FREEDOM GALLERY: ANNOUNCING NEW FALL CLASSES

YOU'VE ASKED AND WE'VE LISTENED!

"Artist Support Night" Writing goals for self & gallery artists!
 One of three gallery events that have led to the NEW FALL OPTIONSUsing "Write It Down, Make it Happen!"  a creativity/manifestation tool!

There's a tinge of orange in the hills, an occasional red splash of leaves, school busses have run their practice route, night temperatures are slowly working down the thermometer. Change is in the air and on our calendars. 

Accordingly, Freedom Gallery for Art & Spirit is heading into its fall schedule with the addition of Three new classes, inspired by community requests: Two options tailored for the artists among us and the "wish I were" artists, including writers, poets, painters, sketchers, sculpters, PLUS an additional class for new yogis, "lapsed" yogis and yogis who want to start out the fall at an easier pace. 

TWO OPTIONS FOR ARTISTS (Writers,Poets, Painters, Sketchers, Sculptors)
And "WISH I WERE" ARTISTS!

ARTIST SUPPORT NIGHT  Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8! Beginning September 9

"Your Turn: Poetry Night"
Reading to a supportive
audience. 

Aimed more at practicing artists with projects in mind and work to share, the weekly meetings will be your prodding angel to "Do something every week" so you can talk about it, share it, and, of course, have those artist discussions that let us know we all run into the same blocks, we're not alone, we do have dreams to manifest, albeit more slowly than we might want! And yes, we can make time for art! The support night is a direct outgrowth of two gallery events earlier in the year,  

"Your Turn: Poetry Night"
Poetry and Art Blend

Your Turn: Poetry Night, and Artist Support Night.  At both events, the participants (you?) expressed the need for an accepting, understanding group of support, and support on a regular basis. Sunday evening was the best time to bring together retiree's and those still in "day jobs." 

FIND YOUR CREATIVITY: EVERYONE IS AN ARTIST YES, YOU! Wednesdays, 1-2:30 Sept 5 thru Dec 12 $75  (Limited to 15)
FREE INTRODUCTION AND REGISTRATION September 5, 1-2:30. Actual course will run Wed, Sept 12 thru Dec 12, No class 10/10 or 11/21.

Picasso remarked, “Every child is born an artist. The trick is remaining one as an adult.” Picasso had it right...when we lose our playfulness as children, we lose varying degrees of our creativity, and our willingness to take playful risks.

"Journaling: More than you can imagine!"
Learning about Morning Pages,
one of many creativity tools.

Yes, there ARE tricks to finding and/or reigniting that creative spark that was squelched, blocked or severely damaged as we moved through school into the “responsible” and usually linear  world of adulthood. But the tricks are teachable habits and ways of thinking! ways of expanding your vision, your mind and, consequently, your life... As an artist and a long time teacher of writing and literature, teens through teachers, I have my bag of tricks and treasures, not to mention personal and "academic" research, just waiting to release them on a waiting class of adults!!

As a strong supplement, we'll make use of two books by Julia Cameron, a long time expert on the paths to creativity:  It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again:  Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond, and The Artist’s Way: Spiritual Path to Creativity. It is strongly suggested that you have one or the other as a basis for your “at home work,” and discussions we'll inevitably have. Be prepared to add pizzazz to your life! Books available through your library and through Amazon books, used or new.

For more information on either artist option, call me at (610) 762-2493, email  <barbaramcevoy@me.com> or  drop by Freedom Gallery to chat. 
Please RSVP  so enough seats are available.

YOGA ReNEWal CLASS for NEW BEGINNERS AND BEGIN-AGAINERS
Monday and Thursday 1:30-2:45, beginning Thursday, Sept. 6

Yoga in the California Hills...

If you’ve always wanted to try yoga, or you did it years ago, you’re not very flexible, you recognize age is overtaking you but you’re not ready to give in, this is your class. You’ll learn and practice basic asanas (yoga poses and sequences) developing strength, flexibility and balance. You WILL be getting down on the floor because getting up and down is a SAFETY MUST, but we’ll help you learn, limit the ups and downs and provide chairs to support you until you can do it on your own.

INTERMEDIATE YOGA will continue at 4 and 6 on Monday and Thursday
(come earlier if you want to chat)
The same bargain prices for class continue: $40/month, unlimited attendance; $75 for 10 class pass; $10 drop in; First Class Free. 

Call Barbara at  (610) 762-2493 or e-mail her at <barbaramcevoy@me.com> if you have any questions.

TOUR THE WALLS OF FREEDOM GALLERY FOR ART & SPIRIT, LLC

WHAT ARE GALLERIES FOR?

Before I even moved into the property at 8 Elm Street, I intended to set up "My Great White Barn" as a gallery, but it's history, after barn and carriage house, had included a seasonal gallery, traditional site of the Freedom Old Home Week lawn party, and three years of housing "Freedom Rings in the Holidays" crafts fair which was forced by NH winter weather, to move to warmer quarters in Town Hall.

Peg Scully's Wall

As an artist myself, I knew my great white barn was destined to be a gallery, and my studio, but what else? What are galleries for? First thought is for selling art, yes, of course...but if it were only for  people looking to buy art, it would be a lonely empty place.

A gallery is also for looking and learning! Art broadens our perspectives, soothes us, stimulates us, increases our awareness of the worlds around us.  A business name for my gallery kept parading through my mind. Freedom Gallery for ART & SPIRIT?

WHAT THE YOGA CLASSES SEE and FEEL
Spirit? Where did that fit into Art Galleries?

