Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Season's Greetings



Thanks to Marie & Kathy, the 2013 BOFA tree is up and on display in the Belfast town park.
 "We had the tree lighting on Sunday December 8th. There was a huge crowd!!! We are short on photos this year but the tree was decorated over several days.  People walking around the park were encouraged to add an ornament to our tree. We like the way it turned out. " ~ Kathy

Coming in 2014 
BOFA  Un-Finished Objects (UFO) activities at the Belfast Town Hall will be from 1-4pm  
on the following dates. 
January 30th  
May 29th 
July 31st
October 30th

Open Mic Night at Three Bums Pizza  TBA ~ hoping for a date in January or February

Photo-lecture, Churches of Provence, France~ by Kathy Garrison at the St. Patrick's Annual Women's Retreat at the Abbey of the Genesee the weekend of February 14th. (This presentation is also available to other groups. Contact Kathy Garrison for more information.)

Public Service Project for the Belfast Public Library ~ in late Spring 
BOFA members will be donating time and creativity to the story corner in the library. This display will include 4 panels of fabric art  by Kathy (design & binding), Marie(binding), Sheila (balloon design) and Carleen Hardy (the library story teller). The Challenge quilt will be used in the 4th panel of the fabric design. 
"The panels themselves will be various geographic settings for his (the sock Monkey's) stories. The library and I have a number of different stuffed animals to participate in the Sock Monkey's adventures. " ~ Kathy

Travelling Sock Monkeys and Ellie
from Wellsville, NY
Challenge Quilt 

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Not Hibernating Yet!!!

BOFA Members Kathy and Marie join The Northern Allegany County Quilters to make 
 15 quilts for Children's Hospital (Buffalo) this year.



In other news, BOFA is once again participating in the Belfast Christmas Trees in the Park event from December 8th (Tree Lighting Ceremony) through early January 2014.
Marie Kathy will be decorating between Dec 2 - Dec 8 (weather depending).  We're hoping for a warm day this year--last year was frigid!! 
Please contact Kathy if you would like to assist with the tree this year!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

BOFA members continue Crafty Belles Mystery Quilt Class

Art and design is alive and well in the fabric arts of the Crafty Belles in Belfast, NY.
Beautiful progress is being made on these colorful projects.
The first 2 pieced blocks in BOFA member, Marie Nix's, quilt.  
This quilt will have a butterfly theme.  
Block 1 (2 examples) is a freeform Crazy pattern and Block 2 is a Friendship Star. ~kg

These are the first 2 pieced blocks in  BOFA member and instructor, Kathy Garrison's, own quilt.  This quilt will have a music theme. 
Block 1 is a freeform Crazy pattern and Block 2 is a Friendship Star.
~kg
Don't forget, BOFA is hosting a UFO (unfinished objects) Day on October 31 at the Belfast Town Hall from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Walk-Ins Welcome. Just bring your project, materials and a desire to interact with other creative minded individuals. 

The next Mystery Quilt Block class is Nov 6 at 10:00 AM at Crafty Belles, Belfast Town Hall.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October Activities at BOFA

Friendship Star ~Kathy Garrison

Kathy "taught the second block of the Mystery Quilt today. This pattern is a (traditional) Friendship Star. You will note that the example on the left is actually a pinwheel pattern. The pattern on the right is the actual pattern with a modified center. It was made for a music-themed Mystery Quilt. 
As usual, all of my students are being exceptionally creative. The resulting blocks are all so different!!"

BOFA members Kathy Garrison & Marie Nix are participating in the 5th Annual Northern Allegany County Quilters Quilt Show at the Belfast Public Library during the month of October. 
Library hours are Monday &Saturday 10-1; Tues, Wed, Thurs 3-8.

October 19 & 20th 10am-5pm ~Join Sheila Kalkbrenner and 49 other local artisans and artists for the annual Allegany Artisans Studio Tour

BOFA is hosting a UFO (unfinished objects) Day on October 31 at the Belfast Town Hall from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Walk-Ins Welcome. Just bring your project, materials and a desire to interact with other creative minded individuals.

October 31st the Wellsville Art Association Presents:
A Round Now In A Square Time opening reception 5:30-7:30pm at the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville, NY. The show will be open to the public, during regular library hours, until Nov. 22nd.

The next Mystery Quilt Block class is Nov 6 at 10:00 AM at Crafty Belles, Belfast Town Hall. There are 9 Mystery Quilt students total. Currently 2 are participating by email and 3 more are doing the work at home after picking up the instructions at the class. There are usually 4 working in the actual class, including fellow BOFA members, Marie Nix and Cecy Curcio. All have made beautiful color choices for their blocks.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Allegany Artisans Studio Tours has New Members

Allegany Artisans Announces New Exhibitors for 2013 Studio Tour, October 19 & 20th 

Pottery, jewelry, glass blowing, fine art, woodworking and letterpress printing by nine new artists and craftsmen join the 26th annual event in Allegany County. Fifty exhibiting studios make 2013 the largest Artisans event to date.
Houghton Artist and Potter, Nancy Petrillo, A Stone's Throw Pottery, will be on the tour this year.
Full Story at PR WEB.

