Take a Walking or Bike Tour of This Year’s Watertown YardArt

Through the month of April, Watertown is showing off its artistic side during the annual YardArt exhibition. Organizers have put together some tours of this year’s front-yard artwork. The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee sent out the following information. YardArt is a community-wide celebration of creativity and fun in front yards, porches, and windows all over Watertown. It’s easy, free, and fun to participate!

Turtle Studios Open House Features Several Watertown Artists

The following announcement was provided by Turtle Studios:

Join us for a weekend filled with art, creativity, and inspiration! Explore the works of talented artists and immerse yourself in the vibrant art community. Turtle Open Studios Spring 2024 is coming to 213 California St. in Newton April 27 & 28 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, fiber arts, photography, mixed media & SO MUCH MORE! Light refreshments and homemade baked goods.

Cartoon: Small Saves Needs to Find Back Up Goalie Gear

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Gandzaran/Treasury Exhibition Spotlights Armenian Museum of America’s Art Collection

Courtesy of Armenian Museum of AmericaMartin Barooshian (1929-2022), “Gomidas Vartabed 4/50,” c. 1970-1979, signed color intaglio etching, 24×22, donated by Haig Der Manuelian. The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown has recently opened its latest exhibition in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.” The show is curated by Ryann Casey, and co-curated by Gary Lind-Sinanian and Elias Trout.  “Gandzaran!” showcases 39 works by 24 artists from around the world. It is scheduled to run through August 4, 2024. In recent centuries, Armenian fine art often focused on illuminations, reliquaries, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury, of a monastery. These treasure vaults were designed to protect religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.

Small Saves Addresses the Media in This Week’s Comic

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Celebrate YardArt at Reception at a Watertown Art Gallery

The following announcement was provided by Storefront Art Projects:

It’s the 4th Annual YardArt, a spring celebration of creativity and fun in front yards, porches and windows all over Watertown!! Throughout April, www.storefrontartprojects.com will show collages by Cat Bennett, Marieju Dawe, Xavier Haurie and Ellen Wineberg. And we’ll again have Dianne Jenkins’ dolls made with recycled fabric and funky do-dads, colorful kids’ clothes by Helen McMullen and whimsical creations in clay and cloth by Maggie Stern. Paul Angiolillo brings back his giant pencils, and there’s multimedia art by six children and an impactful quilt by Adrienne Sloane calling out gun violence. A reception will be held at Storefront Art Projects, 83 Spring St., Watertown, on Saturday, April 6, 1-4 p.m.                       

We hope you plan a visit, find an interactive YarArt website and map at www.mosesianarts.org

Small Saves Faces Some Quick Competition in This Week’s Comic

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Armenian Museum Showcasing Pieces From Its Collection in New Exhibit

Kevork Mourad, The Age of the Word (2002, Acrylic on canvas). (Courtesy of Armenian Museum of America)

The Armenian Museum of America will be hosting Gandzaran, an exhibit of notable selections from the Watertown-based museum’s collection. An opening reception will be held on March 22. The following information was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

Armenian fine art historically focused on illuminations, miniatures, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury, of a monastery. Drawing from the Museum’s vaults — our own gandzaran — this exhibit (click here) showcases the development of Armenian art in the 20th and 21st centuries, from its origins in religious motifs to the Soviet period and its continuous reinterpretation among contemporary artists around the world.