Our First Ever Raffle!!!!

First, Happy New Year!!!  We wish you the very best in 2013, and invite you to keep up with us online, 'cause we have a great year of ART in store for you!

Tonight launches our first monthly raffle.  As we mentioned in an earlier post, every month a CGMSG artist will be donating an original, handmade work of art to be raffled in support of CGMSG's ongoing community arts programs and general operations.  Raffle tickets cost $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00.  You can purchase right here on the blog--simply click the PayPal icon on the upper right and choose your option.  EASY AS PIE!  The winning ticket will be drawn on the first Friday of each month (in this case, Friday, February 1st) and the next raffle item will be announced here on the blog the first Saturday of each month (in this case, Saturday, February 2).  A great opportunity to win amazing art and support our Gallery!

First up, we have Tracy Rosof Petersen.  Tracy is one of our "anchor" artists, supporting us from the very beginning.  Her sculptures, pottery and mosaics are beautiful and well-known in the area.  She has generously donated a lovely lighted design, featuring her signature "Peace" sign.  Here are the details straight from Tracy:

This versatile ceramic nightlight lamp vase can be used in 3 or 4 different ways. Use it as a vase with or without water, or a candle container or as a corded nightlight lamp. Each one is created individually and glazed by hand. This low-fire stoneware is twice kiln fired to over 2000°F, the temperature of lava. Looking through the mottled sunset orange peace sign, you can see the light reflecting off the warm white interior. The outside body is a soft satiny mint green with light rust showing through the layers of glaze.

Each nightlight lamp comes with a standard UL approved 6’ nightlight cord with a toggle on/off switch and includes a 4 watt clear bulb. Each bulb has been tested before it is packed for shipment. The lamp weighs approximately 3 pounds and is 9" tall and 6.5” diameter at the widest point of the rim, side to side and 5.5 wide from front to back.

I have used a variety of light sources to most accurately represent the colors of the glazes, with the nightlight cord on and the nightlight cord off, however, colors may appear slightly different on each monitor and in your home lighting. Please email me with any questions.

Click the image for an expanded view...

A Season of Giving....And CREATING!

Happy Holidays!!!  Greetings from sunny Florida.  As we prepare for the almost-upon-us holidays, we here in the sunshine state use spray-on snow and crank the A/C up to create the illusion of winter.  None-the-less, we decorate our trees, light our menorahs, and celebrate the season with joy.  We wish all of our friends, family and supporters Peace and Joy this season, and look forward to seeing you in the Gallery.

Our artistic "elves" have been hard at work, setting the Gallery to perfection.  The shelves are filled with original, hand-made art, and our member artists are anxious to help you find the perfect gift to give this season.  Any time you come to CGMS Gallery, a member artist will be on hand to personally assist you in choosing (or creating) the perfect gift.  Call ahead, and we'll even set up a time to work with you one-on-one!

We also have some new events on the calendar, and new incentives within the Gallery to make your experience here even more fun.  On December 21 we will host a wild evening of live art called "Turn On - Tune In - Spin Out".  This event is a nod to the 60s, and features live art demonstrations by three of our talented Gallery members.  Tracy Rosof Peterson will be throwing pots on a pottery wheel, while Teri Salamoni creates amazing forms turning wood.  Wayne Smith will be spinning glass, creating gorgeous forms in blazing fire.  I believe I've even heard rumors of a contest to see who can create the most artwork in the evening....don't miss this!  A wonderful opportunity to find that perfect, last minute gift.

RAFFLE ALERT!!  AND, we are also offering monthly raffles of member artist creations!  This is a new idea for us, and we are testing as we speak.  Every month a Gallery artist will offer a work of handmade art.  Raffle tickets are just $5.00 each or five (5) for $20.00 (that's the BARGAIN, you end up with a free ticket!).  You can purchase tickets right here, using the PayPal button on the top right.  Raffle items will be announced here and on our Facebook page, along with the artist's bio, and photos of the work offered.  The winning ticket will be drawn on the third Friday of every month, during our first and third Friday art events and exhibits.  A fantastic opportunity to grab some amazing art and support our Gallery! The goal here is to raise funds for CGMS Gallery's ongoing community arts programs (like our Empty Bowls for Haiti project which raises thousands of dollars annually for children in Haiti), as well as continue to provide low cost retail space for local artists to show, create and share their works.

 

Our first raffle item will be provided by member artist Tracy Rosof Peterson, and I'll be posting photos and info on that very soon, so stay tuned! 