Glass blower Stephen Edwards, ceramic artist Mark Corwine, painter Sheila Kalkbrenner, painter Pat Gay, potter Nancy Petrillo, printer Mary Warner and wood worker Les McKay.
"I am excited to be joining the Members of the Allegany Artisans Studio Tours this year. I bought my studio in 2010 and have been working with vocational rehabilitation to increase production and publicity since then. Inclusion in the Annual Tour gives me the feeling that my studio will be on the map...both literally and figuratively. This is a wonderful opportunity to join local artists and artisans as they share the creative process & destination with creative-minded travelers." ~slk

 Participating Allegany County Studios will be open to the public from 10am to 5 pm October 19th and 20th

Monday, September 9, 2013

Many Thanks to the 4th Annual Art Show Participants!!!


A big Thank You goes out to all of the people who made the art show possible this year.
If you are an artist who participated in the show and would like to have your work and/or website listed on the BOFA page please be sure to contact Sheila or Kathy via the comments section of this post.
Announcement from the Cuba Patriot
The Imprisoned Moon Weeps
~
Fabric Art by Kathy Garrison

We hope you enjoyed the Belfast Organization for Artists (BOFA) 5th Annual Art Show.  This guide lists the artists or artisans and their works that were represented in this show.
Item Title
Artist
From
Media
Description
Bits o’ Belfast
Hannah G, Dalton H, Dan G, Molly, Laura B, Matthew W, Hunter L, Rylea C, Tyler W, Megan R, Ethan B, Keith W, Lilac W
Belfast Summer Reading Program - 2013
Photography
Identify the place in the photographs and then check under the flap to see if you are correct!!
1999 Trip to Australia
Marie I. Nix
Belfast, NY
Photography
In 1999 the Nix family took a trip to Australia and took many photos.  The area shown here includes city scenes from Sydney to Canberra and points in between.
Penguins
Marie I. Nix
Belfast, NY
Fabric Art
An original design quilt made for a charitable cause.
The Collector’s Corner
Scott Burt
Scio, Ny
Belfast, NY business owner & BCS graduate
Non-fiction book
Essays on the ins and outs of collecting
The Monbyrds’ That Old Feeling
Tait Westfall, Mike Perks, Toby Westfall, Birde Perks, Bonz Westfall
Belfast, NY & various places in Western NY
Original music
Melodic and thought-provoking jazzy rhythm & blues CD.  All songs written and performed by band members.  This is their 1st CD.  They are currently producing a 2nd one.
The Imprisoned Moon Weeps
Kathy Garrison
Belfast, NY
Fabric Art
Original design quilted wall hanging.
A Year in Kathy’s Garden
Kathy Garrison
Belfast, NY
Photography
A photographic essay set in 2014 calendar format.
2013 Belfast Irish Festival Limericks
Kathy Garrison, Marie I. Nix, Mary Mountain, Joey Damiano, Diane Gent, Colden Caiazza, Susan Button, Carol Fuller, Patty Preston, Tom Joerg, Anonymous
Belfast, NY
Poetry
The Belfast Organization for Artists sponsors a Limerick Event at the Belfast Irish Heritage Festival every year.  These limericks are the 2013 entries.
Pink Flamingo
Maria Rhone
Belfast, NY
Oil on canvas
This flamingo preened for Maria in the Dominican Republic in 2011.
View from the Porch at Rushford Lake
Maria Rhone
Belfast, NY
Oil on canvas
2010 view from the family cottage
Dominican Republic -- Sunrise Devotional
Maria Rhone
Belfast, NY
Oil on canvas
Painted in 2011 while Maria participated with a medical mission to the Dominican Republic.
Hibiscus
Marie I. Nix
Belfast, NY
Photography
Marie’s daughter surprised her mother this spring with a visit and some gardening.  This hibiscus was one of the plantings.
Milly Dog
MacKenzie Hamer
Belfast, NY
Pastels & colored pencil
MacKenzie did this drawing of the golden retriever in 2009 at a young age
Blue Birds
MacKenzie Hamer
Belfast, NY
Colored pencil
MacKenzie did this drawing in 2007 when she was quite young
Youngest Nephew IV
Sheila Kalkbrenner
Wellsville, NY
Inkjet print
Sheila, founder of BOFA and a professional artist, often draws this nephew-he’s a favorite subject.
Only So An Hour
Sheila Kalkbrenner
Wellsville, NY
Photography
Sheila’s ability to wait for the right moment shows in her nature photography
Wellsville Balloon Rally Coloring Book
Sheila Kalkbrenner
Wellsville, NY
Book
Sheila was chosen as the official artist for the 2013 Balloon Rally.  Segments of her original painting are depicted in this activities book.
Balloon Rally Official Painting t-shirt
Sheila Kalkbrenner
Wellsville, NY
Screen printed t-shirt
Sheila was chosen as the official artist for the 2013 Wellsville Balloon Rally.  This t-shirt shows a copy of the original painting.  Copies of the painting also appeared on official posters and memorabilia.
The People You Meet
Gregory Hardy
Belfast, NY
Original music
Gregory has written, performed, and recorded folk-type music on cassettes and CDs for a long time.  This CD features a song about Belfast native, Mary Jane McCumiskey.
The Horned Man
Gregory Hardy
Belfast, NY
Hand carved wood(s)
Multitalented artist Gregory Hardy does Celtic carvings from his own designs.  This carving depicts a Celtic mythological figure-- the Lord of the Woods and Wild.  He has various names, depending on which Celtic dialect is being used.
Celtic Birth Cross
Gregory Hardy
Belfast, NY
Hand carved cherry wood
This Celtic carving depicts the birth of Gregory’s son James in 1991.
Celtic Calendar
Gregory Hardy
Belfast, NY
Pen & ink on paper
Gregory’s drawing is an original (blueprint) for a working Celtic calendar.  It depicts a future 3 dimensional woodcarving.  This perpetual calendar will have moveable parts and will show the ancient Celtic calendar, the (modern) Gregorian calendar, seasons, moon phases, equinoxes, and other things.  The surrounding decorations are Celtic knots of several designs.
Wine/Gray Oval Braided Wool Rug
Peggy Ann Watts
Belfast, NY
Fabric Art
Peggy teaches classes in Belfast on braiding and hooking to make a variety of items. Her techniques are traditional and her designs are original.
Wool Braided Basket
Peggy Ann Watts
Belfast, NY
Fabric Art
This fabric basket is just one of Peggy’s many unique designs.
               Summary Submitted by ~Kathy Garrison

