The seventeen artist members of Gloucester’s Local Colors Artists' Cooperative are reaching out to the community that has supported them for over 34 years with their Valentine card fundraiser. All proceeds from every purchase of this year’s unique Valentine cards will be donated to a local non-profit organization. Stop by between now and February 14th to choose a card and select where the funds will go: Wellspring House, Pathways for Children, The Open Door or Cape Ann Animal Aid.
Join us for Gloucester So Salty!
It's the 3rd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 20 and 21, from 10am–5pm! This year, the Cape Ann Museum is partnering with Discover Gloucester and several area cultural institutions and businesses to offer two days of free programming, including ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.
Here is a list of the full weekend events.
Business After Hours, Join us April 20!
Want to chat with fellow local business people, while enjoying food, beverages, and of course, some amazing art? You’re in luck! On April 20, we’re co-hosting The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce’ Business After Hours’ event. We’re partnering with Minglewood Harborside, who will provide (delicious) light appetizers and we are also giving away a door prize. The event is Thursday, April 20, 5-7pm at our gallery - 121 Main Street in Gloucester.
The event is FREE. This is where you register.
We hope to see you there!
From Pathways and Us - thanks for your Valentine support!
Big thanks to all our customers who participated in our Local Heart Valentine Day fundraiser event this year!
This was the 11th year of our fundraiser — in which all the proceeds of our special cards are donated to a local charity — and due to your support, we were able to pass along one of the largest amounts ever earned. It was a close one but the organization that received the most votes to receive the funds was Pathways for Children.
The kids and organizers of Pathways also send along a hearty thank you. It was a rewarding community event.
The three other organization that were part of our Valentine event were:
Local HeART
New year, new hours - and more
All of us here at Local Colors send the warmest wishes to you and yours for the New Year. Happy 2022!
The new year also brings a couple shifts.
We are still open daily but our new hours are: 10am - 5pm on Thursday through Monday. Tuesdays and Wednesday we are open 12pm - 4pm.
We have also updated our mask policy: For the safety of our customers and staff, we now require that all customers wear masks, regardless of vaccination status; if you forget your mask, we have disposable one available at the door. Local Colors staff will continue to wear masks and as always - for the last couple years at least — our plexiglass barrier remains. As always, thanks for your support!
Miranda, paying tribute and Day of the Dead
If you come by our gallery in the next couple weeks be sure to turn the front corner to meet Miranda, our resident skeleton who is part of our Day of the Dead tribute. Miranda is making her appearance to honor the holiday, which culminates on November 1st. Our display also features art of our members in our front windows.
Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — is a celebration of our love and respect for deceased friends and family.
Kathy Bucholska of @anisoldesigns (pictured) sets up this altar every year. All are invited to come in, leave a remembrance of a loved one or friend who has been an inspiration.
May we celebrate their life, love and art.
Meet some bears, and our new artist
We’re excited to showcase the work of artist Bessie Blum, our new member who recently relocated to Gloucester after closing her store in Cambridge. If you’ve visited us lately, you’ve likely spotted Bessie’s unique collection of Square Bears bouncing in the store. Made of 100% recycled material, each handmade bear comes with its own story and personality. Here, Bessie talks about how knitting and a supposed failure led her to creating these distinguished bears.
—
Since toddler-hood, I have dirtied my hands with any number of visual arts media, while my current involvement shifts as my interests are caught by what I see around me. I have painted in acrylics, oils, tempera, gouache, ceramic glaze; built with wood and wire and chewed paper; carved with stone; drawn with pencil, pen, sharpie, crayon, pastel, oil pastel; sewn, knitted, and needle-pointed; made animals, puppets, and dolls; installed my hand-cut tile murals in kitchens, bathrooms, and fireplaces; and pasted and grouted mosaics on giant flowerpots and little squares of masonite.
Generally common to all my work is a love of vibrant color and a kind of whimsical tenderness.
Generally common to all my work is a love of vibrant color and a kind of whimsical tenderness.
Since 2014, inspired by my first visit to Shetland, I have been making bears out of recycled Fair Isle sweaters, including some I myself knitted many years ago. I first discovered Fair Isle knitting at a tiny wool shop in Oxford when I was furiously studying 18th-century English novelists and thought that a great distraction would be to knit a sweater with 30 colors on size 2 needles!
