Public Votes People's Choice

Pictured above is the winner of the most votes received for the "People's Choice" at the Foxboro Art Association's annual Spring Exhibit during the middle 2 weekends in March. The winner is "Heart of a Lion", an exquiiste oil painting by Vania Noverca. (You can enlarge the picture by clicking on it.) The Spring Exhibit ends Sunday, March 24. The following weekend, Easter Weekend, will exhibit the artwork of Canton High School along with the continuing exhibit of the Gallery's seven "Anchor Artists".

Foxboro Art Assn's Spring Show Mar. 15-24

Sixty-three local artists submitted 122 works of art for this year's Foxboro Art Association Members' Spring Show for two weekends in March at the Artists's Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place. The exhibit was only open to members of the Foxboro Art Association. But membership is open to all local artists -- not just those who live in Foxboro. The exhibit was judged by Cindy Baron, ASW and OPA, pictured above with her choice of "Best of Show" ribbon winner "Big Red", painted by Laura Zanghetti. Ms. Baron also awarded seven ribbons in each of four media categories. During the first weekend of the show, the public also voted for their favorite piece and the resulting winner will be awarded the coveted "People's Choice" ribbon Saturday afternoon, March 23, at 3 pm during the Art Association's reception. The exhibit ends this Sunday, March 24 at 6 pm. The following weekend will feature the art of Canton High School, along with the art of the seven "anchor artists" who regularly exhibit at the Gallery.

Foxboro High School Exhibit

The Artist's Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place will host the works by students at Foxboro High School the weekend of March 8-10, with an opening reception scheduled for Friday evening at 7 pm. Foxboro High School is noted for its art program and does not disappoint its audience at this year's exhibition. About a dozen of the works on display have already received awards at the annual Boston Globe Scholastic Competition. Part of their exhibit is pictured above. The Gallery is open Friday 5-9 pm, Saturday 1-9 pm, and Sunday noon to 6 pm.  Please drop by and support these talented students.

March 16 Paintout & Irish Festival

Patriot Place will hold its annual Irish Festival on Saturday, March 16 and will feature free Irish music and entertainment for its patrons. (The above photo is from last year's festivities.) On that same day the Artists Studio & Gallery at Patriot Place will hold its Spring Paintout (1-4 pm) and is inviting all artists to participate. In the event of inclement weather, Patriot Place will provide sheltered venues. Also, the Gallery will be hosting the Foxboro Art Association's Spring Members' Show that weekend (and the following weekend as well). In other words, a "threefer" that Saturday: Free Irish entertainment, artists painting outside (weather permitting), and a free show at the Gallery of more than 100 works of art. And if you come to the Gallery, you can vote on your favorite work of art, with the winner receiving the "People's Choice" ribbon the following Saturday. So c'mon down, enjoy the festivities, meet some artists, and vote for your favorite art! It's all free.

Three Featured Artists

Because of school vacation week, we will feature three artists this weekend (Feb. 22-24) instead of a local high school. The featured artists are watercolorist Alan Salvaggio, pastelist Dianne Quigley, and oil/acrylic painter Patricia Buckley. Drop by the gallery sometime this weekend and kabitz with these three genial artists. They will be at the gallery Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 1-9, and Sunday 12-6.

Mansfield High Feb. 15-17

Anchor Artist : : Jerry Aissis

Jerry Aissis says "I enjoy capturing moments in time, moments that are a part of my life.  There are so many places to paint that I never have a difficult time trying to find subject matter. I usually start with my own backyard.  I love painting outdoor scenes that reflect the natural beauty of our world.

While in college I studied biology and art, hoping to combine the two areas as a medical or scientific illustrator.  I landed a teaching job in Central Falls and continued to work there for 33 years.  As a teacher in that school system, I had the opportunity to utilize my artistic abilities in the classroom creating scientific and biological diagrams for my classes.

It wasn’t until I retired from teaching that I started my journey into the world of watercolor.  I signed up for workshops at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society and there I knew I was hooked.  I have had the fortunate opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and interact with their ideas and advice.  I truly believe that to learn to paint, to learn to grow and develop as an artist, you must surround yourself with people who share that same love and desire for what they do. The Rhode Island Watercolor Society offers a place where you can develop your own technique and style.

Watercolor has a way of painting itself.  It is always a good idea to plan your scene and do several value sketches of your subject matter in order to produce a good painting.  I have shelves and shelves of paintings that have never quite made it to the framing stage.  It is only through your mistakes that you once in a while produce something worthwhile for public display.  I hope to continue painting as long as there are places and people to paint."