NEXT WEEK

Our summer classes officially begin. Are you signed up yet?

Introduction to Figure Modeling with Chad Fisher

There will be a demonstration of this upcoming class on the Ocean City Boardwalk next month (official date TBA, but contact the Arts Center if you're interested). Held by instructor Chad Fisher, the demonstration is entitled Head Structure and Portrait for Beginner /Intermediate/Advanced students.

This will provide an in-depth analysis of the portrait with an emphasis on both specific anatomy and sculpture technique. We will study the overall structure of the face with exercises intended to sharpen our understanding of planes and how features relate to one another. After a brief introduction to the material, a demonstration will be given focusing on sculpture and drawing technique to help students understand where “form” begins and where it ends.

Enjoy a nice time out on the boardwalk in lovely weather seeing art in progress and learning something while you're at it!

Some information about Chad can be found at:

National Sculpture
Grand Central Academy
and Sculpture Competition Winners

A completed work in progress

Above are two photos of Marie Natale with her painting A Pleasant Stroll on the Avenue. The top photo is Marie working on the piece at our May 30th Spring Sampler, and below is her and Jack Devine with the completed work. Marie is a watercolor instructor here at the Arts Center. She achieves fresh, clean, glowing effects through the method of direct painting and truly creates magic on the paper.

Pleasure Avenue Meet the Artists Reception

This past Friday was our Meet the Artists Reception for our 2009 Annual Themed Show. This year's theme, Pleasure Avenue, was brilliant in that it was open to so many avenues of interpretation. Pleasure Avenue is a street here in Ocean City, often thought of as "one of the great unsung, quiet residential neighborhoods" (said by our President, Dr. Jack Devine), and so the local ties the theme had provided a wonderful atmosphere for the opening whose attendees felt a close bond with the works. The artists invited to participate in this group show also had the option to create works that responded to the words "Pleasure Avenue" in a literal sense. So with each of these ideas fused together, the body of work we received yielded much aesthetic promise. As said by the President of the Board of Trustees, and this goes for all of us, we "are delighted that the show has brought a new consciousness to this fine old street and [we're] delighted that so many artists responded so beautifully to the Arts Center's appeal for work."

Below are photos from the reception.

Cynthia Sabatini and Zoe Rosenberg stop for a photo opp at the opening.

Board Members pose in the gallery.
From left to right: President Jack Devine, Vice President Peggy Lloyd,
Paula Fortune-Angelo, Connie Smedley, and Eleanor Raymond.

Artist Lance Balderson with his painting Spring Pleasure

People enjoying themselves in the gallery.

Artist Louis Castagna with his polytych Four Perspectives.

Old and new generations enjoying the work.

People talking at the reception.

Artist and former Board member Fred Arnold with his
painting A Walk in Wales (top left).

The show will be up in our gallery through the month of June. Following Pleasure Avenue will be BIG paintings in black and white, small works in color by artist Richard Samuelson. If you stop in the gallery this month, be sure to pick up a MEET THE ARTISTS guide available at the desk or at the gallery sign-in.

Jitterbug Formation to "Bandstand Boogie"

Dancers from Follow Me Ballroom, taught by Carrie Reilly and Ed Fischer. This performance opened the Spring Concert last Friday, June 5, 2009.

*BUS TRIP*

Board Member Paula Angelo and former instructor Lance Balderson will be hosting a bus trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Thursday, June 15th, 2009. The trip is to see Lance's newly acquired painting, Tryst -- and he will give a short talk in the American gallery. Those going for the trip are welcome to explore the rest of the museum as well. The bus leaves for Philadelphia at 8:00 AM that morning and departs the city to return back at the Arts Center at 4:00 PM. The cost of the trip is $30 and is open to members and non-members. This promises to be one of the most fun trips yet! Call 609-399-7628 today to reserve your space or make a payment. Refunds will not be given after June 15th, 2009. More information is available on our website at www.oceancityartscenter.org.

First Annual Spring Concert

What a success! The night was spent amid the studios and gallery enjoying delicious food, drinks, and company. It was wonderful to see parents, staff, students, and other members of the community come out for an evening of live entertainment! Our students did a tremendous job, and this will be the first of many nights like this to come! Check out the pictures below!

All the kids during the grand finale, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

Kyle Howey on drums and Joe Salmonsen on guitar.

People crowding in the gallery to see the show.

Miss Andrea and the girls of the Ocean City Dancewave

A little overdue, but...

Here's the Spring Sampler Update! May 30th was an incredible day at the Arts Center. So many teachers came out to demo and teach classes, and with our wonderful array of food, TONS of people attended our event! A special thanks goes to Mario's Restaurant, Sack O' Subs, Jon & Patty's, and The Chatterbox for donating those delicious trays of food! Thanks to our teachers as well for coming to help set up and spend the day.

It's always fantastic to see something creative happening in every studio and corner of our center. Months of hard work were put in to this event being a true success and it was well worth it. Below are pictures from the Spring Sampler so you can see for yourself!

Some of our delicious free samples!

Fiber Arts instructor Betty Lou Cassidy working on a project

for her upcoming summer BEACH BOOK workshop.

The fabulous watercolor instructor Marie Natale working on a painting that is actually in our themed show this month, Pleasure Avenue.

Guitar instructor Rob Gummel giving free lessons.

Drum teacher Bob Boney giving a free demo, they really loved his Bossanova technique!

Zumba student 'Solo' striking a pose during the free class!

NBC TV40- Newscasters Phaedra Laird and Ben Parsons talking to Chi Kung instructor Paul Pickens. They were telling him all about their

BRAND NEW SUMMER ART CAMP TV News Basics!