While Fair Isle knitting involves two-color (per row) stranded designs and features a number of beautiful traditional patterns, I eventually began to design my own, more often than not making the design up as I went along. At one point, I decided to felt one of my failures (shaping all wrong, though color wonderful), and turn it into a bear using a pattern I had used with quilting years before. The result was my last Bessie Bear, and the first of what I would come to call a Square Bear, now known as Papa Bear Emeritus.
As each bear assumes its own character, I am always excited to see who else I might unearth inside the many-colored strands of wool I have gathered around me.
Upon visiting Shetland, I discovered that the felted Fair Isle bear was becoming a tradition there, and I was inspired to see where this kind of bear making might lead me. I dug out some old sweaters and plopped them in the washing machine (several times), and began accumulating others. Now, as each bear assumes its own character, I am always excited to see who else I might unearth inside the many-colored strands of wool I have gathered around me.
Are you an artist or maker - know one? Join us!
This past year led to some challenges and changes for our co-op but now we're up and running daily - and looking for skilled artists/makers to join us! Painters, sculptors, metalworkers, ceramicists - the list could go on and on...
For a limited time: we're waiving the application fee!
- Sell your work
- Be a part of a collaborative artist community
- Low monthly membership fees
Visit our How it Works page to learn more. It’s a great place to be a part of - take it from us…
"Having been a member of Local Colors for more than two decades, being surrounded by such a varied, talented and creative community has been an invaluable inspiration in the evolution of my own work over the years.” David Katz, photographer
——-
"As a member for 30 years, I have so appreciated the opportunity to show and sell my work, meet other artists and makers, make life long friends and try new art venues. Most of all, the camaraderie of both members and customers have helped me expand my life's perspective." Kathy Bucholska, jewelry & mixed media artist
"About 17 years ago I came into LC for the first time. The artist working that day and I struck up a conversation and I shared with her that I was a silversmith and showed her some of my work. She suggested that I apply to become a member - it never had occurred to me to join a cooperative but I took a chance and never looked back!" Ann Schlecht, silver jewelry designer
“Local Colors offers me a place to display my ceramic works in a positive environment that supports all the members.”
Peter Black, Ceramicist.
"I enjoy being a part of Local Colors because it gives me a location on Main Street to sell out of that I wouldn't be able to afford on my own and I get to work with a great group of artists."
- Melissa Cox, photographer
"When I joined Local Colors two years ago, I simply thought it would be a fun way to display my artwork. What I didn't realize was how much I would enjoy being a part of such a vibrant and supportive community of artists. They encourage and inspire my own creativity far more than I could ever have imagined." Sarah Fris, painter
Meet Ceramicist Peter Black - a 300-year family history in Gloucester
Mugs, vases, bowls - if you’re looking for unique pottery we have it, thanks in part to our Featured Artist this month: ceramicist Peter Black. Peter has long family roots in Gloucester and a love of ceramics that started as a pre-teen. Here, he shares how function dictates form and how art and architecture from cultures around the world inspires his art.
When did you first become interested in art and working in clay?
I was raised in an environment which always respected the value of art .My father was a painter and teacher who always encouraged me to pursue creative outlets. At the age of 13, I purchased my first kiln and worked with clay while thinking about art school throughout high school. I attended the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence RI. The RISD program employed a multidisciplinary training method for all students in which students learn the fundamentals of many arts. This included areas of study as diverse as nature drawing to industrial design. I was always planning on Graphic Design as a major, I had an attachment to clay work I couldn't give up and received a BFA in Ceramics.
Your ceramic designs are so unique. What influence's do you draw on to come up with your ideas and designs?
I think the need of self expression inspires people to create all types of art works. When I see the primitive arts of the Aborigines, or the designs of the Native American artist, it moves me because of all the facets of their works. The forms ,colors, and designs employed on everyday objects make the objects so interesting to look at or use. South American pottery forms, often times erotic and pictorial, seem to inform us about their culture. This is what inspires me to try new forms and color combinations in my own work. Graphic arts and architecture from the early 20th century always amaze me.
“When I see the primitive arts of the Aborigines, or the designs of the Native American artist, it moves me because of all the facets of their works.”
The drawings of Maxwell Escher , black and white transitions, drawn in the spirit of yin and yang , make me think of forms changing shape. I try not to think about the two dimensional and three dimensional aspects of my work separately, but incorporate them equally into each piece while drawing on references and experience. These are just a few of my references I draw on to imagine and create works in clay. I believe that is never unusual for an artist to create another version of the arts that inspire them.
When you have an idea for a piece , what method do you use to process your concepts?
