/07 - 10/27/07

9:00am-1:00pm every Sat.

There's a new mixed Marketplace in Amherst!

We are looking for Artists, Crafts People and Farmers to join our market.

The Boltwood Marketplace is located behind Bueno Y Sano and Newbury Comics adjacent to the new Amherst parking garage. We opened last year and hope to have a 2nd successful year. The Boltwood Marketplace is opening on April 28th and will be open every Saturday through October from 9:00 am to 1:00pm.

If you are interested in participating in the Boltwood Marketplace we are now accepting applications. Please help us spread the word abut our market and support our local community.

Please call Kathryn for details: (413) 253-7879

info@amherstlincolnrealty.com
___________________________________________________________________

STUDIO FOR RENT

Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls

GREAT LIGHT!

5 LARGE WINDOWS!

WEST & SOUTH EXPOSURE

555 Sq Ft Approx 21' x 27'

High Speed Internet connection available!

Includes heat and electric!

Rent-$500/month

413-625-6177

schaktman@comcast.net

___________________________________________________________________

STUDIO SPACE IN PITTSFIELD
Start Date: late July

Description: The Storefront Artist Project in Pittsfield, MA will have studio spaces for
rent starting in late July.
Cost: spaces start at $150 for at least 300 sq. ft.
Includes heat and a/c, not electrical.
Second floor, great light, high ceilings.
413-442-7201

www.storefrontartist.org
STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE ASAP

End Date: negotiable

Time: ASAP
___________________________________________________________________

LIVE/WORK LOFT SPACE TO SHARE

Title: Looking for Roommate

Start Date: 6-1-07

End Date: 0000

Time: 0000

Description: Artist looking for artist to share GIANT live work space in holyoke MA. $450 + utils.

Plenty of space, cool cat, relaxed roommate, washer+dryer.

___________________________________________________________________

STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE NOW IN EASTHAMPTON - The Blue Guitar Gallery in Easthampton is a shared workspace and gallery. It is 410 sq. ft. on the inside, and there's also a small space 120 sq. ft., carpeted available. $200 month includes utilities and the right to a private or shared show twice a year. There's also a nice hall and reception area for hanging work. Since I need to keep the walls clean for showing, I'm looking for artists who work on easels or tables, not too messy. It's on the ground floor, at 186 D Northampton Street (Rte. 10), just over the line from Northampton. It's opposite the post office. The grand opening will be March 10, during Art Walk Easthampton!

Contact Christie Svane at csvane@comcast.net, 413-247-9454, www.theblueguitar.org

___________________________________________________________________

"A.R.T.S. Anonymous is a 12 step recovery group for artists of all kinds and at all levels. We meet every Monday from 6:30 to 8pm in Room 230 at Wright Hall on the Smith College campus. No dues or fees. For more information call 413.527.5215 or visit their website, http://artsanonymous.org/."

___________________________________________________________________

Valley Entrepreneurs! Our service area just expanded! Valley CDC can help you:

Explore your business ideas, Market your art, products & services, Identify new markets, Get more customers, Write your business plan, Explore financial viability, Improve business operations, Seek financing, and more.
Free Business Counseling ?! Starting a business? Need more business? Let us help! It's what we do.
Now serving ALL Amherst, Hadley, Northampton & Easthampton businesses with 20 employees or less. No income restrictions. We deliver more. Call for a confidential appointment today! 413 529-0420, ValleyCDC.com
Funded by MA Commonwealth's Dept. of Business and Technology-SBTA Grant, the City of Easthampton through the MA Community Development Block Grant -Ready Resource, the City of Northampton-CDBG Program, and Florence Savings Bank.
___________________________________________________________________

FREE CREDIT COUNSELING FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

Valley CDC Expands Business Services to Include Credit Counseling

Northampton, MA, March 23, 2007: Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC), a community-based non-profit organization, is now offering personal credit counseling. This free one-on-one counseling is available to people who want to open a small business in Valley CDC's service area - Easthampton, Northampton, Hadley & Amherst. Current small business owners with 20 or fewer employees are also eligible. There are no income restrictions. This free credit counseling is available through June of 2007 via a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business and Technology.

According to David Plaut, Small Business Credit Counselor for Valley CDC, "We know that credit scores play a very significant role when applying for a business loan. We want our clients to secure financing, so we set them up for success. Credit reports and credit scoring can be confusing. We can decipher that information and help people boost their scores."

