Art, flowers in virtual bloom at the CCA
It’s coming up flowers, art and springtime cocktails this weekend as Chelmsford Center for the Arts celebrates the
CCA’S In Bloom Virtual Exhibition.
Artists whose work will be interpreted by floral designers and showcased on the CCA’S Youtube channel include Donna Berger, Michele Bol, Barbara Fletcher, Heidi Jackson, Priti Lathia, Nancy Lesofsky, Susan Lippman, Barbara Ludinsky, Wendy Prest, Denise Rainis, Elaine Seidel, Trina Teele and Janet Wolohan.
Organizers invite all to the free kickoff celebration, dubbed “How to Party with Flower Power,” on Friday, April 9, at 7 p.m.
You’ll see the artworks interpreted in floral arrangements — and some will be available for purchase. Party fun also includes a “how-to” lesson in making CCA’S signature spring cocktail and mocktail — the Twinkle and the Twinklette.
To get in on the festivities, dress in party attire, have some party food on hand and get the makings for the signature drinks, which are available on the CCA website at chelmsfordarts.org/april-9-cca-in-bloomvirtual-party.
To join in the fun on Friday at 7 p.m., visit www.youtube.com/channel/ucjvxscrj_jatgyvw-avg6ia.
Gallery notes
: ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Mary Phillips is Whistler House Museum of Art’s Artist of the Month for April. A docent and member of the Lowell Art Association and participant in many shows at the Whistler, Phillips creates drawings and oil paintings that clearly tell visual stories of the world in realistic, representational depictions. In her work, she seeks to edify and create a deep consideration of the subjects she portrays. She started her studies in fine art as a teenager and draws inspiration from such masters as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Homer and artists in the Hudson River School group, to name a few. Her time-consuming process is reminiscent of European painters before the 1800s. It includes creating a drawing in pencil or charcoal and transferring it to canvas, where it is underpainted in value scale. Color is then applied and finished with final glazing. She has exhibited extensively in New England and the United States. To view her artwork, which is for sale, visit www.whistlerhouse.org. To purchase any of her paintings, email sbogosian@whistlerhouse.org or call 978-807-6699.
: SAVE THE DATE: Lowell’s Brush Art Gallery and Studios hosts a Virtual Concert for the Visual Arts fundraiser Saturday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m.
There will be cabaret-style music and entertainment performed by Greg Descoteaux, Bobby Gauvreau and Dan Sirois, an online silent auction, arts-oriented remarks and more. Register online at thebrush.org/concert.htm for a suggested donation of $25.
: HERE COMES THE SUN: Meanwhile in Concord, the Umbrella Arts Center has announced plans to launch an exciting, new, three-week cultural festival to celebrate spring, its program resumption and the community’s re-emergence from COVID-19 isolation. Dubbed “The Umbrella Artfest: Here Comes the Sun!,” it runs
April 24, Earth Day, through May 16, and features an expansive, multiweek series of cultural events and community activities for safe enjoyment at the Umbrella, 40 Stow St., online and all around Concord. Details and a free Artfest app are available at www.theumbrellaarts.org/artfest.
Nancye Tuttle’s email address is nancyedt@verizon.net.