Darcy Palmer Wins “Peoples Choice” Award for Scituate High Schools’ Gallery Show

If you didn’t stop into the Front Street Art Gallery this Spring you missed the opportunity to see the creative outpouring of a score of Scituate’s High School students. One feature of this annual event is the chance to vote for “The People’s Choice Award.” And so…Scituate Arts Association once again proudly announces the winner of the annual Scituate High School Student Art Show—Darcy Palmer for her work "Ice Cream."
Thanks to Carolyn Wachta, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, and Kay Shaw, SAA and Front Street Gallery Artist for organizing this event once. Thanks as well to Kathy Mogayzel, Front Street Gallery Director for assisting with the hanging of the show and Kay Shaw for hosting the Reception on Sunday, March 28. A good time was had by all and some great young artists had the experience of showing in a commercial space!

2010 Annual SAA Juried Show:
It Just Keeps Getting Better!

On a warm Spring evening with the Harbor’s pear trees in glorious bloom over 150 people attended the Show’s Awards Reception on Friday, April 23 at the SAA’s Front Street Art Gallery. Over 50 artists and their guests came to celebrate the Scituate Arts Association’s Annual Juried Show held in the SAA’s Gallery space. They came to receive their awards and to bask in the glow of well deserved accolades.
The accepted works and award winners were chosen by jurors, Dianne Panarelli Miller, Katherine Smit and James Baker.

Jeanne MacFarland won Best in Show with her Oil, “Scituate Cottage Reflections.” The remaining Oil/Acrylic artists who received awards included First Place which was awarded to Anne Donnelly for “Elizabeth’s Bowl with Orange.” Tina Watson won Second Place for “Dusk over the Spit” and Donna Shostak won a Third Place with “San Diego Pier.” An Honorable Mention went to Marie Wilkes for “Peonies & Porcelain.” Kurt Weiser was the First Place Award Winner in Pastel with “Autumn Glory.” Eileen Casey won Second Place in Pastel for her work “Empty Nest Revisited” and Christine Bodner received Third Place with “The Onlookers.” Constance Cummings was given an Honorable Mention for her Pastel, “Good Night.”In the category of Watercolor, First Place winner was Stephen H. Holland for “Prime Real Estate.” Janet Cornacchio won Second Place for “Poppies Two,” while Third Place was awarded to Betty Tufankjian for “Flower.”

Peggy Roth Major received First Place in Photography for her work, “Primary Colors.” Marie Peters was awarded Second Place for “Raw Energy” and Fiona Tracy Bowker received Third fPlace or “Powerscourt Gardens.” One final First Place was bestowed in Graphics & Drawing to Mary Felton for her work, “The Chief.”

This festival of art was made possible by the work of many: We are grateful to local businesses— Silent Chef and Curtis Liquors for providing glasses and part of our provisions for the evening. And last,but not least, a very special thanks to all those within the SAA who helped bring this show together:
Show chairs—Anne Donnelly, Mary Beth LoPiccolo, Kathy Mogayzel & Marie Wilkes;
Publicity & Program— Bob Beaulieu & Janet Cornacchio;
Gallery Hanging, etc.—Joan Appel, Carol Holder, John Cornacchio, David R Johnson, Kathy Mogayzel, Carole Thurlow;
Drop off/Pickup/Jury Runners, Transport, Opening Reception--Nancy Amado, Karen Baker, LaurenBass, Jane Bianchi, Linda Bornstein, Candy Clarke, John Cornacchio, Carol Healy, Marsha Hoar, Jim LoPiccolo, Anna McCarthy, Lou Seoane, and Donna Shostak.

Finally we want to acknowledge our two sponsors for this event: Frame Center of Hanover & Scituate Federal Savings. Our business sponsors help make these events possible. Please thank them for us.
So once more, thank you one and all for helping keeping Arts Alive!
Janet Cornacchio
SAA President

Scituate Arts Holiday House Tour Delights with a First Taste of the Season

With the first dusting of snow falling, the Scituate Arts Association Holiday House Tour once again was able to  provide a jumpstart to Holiday decorating and spirit.  Held on Sunday, December 7th,  a continuous stream of close to two hundred guests visited the homes on the tour.

Each guest received a tour booklet featuring the background and history of the six houses on the Tour.  The John Rogers House, dating to the mid 1600’s and believed to be the oldest home in Marshfield was beautifully decorated with the wall treatments and works of artist Rachel Drake.  Greens and other seasonal décor were donated by  Every Bloomin’ Thing.  Tour guests viewed paintings by Drake, photos of Jeanel Drake and Front Street Gallery member, Janet Cornacchio.

