Westfield Art Association Presents “Making Connections: Art & Poetry” Workshop this Sunday February 21

Visual and written art are typically seen as two distinct forms but Michelle Greco will discuss how they inform each other significantly.
The Westfield Art Association (WAA) will present a workshop with poet and artist Michelle Greco on Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 1-4pm in the Westfield Town Hall Community Room, located at 425 East Broad Street in Westfield, NJ.
Visual art and poetry have been inextricably linked for as long as they have both have been in existence. They inspire one another in ways that no other art form does and add greatly to the visual aesthetics of art. Poetry can help the artist look at art in a new way and closer at the details of a painting. They can dig deeper to discover a more detailed story behind the artwork.

Visual and written art are typically seen as two different forms of expression, but poet and artist Michelle Greco will discuss how they inform each other significantly. This afternoon event will focus on mind mapping and word association based on visual images. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pen and paper to catch the muse!
This presentation is free to WAA members, with a $10 suggested donation for non-members. New membership applications will be available at the door. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.
About MICHELLE GRECO: Michelle Greco is a poet and artist who both lives and teaches in New Jersey. She holds an MFA from Drew University. Her poems have appeared in Painted Bride Quarterly, The Stillwater Review, Edison Literary Review, and the anthology Dear Sister, among others. Her book, Field Guide to Fire, is now available from Finishing Line Press.

About WESTFIELD ART ASSOCIATION (WAA): Since 1922, the Westfield Art Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, completely volunteer organization, has provided art education and public exhibitions, and continues today to actively encourage its many members in the pursuit of individual artistic goals and growth. All mediums. All experience levels. All welcome. For more information, to donate, or to become a member, please visit http://westfieldartassociation.blogspot.com.

A New Partnership With Kean University

We are pleased to announce that we have been invited by Kean University to partner with their School of Communication, Media & Journalism in the facilitation of a new course on public relations for non-profit organizations.

Our Education Coordinator, Laura Brown, and president, Michael Endy, met this week with the student team we will be working with this semester.

This is an exciting new opportunity for our organization, and fits perfectly with our mission’s commitment to arts education in our community. We hope to see this blossom into a beautiful relationship.

ReCap: Art Show & Tell, 1/17

Last Sunday we hosted our first Art Show & Tell event at Westfield’s Town Hall. We had a great member turnout to see 3 member artists show & tell why they have selected a specific medium with which to create their art. With a group of artists as diverse as the WAA has, this is a great opportunity to get an insider viewpoint on how and why our peers create art.

a great crowd for a snowy Sunday afternoon of art

Our first presentation was on fine art photography, and featured a slide show and discussion with Michael Endy, in which he shared the milestones in his art education and museum visits that lead him to become a photographer.

To see more of Michael’s work: http://michaelendyphotography.com/

Michael Endy talks about fine art photography

Presenters also brought samples to share during their presentations. In the photo below, Michael shares samples of different photographic printing techniques and papers. His samples also included many different formats  – beyond the classic frame – in which photographs can be displayed.

presenters shared many samples to enhance their presentations

Our second presentation featured member Judith Sandala, who spoke to us about her cast paper sculptures made from her own handmade papers and the wonderful processes that this art form entails. She showed not only finished samples, but also the many steps necessary to create her exquisite art.

To see more of Judith’s work: http://jsandalasculpture.com/

Judith Sandala presents on cast paper sculpture

And we ended the day with a presentation by Maryann Iannitto, who described the fascinating process of reverse glass painting. Some may know this as “tinsel painting,” as tinsel and foils have traditionally been used to enhance the translucent areas of paint. Never heard of this technique? Well, you have certainly seen it many times: take a closer look at the face of that grandfather clock!

Maryann Iannitto presents on reverse glass painting

It’s safe to say that if you did not join us on Sunday, you missed another fun and educational art event. Not to mention some great snacks! Keep your eyes right here on this site for the upcoming announcement of next month’s fun & exciting art education presentation.

New Program: Art Show & Tell

We look forward to seeing all of our members at our upcoming monthly event. Each 3rd Sunday we plan a presentation, workshop or other art event to which all members are invited. This month’s event will be ART SHOW & TELL, and will be presented from 1 to 4pm in the Community Room of Westfield Town Hall, located at 425 W. Broad Street.

click to enlarge

The concept behind this event is to show how different artists are drawn to different mediums, yet the drive to create is common to all. We will hear from 3 practicing member artists, each using a different medium:

       
               • Judith Sandala: handmade paper sculpture

               • Michael Endy: fine art photography & printing

               • Maryanne Iannitto: reverse glass painting


This event will be free to all WAA members. The event is open to the public, and we certainly encourage you to bring a friend; we do ask for a $10 contribution from non-members.

This promises to be an exciting, informative event. We hope to see you there!