Terri Brooks' Wall

As the Freedom yoga teacher, a seemingly unconnected thought was, "A warm gallery closer to home than Town Hall? Of course, try it...and so I moved my yoga classes to the Gallery once it was heated. It's been a success. Class participants have commented that the paintings and photographs definitely add to the ambiance. They love Yoga in the Gallery! Of course they do. Art adds! That's why we visit museums...not to buy, but to see, to experience! 

Part of Joe Viger's Wall

These thumb nails show the gallery in miniature. They all look better up close and you don't have to join yoga to see what the yoga class sees*. Visit the gallery, in person, 10-3 Sat, 11:30-3 Sunday, or call 610-762-2493 to make an appointment!  We love to share our art, and we welcome visitors, by appointments or as drop-ins.
(*FYI Yoga is open for all levels, M&Th 3:45 & 6, Tues 10:30)

Sarah Tabor's Wall

Barbara McEvoy's Wall

Nancy Griffin's Wall

Joel Rhymer's Wall

THE NEXT STEPS? Don't miss out!

What more can we do with this wonderful space, besides thanking the artists for sharing their work. The answer is, Gallery Talks, but, since art and spirit are visual and active, as well as discussable, we have set up a series of experiential programs where you can come to look, listen, learn and, yes,  "Do something!" "Participate."


STARTING THIS WEEK We've planned free gallery events for the second and fourth Fridays. Join us for one or more. 

Friday February 7, two separate times, 1-2:30 and 6-8:30
     "Journaling: More than you ever imagined " Bring a notebook 8 1/2 by 11, and pens.
      Call Barbara with questions and to let her know you are coming to assure seating.

Friday February 23, two separate times, 1-2:30 and 6-8,  "Good-bye Winter, Hello Spring"  Exhibit opening with artists telling stories behind some of their works.

Friday March 9, 6-8  "Here's Looking at You"   Interactive Demonstration
Gallery Artist Peg Scully will be painting a portrait with a model on hand, and discuss what she is looking at, seeing, and doing as she paints. Artists can bring pencil and sketch pad if they want to try their hand at pencil portraits. 

Friday March 23, 6-8 PM  "Seeing With a Photographer's Eye" 
Gallery Photographer Joel Rhymer will present a power point explaining what makes some photos more appealing than others. Bring one or two photo's of your own to share, talk about, and/or critique.

Friday April 13, 6-8 "Walking the town with a Camera"  

Gallery Photographer Joe Viger will guide you on a short walk, giving photo tips, and return to the gallery for interactive discussion where we can share. Bring your camera phones!

Friday April 27 6-8  "Your Turn"
     Bring a favorite poem to read, one of your own, or just come to listen to other perspectives. 

As community events, you are welcome to BYOB and/or a snack. Seating is somewhat limited, so BYOC (floor pillow, camp chair) or call Barbara to let her know you'll need a chair and it will be provided. (Call 610-762-2493)

FREEDOM GALLERY: Interlude

Freedom Old Home Week Lawn Party

My "other house" sold! 
Capital available, time to get ripping on renovations...Full speed ahead! 

But wait!
Freedom Old Home Week is the first week in August, this year being the 119th year for the event.  For almost thirty of those years, there has also been the tradition of the opening event, the Friday evening lawn party, held on the lawn of "The Great White Barn."

Me pointing to Peg Scully's  "painting corner." 

Joel's Wall

Mary Hockmeyer, former owner of the barn and house at 8 Elm Street, started the lawn party tradition. What better place to hold the opening of Freedom Week Festivities than the lawn of the barn located in the center of town. For the first seven years I lived in Freedom, that lawn party was one of my favorite events, so when neighbors and acquaintances in Freedom learned I was to be the new owner, the big question was, are you going to have the lawn party? My answer, "Of course, I can't think of anywhere better!"

Sarah's Wall

New owners of course put their own stamp on things...mine was to have four other artists in town share my space with me, announcing, as it were, that the barn would be a gallery. This year ALL Freedom artists were invited to bring three works of art. A recent book I'd read, Show Your Work, inspired me to spread the message. We managed to add 6 artists to the fold, including 4 excited "newbies" to the world of exhibiting, with plans to expand to the second floor next year! 

Terri's Space and Ian Marshall's Memorial

Think of the complexity of closing down construction...interrupting the work, cleaning and clearing the space completely for the exhibit, than full speed ahead again two weeks later. My contractor, Ray DesMarais, understands about artists. His wife is one.  

Interludes and deadlines...because another, bigger exhibit is on the planning board for October 13/14/15.
Probably the official opening, as well!

Deadlines...exhibit interludes! 
Mind changing!
(I expect working with an artist is not always easy, we're known to be quirky)

Thank you to all the artists who participated and to Ray DesMarais for engineering the "interlude" seamlessly.  

NEXT EXHIBIT will feature White Mountain Scenes from photographers and artists who live,  hike, play, and practice their art in the region they live in. Possibly on view as early as October 9, there will be a special preview for Appalachian Mountain Club members the weekend of October 13, 14, 15, followed by the official opening of the Freedom Gallery.

Keep watch on this blog...

Coming to the gallery as well:
Freedom Rings in the Holiday, November 17,18  will again feature mainly local artists.

Yoga in Freedom will expand its offerings and switch from Town Hall to the gallery as soon as the down stairs is heated sufficiently and work upstairs finished. 

Classes on "Creating on Purpose," "Finding and freeing your creativity," and other classes will be offered starting in January.