Valley CDC has been helping entrepreneurs start new enterprises and expand existing small businesses for more than 18 years. Since 2003, Valley CDC has counseled more than 250 individuals and businesses, and helped them acquire more than $470,000 in funding from conventional banks and community loan funds. Valley CDC's clients include companies in many diverse businesses, including restaurants, manufacturers, beauty salons, spas, artists and artisans, clothing designers, and retailers.

According to Joanne Campbell, Executive Director of Valley CDC, "We are very excited to be able to expand our small business technical services to include credit counseling. Our current grant will fund this service until June 30, 2007, so we hope that local entrepreneurs act on this opportunity quickly. We are also hopeful that the legislature will recognize the economic benefits that all Massachusetts communities gain from their investment in local entrepreneurs and small businesses, and continue to fund the program beyond that date."

For more information about credit counseling, please contact David Plaut, Small Business Credit Counselor at 413-586-5855 x16 or dp@valleycdc.com.

CALLS FOR ARTISTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR ENTRIES - ARTISTS' BOOK EXHIBITION

ZEA MAYS PRINTMAKING

BookMarks ZMP

deadline for entries 7/16/07

Zea Mays Printmaking, Florence, MA is very excited to host the 4th Annual Artists Book Exhibition, entitled BookMarks ZMP. The Exhibition runs Sept 11 - Oct 26, 2007 and we are currently seeking submissions.

The Call for Entries available at http://www.zeamaysprintmaking.com/BookMarksZMP call.htm

This year s exhibition will be presented in conjunction with the Museums10 BookMarks celebration, a region-wide year of exhibitions and programs dedicated to the book. We are honored to have Ruth R. Rogers who is the Special Collections Librarian at Wellesley College as this year s juror. We invite you to submit your best work for her review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due June 15, 2007WORKS ON PAPER~~CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Northampton Center for the Arts is seeking submissions for a July 2007 exhibition.

The exhibition will be juried by slides or CDs of works on paper, including photographs. Up to three submissions per artist will be accepted.

Submissions must include slides/CDs, a completed version of this application form, a check for the $20 made out to the Northampton Center for the Arts and a stamped, self-addressed envelope for return of materials. Please label slides/CDs with name of artist, materials, dimensions of artwork; no

3-D works will be accepted.

The submission packet should be mailed or delivered in person to the Center, 17 New South Street, third floor, Northampton, MA 01060 by June 15, 2007; notification will be sent by June 20, 2007. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following information is required: Name of artist; address; phone and email address; title, price, medium and size of each submission. Email address of NCFA: ncfa@nohoarts.org Telephone: (413)584-7327
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CALADAN GALLERY presents TRAVELS:

a JURIED EXHIBITION about PLACES

We are tapping into the broad experiences of our travels, be they around the

corner, to distances known and unknown, internal or external. We are

documenting the journey from here to there. Pollen travels, light travels, and so do

we. Our journeys are simple and complex, can be both exhilarating and

disturbing, purposeful, or not. We absorb beauty, information, and pure reaction to

experience. We watch the seeds of the great Oak tree travel and replicate

itself. The bee travels to replicate life. We travel to understand our world.

Or simply to enjoy it. We are seeking art that reflects the journey.

Participating artists will be selected by the Caladan Gallery staff, with one

or more artists being awarded a solo exhibition. Artists working in

painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital, textiles, mixed

media, and installation are eligible. Video work cannot be accommodated at this

time.

Caladan Gallery presents timely and relevant virtual exhibitions that are

unique in concept and presentation. The exhibitions are very carefully juried

and considered, each accepted artist tending to work within the parameters of

the intentions of the concept for any particular month. We also have affordable

membership opportunities. We are artist-friendly, keeping our fees and

commissions as low as possible, doing extensive listings and fresh press releases

monthly. Dialogues between over 10,000 UNIQUE visitors each month and many

artists have found expansive opportunities as a result of their exposure on the

Gallery Site. Many artists have had the opportunity to exhibit at our physical

sister gallery in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well. We have been online

since October of 2003, and have been extremely fortunate to create an exciting,

diverse, and active meeting place for artists and viewers alike, creating a warm

and positive virtual atmosphere. Visit the Gallery Site at

www.caladangallery.com to see the current and past exhibits

and for more information!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CALL FOR ARTISTS -- GALLERY A3 IS SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

Description: Gallery A3 shows contemporary art by Valley artists. Since it opened in 2002, the gallery s been an alternative venue for innovative art in a wide range of media and styles. Gallery A3 is a cooperative run by its artists. Members share business and aesthetic decisions and form a supportive community for making and exhibiting art. The gallery has an exhibition space in the new Amherst Cinema building and holds its opening receptions in conjunction with the Amherst Art Walk.