 

Whew, that's a lot for one post, so I'll quit now.  BUT, please check back--you don't want to miss anything and we have so many fantastic events and exhibits planned....see you in the Gallery!!! 

Book Signings, New Shows, Sensational Summer EVENTS!

Well, "Season" may be officially over, but that doesn't mean the Gallery is slowing down one bit!  In fact, we're gearing up for a fantastic Summer, full of new artists, art shows, events and so much more.  The Gallery is restructuring--we're making space available for as many Palm Beach County artists as we can!  You will see many new faces and new lines of AMAZING artwork on our shelves....with so much more to come.

This Friday, May 18th, we welcome Trina Slade-Burks and John Palozzi for an unusual art/book signing event.  Both have created illustrated cook books, filled with delicious recipes and beautiful art.  Come meet these talented artists/chefs, buy a book and turn your kitchen into an edible art gallery!! 

Then, it's on to June.  Gallery members Betty Wilson and Linda Manganaro will be hosting a "come one, come all" art show in the Gallery called "The Oddity of the Artist".  This is a great opportunity for new artists to show their works of all mediums (2D and 3D) in the Gallery for a week.  Click here to download the admissions form, and contact Betty for more information.  This show will be one of several held over the summer celebrating the wealth of talented artists right here in South Florida.  So, if you are a local artist interested in showing, PLEASE JOIN US!  And, if you are an art lover, mark your calendar for June 15 - 30th.  Can't wait to see what turns up!!!!

So, as Summer heats up, the Gallery will keep you cool with amazing art, fun shows, and as always, a great place to come hang out.  Stop by soon to see the new work and meet our artists.  See you on the Avenue!!

MARCH MADNESS!

Okay, this post isn't about basketball.  BUT, it is about how crazy the Gallery has been the past few months!  New artists, events, fundraisers, you name it--we do it!  Gallery Director (and wonderful ceramics artist) Joyce Brown wears more hats than a hat-rack.  Did you know that besides running the Gallery, advocating for the town and promoting Lake Worth events, she also hosts a twice weekly radio show in Lake Worth?  Tuesdays and Thursdays tune in to WPBR 1340AM for Joyce's show, from 12:00 to 1:00.  She interviews local artists and businesses while keeping you updated on the many wonderful events going on in Downtown Lake Worth.  It's a fun, loose hour with a "down home" feel.

Next, this Saturday (March 24th), we host one of our favorite fundraising arts/food event.  Do you love handmade pottery?  Do you love free, delicious food?  Then the Empty Bowls for Haiti fundraiser is FOR YOU!  The idea is simple--local artists create handmade ceramic bowls and vessels they then bring to CGMS Gallery.  You come and buy an event ticket ($25.00 in advance, 4 for $80, or $35 on the day of the event).  On Saturday the 24th, come to the Gallery to pick out a bowl you get to keep, AND fill with amazing foods offered by local Lake Worth restaurants!  Stroll the Avenue, pig out, and support the children of Jacmel, Haiti through the Arts Creation Foundation for Children.  100% of ticket sales will be donated to this great organization.  Talk about a win-win!  Every year this event gets better and better.  A great way to spend an afternoon...bring all your friends!!!  Get your tickets now, and come early on Saturday, as the bowls go FAST.  Oh, and BRING YOUR APPETITE!

Next on the horizon is another super-fun, hilarious event.  Our second annual PEEPS Art Show will be held on April 20th.  I won't give away too much here, you'll have to wait for more details, but I can say the Gallery will be covered in sticky, marshmallow art that will make you laugh, and give you cavities.  Stay tuned....

Time is FLYING!!! Let's Play in the Mud...

So sorry, folks...the blog posts have been so delayed! It's been a busy few months at the Gallery and I have been hard pressed to find all the time I need to keep all the events online. For up to the minute news, events and photos, be sure to check in with CGMS on Facebook (Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery) and Twitter (cgmsg). Thanks for your patience!

Whew, we've had some fantastic events in October. First, Norm Gitzen showed us how he creates his amazing metal works in "Forging Ahead" on October 7th, then Mary Catello and Teri Salomoni transformed the Gallery into a spooky wonderland for "All Hail All Hallow's Eve" on Oct 21st. Lake Worth was filled with ghouls, goblins and ghosts for Halloween weekend, in spite of the rainy, soggy weather!

This Friday, November 7th, we invite guests to join us to get "down and dirty" with Tracy Rosof-Petersen and John McCoy. Both will be behind potter's wheels in the front of the Gallery, domonstrating the ancient art of throwing pots. So, come get Behind the Wheel and sling some mud! This will be a wonderful opportunity to work with these award-winning artists, so don't be shy!

