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!!! 

July Open Call Art Show - THE NAKED TRUTH

Our second open call art show is just around the corner, and it's going to be SPECTACULAR!  Betty Wilson and Linda Manganaro are hard at work setting up "The Naked Truth".  This show and sale will feature over 30 local artists in all mediums including photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, art jewelry and mixed media.  We invite you to join us for the opening night reception on Friday, July 20th, from 6 - 9 PM.  Live music, art demos, refreshments and more.  Meet some of the country's finest artists and support local arts!!  Emerging and established artists will be featured, you don't want to miss this!!!  See you on the 20th...

Summer Schedule Heating Up!

Summer is here...in case you didn't notice.  The temps are climbing and the rain is falling--typical summer for South Florida!  So, when you're not on the beach, dodge the raindrops with a visit to Clay Glass Metal Stone!  Our summer schedule is filling up with great events, shows, classes and more.  Last Friday, June 15th, marked the first of our summer "open call" art show series.  Coordinated by Gallery members Betty Wilson and Linda Manganaro, these shows are open to all artists, all mediums.  The first show, The Oddity of the Artist, was fantastic!  Over 30 artists joined, showing original painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media and more.  One very special aspect of these shows is the opportunity they offer for new and emerging artists to show their work.  We will be profiling a new artist from these shows each month here on our blog, along with an established artist.  Never shown your work before?  Well, now is the time!  The next show, "The Naked Truth" is scheduled for July 20th.  We'll be posting a link to the admissions form here soon...stay tuned.  In the meantime, feel free to contact Betty for more information about the admissions process.

Lake Worth is gearing up for a fantastic 4th of July celebration on the Avenue.  Family friendly events, contests, concerts, fireworks and even a KISSING PIG will be part of this non-stop fun day downtown.  Click here for the day's schedule.  Be sure to stop by the Gallery and say hello...

Next, we are holding our first Gallery Open House on July 6th, welcoming several new artists to our co-op, including Shannon Torrence, LaReine Marks, Irene Jalowayski, Barbara Keener, David Wood and Susan Saladino.  Come by to meet the artists, see the new works and enjoy a pot luck table of refreshments.

Speaking of LaReine Marks (a fantastic sculptor specializing in nudes), she will be offering life drawing sessions at CGMSG.  Held every Tuesday night from 6 - 9 PM, these classes are open to everyone, no matter your skill level.  Contact LaReine for details and to reserve a spot, space is limited and these classes will fill up quick!  $15.00 per session in advance, $20.00 per session at the door.  We hope to add more classes to our schedule, so stay tuned....

That's ODD......

Welcome to Summer! The days are long, and the weather is HOT. The Gallery has plenty of exhibitions, events, and shows to keep you cool. Next up is "Oddity of the Artist" on June 15th. This show, put together by Gallery artists Betty Wilson and Linda Manganaro, is a new format for CGMSG. Throughout the summer we will be hosting "open call" art shows. In other words, we are opening the Gallery, during these specific shows, to local artists (Gallery members and NON-MEMBERS) of ALL MEDIUMS, not just 3-D. Oddity will feature over 30 Florida artists showing works that reflect the unusual--the "odd" in art. You won't want to miss this show of amazing works!!! Opening reception at 6:00 pm on the 15th. Food, music, fantastic art, what more can you ask for???? Mark your calendars!

 

 

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!!

Spring is in the AIR!!!

April is such a fun month.  April Fool's Day, Easter, and the onset of Spring!  The Gallery is getting ready for one of our favorite events, our annual Peeps Show.  Yes, I said PEEPS! 

For those unfamiliar, the Washington Post began Peeps Shows several years ago, inviting folks to create three-dimensional dioramas using marshmallow Peeps.  Google it, and prepare to laugh yourself silly.  It is AMAZING what you can create using marshmallow Peeps!  Not to be left out, CGMSG held its first Peeps Show last year (pics here) and it was a "sweet" success.  Thousands of folks visited the Gallery over a one week period to see the sticky art created.  What a fun event!

This year's show will be just as silly, and we invite art lovers of all ages to join us this Friday, April 20th, at 6:00 for the unveiling of the Peeps creations.  Peeps Couture will be featured, along with many other amazing installations.  This show is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and perhaps give you a cavity or two....We encourage guests to come dressed in their best Peeps-wear.  Last year some really lovely hats embellished with Peeps were on proud display.  So, dust off your Peeps, and see you at 6:00!!! 

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....

Hearts A-Flutter....

February is just around the corner, and you know what that means. NOT THE SUPERBOWL...I'm talking about Valentine's Day!!! Love is in the air, and we invite you to join us on Friday, February 3rd for "Viva L' Amore!" The Gallery will be transformed into an old fashioned Valentine, with wonderful handmade jewelry, sculpture and more, all created to inspire love and laughter. Give your true love an original, handmade gift to show how much you care!!!  See you at 6:00...

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

This week is one of the busiest on the Calendar. Family and friends gather for Thanksgiving, and we all pause to appreciate the wonderful people in our lives. We are also conditioned to shop like maniacs on the Friday after Thanksgiving. "Black Friday"....an epic marketing ploy that is astonishingly successful--and stressful.

Well, we at the Gallery have a gentle suggestion for you. Instead of waking up ridiculously early this Friday, we ask that you sleep in. Enjoy breakfast with your family and friends, then take a leisurely drive to stroll the Avenue in Lake Worth. Downtown businesses and restaurants are waiting to tempt you with hand made art, unique one-of-a-kind gifts, delicious foods, music, and live art demonstrations. 

