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Leominster Art Association

Community Briefs: Week of May 16

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Leominster Art Association to feature Tom Grady, guest demonstrator

LEOMINSTER — The Leominster Art Association will hold its’ monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at the Congregational Church, 583 Main St.

The May guest demonstrator will be Tom Grady creating a charcoal drawing.

“My work encompasses a variety of media and styles ranging from realistic portrait paintings in oil to digital illustrations to large scale outdoor murals,” said Grady. “My passion drives me to pursue new projects and commissions.”

Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members that may be applied toward membership.

For more information, contact Cindi Peterson at 978-342-2198 or visit their website at www.leominsterartassociation.com.

Music and Moonlight at Saima Park

FITCHBURG — The community is invited to an enjoyable outdoor evening of “Music and Moonlight” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at the Finnish Center at Saima Park, 67 Scott Road.

Listen as the Fitchburg State University Community Orchestra plays from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., then join a guided walk and learn about some of Saima’s wildflowers.

Guests welcomed to bring a picnic; free admission; however, donations are appreciated.

Author E. Raymond Tatten to speak at local library

LANCASTER — Local author, E. Raymond Tatten, will celebrate May is Lancaster History Month with an author talk “Sawyer’s Regret” from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 21, at Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St.

At dawn on Oct. 15, 1705, 16-year-old Elias Sawyer of Lancaster is kidnapped by Native American raiders. In captivity, Elias endures a five-hundred-mile trek to Canada and is terrified by an uncertain fate.

With his strength and self-esteem severely tested, Elias is forced to grow up fast. Sawyers’ Regret is based on a true-life epic adventure of twists and challenges within a dramatic love story. Young Elias Sawyer faces difficult decisions, not only to survive but also to overcome circumstances that threaten to destroy an unlikely opportunity for happiness.

Tatten is a lifelong, New England Yankee living in the beautiful apple country of Central Massachusetts. Parts of his four books along with essays and articles have appeared in numerous publications including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Harvard Post, The Bolton Independent, The Landmark, Sterling Meetinghouse News, and Adelaide Literary Magazine. Raymond resides in Sterling with his wife Linda and a Yorkie named Dani Dog.

For more information, or to register for this event, visit www.thayermemoriallibrary.org.

Lunenburg Public Library to host guided walk

LUNENBURG — The Lunenburg Public Library will host a guided walking tour of the Peabody Conservation Area at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, with special guest Lawrence Millman.

Millman will point out the interesting fungi that grows in our neck of the woods and explain the importance of these often-overlooked organisms. Participants will explore the wacky world of mushrooms and learn about how they live and why they are important in the forest ecosystem.

An author, mycologist and ethnographer, Millman is returning to the North County Land Trust to explore the mushrooms and fungi that are found at the Peabody Conservation Area, which is located at 200 Holman St.

Millman has published 16 books and given talks for NPR, Icelandic Radio, Boston University, and many other places. As a mycologist, he has studied fungi all over the world, but especially in his own backyard of New England. As an explorer, Millman has made over 40 trips and expeditions to the Arctic and Subarctic.

This program will be a two-hour easy-to-moderate walk, held rain or shine. Please note, this is not a workshop on edible mushrooms. For more information, call the library at 978-582-4140 or to register, visit
www.northcountylandtrust.org.

This program was coordinated in partnership with the North County Land Trust.

Leominster Art Association to hold 57th annual Arts, Crafts & Photography Exhibit

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LEOMINSTER — The Leominster Art Association’s 57th annual Arts, Crafts & Photography Exhibit is slated to take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at St. Leo’s Auditorium, 108 Main St.

Co-chairpersons for this exhibit will be Yvonne Hemenway and Janet Baron. Both have are longtime members, artists and very involved in the association.

This is a judged show, which includes various mediums and levels. Ribbons will be awarded by a judging panel, consisting of two qualified artists. Only members of the association are invited to participate.

“Too much time has passed since our last spring show,” said Cindi Peterson, publicity chairperson for Leominster Art Association. “We are very excited to exhibit our work, once again. And especially for the community to view our member artists’ talent.”

Visitors to the exhibit will be able to view more than 220 pieces of artwork rendered by local artists, crafters and photographers. Some of the displayed pieces will be for sale.

The Exhibiting Artist for the 57th Art Show will be Tom Bradley.

“Tom has been a member for 20 years, past president for three of those years, and is very much a part of the Leominster Art Association,” Peterson said. “He has also received many awards, too numerous to mention. Most of his work is in the pastel medium, but he has also dabbled in oils and acrylics.”

Bradley says he has been an artist for most of his life, drawing at a young age and painting in high school.

“I started with oil painting then in my 20s became enthralled with pastels, which has been my medium of choice for the past 40-plus years,” he said.

And capturing the hidden treasures within the landscapes that surround all of us, that may go unnoticed in our everyday lives, is his passion, he said.

“Growing up in what at the time was rural central Massachusetts, I was always exploring the woodlands, meadows, fields and farmlands prevalent in the area, which became the primary basis of my work,” Bradley said. “And through my lifelong work in the nursery and landscape industry, I am constantly astounded, on a daily basis, of the natural beauty that surrounds us.”

Bradley says it is an honor to have been selected as the featured artist for the 2022 show.