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Calendar of Events: September, October, November 2013 from Allegany Arts Association

BOFA events for Fall 2013 are now listed in the Allegany Arts Association Newsletter.
Visit or Join the Allegany Arts Association Facebook Page , Facebook Group ,and  FB Members to follow updates to the local fall Arts events schedule.


ZOOM/SAVE/PRINT TO VIEW SCHEDULE

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Belfast Public Library Hosts Mandatory Informational Workshop for 2014 Grant Applicants

"For 2014, Cattaraugus County Arts Council will administer and distribute $60,800 through three grant programs funded by the New York State Council on the Arts in Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Chautauqua Counties: Community Arts Grants, Artist in the Community Grants, and the Arts in Education program. New this year, organizations who applied in 2013 are exempt from the mandatory grant workshops."

The 2014 Informational Workshop will be held at the Belfast Public Library on September 16, 2013 from 10:am-Noon. 

2014 INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS
These workshops are designed to offer assistance in understanding the three grant programs, grant process, program guidelines, grant application and will provide grant writing tips. Mandatory for first time applicants, and all applicants are welcome. 

8.22 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm
8.26 | Memorial Library, Little Valley | 6-8pm
8.30 | Box of Books Library, Alfred | 10am-12pm
9.06 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm
9.09 | King Memorial Library, Machias | 6:30-8:30pm
9.12 | Arts Council, Jamestown | 6-8pm
9.16 | Belfast Public Library, Belfast | 10-12
10.01 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm
TBD | Mayville Library, Mayville | TBD

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
These workshops are designed to help with the application process as well as using the online application. Optional but highly recommended for first time applicants or those applicants who experienced challenges in 2013. 

8.31 | CCAC, Allegany | 9-11am
9.14 | Memorial Library, Ellicottville | 1-3pm
10.5 | David Howe Public Library, Wellsville | 12-2pm
TBD | SUNY Technology Incubator, Dunkirk |TBD


Please RSVP for the workshop(s) by calling CCAC at 716-372-7455 or click here. Online power point presentations are available at myartscouncil.net to review the guidelines, grant process and online application for all applicants. Individual and group assistance is available upon request. 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

August Events

5th Annual Art Show at the Belfast Public Library


BOFA events for August 2013:

1) Our 5th Annual Art Show continues at the Belfast Library during Library hours through the end of August.  Stop in and see the contributions of nearly 30 artists and artisans!!