There are so many other great events on the horizon, please check our calendar and be sure to stop by the Gallery to say hello. I promise to keep you better updated here, and all over cyberspace! See you this Friday at 6:00....

Spirit of the Earth!

First, thanks so much to all of you that came out for Saturday's Empty Bowl Fundraiser for Haiti. The bowls were lovely, and the food delicious! A round of applause for all the Lake Worth restaurants that generously donated scrumptious treats...you guys rock! While we're at it, thanks to the artists that donated the hand-made bowls. Every year these bowls are donated FOR FREE to the Gallery, each made by a local artist. Gorgeous works by generous artists...

Also, a HUGE thank you to Gallery Director, Joyce Brown, for her tireless efforts to coordinate this event. Joyce is the driving force behind CGMSG, and we could not continue without her. THANKS JOYCE!!!!

Now, on to the next event. This Friday, April 15th, we will be celebrating our planet with "Earth/Bowl ~ Sky/Basket". This is a Native American title, refering to the Earth as a bowl and the sky as a basket. Gallery aritst Tracy Rosof-Petersen is spearheading this event, and her Native American-inspired pottery will be on display, along with other nature-inspired works from Gallery artists. We will also be welcoming representatives from Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, a great organization dedicated to preserving our fragile ocean reefs. Musical guest Nino DeSilva will be performing, so please come support our Mother Earth! See you at 6:00...

Let's Get DIRTY!

You have to come to the Gallery on February 18th for our first annual "Pottery Throw-Down!". We will have three pottery wheels set up in front of the Gallery, and our talented potters will compete to see who can throw the most bowls, create the biggest and the tallest bowls, and generally throw some mud around! We invite our guests to take a spin at the wheel--just be sure to wear something you don't mind getting dirty! If you've never worked clay on a wheel, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. If you are a potter, come show your stuff and enter the competition!

Finished bowls will be fired and offered for sale during our Empty Bowl Project to raise funds for Haitian relief efforts.

This will be a fun and very interactive event, so mark your calendars!! See you at 6:00!

THE ALCHEMY OF ART!

Art is an amazing force, affecting us on many levels. Art also affects our senses, and not just visually. Sure, we see and appreciate art, but what about the other senses? Sculptures and hand-made fabrics beg to be touched, we hear music and feel joy, sorrow, and movement. Food is art, joy for our sense of taste. And fragrance affects us deeply through scent. Join us this Friday, Jan 21, as we explore how art affects all our senses. Special guest Eva Sjodin of Circle of Life Holistics will bring aromatherapy to the gallery, discussing how scent can enrich our lives. Sara Lerner and Mary Ellen Dohrs will be presenting fine porcelain and sculpture full of texture and visual delight. Come immerse your senses in ART! See you at 6:00....

UPDATE!!! Barbara the Tea Specialist will also be joining us for an organic three tea tasting! Brewing the perfect cup of tea is a true art form, and Barbara has mastered this perfectly. From the Orchid Tea Room, Barbara prepares and blends the finest organic teas to tantelize your sense of taste and smell. Come immerse yourself in a true sensory experience!!

Welcom 2011 with Sparks and FIRE!

Say goodbye to 2010 and HELLO 2011!! Friday, January 7 we will be lighting up Lake Worth with hot metal! Sparks will fly as Gallery artist Yure Alencar demonstrates a live foundry pour in front of the Gallery. Come see him work with molten metal live! Gallery artists Jesse Showalter and Doreen Alfaro will also be explaining how they blend clay, glaze, smoke and fire to create amazing sculptural art.

It may be the dead of winter, but things are really heating up in Lake Worth! See you at 6:00!!!

Winter Wonderland!

Please come see us this Friday, the 17th, for a Gallery celebration of the Winter Solstice. What a magical time of year. Even for us beach bums in Florida, winter has arrived and we are feeling the chill of the season! Our Gallery is transformed into a winter woodland, and we'll be offering seasonal delights, wine and hot coffee to warm your spirit. The walls and shelves are filled with amazing original art, and our member artists will be on hand to greet you. There is no better gift than original art, so come by and get those last minute treasures...see you at 6:00!

We're Going to the Dogs!!!

Next Friday, August 20, the Gallery will be "going to the dogs" for Dog DaZe, celebrating all things canine! We"re supporting Elite Greyhound Adoptions, with special "doggie bags" and the latest Fido Couture provided by Lake Worth's Paws on the Avenue. So, bring you and your dog to the Gallery! Plenty of treats on hand for you and your furry friend, browse canine inspired artwork and support a good cause!