I currently work in several different types of clay. This allows me to choose different techniques depending on the final function or objective use of the work. The construction of the works could include the use of wheel throwing, hand building , slip casting, and combinations of all three. Clay work is very process driven. I give serious attention to each stage of the process to achieve unique , one of a kind pieces, while maintaining their intended function. The function dictates the form and the surface treatment follows both. I always try to envision people using and enjoying my work to the same degree that I enjoy making it!
“The Paint Factory, a historic building on the inner harbor , once supplied copper paint for the fishing fleet working for generations from this city. This was a family business for my ancestors. I feel a natural sense of ease living and creating work here. Having traveled to many parts of the world, I have to always remind people how lucky they are to live in such a vibrant place.”
Tell us something that people would be surprised to know about you.
When you become a resident of Gloucester, you join a population that lives by the ocean and has made their living from the sea for almost 400 years. I have come to Cape Ann since I was born to visit relatives and spent many glorious summers working and playing here all through college.
There have been many times since moving here full time almost 40 years ago that a native of Gloucester has inquired "where are you from". Well , the easy answer is New York, because that's where I was raised. They are often surprised to find out that my family goes back almost 300 years. The Paint Factory, a historic building on the inner harbor , once supplied copper paint for the fishing fleet working for generations from this city. This was a family business for my ancestors. I feel a natural sense of ease living and creating work here. Having traveled to many parts of the world, I have to always remind people how lucky they are to live in such a vibrant place.
We’re having an event! Meet guest artist Donna Baldassari
If you have stopped by our Gallery this month you’ve probably noticed the wall - on the right! - featuring “Coastal Inspirations” paintings that invoke a sense of delight and tranquillity.
The paintings are by painter Donna Baldassari, a former Local Colors’ member who is our featured artist all May.
This Sunday, May 16, we’re excited to hold a Meet the Artist event where you can meet Donna from 2-4 pm.
“Painting is my passion; it renews my soul and refreshes my spirit.”
— Donna Baldassari
In addition to her larger paintings, Donna is also offering smaller, original versions of her work.
Come join us at Local Colors this Sunday afternoon. (We are all wearing masks and taking the necessary precautions.) You can find our current hours on our homepage.
“As far back as I can remember I have loved the beach! The smell of salty air, warm sand and - of course - the ocean: Growing up on the North Shore I sunned myself on many sandy shores. However, Long Beach, Gloucester, became my favorite. I loved the waves, the cold refreshing waters and the beautiful stretch of sandy beach.” — Donna Baldassari
Artist Spotlight: Meet Sarah Fris
Born and raised in the North shore, Sarah’s whimsical paintings are filled with warmth, joy, and original characters that pop out and introduce themselves in all kinds of ways! At Local Colors, she features her work on infants’ clothing, cards and wall art. Here, Sarah talks about how the sea air, experimenting and being a mom inspires her art more than she would have ever imagined.
When did you first become interested in painting?
I have been wildly interested in drawing, painting, doodling, and creating with my hands ever since I was a young child. I always had quite an imagination and loved inventing whimsical characters, exploring various mediums and telling stories through art.
Can you talk a little bit about your method, how you get texture in your paintings?
Watercolors have always been my favorite medium. When I was a child, I was taught how to paint using salt. Years later when I became more interested in delving deeper into watercolors and creating texture, I revisited painting with salt and also learned to create texture with wax paper, paper towels, scraps of re-used plastic wrap, bubble wrap, etc. I have found that painting in this way allows me to create wonderful detail while also letting go of the outcome and allowing the process to guide me.
Your characters have such life and movement! Do you have a specific process for developing a character?
I don’t have a particular process that I use consistently; characters show up in all kinds of ways! Often they will pop out and introduce themselves in a splash of paint, a knot in a piece of wood, or a tile on the bathroom floor. My husband and I used to spend entire weekends coming up with different ways to find fun little characters. The first time I used a can of webbing spray, I was delighted to find a group of windswept ladies in the drastic splats of paint.
My porpoise puns, barefoot girls with seaweed hair, whimsical whales and laughing blueberries are all examples of the pure joy that the salty sea air provides my imaginative brain.
Friends and family will occasionally ask me to draw an animal or sea creature, which will spiral into a period of researching traits, quirks and characteristics about the animal, sparking ideas that lead to doodles, sketches, and eventually my own version of what the animal looks like.
