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.

FREEDOM GALLERY for ART&SPIRIT: WE'VE BEEN BUSY

 WERE YOU THERE? PAST & FUTURE GALLERY EVENTS

Terri Brooks' winter paintings

 Following the "Journaling" Event in mid-February, (see previous post) we had an official opening of our "Good-bye Winter, Hello Spring" exhibit February 23, featuring the Winter we were living in and the Spring we were ready for.

Winter to Spring: lots to talk about

Of course we had a snow storm that day, but neighbors and friends who lived close came any way...the advantage of living in a small town.

Friends to talk with.. 

And much to see

March 9th event: Peg Scully at work

The set-up...

Intent audience listening to Joel Rhymer's presentation

Next event, March 9, was Freedom Artist Peg Scully demonstrating portrait painting with live model, Diane Claveau. Peg's painted portraits of many Freedom residents, but during her live demo, "Here's looking at you," we were able to watch as she explained the steps of going from white paper to an almost complete portrait in less than two hours. Watching the portrait evolve was magical. 

Photographer,Joel Rhymer, March 24

Then, March 24th Joel Rhymer did a power point presentation, "Seeing with a Photographer's Eye," explaining five important points for consideration to add interest and drama to our own photos.
The power point presentation, which made use of both Joel's own work and the work of famous photographers,  was followed by discussion and a critiquing session of photos the event participants had brought with them.

Joe Viger gives pointers before the photo walk

Finally, with the weather "on the upswing," Joe Viger led a photo walk April 13, "What Do You Look For? What Did you See With Your Camera?" Beginning inside Joe gave us some pointers on "What do you look for, explaining that we can learn from each other as well as from him. Let loose on the photogenic street in front of the gallery, we clicked away and then returned to the gallery to share what we actually saw with our cameras.

Photowalk walkers getting Joe Viger's opinion...

Photo walkers checking angles

SUMMARIZING:With the first series of Friday events almost completed (five of the initial eight scheduled),it is fair to say, The Great White Barn, indeed, FREEDOM GALLERY for ART & SPIRIT, has had a successful beginning. 

 YOGA continues, open to all levels, M & TH at 3:45 and 6, Wed at 10:30. Check out Yoga in Freedom for schedule and occasional schedule changes. 


NEXT EVENT:  "Your Turn: Poetry Night" 6-8, Friday  April 27.  April is National Poetry Month, so it's fitting to have a poetry session. Do you write poetry? Do you have a favorite poem? Come and share, or come to hear what others have to read. As before, Call Barbara (610)762-2493, or email her barbaramcevoy@me.com and she'll reserve a seat, or, if you're reading your own work, let her know and she'll put you on the program! 

Thank-you all for your participation, comments and compliments.  Suggestions and volunteers for future programs are always welcome.

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)