Author: Sheila

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PEM Inspirational Show

Sheila

Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools – 19th Annual PEM Inspirational Exhibition 

Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools

Inspired by PEM – Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools:  Our 19th Annual PEM Inspirational Exhibition invited artists to take inspiration from the PEM exhibition “ Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools, on view at the Peabody Essex Museum through May 4, 2025. 

I am thrilled that my new Celtic style drawing, Saint Brigid’s Cross (ink & pencil on vellum, 20″ x 25″ matted & framed) has been juried into the show. Saint Brigid is the female patron saint of Ireland; all the animals, flowers, and symbols on the drawing are connected to St. Brigid. I sat for many days painstakingly fashioning the knots and Celtic-style animals into an interwoven design in ink, and then I colored them in the jewel tones used by Celtic monks in their stone towers back in ancient times.

From PEM: “Flemish painters from the 15th to 17th centuries created extraordinary works of art amid a period of political turmoil and unprecedented prosperity,” said Karina H. Corrigan, PEM’s Associate Director–Collections and the H. A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art, who serves as the coordinating curator of the exhibition at PEM. “Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools will transport visitors to this remarkable time in history and consider the many ways Flemish art and culture has shaped the world we live in today.”

This exhibition is generously sponsored by the Peabody Essex Museum.

Important Dates:

  • Reception: Friday, April 4, 2025, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Exhibition Dates: April 5 – May 17, 2025
  • Open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Salem Arts Association Galleries, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Contact gallery@salemarts.org with questions.

We are honored to announce our esteemed Guest Juror for this exhibition:

Karina Corrigan: Associate Director–Collections and The H.A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art at the Peabody Essex Museum

Guest Juror: Karina CorriganKarina Corrigan’s interests center on the material culture of global connections. She serves as PEM’s Associate Director–Collections and The H.A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art. In her curatorial practice she oversees the largest, most comprehensive public collection of art made in China, Japan and South Asia for export to other cultures. In her role as Associate Director–Collections, Corrigan explores new ways to celebrate the museum’s rich and storied collection by spearheading new research; enhancing access through increased documentation, digitization and display; and providing guidance for acquisitions.Corrigan lectures and publishes on many aspects of Asian Export art and has organized numerous exhibitions at PEM, including Power and Perspective: Early Photography in China; Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global; Asia in Amsterdam: The Culture of Luxury in the Golden Age, co-organized with the Rijksmuseum; Golden: Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection; and Taj Mahal, the Building of a Legend. She served as the coordinating curator at PEM for Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks in 2024.
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Abbot Library Exhibit

Sheila

Just to remind one and all that warmer days are on the way, they Swampscott Art Association is pleased to present an exhibition of members’ work!

Devereux Beach Umbrellas (acrylic paint on stretched canvas, 12″ x 24″) is my contribution to the exhibit. I painted it on location at the beach on happy, sunny day when it seemed the whole North Shore was gathered on that Marblehead beach under bright, colorful umbrellas. It was very hot that day, and it made me wish that I had thought to bring an umbrella for myself! The good news is that the heat made me paint fast, which is necessary to get the painting done before the light and the tide changes too much.

Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. April 10-May 27. Reception, Thurs. May 1, 3-5pm.

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Artrageous 2025

Sheila

The Emerald Ball
April 25, 2025 at 6pm


Danversport
161 Elliott St, Danvers, MA 01923

Join us for an Artrageous unlike any other as we take a trip over the rainbow!

2025 celebrates Montserrat College of Art’s 55th anniversary, known as the emerald anniversary! To mark this occasion, we are hosting an Emerald Ball for this year’s auction while bringing the same creativity and excitement Artrageous is known for. Join us for a night of art, music, costumes, and of course, a chance to support the next generation of creative talent.

I am “over the rainbow” that my beautifully framed oil painting, Sheehan’s Pond has been selected to be part of the silent auction at this very select exhibit. As a former art teacher at Beverly High School, it has been my privilege to have been included in Artrageous many times; and it has been my way of saying thank you to a wonderful art school that has offered a scholarship to a deserving BHS art students each year.

As Montserrat’s annual auction fundraiser, Artrageous has become the signature art event on the North Shore to benefit financial aid awards for deserving Montserrat students.

The night features a live and silent auction including spectacular works by renowned and emerging artists and designers and the opportunity to watch and experience art being created “in-the-moment” by Montserrat’s accomplished students.

Join us for art, design, music, food, drinks, and most importantly, the ability to make a difference by directly supporting the next generation of creative talent!

New ticket prices for alumni and young creatives are now available.

Emerald ensembles and creative costumes are encouraged but not required.

For more information contact Allison Rieke at
Allison.Rieke@montserrat.edu or 978.921.4242 x1114

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Beverly Bootstraps

Sheila

The Frame at 198 is back! 🎨✨ Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop’s Art Expo returns on April 7th, and they are excited to showcase local talent once again. I was happy to have my art chosen to join their vibrant community of artists to display my work and support a great cause! The exhibit will be on display at Beverly Bootstraps at 198 Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA from April 7 until the Closing Reception on April 2, 2025.