I’ve found that the key to creating a character is to let yourself play, experiment, and understand that while you hold the pencil in your hand, the personality and traits of your character will show itself to you. You just have to let it!
Being around Gloucester and the north shore area, how do your surroundings affect your art?
I was born and raised with my two sisters in Beverly, MA, spending lots of time each summer on the rocky shores of Maine. I moved around quite a bit with my family and after college, but eventually settled back on the East Coast with my husband. I always tell people that the fog and blueberries called me home. My porpoise puns, barefoot girls with seaweed hair, whimsical whales and laughing blueberries are all examples of the pure joy that the salty sea air provides my imaginative brain.
I’ve found that the key to creating a character is to let yourself play, experiment, and understand that while you hold the pencil in your hand, the personality and traits of your character will show itself to you. You just have to let it!
I once took a walk along the water in Beverly on a very foggy morning and saw an elderly man in shorts and knee socks creating the most magical bubbles with a large bubble wand. Characters and inspiration are everywhere!
How has motherhood affected your artwork/creativity?
I had been working with infants as a postpartum doula and creating whimsical children’s clothing and illustrations for years before my daughter graced us with her presence in the spring of 2019. While I find it much more difficult to force my creativity into her nap schedule each day, I also find that seeing the world again through her eyes inspires my art more than I could ever have imagined. I am constantly creating new designs just for her based on her discoveries, interests and personality.
For example?
When Eva was about 10 months old, she had a small red and orange pillow lion that she LOVED. Every time she saw him she would laugh hysterically and roar until we turned it into a game. She would also roar when she was really frustrated or upset which was both terribly funny and slightly embarrassing in public. The illustration “Fiercely Beautiful” came as a result of the sudden wildness that could erupt from such a small, sweet little baby.
For Eva’s birthday this year I have a new rocket ship design that will be released around the second week of May. Stay tuned!
Meet our new member! Photographer Melissa Cox
We’re excited to welcome a new member to our co-op: photographer Melissa Cox. Melissa’s work includes stunning nautical scenes and landscapes – a big change in scenery from her earlier life growing up on a ranch in Oregon.
Here, Melissa shares how the texture of a picture is integral to her work and why she is often perfectly happy to sit on the outside of a museum.
You started in photography in high school, can you describe your work now, how it has changed over the years?
Changing from film to digital has been a game changer in the quickness of processing and the ability to view the image and adjust settings. While I started taking pictures in high school, I really didn't start taking digital pictures seriously until about 5 years ago and I had no formal training. My perspective has also changed, I still take pictures from a narrow viewpoint but I'm learning to love the bigger picture of subjects. For example, while I enjoy taking a picture of a ship in full sail, I also enjoy zooming in to take a picture of the sails. Exposing the texture and details that you often don't see.
Are there any unique methods you use?
I really find that some of my pictures print well on metal and I enjoy exploring new methods to show my photography. I use a metallic photo paper for a lot of the water shots because of the way water moves in the picture as you view the picture from different angles. I still enjoy the traditional printed and frame photography but I like to test new printing because it shows the texture of a photograph.
You take nautical, landscape Cape Ann shots, how does the place relate to and/or Inspire your work?
I found that I enjoy nautical photography, the flow of the water, the texture in a sail, the lines of a hull. I grew up in the high desert of Oregon then moved to Arizona and Georgia so not a lot of opportunity to shoot ocean scenes. When I moved to Gloucester, I was nervous to show my work because there were so many amazing artists. But I had an amazing mentor and I grew to love my work and felt more confident to show it. I will always be so indebted to that person.
“I found that I enjoy nautical photography, the flow of the water, the texture in a sail, the lines of a hull.”
I would like to say that most of my shots are carefully choreographed and timed but most of the time it is just about always having my camera with me and being ready! There are some times where I have to plan, such as full moon shots, but even those are often up to Mother Nature.
What do you hope your work brings to someone’s life/home?
An experience or a memory. It's all about a feeling, a reaction to the image. I talk a lot about the texture of a picture, I know that sounds weird, but I like to feel a picture. I find myself drawn to nautical, landscape and architectural pictures. My husband loves to go to museums to view the history, I find myself looking at the building that holds the history, especially when we are traveling.
“It's all about a feeling, a reaction to the image. I talk a lot about the texture of a picture, I know that sounds weird, but I like to feel a picture.”
Do you bring your camera everywhere you go?
