Shows & News

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!

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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.

The Swampscott Art Association is presenting an exhibit of members’ work at the Swampscott Senior Center from November 14, 2024 until January 10, 2025. The members have shared many lovely paintings, drawings, photographs, etc. in many styles, mediums, and subjects.

I was surprised and delighted to find a big purple Judge’s Choice ribbon on my painting when I came to view the show! And I was even more heartened to discover that the people who came to enjoy the exhibit were the judges! There is nothing nicer than a People’s Choice award, especially when most of the People voting are other artists. Thanks to each of you from the bottom of my heart.

My painting in the exhibit is titled Great Horned Owl. It is done in acrylic, and is 16″ x 20″. I painted this piece from inside the back door or my house, looking out on the woods on a very snowy day. The world was reduced to grays and whites, and the snow was blowing. I love to paint en plein air, but on a day like that I was lucky to be able to “be there” but still be inside by a cozy fire.

While I was painting, a great horned owl who lives in the woods swooped by! I had heard him every day, and had seen baby owls high in a tree, but had never witnessed the adult owl in all his glory. It was gorgeous, stunning, and fast. He flew by so quickly, I had to research pictures of owls to get a realistic idea of what a flying owl looks like! The little chickadees in the upper right of the painting were really there too, and believe me, they were staying still!

I hope you are able to visit the exhibit. The address is: Lynch/ Van Otterloo YMCA, 40 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, MA, 01945

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For this last show of 2024, the Salem Arts Association invited all member artists to submit our best work in celebration of a creative year well done.  Salem Arts Association is excited to close the 2024 exhibition schedule with a showcase of member artists. It’s a great opportunity to consider the gift of art for your friends, family, or to treat yourself to something beautiful. Current Salem Arts members are exhibiting our best work showing the community what we have to offer in all of our diverse styles and artistic disciplines.

My entry in the Holiday Member Showcase is my original painting, Pickering Wharf Panorama, acrylic, 10″ x 20″ framed. This was painted on site, and I couldn’t stand looking at the poor Friendship without its masts STILL under repair. So I painted them in. LOL. I’ll admit it! That is one of the best things about painting. I can easily change the world with a quick brushstroke. If only everything were that easy!

The Holiday Member Showcase will be on display from November 16 until December 15, 2024 at our beautiful sea side galleries at 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA. Please visit www.salemarts.org to discover our expanded hours. When you stop by to see the gallery show, don’t forget to check out our lovely art shop full of the creations of our members: jewelry, textiles, paintings, prints, cards, ceramics and more. Everything you could want for a loved one for for yourself!