Shop Small!

There are so many reasons to shop locally this holiday season, skipping the malls and "big box" stores. Handmade art is an especially wonderful gift to give, and Gallery artist Norm Gitzen put it best, offering this insight, "When you buy a gift for a loved one from a local artist you are gifting two people at the same time!"

Supporting local art and artists has such a great impact on the arts community from the artists standpoint, as well as the galleries and shops offering locally made art. That is why we are encouraging all our friends and supporters to "Shop Small" this holiday season! This movement has become quite strong and Saturday, November 26th has been designated Small Business Saturday, dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

So please consider your locally owned and operated businesses when plannig your gift-giving this season, and support local arts and artists by shopping SMALL!!! See you in the Gallery...

Thanks go out to Chuck Weber and CBS12 News for featuring CGMS Gallery in a recent piece about the holiday econonomic forcast for Lake Worth. We look forward to a bright and successful holiday season, and hope to share it with all our friends and supporters!!

Buy Handmade this Holiday Season....PLEASE!

Can you believe it's already mid-November? Wow, the year is flying by. This is the time of year to reflect on what we are thankful for and to share gifts from the heart. All of us at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery ask that you consider sharing handmade gifts this season. Skip the malls and "big box" stores full of mass produced products and give something made by a local artist instead! Original, beautiful and much more meaningful, handmade art supports local businesses and artists. We so appreciate your support!

Speaking of amazing gifts of art, our next event, Harvest - From Hand to Hearth, will feature truly lovely works in weaving and wood turning created by Gallery artists Mary Catello, Teri Salomoni and Mark Banfield. Come meet these talented folks on Friday, November 18th. Mary and Teri's woven baskets and forms are perfect for the season, and you will be amazed by Mark's intricate wood creations. Gorgeous works!

So, get into the gift-giving frame of mind with a visit to the Gallery. You know, many of our artists do custom designs, so it's not too late to create the perfect gift together! See you soon...

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....

Oh, What a Night!

Last Friday's show, Contrasts - Studies in Black and White, was spectacular! Thanks to all that joined us, and for those who missed, well, you'll have to live vicariously through the photos! Special thanks to guest artist Georgette Pressler of Devious Body Art, who transformed Gallery artist Maria Hayden's black and white sculptural figure to LIFE, painting a model in the Gallery. The finished work was simply stunning. Thanks also to Too Jay's Gourmet Deli for their generous donation of delicious black and white cookies.

Gallery artists Karen McGovern, Maria Hayden, Tracy Rosof-Petersen and Kathleen Kirschner transformed the Gallery into a black and white haven, full of beautiful art and furnishings. The show will run until Thursday, October 6th, so stop by if you have the chance.

In the meantime, enjoy this slide show of photos, and please stay tuned for news of our upcoming events. The next show is Friday, October 7. All I'll say now is that it's going to be HOT!!

Written in Black and White...

Summer has FLOWN by, and now we prepare for Fall. It may not feel it, but the season's are about to change! The Gallery calendar is really heating up, even as the temps will be cooling off. Next on the agenda is "Contrasts - Studies in Black and White". Simply put, you don't want to miss this show! We invite all guests to come dressed in your very best black and white outfits and accessories. The more outrageous the better.

Award winning artistGeorgette Pressler of Devious Body Art will be joining us, painting a model live. She is transforming her model into a living sculpture--patterned after Maria Hayden's amazing black and white torso sculpture that will be on display. A great opportunity to see why body art is one of the most explosive and popular arts events! Gallery artist Karen McGovern is hosting the event, and has created a series of mixed media jewelry in black and white for the show. Other Gallery artists creating works specific to this show include Mary Catello and Teri Salomoni, Norman Gitzen, Betty Wilson, Madeline Gallo and Linda Manganaro. The Gallery will be filled with amazing works in all mediums, all in black or white.

So, come out on Friday, September 16th at 6:00 PM for a wonderful live art event! AND, some good treats as well. TooJays Gourmet Deli of Lake Worth will be helping out with their delicious black and white cookies. We'll have some yummy cheeses and wines to sip as well. See you next Friday at 6:00....

The ART of REVOLUTION!

The Gallery is getting ready to give art a voice, a LOUD voice! On Friday, September 2, CGMS Gallery will be celebrating Labor Day with an old-fashioned protest party complete with local labor leaders giving "soap box" speeches and a Woody Guthrie sing-along with Gallery artist and musician Rick Cohen. Gallery Director (and all-around activist) Joyce Brown will be hosting this event, and has created one-of-a-kind sculptures specifically for this event. The Raging Grannies will also join us to lend their voices and songs to our political and social commentary.

To get you in the mood, here's Lukas Nelson singing "Peaceful Solution".

So, dust off your picket signs and come join the fight for ART and SOCIAL JUSTICE!

Grab your Beach Towel...

Attention all you hipsters out there! Get ready for an evening at the beach--1950's style! On Friday, August 19th, Gallery artist Lois Herrick invites you to join us for Vintage Florida - A Day at the Beach! Wear your favorite vintage Hawaiian shirt, Panama Hat, sarong and sandals (with socks if you must) for a fun night celebrating the art of vintage Florida tourism. Vintage postcards and art on display, live jazz by the Mark Doyle/Jeff Abbott duo, great food and more! Who can dress as the wildest Florida tourist? Got some great vintage shades? Wear them! Don't forget the zinc on the nose...it's always sunny in Florida! See you at 6:00!