This semi-annual showcase celebrates creativity with the theme of “Community” for the April 2025 Showcase. It was an opportunity to share my story, connect with fellow artists, and contribute to the important community programs and services of Beverly Bootstraps.

The Community theme was a particular draw for me because I have a long-running connection with Beverly, having been an art teacher at Beverly High School. The high school is a wonderful place with great teachers and enthusiastic students. The artwork that was selected to be part of the exhibit is titled “Celtic Panthers”, ink and colored pencil, matted and framed 12″ x 14″.

My father was born in Ireland, and because of that I became very interested in the ancient Celtic style of drawing. Celtic Panthers shows intertwined stylized panthers — the mascot of Beverly High School — and Celtic knots and symbols. This intricate style of drawing was inspired by the exquisite work of the Irish monks in the Book of Kells, which I was lucky enough to view twice — once at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and again at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

I hope you will stop in to enjoy this exhibit of the various works of many local artists. Thanks.

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Japanese Parasol Auction

Sheila

Danvers High School contacted me with a request that I paint a Japanese parasol for a worthy cause. As a retired high school art teacher, how could I say “No”? In fact, I couldn’t stop at one, and painted two! Leafy Boughs is a delicate green on green design of leaves spiraling on meandering branches, and Dahlias is a spray of pastel colored dahlias across the edge of the parasol. Here is the information about the auction from one of the teachers at Danvers High School:

The Parasols will be on display at the Danvers Art Association at 105 Elliott Street on March 28th from 6:30 until 8:30 PM and March 29th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM. They will also be displayed at the Danvers High School Showcase on April 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00. 

Danvers High School has a very robust program that allows students to experience all of the social, emotional, and intellectual benefits of international travel on an almost yearly basis. I myself have been a chaperone on several of these trips and the group leader on one, and I have been able to see the life changing experiences happening first-hand. 

But being a special educator, I noticed that almost none of my students have been on these trips. My tour partner Nick Martinez, a fellow special educator at the high school, and I discussed organizing trips that would attempt to mitigate some of the obstacles that might prevent students with disabilities, historically underrepresented students, and students from low income homes from taking advantage of these wonderful traveling opportunities during high school. This is where you come in. 

About the Trip:

We will be going to Japan during April Vacation week in 2025. The trip is an educational trip, which means that students will not only be visiting the tourist attractions that are on everyone’s bucket lists but also taking part in wonderful, culturally enriching activities with local experts. During past trips these have been the experiences the students have not been able to stop talking about. Yes, the tourist attractions are fun, but getting to know locals is priceless. 

Request: 

We would like to ask you to bid freely on these unique pieces of art created by both local professional artists and students and teachers going on the trip. You will be enriching our community by allowing all students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience beyond the town limits. These students will come back to Danvers richer in experience and further along on their way to becoming global citizens. 

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Swampscott Arts

Sheila

The Swampscott Arts Association is hosting an exhibit of member artwork from March 13 until May 15, 2025. The show will be held at the Lynch / Van Otterloo YMCA, which is located at 40 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, MA 01945-3325.

The exhibit is hung on the first floor, to the left of the entry between the delightful cafe and the pool. Have a cuppa and enjoy the show!

My entry is an intricate Celtic-style drawing called Celtic Cockatoo and is matted and framed. Especially in the cold winter months when I spend more time inside, I enjoy taking the time to do this type of art. It takes a long time, but creating the complicated patterns with their jewel toned colors brightens a winter day by the fire.

Hours of Operation

Mon – Fri:5:00am – 9:30pm
Sat:6:00am – 7:00pm
Sun:6:00am – 6:00pm
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Alive

Sheila

Alive 2025

“Alive” is the first member showcase of 2025 at Salem Arts Association. Artist members offer work on the theme of feeling alive, good vibes, positive energy, and happiness. The will be held on Opening Reception: Friday, February 28, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Show dates: Saturday March 1 to Saturday March 29, 2025

My entry in the exhibit is called “A Radiance of Cardinals”. The painting was done in two steps. First, I painted the view of the woods from my back window. It was winter, and too cold to paint outside, so there was a layer of thermal glass between me and the cold, snowy scene — one step removed from the en plein air painting I love to do. However, I wanted the painting to feel ALIVE to match the theme of this Salem Arts Association show. I have often seen a cardinal or two in my yard, and the pair that live in my woods bring me so much joy with their bright feathers and musical songs.

Although cardinals are usually relatively solitary birds, in the winter time they sometimes gather in a large flock called a radiance. In this way they help each other stay warm and find food in the hostile weather. Many people believe that seeing a cardinal is a lucky visit from a loved one on the “other side”. What incredible luck it would be to see such the sight of a whole flock! I imagined how lively all those brilliant red birds would look on my trees and decided to paint them into my winter scape. That is the fun of painting; I can create my own reality and my own luck!

