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August is often referred to as the dog days of summer, but in Winchester, it’s all about the arts.
“It’s a month-long festival of art,” said Peter Pulsifer, of the Winchester Cultural Council, which sponsors Art in August, in collaboration with the Winchester Artists Network.
The concept is simple. Winchester artists showcase their creations in local businesses, Pulsifer explained.
“It’s a lovely event,” said artist Andriana Buckley. “It really honors the artists in Winchester and how often does someone get showcased like this.”
Left, Artist Trish Gannon, right, who sits on both the Winchester Culture Council and the Artist Network, chats with another artist at the Arts In August grand opening reception on Aug. 6 at the Griffin Museum of Photography while Suraj Bowry and Andriana Buckley take pose for a quick photo. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/CHRIS STEVENS
In its 26th year, Pulsifer said Art in August was originally started by a couple of artists, but the WCC took it over about six years ago. He said they used to charge both artists and local businesses to participate just to cover the costs of the event, but now, since the town began including the WCC in its budget, it essentially pays for the event.
And that makes sense to Pulsifer, who said the community-wide show contributes to both the life and culture of the town.
Art in August officially kicked off with a Grand Opening Reception on, Aug. 6 at the Griffin Museum of Photography, where the public was invited to meet the participating local artists.
Artist Trish Gannon, who serves on both the WCC and the Winchester Artists Network (WAN) called it a great community event. She said it’s a nice opportunity for artists to get together, it’s a great way to show their work to people in town who might not be aware and it’s a great way to support local businesses that have been supportive of them.
Artist Deborah O’Brien raved about working with Revolve, the high end consignment boutique on Thompson Street.
“The manager is so easy to work with,” she said.
An acrylic landscape painter, O’Brien said some businesses only hang one or two pieces, but Revolve has been generous. She said she brought a number of paintings in only because she wasn’t sure what would work in the space. After hanging them all, O’Brien said the manager asked if she had anymore she’d like to bring in.
She is also thrilled because three of the paintings hanging in Revolve have been accepted into Gallery Twist in Lexington.
“It’s very exciting,” she said.
And it’s not just the older businesses that are involved this year.
“We’re really excited that new businesses like Nouvelle Maison and A Borrowed Chef got involved,” Pulsifer added.
Pulsifer said the WCC is also trying to do more with the Winchester Artists Network, which Nicola Luongo was thrilled to hear.
A self-proclaimed amateur street photographer, Luongo said she never imagined seeing her artwork hanging on a wall, but this month she has two pieces at the Jenks Center.
“We need more things like this in town,” she said, adding, “I’m the eternal ham, I need the validation.”
Buckley, along with Suraj Bowry, perhaps don’t need the validation, but they admit they enjoy the event. The pair have been taking art lessons with Lucia Rubini for almost a decade and both have work showcased in Rubini’s small gallery, Rubiniart, as does Rubini.
Winchester businesses are showing artwork by local artists throughout August. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/DAN COAKLEY
Rubini acknowledged the month-long show is good for her business, but also noted it's a great opportunity for artists like Buckley and Bowry to express themselves.
Buckley said she also enjoyed the reception and the chance to meet the other artists.
Artwork is on display in businesses along Church, Thompson, Main and Mt. Vernon streets as well as Waterfield Road. And the work on display is a broad swath, including water color, oil, gouache and acrylic paintings along with pastel, block prints, mixed media, photography, collage and contemporary jewelry.
“I’m enjoying the variety,” Buckley said. “I think this could be bigger than it is.”
More Art in August events
More events, such as the Art in the Park, will take place throughout the month of August. Art in the Park will be held Aug. 15 at the Town Common, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Local businesses will also be holding the following artist receptions:
• Aug. 13: Revolve Boutique, 24 Thompson St., Deb O’Brien, 6-8 p.m.
• Aug. 20: Bespoke of Winchester-Church Street, 27 Church St., Wendy Jo New and Holly Khalil, 6-8 p.m. Wendy Jo New shows her fine contemporary jewelry and Holly Khalil is offering a beautiful collection of oil paintings and block prints.
Metal works by Wendy Jo New and artwork by Holly Khalil are being shown at Bespoke of Winchester. COURTESY PHOTOS/JUDY MASTROCOLOA
• Aug. 20: Leslie Saul & Associates, 611 Main St., Jui-Lan Su, 6-8 p.m. Jui-Lan “Juily” Su offers a wide collection of creative acrylic and multimedia painting and collage in the offices of LS&A design associates.
• Aug. 27: Rubini Art, 22 Park St., Lucia Rubini, 6-8 p.m. Come meet Winchester painter Lucia Rubini at her studio and classroom downtown. On display will be her own artworks and those of her students.
For more information on Arts in August and a full map of locations and artists, click here.
Chris Stevens is an award-winning journalist who has spent 25 years chasing, editing and photographing stories on the North Shore. She is the co-founder and managing editor of Gotta Know Medford.