This is a painting created by artist Thomas Bradley who will be the featured artist at the Leominster Art Association’s 57th Annual Arts, Crafts & Photography Exhibit this coming weekend. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THOMAS BRADLEY

“The recognition of the Leominster Art Association to feature my work is a culmination of the years of study, experimentation, struggles and successes we all experience as artist in the pursuit of our work is a great and humbling reward and honor,” he said.

The public is welcome to view the exhibit. There is no charge for this public exhibit but donations are accepted.

Public viewing hours are 7-9 p.m. Friday; 1-3:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Saturday; and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

The Leominster Art Association raffle will be held for the three days. Participants have a chance to win donated items such as artwork, crafts, museum passes, gift certificates and more.

All proceeds from the raffle will go to help the Leominster Art Association, a nonprofit organization that helps foster awareness of cultural art forms by supporting regional talent from all age groups and all stages of artistic development.

For more information, visit leominsterartassociaton.com, their Facebook page or email Cindi Peterson at capvw99@gmail.com.

Leominster artist Kathryn Swantee opens new gallery

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LEOMINSTER – Award-winning artist Kathryn Swantee is thrilled to announce the grand opening of her new art studio and gallery, Concepts Art Studio, this weekend.

“I’ve been a professional visual artist for my entire working life, as well as a teacher,” she said. “Creating a space for area students and emerging artists has been a lifelong dream of mine.”

Concepts Art Studio, located at 285 Central St., Suite 217, is a sun-filled room with a feel of creativity. The room is surrounded by artwork, homemade candles, painted cards, inspirational rock paintings, and tables set up ready for aspiring artists in a peaceful setting.

Swantee is excited to offer a wide variety of art classes for ages 8 and up, and thanks to a grant from the Leominster Cultural Council, “at very reasonable costs,” she added.

“I have always wanted a studio space of my own where I could do all my work, offer classes, display my work and create my ideal environment for creativity,” she said.

With a variety of classes for individuals or groups of six to eight, Swantee said she is thrilled to be able to offer something for everyone.

“I will be teaching oven baked clay, soy candle making, jewelry making, tangle art (refined doodling), along with my watercolor and drawing classes,” Swantee said. “Watercolor is my medium of choice. It is what I teach the most.”

Swantee believes that art classes are as much for the mental health benefits as the skill learning, “Painting can be a form of meditation and relaxation,” she added.

A second long-term goal has also been achieved by Swantee as well, overseeing a new community-based micro-press with Penney-Missouri award-winning journalist Sally Cragin of Fitchburg.

Swantee and Cragin have collaborated to create “The Therapy Cat Book — How Your Cat Can Become a Purr-fect Therapy Pet,” which is available to purchase for $5, along with Kathy’s art, cards, magnets, and other creations.

Artist Kathryn Swantee painted the Leominster City in all its springtime glory.

“Illustrating children’s books has always been a goal of mine, and I have found the perfect partner in Sally,” she said. “It is a dream working with her, she is so knowledgeable, and our creative skills just seen to complement each other. We share a passion for the same subject, cats, they will be the topic of many of our collaborated books.”

“Kathryn Swantee is one of the treasures of the Montachusett region,” said Cragin. “A gifted artist, she also devotes much time to teaching youth how to create fine art. I’m really excited about Concepts Art Studio and know it will enrich our area as a place of beauty and inspiration.”

Swantee graduated from the School of the Worcester Art Museum in 1981 and has been a working artist her whole adult life. She also worked for a commercial art firm in Worcester for 10 years after graduating.

“When I moved on, I started doing freelance work,” she said. “Designing multiple layer stencils, upholstery fabric patterns, painting wall murals. I enjoyed the diversity. I also kept up with my graphic design skills working with Adobe.”

As a challenge, Kathryn Swantee painted this sunflower and bee picture, which is still available for sale. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHRYN SWANTEE

She has also started restoring some old family photos and has become good enough at it to take jobs doing this.

“I need to learn new skills all the time,” she said. “But I love it.”

Swantee is currently a member of the School of the Worcester Art Museum, the Fitchburg Art Museum, the Leominster Art Association as well as the former Leominster Art Center.

She has been awarded as a first-place winner at multiple shows including the Leominster Art Association for her painting of Leominster City Hall and has been awarded a grant winner from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for her work with gifted children; as well as multiple one person shows and demonstrating for fine art groups.

“My focus has never been on shows, the choice of winners is so subjective,” she said. “I am in competition with no one but myself, a challenge to make each piece better than the one before.”

Swantee is welcoming the community to an Open Reception this Friday, from 3-7 p.m., after celebrating her ribbon-cutting with Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella.

An Open House and Make Your Own Art Project will be offered, free of charge on Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. Swantee will offer rock-painting, beadwork, or oven-baked clay, for ages 8 and up, during this time.

Swantee has also set up scholarship funds for students who she feels would benefit from classes but cannot afford full price. Applications will be available this weekend.

“Art and music have always been a big part of my life,” Swantee said. “I can’t remember a time when they weren’t. Being an artist is not just a job, it is who I am.”

For more information on Concepts Art Studio and classes offered, check them out on Facebook; email kaswantee@gmail.com; or call 978-340-2547.