Consider supporting local businesses and individuals this season. Give a gift that was created just for you, not in some foreign country. Who needs the madness of a midnight sale under flourescent lights in a big box store packed with strangers? Come see us, and we'll guarantee a wonderful shopping experience, sending you home with the perfect gifts for you and those you love. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air Florida is famous for!

So, we invite you to our Black Friday events on the 25th and to join us again on Saturday the 26th for Small Business Saturday.   We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgivig, and look forward to seeing you on the Avenue!!!

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!!

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!

Strong Sun Moon

There are countless myths and beautiful stories associated with the full moon. The first full moon of the Summer Solstice is called the Strong Sun Moon, and we will be celebrating this in the Gallery on July 15th. New Gallery artist Madeline Gallo is a potter and sculptor who often incorporates mythological elements in her abstract creations. Strong Sun Moon is her chance to share her art and imagination with us. So, come celebrate and meet our talented artists while sipping a glass of wine and tasting delicious offerings from J Street Bakery, all by the light of the Strong Sun Moon. See you at 6:00...

Celebrate Americana!

The 4th of July weekend is nearly upon us! Here's a bit of advice...spend your weekend celebrating our nation's independence in LAKE WORTH! This weekend promises to be a fantastic, fun-filled few days for you, your family and friends. Lake Worth is throwing a good, old-fashioned party including music, a pie eating contest, pig kissing (you heard me...) and so much more Downtown Lake Worth will be exploding with activity during the entire Fourth of July Weekend. On July 3rd, the Downtown Cultural Alliance Merchant Association will be taking over the Lake Avenue sidewalks and side streets “J”, “K”, “L” and “M” for a full day of old fashioned family fun. Restaurants and Merchants are offering patriotic sidewalk sales all day. The festivities will take place Sunday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Restaurants on Lake and Lucerne will move their grills to the sidewalk, roasting ears of corn and barbequing hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken and other holiday treats. Local food vendors will also line the streets with Italian-ice, ice cream, boiled peanuts, baked goods and watermelon.

And did I mention the Beach Blanket Bingo??? Wear a swimsuit July 3rd and get free raffle tickets for some great prizes!

So, start your weekend Friday night with a visit to the Gallery. We're featuring folk-art themed works by Gallery artists. All hand-made, all AMERICAN. Have a glass of wine and visit with these talented local artists. See you at 6:00!!

Hey Dad, Come See the New Gals!

June 3 was for the New Guys, and this Friday, June 17th is for the New Gals! Come meet our new Gallery members Kathleen Kirschner, Mary Catello, Teri Salomoni, Madeline Gallo and Lee Mortensen. Kathleen, Mary and Teri all work with wood and fiber, creating amazing vessels and 3-dimensional sculptures. Madeline is a sculptor and potter, and Lee works with stained glass and creates intricate mosaics. All will be on hand to meet you and show you their latest creations.

This Friday will also be a great opportunity to find the perfect Father's Day gift! Believe us when we say that Dad doesn't need another tie this Father's Day (seriously). Instead, give him the gift of original art. We have sports related sculptures from basketball to sumo wrestling, hand made coffee mugs, glass platters, and hand forged men's jewelry in bronze and copper. Each piece unique and original, just like DAD!

So, stop by for a glass of wine and meet our wonderful new artists. We'll help you choose the perfect gift for Dad, or for yourself! See you at 6:00!

Happy Birthday to US!

We celebrated our second birthday on the Avenue last Friday with delicious cake, mimosas, home made sangria and a fantastic butterfly release. The butteflies were provided by Wish Upon A Butterfly, and we had a great time watching the lovely insects emerge from their envelopes to fly away over the gallery. If you have never been a part of a butterfly release, you should! It is a lovely way to celebrate any occasion, and such a great, interactive event. Look up Wish Upon a Butterfly, and tell Jodi we sent you! We released native butterflies including painted ladies, black swallowtails, and everyone's favorite, monarch butterflies! As you can see from the photos below, this is an event made for kids and photographers. We will continue this tradition annually, and if you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendars for next May.

A special thanks to Durga Garcia for the amazing photographs, as always!

On behalf of all the artists that are a part of CGMSG, we also thank Jay Bernhardt for his continued generous support of the Gallery. If it weren't for Jay, we would not have a spot on Lake Avenue to call home. We cannot thank him enough!

Creating a Mermaid....From Cans!

Never let it be said that the Gallery is ever idle...To celebrate the Grand Opening of Lake Worth's brand new Publix Supermarket, Gallery artist Mary Ellen Dohrs was recruited to create a giant mermaid in the front of the Gallery made entirely of canned goods from Publix! Mary Ellen is an extraordinary sculptor and artist, and also an engineer, perfect for the job. Beginning on Monday, Gallery artists gathered to construct the mermaid under Mary Ellen's direction. The finished result is amazing! Be sure to stop by the Gallery to see her in all her canned wonder.

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...

Get Ready to Giggle...

Can you believe it's almost April? Well, a favorite holiday is coming, April Fool's Day! We will be joining in this silly celebration on April 1 with "Fool's Festival - A Collsion of Humor and ART!" Come by to see the whimsical side of the Gallery, with foolish creations like roaming nipplehorns by Theo Sable, bowls that stick their tongues out at you by Mary Ellen Dohrs, mixed media confusion by Linda Manganaro, and tiny people dressed as flying bunnies by Victoria Rose Martin.

We can all use laughter in our lives, and our artists create works that are sure to inspire a chuckle or three...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!!