Beat the Heat...

This past Friday was a trip to the beach at the Gallery. We celebrated "Summer Daze" with sand casting, beach balls and a beach picnic theme in the Gallery. This event was hosted by Gallery artists Jesse Showalter, Marsha Christo, Linda and Kelly Dean Manganaro, and Lois Herrick. Sun, fun, sand and ART!!

Be sure to check our calendar of events to see what we have in store for the rest of the summer. There are some GREAT events and openings on the horizon, so be sure to join us at the Gallery!!

Give Peace a Chance...

This Friday will be very special at the Gallery. Five of our talented artists have joined forces to bring you an artistic celebration of PEACE. Gail and Howard Silverblatt, of amazing cloissone jewelry fame, will present a large Peace topiary in the front window, along with several new jewelry designs reflecting this theme. Potter Tracy Rosof-Peterson is known for her Peace designs, on mugs, vessels, plaques and more. Sheri Goldstien melts glass into amazing shapes of all colors and designs, often incorporating sprials and other peaceful images. Finally, Marica DiSylvester creates stunning teapots and vessels using natural elements and designs. The group will transform the Gallery into an artful celebration of PEACE, something we all need to support around the world.

Join us from 6 - 9 PM for edible delights, wine, and amazing ART!! See you there!

Winged Wonder!

This past Friday was an extra-special day at the Gallery. Not only were we celebrating Mother's Day, we also celebrated the Gallery's one year anniversary on Lake Ave. The celebration was made even more special by the release of several dozen monarch butterflies, courtesy of Mr. Butterflies. What a spectacular event! Take a look at the photos below and you will see the amazing effect the release had on those participating.

The Mayor of Lake Worth, Rene Varela, joined us for the release, as well as the many other friends and supporters. The wonderful photos were taken by Durga Garcia.

Thanks to those that came out to share in this event, and for those that missed it, stay tuned! We have many more spectacular events on the horizon!

Sayonara Season Sidewalk Sale!

April usually is the month that our visiting seasonal friends from "Up North" pack up and head home for the summer. What better way to say goodbye than with a GOOD BUY??? This Friday and Saturday CGMS Gallery will host a "Sayonara Season Sidewalk Sale". Amazing art at amazing prices! This is also an opportunity for us to make room for new, fabulous designs from our group of uber-talented artists.

So, join us this Friday night for a preview party, with special "preview only" sales on fine jewelry, pottery and more, then come back on Saturday when we take the sale to the sidewalk for the entire day! We'll have a tent set up out front, fresh lemonade, and unbelievable bargains. This is also a seconds sale--items slightly less than perfect, but all perfectly priced!

This event is brought to you by Gallery artists Gail Pasternack, Theo Sable, Betty Wilson and Joyce Brown. Gail and Theo will soon be leaving us for their Northern homes, so we want to send them off in style!

Don't miss this opportunity to collect original art at incredible savings. We'd love to see you, so do stop by!

Haitian Empty Bowl Project a Huge Success!

You probaby heard about the Empty Bowl Project we participated in last month. Well, it was a HUGE success! When the earthquake hit Haiti, we knew we had to do something to help. So, Joyce Brown, CGMS Gallery Director, started the Empty Bowl project. She put out a call to artists to create and donate ceramic bowls that would be sold in the Gallery, with 100% of sales proceeds benefiting Haitian relief efforts. Several HUNDRED bowls were created and donated by fantastic artists. On March 20th, folks picked up their bowls and were treated to free food from 16 Lake Worth restaurants. What a great day! Thanks to Joyce, all the artists who created bowls and to the wonderful restaurants and vendors in Lake Worth that made this event such a great success!!

Spring is in the Air!!

Can you believe it's almost April? Time is flying and it's finally SPRING! Been so busy at the Gallery. Our Haitian Relief Empty Bowl Project was an amazing success, with $5,000.00 raised on Saturday the 20th! Thanks to all who participated--the artists that donated handmade bowls, and the fantastic restaurants of Lake Worth that donated so much delicious food! Pictures coming soon...

Now, on to April, another busy month! First, Gallery artists Doreen Alfaro, Mary Ellen Dohrs, Karyl Mae Karpinos, and Theo Sable are presenting "Spring Has Sprung!" on Friday, April 2nd from 6 - 9 PM. Stop by the Gallery for a sip of wine, fresh fruits and cheeses, all to celebrate the changing of the season. The gallery will be dressed in style, with fresh flowers and new designs throughout! Don't miss this!

