Gloucester Daily Times
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/
Published: 03/01/2007
Group plans gatherings to discuss the arts
By Gail McCarthy
Staff writer
Animated discussions about art, film gatherings and salon evenings focused on the fine arts will be among the programs the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts - searts - serves up in the next year.
Nearly 90 residents attended the group's annual meeting Tuesday night at Allan Penn's photography studio on Commercial Street, which overlooks Gloucester Harbor, a draw for artists for centuries.
Painters, photographers, jewelry makers, bankers, businessmen and more were among those who gathered to hear from board members and from Dan Hunter, executive director of Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Science and Humanities.
The group, formally organized seven years ago, has the mission of putting the Cape Ann arts community on the map as a "world-class" center for the arts. It is open to anyone interested in the arts.
"searts is not about being an artist. It's about supporting the arts and all the pieces of infrastructure that need to be in place to take the raw material and organize it into something to benefit the entire community," said Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, president of the board. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. But we want to build bridges among the many organizations here."
The new programs announced this week include a monthly event, "Monday Night Meltdown," at Cameron's restaurant, where artists and those interested in the arts can have a colloquy for the sheer joy of discussing art.
Other periodic events will include film sessions organized by noted film producer Sarah Green, whose roots lead to Cape Ann. The "salon" evenings are designed to focus on a particular segment of the fine arts, whether photography, music, painting, writing or other topics.
Hunter spoke to the group about making an impact on the region's creative economy.
"You are a significant industry for your community," Hunter said. "I believe your strength is in being here together and working through differences to bring focus and energy to the arts and culture on Cape Ann."
He credited the work of searts members who show "great compassion and conviction" in their effort to bolster the artistic and cultural groups here. Hunter said he was impressed by the spirit of the searts members gathered at the annual meeting.
"There's many supportive people with good ideas," he said. "I felt a healthy respect for each other and the different work and the different organizations on Cape Ann. There was a great sense of optimism about what can be accomplished on Cape Ann and how it will affect the local communities. It was not about what can be done for individual artists, rather it was about what can we do for the Cape."
He commended the work taking place here.
"If you want to gauge art on the North Shore, look at where you are. Look at Allan Penn's studio in an old building with its architectural integrity maintained, but inside something new is happening," Hunter said.
Ganim-DeFalco said she was energized by the meeting and its turnout.
"I just feel like we keep inching toward our goal. It was a chance for people to get to know who we are and feel comfortable reaching out to us, and I think we created a welcoming environment," she said.
Jo-Ann Castano, known among members as the "mother" of searts, said looking forward, she believes the organization should reach out more to communicate with politicians, businesses and corporations.
"We need their presence too," she said.
For more information, visit www.searts.org.