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P R E S S R E L E A S E
COTTAGE STREET STUDIOS
2009 Cottage Street Winter Open Studios and Sale
One Cottage Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
Friday Dec. 4th 12 - 5
Saturday Dec. 5th 10 - 5
Sunday Dec. 6th 12 - 5
Free and open to the public
Handicap Accessible
For images contact Briana Taylor: mail@brianataylor.net
For more information contact Annie Steiner: info@anniesteinerart.com
Affordable and beautiful holiday gifts.
EASTHAMPTON, Mass.— How long before Easthampton is named “Number One Best Small Art Town in America?” Since 2000 when Northampton, Mass., was given this title, the city has been riding high on the recognition; but its blue-collar neighbor, Easthampton, with its roots in New England’s early textile industry, is quickly gaining in status as a cultural and artistic mecca.
At least some of the credit for Easthampton’s increasingly visible profile should go to the artists and craftspeople who have set up shop at One College Street, a former textile mill converted to multi-use space in the 1970s.
The group, known as Cottage Street Studios, will be opening their doors to the public for their popular open-studio and holiday sale on Friday, Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6, noon to 5 p.m. offering an array of fine arts and crafts, with prices to fit any pocketbook.
Over 35 artists will be opening their doors. Here is a sampling of what attendees will be offered:
• Ugone & Thomas’ new work from the ReKindle Lighting Line as well as new wall art in several designs.
• Tile, wood, and slate candleholders similar to those State Senator Stan Rosenberg commissioned from Levy LaRocque as part of his holiday gift selection.
• Glorious fused glass work of all shapes from ornaments to small windows by Lynn Latimer, who is currently featured in 100 Artists of New England.
• Lush landscapes of Northern California’s wine country by Bear Fest artist Michael MacTavish.
• Whimsical and affordable porcelain animals and angels from White Dog Pottery, celebrating their 25th year in the Cottage Street Building.
• Annie Steiner’s landscapes and interiors, described as “radiant’ by a Boston art critic. Smaller works at affordable prices will be on display.
• Paintings from this year’s American Artist Abroad, Laurie Goddard, who has just returned from Saudi Arabia and is preparing new work inspired by her trip.
• A Tarot Gallery with opportunities to see and touch a wide variety of Tarot decks as well as receive free one card readings.
• Affordable t-shirts, tote bags, pillows, and aprons along with a denim line and children's clothing items from Riverside Arts.
• Handcrafted, small affordable tables specially designed for this year’s Open Studios from award-winning Joel Liebman Furniture.
• Sculpture by Piper Glass & Steel as shown in the 2009 Northampton ‘Artists and Their Gardens’ tour.
Easthampton is a model small city of the 21st century. It retains its mill town soul, while fostering innovation. Community members treasure the abundant resources, dynamic downtown, and vibrant neighborhoods. By adapting, evolving, and making tough choices, Easthampton is sustainable, inclusive, balanced, and a great place to live.
ADDENDUM: Additional Info on Artists
Michael MacTavish of MacTavish Fine Art (Studio 3-16) may be best know to the Valley as the creator of Bearly There A.K.A. Chrome Bear, the bear that was stolen – and later recreated – from this year’s Bear Fest, but his passion for landscapes is apparent when visiting his studio. At Open Studios, he’ll be featuring work from his travels in Northern California’s wine country. Recent exciting sales include his first international sale and selling a painting off his easel while it was still wet.
Laurie Goddard has recently been chosen as an American Artist Abroad/Art in the Embassies, a part of the US State Department. The award includes an opportunity to teach and exhibit in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Only 2 artists are chosen annually for this honor and are always sent to new countries, solo. Goddard is currently exhibiting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at Hewar Gallery in a show officially opened by the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Goddard returned in mid-October and reports that her work is already changing.
Joel Liebman Furniture (Studio 3-41) will be presenting award winning furniture with special new designs of small affordable tables for the Open Studios. Liebman has been nominated as a finalist for a special invitation exhibit at the 2009 Art Deco Festival in South Beach, Florida, and recently received the 2010 Niche Award.
Ugone & Thomas Company’s beautiful productions are featured in the current November/December issue of Yankee magazine. Upcoming features in design publications include Ugone & Thomas holiday ornaments being featured in “Made in New England – 42 Great” Gifts” and table lamps included in the December issue of Old House Interiors. At Open Studios, they will have new work from their ReKindle Lighting Line as well as new wall art pieces in several new designs.
Levy LaRocque (Studio 4-41) has been preparing for the holiday season by creating a commission of tile, wood, and slate candleholders for State Senator Stan Rosenberg’s annual holiday gift giving tradition of supporting a Western Mass artist. Senator Rosenberg worked with the artists to select materials and design the candleholders. He said that this is a favorite tradition of his in his role as Senator that he will miss when he retires. Levy LaRoque also offers mosaic title workshops for people of all ages and abilities.
Linda Batchelor’s (Studio 3-40) work "Red Loopdeloop" was selected by Al Miner, Curatorial assistant at the Hirshhorn Museum for the Maryland Federation of Art's Small Wonders exhibition. The exhibition runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 27. She is also currently the point person for collecting art donations for AIDSCARE of Hampshire County, and designed and implemented new hallway announcement areas for the Cancer Connection.
Lynn Latimer of Latimer Glass Studio (Studio 308) will be featured in an upcoming book, 100 Artists of New England being published by Schiffer and also has work in the Artful Home Catalogue, part of www.artfulhome.com. One of her most personally inspiring pieces of work is a custom window for a home owner that loves her old Japanese Maple tree and wanted a piece to capture the essence of the tree. “Designing a piece with spirit is the part I love best about my work,” says Latimer.
Annie Steiner of Steiner Studio (Studio 3-12) has recently participated in several shows in the New England area, including Wickford, RI; Portland, ME; Glastonbury, CT, and Paradise City Arts in Northampton, MA as well as an exhibition called BUDS with studio mate Suzette Jones at the Nashawannuck Gallery in Easthampton. Jeanne Williamson, of the Boston Artisan Examiner, offered a wonderful review of Steiner’s work: "Annie Steiner's radiant paintings describe sunlit meadows and garden paths, glowing interiors and dramatic still life arrangements. Her attention to detail is extraordinary. Steiner was born in Belgium and now resides in Western Massachusetts. We are looking forward to seeing her paintings of the Pioneer Valley iconic scenes, such as the Quabbin Reservoir. Steiner also paints specific subjects for a corporate clientele." Steiner is serving as the chairperson of Cottage Street Open Studios this year.
Carolyn Cushing of Art of Change Tarot (Studio 2 -21) Ms. Cushing will turn Studio 3 -21 into a Tarot Gallery with opportunities to see and touch a wide variety of Tarot decks as well as receive free one card readings. “People have many misconceptions about the Tarot,” says Ms. Cushing, “because they’ve only seen the scary Death card appear in movies. But many different kinds of people – psychologists and writers, business consultants and intuitive counselors – use Tarot cards and images in positive and creative ways.” Ms. Cushing uses the cards in intuitive collaborative consultations and readings to help people make change in their lives, deepen their spiritual practice, or increase their creativity.
Riverside Arts is introducing a new product line using the imagery produced in the classroom of Riverside Industries. We plan to have affordable t-shirts, tote bags, pillows, and aprons along with a denim line and a few children's clothing items. All proceeds from sales will support the Riverside arts program.
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