Artists working in all media are invited to apply. Spring deadline dates are April 5 and May 9. Applications are available at Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street, Amherst, MA. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-7:00 pm. Phone 413-256-4250. For more information please call the gallery or email mtc@crocker.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sep 01, 2007 INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Seeking visual artists, writers, and composers for 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-wk-long residencies, Jan 1 - Jun 15, 2008. Free housing and studio space and a $100/wk stipend. For application and complete guidelines please contact: Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, 801 3rd Corso, Nebraska City NE 68410 OR 402-874-9600 OR http://www.KHNCenterfortheArts.org OR info@KHNCenterfortheArts.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ongoing
SUBMIT ONLINE FOR ART WALK EASTHAMPTON
Art Walk Easthampton, a monthly, self-guided walking tour of arts and culture, has added a proposal page to its website where visual, music and performance artists can outline what they would like to show or perform if given the opportunity.

All the locations that participate in Art Walk Easthampton can view the submissions for possible inclusion in an upcoming event. The talent describes the work, provides images, identifies the types of venues they would like to be in, the dates they are available and provides contact information. If there's a match between the submission and the venue's interest, the venue contacts the talent directly to handle booking arrangements.
The proposal form is available at www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org and is open to all local and regional artists.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONGOING
An offer from Joe Blumenthal of Downtown Sounds who generously would like to have artists display their work there. (Downtown Sounds, 21 Pleasant St., Northampton, next to the Pleasant St. Theater)

The window is quite large, and has three panels, each one about 6' X 6', and is about 24" deep. It is exposed to intense sunlight in the morning; the heat of the sun plus the narrowness of the window make it inappropriate to display most musical instruments.

However, the sunlight doesn't hurt most artwork since it's only exposed for a month to six weeks. I normally pay $150 to the artist who installs the window, and work out a consignment agreement for the store to take a percentage of the price if the art is for sale and we manage to sell some of it.

The artwork can be freestanding, lean against a wall at the back of the window that's about three feet high, or (if it's not heavy) be hung from the ceiling.
It's great when the art can have a musical theme, but it's not necessary. Because of its highly visible commercial location, the work should have a mainstream appeal and not have themes which could be offensive. Small pieces don't work well since the window is so large.

If one of your readers is interested in displaying in this context, please have them contact me via email: musician@downtownsounds.com, or via phone at 413- 586-0998.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ONGOING.
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs + Image Registry The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the largest public funder of arts and culture in the country. The Percent for Art artist slide registry is an up-to-date and important component of the Program. The registry is consulted by the architects, panelists, and City agencies for each project. The Percent for Art staff prepares a slide presentation from the registry for each panel meeting. The registry is open to any professional visual artist residing in the United States. Deadline: On-going Information: www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/panyc/ slide_reg.shtml

SPECIAL FRIENDS OF THE NEWSLETTER

LYN HORAN

THE O-TONES

JEAN-PIERRE PASCHE
ANILA ZAIDI
DENISE RIGGS
BRUCE BARONE
MARK BROWN/SUSAN BOSS
LIZ CHALFIN/ZEA MAYS PRINTMAKING
MARIE SHANAHAN
TERRY ROONEY
CHRISTIN COUTURE AND BILL HOSIE
SARAH PEBWORTH
DEBIN BRUCE
SUSAN BERGERON-WEST
CHARLES STERN
JANET FRAIDSTERN
MAUREEN DENNING AND CHARLES ENOS
LARRY SLEZAK
TERRY ROONEY
ANNE BURTON
DEAN NIMMER
BILL MYERS
KATHLEEN TRESTKA
ANITA HUNT
KATHY SERVICE & TIM DECHRISTOPHER
DAVID SMITH
LYNN PETERFREUND
BRADLEY FOX
KAREN AXELROD
AACO (AMERICAN ARTS COLLECTIVE ORGANIZATION), In memory of our artists friends who were victims of AIDS and in honor of Aids Awareness Day, December 1st
KELSEY FLYNN
HILARY PRICE & KERRY LABOUNTY
BRONWEN HODGKINSON
BRIANA TAYLOR
DORIS MADSEN
BETSY DAWN WILLIAMS
THE
JOAN AXELROD-CONTRADA
MAUREEN DENNING AND CHARLES (Donation made to Humane Society in Jamoka's name)
DARYL LAFLEUR
WEDNESDAY NELENA SOROKIN
LINDA BATCHELOR