On Peggotty Beach Rd, guests toured a New England contemporary which sits across from Peggotty Beach at the curve of a favorite overlook.  Sited on a lot that has been in the family for over 70 years, the home takes full advantage of the every possible vista.  Beautifully decorated with the owners Christmas figurines, guests exclaimed over the kitchen mural and wall treatments of Rachel Drake.  Works of Gallery artists, Bill Mattern, Carol Holder and Mary Beth LoPiccolo added some additional highlights to the owners’ tasteful collections.  

Curiosity about Oceanside Inn was satisfied when the Innkeeper and her staff took guests through the Inn’s rooms where every room features decks and views of Boston Harbor, the Atlantic surf or Minot Light.  Simons Greenhouse provided balsam sprays which brought seasonal color notes into the owner’s blue & yellow themed living spaces.  Works of  Front Street artists Judi Brodman and Carole Thurlow were displayed along with a Fourth Cliff oil painting by John Cornacchio which graced the Inn’s wonderful beach stone fireplace.

Persimmon Drive was truly a family holiday house—fun, functional and elegant.  Elegantly staged by Every Day Chic, it featured a lovely Victorian inspired Christmas tree, a gracious arrangement of hydrangeas and greens in the dining room and vignette’s of children’s Christmas activities in the kitchen and family room.  The owner’s chose to feature the works of Gallery artist Bob Beaulieu.

Guest were treated to stunning views of the Atlantic from a Frank Lloyd Wright style house located on Cohasset’s Jerusalem Road across from Moor’s Rock.  A Christmas tree framed by views of a terrace and surf, a “wildlife” room with paintings of bird and nests and accompanying displays, tasteful floral arrangements harmonizing with the décor and window scenes were just a few of the delightful images guests recalled. Cohasset Village Greenery donated a portion of the seasonal greens. The home featured the works of Jacquelyn Ranney, as well as several Front Street Art Gallery members works—Kathy Mullins Mogayzel, Nancy Howell, David Rodman Johnson, Bonnie Opie, Mark McCabe and Kay Shaw.

As a special treat, the owner’s of the former Pierce Memorial Library on Country Way, invited guests beyond the wrought iron fence and opened their doors for a first public viewing.  The rich woods, intricately ornamented limestone mantel and Italian bronze chandeliers of the original library cum Episcopal Chapel were enhanced by a stunning arrangement atop the mantel and a tree filled with “Wishes” for the SAA.  Every Day Chic added her delightful touch with champagne and wrapping stations  (“Its was nice to see a little chaos just like our own homes…”) and an elegant brunch spread.  A host of volunteers and florists helped the owner arrange her collections of Christmas houses, nutcrackers and Christmas trees.  Paintings by Gallery artists David Rodman Johnson, John Cornacchio, Carol Holder, Richard Copello, Mary Beth LoPiccolo, V.James LoPiccolo and Ray Poritsky supplemented the owners’ collection.

The final stop on this gala Holiday Tour was the Ellis House, site of the Charles Mahoney Studios and the Scituate Arts Association’s classes.  Outside this Victorian Gothic manse, built in 1874 at the top of Booth Hill, guests were greeted with wreaths and greens provided by Kennedy’s Country  Gardens.  Once inside, the guests were treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks accompanied by Christmas music. Arrangements decorating the mantels were created by Candace Clark and included a host of flowers breaking through a frame and a fairy garden.  Kay Leahy staged a child’s Christmas  scene and provided   the inspiration which helped transform the Ellis into a Victorian Christmas celebration.  Bette Kelly of Precious Petals designed a fantasy floral with a cherub sculpture base.  Additional entertainment included a 50th Members Show/ Silent Auction and raffles featuring donations by a variety of Scituate and other South Shore businesses.

Support from the Scituate community on this, their 50th Anniversary House Tour, will help enable the Association to keep the Arts Alive!  in Scituate in 2009, pay for a new furnace which kept everyone toasty at the Ellis and help underwrite the SAA’s continuous restoration work on the Ellis House.  The SAA offers much in return:  member artists’ talents are always on display to the public at their Front Street Art Gallery; Ellis House workshops and classes are available to all, plus the SAA continues to be committed to a variety of school and community projects.  Please make a point of visiting their website frequently at www.scituateart.com  or contact jcornacch@ aol.com for information and answers to your questions.

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