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Love: 2/1-3/14/25

Sheila

The Danvers Art Association is proud to present a new exhibition of art by local artists! The theme of the show, Love, can be interpreted by the artists in many ways — romantic love, friendship, dedication to an idea or passion, and much more. It will be fun to see the many pieces on display in an array of subjects, styles, and mediums — so many ways to depict the idea of Love.

My painting in the exhibit is titled Gloucester Dahlias. It is a 12″ x 24″ x 1.5″ acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. The vertical format reflects the tall, lovely dahlias blowing in the sea breezes. This painting was completed en plein air along the Sea Walk in Gloucester where the local garden club plants an amazing display and variety of dahlias. The flowers are growing in the separate gardens all along the walkway from State Fort Park all the way up to the end of the walk way near downtown Gloucester. Some of the gardens feature one color of flowers and others present a mixed array. The splendid and lush variety of dahlias mixed with a few other plants draws many viewers to stroll the walkway and enjoy the hard work of the gardeners. I hope you will visit my website SheilaBillings.com to view more of my artwork!

Every week in the nice weather, I visit various stunning locations in Cape Ann to paint outside with some of my artist friends. The amazing dahlias and perfect autumn weather drew us back for two weeks. I painted this vertical piece on my first day, and it was a splendid day. Droves of people stopped by to chat as I worked. Bees and butterflies flitted giddily among the nectar-filled riches before them. And I was truly in heaven.

The Love exhibition can be viewed during regular library hours in the elegant Standring Room at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923. The artwork shows especially well in this fireplaced room with elaborate carved molding and huge windows. All are welcome to stop by and no appointment is necessary. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite piece of art in the show for the People’s Choice Award!

An Opening Reception from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on February 1 gave the judge, Rosalie Sidoti a chance to talk about her choices for awards in the exhibition. Ms. Sidoti is a national award-winning artist herself and a respected fixture in the North Shore and Cape Ann art scene. You can visit her website at rosaliesidoti.com!

thedanversartassociation.org

facebook.com/TheDanversArtAssociation

danverslibrary.org

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Winter YMCA Exhibit!

Sheila

The Swampscott Art Association is proud to present its Winter Member Exhibit at the Lynch – Van Otterloo YMCA on Legg’s Hill Road, on the Salem/ Marblehead line. Members are showing a variety of paintings in various shapes, sizes, subjects, and mediums for your viewing pleasure through this cold, harsh winter.

My painting is titled Snow Penguins and illustrates a happy trio of little penguins braving the long, harsh Antarctic night to build a Snow Penguin complete with a long carrot beak. The snow is swirling the flakes and their cheerful scarves and hats. This little painting will bring a joyful spark to your home all winter long, or help to bring some color and fun to your child’s room. It makes a cute baby gift, or can even be saved as a cherished Holiday decoration.

My fellow Swampscott Arts Association members have a wonderful array of artistic creations that are sure to please you, and all of them are for sale — without the huge cost mark-up you will find in a traditional gallery! And all of this display is located by the tables that are set up for the wonderful YMCA cafe. I find it impossible to pass this delightful cafe without treating myself to a cup of tea and a muffin or sandwich. You can enjoy your snack while perusing our art exhibit and watching the people enjoying the YMCA pool behind the glass.

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Charity Auction 12/10/24

Sheila

The Salem Children’s Charity is one of my favorite charity events. This is a tradition begun by Salem principals and teachers for Salem kids. As a former schoolteacher at the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, I am delighted to be able to be part of this excellent cause. People helping people! My donation to the event this year is my 16″ x 20″ acrylic painting, Purple Twilight.

Purple Twilight was originally painted for my friend Tommy Gagnon’s beautiful Boston Woodworking shop at Artist’s Row in downtown Salem. It was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the Danvers Art Association exhibit at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers in 2023.

WHAT:    Salem Children’s Charity Christmas Party

WHEN:    Tuesday, December 10th, 6:00 PM

WHERE:  Hawthorne Hotel, Salem MA,   $25.00 Door Cover-What’s going to be the same? A great time with great friends!Great selection of hors d’oeuvres,Cash Bar, Lots of Live Auction items for in-person bidding, live raffles!

We are working again with a Hybrid style silent auction:

We will be holding a hybrid silent auction that will open at the start of the party while we are all together in the Hawthorne hotel ballroom.  The auction will not close until Sunday night (12/15) at 8 PM.  This also means that there will be NO item bid sheets at the event this year.  ALL BIDDING WILL BE DONE THROUGH

 https://new.biddingowl.com/SalemChildrensCharity   

Sign-up is quick and easy: 

Visit the website https://new.biddingowl.com/SalemChildrensCharity.   If you already participated in our auction last year, click “log in” and you should be on your way.  If you are new to Bidding Owl, just click Register in the top right-hand corner and follow the prompts to make an account.