August 2009
On November 7th and 8th of this year, Caitlin Cavanaugh, daughter of Sacred Heart School administrator Karen Cavanaugh, will make her grammar school Alma Mater proud (Sacred Heart graduate 2000). Cavanaugh will be a participant in the Roslindale Arts Alliance's 5th Annual Roslindale Open Studios. During the event Cavanaugh will display and sell her fabulous oil paintings in the school auditorium along with other local artists. This is Cavanaugh's first venture into an Open Studios. According to Cavanaugh, "I have been taking art classes since age 12, starting at the Museum of Fine Arts. I recently graduated Merrimack College with a BA in Fine Arts. The more classes I took the more I realized painting is my favorite. I especially enjoy painting flowers, which have an abstract feel. I also enjoy photography, focusing on Roslindale, where I've lived my whole life. "
It is a no accident that Sacred Heart School auditorium will be a group location for Roslindale Open Studios this year. Sacred Heart School principal Monica Haldiman last year enthusiastically incorporated art into the curriculum to the delight of students and parents. According to Haldiman, "The development and implementation of a comprehensive art program at Sacred Heart School, in partnership with the Roslindale Arts Alliance, has made a major contribution to the overall achievement at the school. Instructors, Glenn Williams and Cheryl Murphy have introduced students, some as young as three years old, to a myriad of art mediums. Some of these students have never sculpted before, nor heard of various art techniques, or saw the beauty of a Monet! Development of the whole brain, and the innate talents gifted by God, is key to developing the critical thinking skills necessary in the 21st Century. We are excited to start the 2009-2010 academic year with robust art plans in place. Due to the enormous generosity of alumni and benefactors, thirty new easels will be awaiting the students for the creation of new and beautiful pieces."
Two Roslindale residents and high school students from Boston Latin, Erik Hechavarria and Ben Rukavinawill be exhibiting at Sacred Heart School. They are recipients of Roslindale Open Studios scholarships sponsored by Roslindale Village Main Street and Healthy Roslindale.
The 5th Annual Roslindale Open Studios will not only fill the Sacred Heart School auditorium with the talents of multiple artists but the event offers the Roslindale Community a wonderful free cultural experience in the neighborhood. The 2009 event will showcase over 90 artists displaying and selling art in 40 different locations throughout Roslindale for two days. Art mediums represented will include: paintings, sculpture, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, fiber, photography, printmakers, woodworking, mosaics, music and mixed media. Artist locations include multiple individual home studios, group sites (Sacred Heart School, Roslindale House, Boston School of Modern Language and Longfellow House) and local businesses (Boschetto Bakery, Dandelions, Roslindale Yoga, Fornax Bakery, Bangkok Cafe, Boston Cheese Cellar, Pet Cabaret and Select cafe).
Participating mixed media/photography artist and Vice President of the Roslindale Arts Alliance, Kasey Davis Appleman has this to say about her experience in Roslindale Open Studios, "It's been the perfect opportunity for me to meet neighbors and to share my skill and passion for fine art. Participating as a 'home studio' provides a unique opportunity to show in the same spot where I create my work. This is a very exciting aspect of the Open Studios event. Visitors are able to chat directly with the artists who make the work and are able to learn about the various methods and materials fine artists use. Here we have art appreciation in action, not to mention fine art for sale without the hefty gallery prices!"
An added feature this year to Roslindale Open Studios will be hands on art activities sponsored by the Roslindale Arts Alliance in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. This venue will take place in the Sacred Heart School cafeteria during the two day event and is free. Art work by Sacred Heart students will also be displayed in the cafeteria.
Save the date because Roslindale Open Studios is a great way for visitors and locals to explore the neighborhoods of Roslindale and see diverse artwork on display. Roslindale has art and now Sacred Heart School has art.
Event details:
Saturday November 7 and Sunday November 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Locations: Individual Home Studios, Group Sites and Local Businesses (see web site and/or request brochure for specifics)
Group spaces are handicap accessible
Preview Show and Opening Reception on Friday November 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Longfellow House, 885 South Street, Roslindale - public invited.
Attendees to the Roslindale Open Studios will also have the opportunity to enter to win a gift certificate to their favorite Roslindale restaurant.
Web Site lists all artists and locations with a map - www.roslindaleopenstudios.org
Further info: Janice Williams at 617-710-3811 or email: janice@artfulgift.com or www.roslindalearts.org