For the most part I do but I also try to experience the moment. Sometimes a viewfinder only allows a minimum perspective. I also don't want photography to run my life but be a companion to my life's experiences. I always hope people enjoy my work and get a similar experience that I have when taking the pictures.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you - that you can share!
I grew up on a ranch in Oregon and by the time I moved to Arizona when I was ten, both of my feet had been broken from horses stepping on them I got kicked in the stomach after riding a calf in a rodeo when I was nine and lost my right kidney. I also had multiple concussions from being thrown from my horse. As an adult looking back, you don't realize how crazy it sounds but I wouldn't change a bit of it.
I also have been a city councilor in Gloucester for the past ten years and I never considered myself a political person.
Stop by Local Colors to see the wide variety of Melissa’s work. You can connect with her on Instagram and see more of her images online here.
Welcoming spring with a fresh coat
If you’re like us, the signs of spring are beyond welcome this year and maybe that’s one reason we were actually excited about some spring cleaning at our shop. That happened. And then we gave our gallery a fresh coat of paint, making everything look a little brighter.
Next time you visit our sun-filled gallery, if you see yourself admiring our newly-coated walls — along with the artwork — we will not be offended!
We are also excited to be expanding our hours this month. We are now open five days a week: Thursdays through Mondays. Our home page is where you can always find our hours.
Happy spring.
We look forward to seeing you!
Buy a card - support local food bank
Our annual Valentine fundraiser kicked off this week and we are looking forward to using this holiday as an opportunity to support our community.
For our 'Don't Lose Heart' fundraiser,” all of us at Local Colors have created unique Valentine cards in which 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry. The Open Door offers free, nutritious meals and groceries to those in need, and with the pandemic, the numbers of people needing food has increased dramatically.
Many of our fundraiser cards also include special gifts, such as semi-precious stone heart and love-rocks. There are so many to choose from, we think you’ll find that one (or two!) perfect card for all your loved ones.
Don't Lose Heart runs January 15 through February 14.
We are open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays in January. Visit our website main page for updated hours. And thanks for your support!
Wishing you all a joyous - and creative - New Year
Farewell 2020, it’s been a year. We are not sad to see you go.
All of us here at Local Colors are wishing you a healthy, happy, and creative 2021. We are thankful to still be a part of Cape Ann’s vibrant and supportive community.
We look forward to seeing you and the positives to come this year. In January, we are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Please email us anytime with questions.
On Men’s Day — snow delay! — shop tax-free as our gift to you
The snowstorm has delayed it but Men’s Day in Gloucester will not be stopped. Men's Day, which was scheduled for December 17, has now been extended to include Friday, December 18th.
As on Ladies’ Day, we're paying the sales tax on all purchases you make on Men’s Day, as our gift to you for your continued support.
Shop for unique and special gifts, ornaments, home decorations, and so much more - all local.
Open on Men’s Day (Friday) - 10am-6pm.
Visit here for more December hours.
Updated Hours, Special '$20 and Under' Works
We’ve been busy gearing up for the holidays with new works and much of it has special pricing. Make sure to look for our ‘$20 and Under’ table, near the front window of the store. Here, you’ll find earrings, pendants, ornaments, paintings, and many other unique gifts.
We also want you to know that we have expanded our December hours! You can find them on this page, and get to them from our homepage. That’s where you can also sign up for our email so you can find out about new works, hours and updates.
As always, we’re following all the needed COVID protocols to keep our customers and staff safe.
We hope to see you soon!
Holiday windows and happenings - a variety of unique options
We’re excited to be open four days a week this month — Friday through Monday — with unique new pieces for all occasions. This week we put up our holiday window display that offers a peek into the variety of items inside. Cozy hats, teacup bird feeders, dazzling ornaments - we have them.
You can be assured that Local Colors is taking all the necessary precautions to keep our customers and staff safe in response to COVID-19. We are following recommended guidelines, ensuring a healthy environment by having all customers and staff wear a mask, frequent and regular sanitizing, and limiting the number of customers in our store.
If you would like to look at our offerings online, please visit our artists’ pages.
And to stay up to date on new art and sales, go over to our homepage to sign up for our email here.
We look forward to seeing you!
Temporarily closed
Although we are temporarily closed at our Main St location for about 2 weeks, we are busily creating new work. You can still reach us here on Facebook and on our website at www.local-colors.org. Don't hesitate to contact individual artists and they'll do their best to work with you. Also, we're still looking for new members so, if interested, contact our jury co-chairs, Kathy or Claire, at info@local-colors.org.