That's not all, Folks! Check back for more April updates...we've got a great sale coming and don't forget Earth Day! We'll keep you posted...

MARCHing Forward

Suddenly it's March! Time is flying and there is so much to see and do on the Avenue! The street painting festival was amazing, Lake Ave was simply transformed and everyone loved it. Crowds lined the street and we thank everyone who stopped by the Gallery while downtown. We invite you to do the same this Friday, March 5th, for a special night in the Gallery with artists Jesse Showalter, Susan Bordas, Doreen Alfaro, and Marsha Christo.

Jesse Showalter’s creative clay process begins on the wheel. “I have tried many media such as wood and metals, but my true love is working with clay. Throwing is like meditation, losing a complete sense of time and finding a quiet place within” he reveals. After years of making excellent functional ware he has discovered the joy and frustrations of the Raku and Saggar firing process using sawdust, seaweed, coconut shells, and even palm fronds as new ways of creating visual interest on elegant vessels.

Doreen Alfaro’s desire to make pottery started 6 years ago as a way to enhance her long career of catering festive occasions by using her handmade plates, cups, and bowls. As her passion for pottery evolved she became more interested in the sculptural aspect of clay while discovering the Raku process of firing. “Working with clay brings an undeniable bond to the earth, achieving great pleasure from the technique of alternative firings and connecting a natural and volatile process. Raku teaches the ability to embrace the results with a love for the element of surprise after every firing” she states.

Susan Bordas found herself falling in love with clay while traveling in the southwest collecting Native American clay art. She creates pieces that balance realistic and invented imagery with the structural textures coming from conversations with the clay. While using a variety of clay bodies the forms flow from organic to whimsical translating human emotions with an appreciation of transformations in life. Susan says “objects of art have the power to awaken our inner spirits and rekindle our spiritual being. I hope in viewing my work it speaks to you of the spirituality of the connection between human hands and the earth”.

Marsha Christo has evolved as a painter, printmaker and textile artist through a combination of mixed media, which encompasses both paper and cloth. “Like life, my work is similar to the ebb and flow of the tide, as it is forever changing, yet bonds together through process and material” she says. Impacted by tropical light, Christo a native New Englander has embraced this shift over the last twenty years, as it has clarified, “my jubilance for pattern, color and line, which pulsates as the catalyst in all that I do.”

Be sure to stop by this Frdiay for a glass of wine and a visit with these talented artists between 6:00 and 9:00 PM!

Love is in the Air...and So Much More!!

It's February, and you know what that means...Valentine's Day! Please, forget boring chocolate or flowers...how about giving your loved one an original piece of ART from CGMS Gallery? A truly one-of-a-kind gift for your true love. Now that's original! The gallery offers so many wonderful creations to choose from. How about a hand carved stone heart by Gallery artist Norm Gitzen? Or perhaps extraordinary cloisonne jewely by master jewelers Gael and Howard Silverblatt? Need something truly unique and unusual? Okay, Karen McGovern creates funky, ecclectic jewelry using found objects, butterfly wings, and antiquities. The list goes on and on and on...

The perfect time to come and take a peek would be THIS FRIDAY, Feb 5th. Gallery artists Joyce Brown, Betty Wilson and Theo Sable will be featured. Joyce creates amazing sculpture, Betty works with clay and glass, and Theo is a wonderful jewelry artist. You simply can't go wrong! So stop by from 6:00 - 9:00 on Friday for a glass of wine and to meet these talented artists. We'll make sure this Valentine's Day is one for the History books!

Also in the news this month is CGMS Gallery artist John McCoy. He recently had a wonderful article written about him in the Palm Beach Post. Click here for more...

So much more to come--planning themed exhibits for Spring and Summer, live art demonstrations in the gallery, and special events to keep us all on our toes. Be sure to keep updated--check back often and follow our Calendar so you don't miss anything!

See you at the Gallery!!

Don't Miss This Friday!

Come to our second November Gallery Opening Friday, Nov 20th, to meet our artists and shop for your PERFECT Holiday gift. The Gallery hosts Openings on the first and third Friday of each month, showcasing individual artists' work and offering a great opportunity to meet the artists represented. The Opening will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with light refreshments on hand. With the Holidays fast approaching, this is a great time to come see our wonderful selection of original art and jewelry. Plus, you can meet with an artist to design the perfect CUSTOM gift for someone special!

Make this Holiday Season spectacular by giving HANDMADE gifts!