Cambridge and Somerville Local First - 2011 Coupon Book - Shift Your Shopping to Local First

CSArt: Collect the Beautiful Bounty!

Sep 09 10:11 am

You’ve heard of CSAs. And thanks to SLF, you’ve now heard of community supported fisheries. With Harvest Fest just around the corner, we here at SLF have shifted to a lot of food talk, so today I’d like to introduce you all to Community Supported Art, a collaborative venture with the Somerville Arts Council, Cambridge Arts Council, Somerville Local First, and Cambridge Local First. CSArt, the latest project from the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, aims to get Somervillians and Cantabrigians to think about their art purchases (and their other purchases, for that matter) in the same way as they do when buying their fresh veggies.

CSArtists-2011

CSArtists: from left to right, rear: Bryan Smith, Christopher Poteet, Ed Tekeian, James Zall, Kate Martens. Front row, left to right: Anne Peramaki, Grace Durnford. Missing from photo: Richard Sabin

Instead of monthly selections of choice produce, the first round will provide the 50 lucky shareholders with three fall shares of one-of-a-kind works by local artists, making for nine pieces in total. Oh, and did I mention each art share pick-up is an event in itself? This type of CSA lets you join in the “harvest” at with CSArt’s Harvest Parties! These parties are designed to allow the buyers to connect with the artists creating the works they purchased. A work can take on a whole new meaning when you get to know the elements behind the scenes: the artist’s background, the meaning of the piece, the creation process.

Missed out on the first round of quality, limited edition artworks? Despair not! The pick-up events are open to the public, so you too can meet and greet with the artists and commission your own special piece. Or you can get on the waitlist for the next round of CSArt shareholders - if another 50 people sign up, the CCAE will offer another round of CSArt with a new crop of local artists! Round 2 is already halfway full, so sign up soon because only 50 shares will be offered again to keep the artwork unique.

Save the dates and learn about mediums from sculpture to woodcuts.

 

CPoteet-the89

CPoteet: The 89, acrylic painting by Christopher Poteet, Somerville

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2-4 p.m. Bloc 11, Union Square, Somerville

James Zall - artist’s book

Kate Martens - sculpture

Christopher Poteet - paintings

Come early and check out the Farmer’s Market just around the corner, Sherman Market, the Taza Chocolate Factory and all the cool shops in Union Square. Enjoy lunch and coffee or tea at Bloc 11 before or after the pickup, and meet your fellow shareholders and the artists.

 

G-Durnford-BlueHouse

Blue House, mixed media on fabric, by Grace Durnford, Somerville

Sept. 22, 5-7 p.m. at Eastern Bank, One Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge

Richard Sabin - woodcuts

Grace Durnford - mixed media with paint and embroidery

Ed Tekeian - 3D model kits

Enjoy some food and drink provided by our sponsor, Eastern Bank, meet the artists, and check out the Venture Café upstairs and learn about innovative ideas in clean technology.

 

Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m. at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St. courtyard

Anne Peramaki, paint on wood

Bryan Smith, etchings

Judy Motzkin, sculpture

 Enjoy bustling Harvard Square, explore CCAE’s historic home base, meet the artists, and sample some tasty treats.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Eastern Bank for their support in this project!

 

To learn more about CSArt, visit CCAE’s website or call the registration office 617-547-6789 x1.

6 Reasons You Should Clear Your Weekend for ArtBeat

Jul 14 4:01 pm

 

 

ArtBeat 2011: Red - This one's gonna be a scorcher!

ArtBeat 2011: Red - This one's gonna be a scorcher!

It’s that time of year again on the Somerville Arts Council calendar: ArtBeat! This annual festival held in Davis Square celebrates the innovative and inspired minds in just about every creative capacity of the dynamic Somerville arts scene. This year, SAC isn’t trying to (art!)beat that mid-July heat of the northeast, but is instead embracing it, with this year’s theme: RED. Alas, due to scheduling conflicts, SLF won’t be attending this year, but here are six reasons why you should:

  • Support local artists by buying a one-of-a-kind piece from one (or several!) of the 100+ craft vendors: Impress your Chihuly-crazed friends with a piece by a local glass artist
  • It’s fun for the whole family! Forgive us for the cliché, but it’s true – there are tons of kid-friendly events from storytelling to a puppet show
  • Catch up and coming folk/indie rock quartet Mean Creek: Recently deemed “Best Act in Boston” in the Boston Phoenix, these guys are going places, so see them while you can – for free!
  • Experience the diverse range of performance pieces and exhibits that the festival has to offer – there’s something for everyone!
  • Everyone loves a parade, so be sure to watch the Red Menace parade throughout the festival. Grab a red flag and join in if you like!
  • Engage in one of the many crafty interactive activities offered by local organizations. Even become a part of the festival by designing a scale for the traffic island Dragon Sculpture!

Bonus Reason: Food! C’mon, did you really need any other reason?

So, y’all best be there this weekend! Check out the website or Facebook page for more info, and make sure you tell us all about your ArtBeat shenanigans in the comments section below!

The Somerville Arts Council and SLF present an ArtsUnion Event: SomerFun

May 20 1:34 pm

The Somerville Arts Council and Somerville Local First are excited to present an ArtsUnion Event, SomerFun:A Romp for Independents. Join us for our 2nd annual FREE street festival and market and sample local cuisine, take part in a square-wide scavenger hunt or send one of your favorite local celebs in the dunk tank. Whatever you choose, with a variety of participating businesses, artisans, musicians and activities, SomerFun has something for everyone!

Event Description:

Something fun for everyone!

Something fun for everyone!

SomerFun: A Romp for Independents is a celebration of local and independent businesses in Somerville and across New England with activities and games, local arts and musical performances and the culturally diverse performances that define the Somerville Community.

At SomerFun, you can:

  • Enjoy a wide variety of games and activities including a Mixed Breed Dog Show, Square-wide scavenger hunt, farm and food demonstrations, a selection of carnival games (i.e. dunk tank with local celebrities) and on-stage entertainment from local youth, dance and musical guests.
  • Peruse tables from great local retailers, food producers, artisans and nonprofits.
  • Enjoy an art installation curated by local arts nonprofit Artisans Asylum.

This event will engage all segments and demographics of our community: From entrepreneurs to teens. From seniors to families. SomerFun is for everyone and we look forward to seeing you there!!

 

Support Local Artists at Miller Street Open Studios

Apr 29 11:53 am

SLF Artist Members Three Ring Binders, Camera Eye Workshops, and Sandra Allik are working artists at Miller Street Studios. During the  Somerville Open Studios event, these three artists will have their work on display to enjoy and buy.

Please join the artists at Miller Street Studios for their bi-annual 2011 Open Studios event, Friday April 29th, 6–10 pm (“AFTER DARK” a Miller Street tradition!) for an evening of art, live music and refreshments. Our Open Studios continue on Saturday April 30, 12 pm–6 pm.

Miller Street Studios is a community of professional artists with works on view and for sale, including: painting, sculpture, printmaking, animation, clay, bookbinding, a violin studio and more. We will also be conducting our annual sale of one-of-a-kind handmade artist’s books.

Miller Street Open Studios

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