THE YEAR IN REVIEW: 2007
PUBLIC ART
In May the AAG completed a first mural at Standard Hardware under the direction of well known Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts. The project was the brainchild of Marlee Mason and JoAnn Bradley, who wanted to give back to the community, and Mirella Santillo who thought of her friend Antonius from Nassau . This first mural, 10 panels long, depicted an island scene and was entirely financed by the AAG. After getting very good response from the community, a second mural of 16 panels was commissioned by Standard Hardware.
Both murals were painted indoors at New Visions Ministries (thank you for the air conditioned room during the summer) by a group of volunteers that included high school students, art teachers Lori Thompson and Rhonda Bill, as well as volunteer artists. Jo Ann Bradley, the AAG treasurer was in charge of “channeling” the spirit of Antonius to keep the second mural consistent with the first one, yet expanding on the island scene to include a large underwater section and giving all artists much freedom to be creative. With fewer students and volunteers, the second mural took longer than expected. We used photos of flora and scenes I took around Guana Cay and the Abacos and images from local guides. The result is filled with references to local lifestyle, boating, fauna and flora. The large underwater scene showed us how important the reef ecology/imagery is to the students.
During the official hardware store opening on January 19, the Art Guild was acknowledged by M. Rutherford in front of many island officials as the key group creating public art in cooperation with schools and businesses in the Abacos. These beautiful murals are a testament to the drive of the AAG.
SUMMER ART CLASSES
Art classes for the kids of Guana Cay were held 5 mornings a week this past summer. Thanks to a grant from Susan and Ron Morris - and volunteer work by myself and others - these were a big hit. We painted on coconuts, on shells, rocks. We can take this model to other communities next summer. All we need is a volunteer to step forward - and donations of materials are always welcome!
CAFÉ FLORENCE SHOWS
The AAG organized a series of 6 weeks group shows at café Florence with well attended openings. While the experience of showing together was a good one, the venue was not ideal. We are looking for a new partner to continue the series in 2008. Any good restaurant or hotel can work - we just need a cooperative business owner who values the promotional opportunity that comes with local fine art.
THE YEAR AHEAD: 2008
LIFE DRAWING IN HOPE TOWN
Michael Adams started a life-drawing group in Hope Town. Every Friday noon we meet in the Hope Town Lodge gardens and draw from live model. I posed for a couple of sessions - but other models are welcome and are paid $5 by each artist! JoAnn Bradley and Mirella Santillo are planning on starting a drawing group in Marsh Harbour. Call JoAnn if you are interested. 367-0137
“BUSINESS OF ART” BREAKFAST: Sunday 9am, February 3rd, Abaco Beach Resort
A roundtable of artists will share experiences on business aspects over breakfast. We will have 1 hour before the Art Show opens for its second day. Questions and handouts are being prepared by Michael Adams, so that all are encouraged to share their thoughts and to take something away. This is also a fine way to introduce the AAG to fellow artists who will be interested to join.
SIGN PAINTING: “KEEP ABACO BEAUTIFUL”
On February 9 & 16, students from all schools in Abaco will be invited to come to the Conch Pearl Gallery parking lot to paint road signs with art and the message: “Keep Abaco Beautiful!”. The best signs will earn rewards for the schools. Leftover paint from the mural projects will be used for this worthy project. This is a cooperative project of the AAG and the Abaco Rotary Club. All signs will be placed on roadsides. What a good way to mix civic duty and art!
RAIN BARRELL PAINTING
Following the successful project last year by Friends of The Environment, the AAG is planning on starting this fund-raiser this Summer so that we can have the barrels ready for the Fall. Anyone interested in painting or organizing in your community, please let me know. You may paint or rework the barrel anyway you wish - even making it into a fountain as Kim Tiernan and Shawn Roberts did last year!
WEBSITE
Check out our website www.abacoart.org for updated images of the murals, membership profiles and other info of interest to all Abaco artists. All our members are listed with a picture, profile and website link. Yes, another valuable feature of membership! So sign up now - and stay tuned!
Best Wishes,
Anyes (With Michael’s editing help)
Contact the board by email:
Anyes Adams, President, Photographer.
Anyes@anyesadams.com
Michael Adams, V. President, Sculptor, Painter.
Dma.art@hotmail.com
Garnell Limperes-Stuat, V. President, musician
Garnellstuart@yahoo.com
JoAnn Bradley. Treasurer, painter.
Pandjbradley@theconchpearl.com
Mirella Santillo, Public relations, Painter
Alphalyra43@yahoo.com
Kathy Dohn, Secretary, Painter
Kathyp11@cox.net
Marlee Mason, former President, Jeweler, painter
Moonrise@cocotels.net |
