Filmmaker to Discuss 2 of His Short Films at Watertown Library

The following announcement came from the Watertown Library:

Internationally celebrated filmmaker Nigol Bezjian joins the Watertown Free Public Library for a special screening and discussion of two of his short films, Roads Full of Apricots (35 minutes, 2001) and Me, Water, Life (10 minutes, 2017). The event will be held at the library at 123 Main Street on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Watertown resident Bezjian was born in Aleppo, Syria and grew up in Beirut, Lebanon before moving to the United States. He studied filmmaking at the New York School of Visual Arts (BFA in cinema) and UCLA School of Film, Theatre and Television (MFA in film producing, writing and directing). He has produced celebrated broadcast television programs throughout the Middle East, made numerous films and won awards from several prestigious international film festivals. His masterful storytelling looks closely at the lives of displaced peoples, migrants and refugees.

Watertown Actor Starring in Moonbox Productions’ “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”

Watertown’s Tader Shipley will star in Moonbox Productions upcoming production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The following announcement was provided by Moonbox Productions:

Watertown actor, Tader Shipley, stars in Moonbox Productions upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels by David Yazbek. Directed and co-produced by Allison Olivia Choat with musical direction by Catherine Stornetta and choreography by Brad Reinking, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opens Sept. 27 and runs through Oct. 13 at Arrow Street Arts performance venue located at 2 Arrow Street in Cambridge.

Celebrated Boston Area Artists Will Speak at Watertown Library

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Tuesday, September 10, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) invites you to join in conversation with celebrated Boston area artists about their work, creative processes, collaborations, and experiences with WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT, a project and movement directed by fine art photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle. Joining LaSalle for this dialogue are artists Jay Lamour, JaPix Belmer, Maddie Lam, Jules Cleo, Craig Bailey, DaNice D. Marshall, George Annan Jr., Grace Ramsdell, Olivia Slaughter, and Jake Stout. WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT is a grassroots organization whose mission is to bring attention to and help art institutions rectify past injustices of underrepresenting Black and Brown artists in their permanent collections. Founder Archy LaSalle states that, “WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT is committed to ensuring that all Black and Brown artists have the freedom to pursue their creativity in all ways, regardless of their family history and culture. Celebrating the art of all artists and particularly the younger generation of Black and Brown artists, WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT will continue to stay vigilant and committed to the importance of access and inclusion to the permanent collections of our art institutions.”

Listen in and join the conversation on Tuesday, September 10 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 6:30–8:30 PM.

2024 Watertown Arts Market Features Artists, Music, Authors, Food & More

The Watertown Arts Market returns to Filippello Park in 2024, with dozens of artists, along with musicians, authors, food, and more at the event, which is free to enter. The Watertown Arts Market will be held on the Grove Street side of Filippello Park (191 Grove St.) on Saturday, Aug. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, Aug. 18). The annual event began in 2021, and is a place for Watertown’s artists and cultural organizations in Watertown to share their work. 

More than 50 artists, authors, creatives, musicians and music teachers, arts and culture organizations will set up on the Filippello Park basketball courts, including painters, photographers, jewelry makers, fiber artists, printmakers, ceramic makers, and more.

Armenian Museum’s Exhibit Featured in Artscope, Extended Until Aug. 18

Melkon Hovhannisyan’s “The Walk” is one of the pieces in the exhibit at the Armenian Museum of America through Aug. 18. The Armenian Museum of America provided the following information:

Our latest contemporary exhibition has received excellent coverage from Art New England, Watertown Cable News, Armenian Mirror-Spectator, and beyond. The latest is by Artscope critic Erica DeMatos. “The Armenian Museum of America contextualizes Armenia’s lengthy and turmoiled past and presents a more contemporary view of Armenians today,” writes DeMatos in her 1,000-word review.

Shakespeare Theater Company Hosting Season Kickoff at Mosesian Center for the Arts

The following information came from Actors’ Shakespeare Project:

It’s a housewarming, a season kickoff preview, a fundraiser for your favorite theatre company, and a big fun party all rolled into one! You’re invited to join ASP’s staff, board, resident artists, and valued community members at our new office and rehearsal space, The Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown! Get a sneak peek into our 2024-25 season with snippets from each of our upcoming shows, and meet some of the actors. You may even get a chance to brush up your Shakespeare and be part of the action! Alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments will be served, along with bites from local Watertown restaurants. 

Click here for tickets

See more about Actors’ Shakespeare Project at www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

City Seeks Artists to Create Mural about Armenian Artist from Watertown

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee seeks mural artists to submit qualifications to develop a proposal and install a mural along the Watertown Cambridge Greenway under Grove Street. The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to commission a mural along the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway that commemorates the life and work of Arshile Gorky, who, notably, forged the birth of Abstract Expressionism in the United States. The mural is an extension of a larger project by a Watertown working group to memorialize Gorky’s time in Watertown, MA, and his contribution to modern art, led jointly by resident Jack Dargon and the Public Arts and Culture Committee with support from The Armenian Museum of America, Mosesian Center for the Arts, and the Historical Society of Watertown. This project is supported by generous contributions from Mount Auburn Cemetery, the Watertown Community Foundation, the Watertown Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Artist selection for the 100 Years of Arshile Gorky mural has two phases.