Around Town

Call for Artists & Writers to Participate in Watertown’s Edible Plants 2023 Project

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The artwork from Edible Plants 2022, Clockwise from top left: Daylily by Patti Murphy, Bee Balm by Niloufar Keyhani, Elderberry by Marija Draskic Brancazio, Wintergreen by Kate Martens, Mayapple by Carol Leonesio, Mountain Mint by Cat Bennett, Huckleberry by Donna Calleja, Red Bud by Debajyoti Biswas, Bearberry by Connie Henry, and Garlic Chives by Jaclyn Kain. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Edible Plants 2023 is the second iteration of the “Edible Plants” project. In the pilot cycle, 10 visual artists were selected to each create a 2-dimensional artwork based on an edible plant found in Watertown. The finished artworks were then on display at four locations around Watertown before being auctioned off. The artists had their work reproduced in a coloring book that was made freely available throughout Watertown, led workshops, and participated in a moderated panel discussion.

Around Town

Armenian Museum Will Preserve Rare Manuscripts With BofA Grant

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Rare manuscripts at teh Armenian Museum of America in Watertown will be preserved with funds provided by a Bank of America grant. Pictured here: Kerry Miles, Art and Heritage Project Manager at Bank of America; Maryann Ekberg, Managing Director, Baernk of America Private Bank; Jason Sohigian, Executive Director, The Armenian Museum of America; and Michele M. Kolligian, President, The Armenian Museum of America. (Photo courtesy of Bank of America). The following announcement was provided by Bank of America:

As part of its Art Conservation Project, Bank of America provided a grant to the Armenian Museum of America of Watertown, Mass., to restore 21 illuminated manuscripts from its collection, one of which dates back to the 13th century, the museum announced this week. Bank of America selected the Armenian Museum of America as one of the 23 cultural institutions that have been named recipients of the 2023 Bank of America Art Conservation Project, a program that provides grants to nonprofit cultural institutions to conserve important works of art. 

This year’s recipients represent a diverse range of artistic styles, media, and cultural traditions across China, Colombia, France, Lebanon, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.

The Armenian Museum of America has the largest collection of Armenian artifacts in the United States.

Entertainment

Armenian Museum’s New Exhibition Explores Issues of Dislocation & Cultural Identity

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“Beirut Memory Project #56” (Digital Collage, 2018- 2021), Ara Oshagan features an individual looking out from among the bookshelves of a library that opens entirely onto a war-ravaged boulevard in Beirut. The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America

Using a variety of mediums from photography to film to collage, Ara Oshagan weaves geographies and spaces that consider the impact of borders on our personal collective history and the disruption of dislocation. Ara is a photographer and installation artist based in Los Angeles who has exhibited worldwide. Curated by Ryann Casey. The Armenian Museum of America (AMofA) recently announced the opening of its next contemporary art exhibition, “Ara Oshagan: Disrupted, Borders.” The show follows the AMofA’s blockbuster exhibit, “On the Edge: Los Angeles Art 1970s-1990s from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection,” which received rave reviews and was viewed by thousands of visitors. “Disrupted, Borders” at AMofA is an expanded version of what was previously exhibited at Stockton University Art Gallery in New Jersey, and the show is being curated by Ryann Casey.

Around Town

Four Artists Speak About the Pieces Featured in the First Exhibition on the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk

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Anaïs MarkwoodArtist James Payne speaks about his sculpture “Opposition” during the grand opening of the Community Sculpture Walk. As of May 18th, Watertown is home to four new sculptures! The new Community Sculpture Walk in Watertown Square had its grand opening, unveiling a series of four sculptures located along the Community Path that runs behind Saltonstall Park. The sculptures, each created by New England-based artists, are located incrementally along the path, stretching from the edge of the parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) down the path towards Waverley Avenue, with the farthest sculpture sitting by the section of the path near Chulo Restaurant and Bar. The sculpture walk was organized and put together by the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (WPACC) and spearheaded by Liz Helfer, Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner.

Entertainment

9 Artists From Near and Far Featured at Watertown Gallery’s Exhibit

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The following information was provided by Storefront Art Projects:

Storefront Art Projects’ current exhibit is Stick People, a group show featuring the works of nine artists. For Stick People, Rebecca Doughty gathered together nine artists whose work makes use of trees in all their forms. A wide variety of materials are used, from ink or charcoal on paper, to video, to discarded wooden pallets, lumber scraps, manufactured popsicle sticks and toothpicks, to fallen sticks gathered from the forest floor. Trees are represented or transformed. Stick People includes invited artists from Massachusetts, Vermont, Michigan and Ireland. WHERE: 83 Spring St., Watertown

WHEN: May 13 – June 24

Opening reception: Saturday, May 20, 1-4 pm

We hope you can visit

Entertainment

A Hidden Gem Training Ballet Dancers Right in Watertown Square

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Maya ShwayderAlexandra Koltun, co-founder of Koltun Ballet in Watertown, instructs dancers in the level 7 class at the recent open house at the studio in Watertown. High above Watertown Square on a rainy Saturday, pink tights, skirts and hair in tight buns abounded at the Koltun Ballet Boston open house. Low levels of mild chaos permeated the proceedings as adults milled about in front of the coffee table avoiding abandoned street shoes, little kids curled up in parents’ laps, and older students weaved their way through the crowd, preparing for their next class. Presiding over all of the leotard-clad tumult are Alexandra Koltun and Alex Lapshin, the founders of the school, which just recently won their fourth Youth America Grand Prix award for Outstanding School in the past six years. For the last 20 years, YAGP has been one of the most prestigious international annual ballet competitions and scholarship programs that sees more than 10,000 dancers compete.

Entertainment

See Who’s Playing at the Summer Concert Series, Plus Music During the Farmers Market

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Summer Concert Series offers free performances at Saltonstall Park, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The concerts take place immediately following the Watertown Farmer’s Market, from 6:30-8 PM. You are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Brought to you by the City of Watertown, Public Arts & Culture with help from the Department of Public Works. Along with the concert, enjoy “Music at the Market” featuring local musicians on Wednesdays from 3-5 PM.

Entertainment

Get Ready for the Watertown Arts Market — Artists, Sponsors & Volunteers Wanted

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The 2023 Watertown Arts Market will take place at Filippello Park on Saturday, Aug. 19. The following information was provided by the Watertown Arts Market:

The Watertown Business Coalition is delighted to partner with the City of Watertown to announce the third annual Watertown Arts Market which will take place at Filippello Park on Grove Street on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 from 12-5 p.m.

This celebratory event brings together the abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and related businesses serving Watertown. The Watertown Arts Market is free to attend.