With Spring time comes some top rated Arts and Crafts Festivals along with open studios and markets. This weekend is CraftBoston the Society of Arts and Crafts event at Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard Boston, Massachusetts 02210. It runs 10-6pm on Friday and Saturday and then 11-5 on Sunday. Go here for more info.
Last month was The Paradise City Arts (PCA) Festival. It remains one of Rainy Day's favorites arts events for several reasons. First the 175 os so artist-exhibitors who are there are top caliber. A number who we chatted with had completed MFA's or rigorous apprenticeships. Many had pieces in noted galleries or musuems. Second the show's sponsors attend to the details with food that is a cut above (this year's deserts, especially the chocolate eclairs, had our endorphins buzzing) alongside a jazz quartet ambience. As well the variety of media has something for every taste including jewelry, clothing/accessories, paintings, art glass, ceramics, sculpture and furniture.
We sent two of our gadabout writers, Lisa and Jay, to report back on the Marlboro Ma. event. If you're intrigued by some of our profiles from this year's show you can note on your calendar the remaining Paradise City Arts shows this year. The next PCA show will be in Philadelphia April 30-May 2. Their al fresco Northampton, Ma. shows will be May 29-31 and again October 9-11. Information on additional shows and exhibitors is at http://www.paradisecityarts.com/ Some of the artists below will be at future shows or have their own websites with virtual art displays. Upcoming open studios and weekend markets are also options for some of the artists. We'll profile two artists today and then over the next several weeks we'll post additional artist profiles from this week that we think you will enjoy checking out.
When Whitmore Boogaerts came up for air after working on the Big Dig's third Harbor Tunnel he was ready for a change of pace. Although he has a Civil Engineering degree from Tulane he has long had an interest in the arts, including being an Art Director in the NYC public city schools. While he was there in the mid 70's he gave Andy Warhol a tour of the school and perhaps Warhol's bon mot ("Art is Anything You Can Get Away With") planted a seed. Not much goes to waste or gets away in his Providence RI sculpture and welding studio. The larger than life metal totems have faces whimsical and menacing in a "Where the Wild Things Are" sort of way. Many of the metal cut outs from these faces end up in some of his heavy metal but light hearted sculpture. These pieces may have burnished metal circles along with abstract or geometric forms that would be at home in a Kandinsky work while Alexander Calder is an inspiration for some of his kinetic pieces.
The figurative is not foreign to Whitmore though. This year The PCA sponsors have asked artists to contribute works for a central display on "The Art of Love" that greets visitors to all their shows. Whitmore's wall hung mobile has some rosy copper hearts that his daughters are hoping return home after the PCA exhibits draw down. Fish and flying dogs are also subjects for his work. As well functional lamps, tables and chairs round out his portfolio of welded metal. Whitmore will be having a studio sale April 24 and 25 at his 7500 square food studio in Providence RI. and he will be in Boston's South End Open Market several times beginning May 23. For more information and examples of pieces visit see www.wb-sculpture.com
Denishé Hats makes some of the most beautiful and fun hats I’ve seen. Denise Shea was inspired by her grandfather, who wore a hat every day when he left the house. She remembers fondly watching him open his hat box and put on his fedora before walking out the door. Denise has a background in graphics art and illustration, and she brings these skills and perspective to her work. She makes hats for children, women and men from a variety of materials including felted wool and straw. From small pill box hats designed to perch on top of your head to wide brimmed hats adorned with feathers, rhinestones and veils, Denise’s hats will make you and those around you smile. [Permalink] -Paradise City Craft Show: by Jay Rogers
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