2) There is a UFO (Un-Finished Objects) Day coming up at the Belfast Town Hall on Thursday, August 29th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

Hope you all get time to see/participate in at least 1 of our August events if you are in the area!!
~KG
UFO Day 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

BOFA Annual Art Show

Artist, Maria C. Rhone, will be one of the BOFA members showing her work at the 2013 art show.

The show will be free and open to the public
August 1 - 31st at
the Belfast Public Library
75 South Main St
Belfast, NY 585-365-2072
During regular library hours.
Mon. 10-1, Tues. 3-8,
Wed 3-8, Thurs 3-8,  Sat. 10-1


Maria's Website contains a gallery and store where patrons can find out more about her history in the arts & her current projects while they shop for quality art.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

CALL FOR ARTISTS, Belfast, NY

(Feel Free To Print and Share this poster.)
Artists of all ages from Belfast, NY 
and 
surrounding areas, 
working in diverse genres,
are invited to participate in the 2013 Belfast Organization For Artists
 Annual Art Show


Submit registration form and work for display July 30th 3-8pm at the Belfast Public Library
$5.00 registration fee for non-members. BOFA members register for free.

All 2D entries should be framed/ready to hang with appropriate hardware

3D entries and fabric arts will be displayed on library shelves and hung as space allows






PLEASE SUBMIT THIS REGISTRATION FORM WITH YOUR ENTRY


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

BOFA Members at the Allegany County Fair

BOFA Members Marie Nix and Kathy Garrison 

as Northern Allegany County Quilters

 
In the quilting booth:
This is 1 of the (Victorian) Crazy quilt blocks that visitors laid out for Kathy Garrison at the Allegany County Fair in Angelica, NY.
"The fabric scraps are pieced (by Kathy as part of the demo) onto a muslin square. Each visitor picks 1 fabric scrap from our box of assorted pieces and I attach it to the block while they watch. I also give them some block history. I think of it as a teachable moment. Our demos (a different block pattern every year) are very popular with families every year. All blocks made at the fairs are made into quilts that go to Women's & Children's Hospital, Children's Oncology Ward, Buffalo, NY. Our quilting group has been making quilts for them for over 20 years. Marian Dougherty, notice that 4 of your scraps are in this block. Those blues & yellows are very popular with the visitors!!"-KG
 
Please comment and post if you are a BOFA member or follower who also participated in the Allegany County Fair. We would be happy to post and share your photos or story!!!
 
 

BOFA at the Belfast Irish Heritage Festival

Kathy Garrison reads limericks
The BOFA Open Mic Event was held Sunday the 14th at the Heritage Festival.  There was no voting or judging so all entries were winners. All 13 entries were read at the Music & Arts stage at the Belfast Town Park to an appreciative audience. Many thanks to all who participated.-KG
2013 Theme:
“When the Irish Came to Belfast"
This broad topic illicited a diverse response.



The limericks submitted this year will be displayed at the BOFA art show at the Belfast Public Library in August.
This year's entries
Local farm boy Muldoon -of  wrestling fame
Returned bringing Irish fighters to train.
On his farm or in town
He ran them around,
So that in the boxing ring they would reign.
~Kathy Garrison, BOFA Member, Belfast, NY

There once was the village of Belfast
Where some Irish had come at last.
They often wore colors of orange and green
Which showed the area in Ireland from their past-
But their joy in being here could quickly be seen.
~Marie Nix, BOFA Member, Belfast, NY

There was an Irish man
Who met and Irish lass
They fell in love and soon were wed
At a lovely Irish Mass

There soon came Irish Children
One every other year.
And all were loved and raised in faith
And filled their house with cheer.

And soon their were Grandchildren
Then Great Grandchildren came
There was lots of fun and love
but the house was ne'er the same.
~Mary Mountain, Belfast, NY

When the Irish came to Belfast
They wore orange, white, and green.
They ran out of potatoes so they were very lean.
The Italians would never crash the scene-
Because John L. Sullivan was often drunk and mean.
~Joey Damiano, Belfast, NY

There once was a set of Irish twins
Who always thought that they had to win
Threw them in the lake so that they had to swim
Soon they got out of the lake with a grin
Now they know Mom always wins!
~Diane Gent, Belfast, NY

Many years ago
Over the hills and yonder
Hands filled with potatoes
We Irish came to wander-
When the Irish came to Belfast.
~Colden Caiazza, Belfast, NY

                       They came to Belfast
Hardworkers, thats what they were
Irish immigrants from another world
They knew hard work and so they did
An excellent job in building railroads and such
Which brought trains and growth to Belfast so much.
~Marie Nix, BOFA Member, Belfast, NY

There once were hearty lads and colleens
Who braved the voyage across the sea
To settle in a community so green
They titled it Belfast, after the old country
Under St. Patrick, their parish king.
~Susan Mary Button, Wellsville, NY

A New Beginning
When the Irish came to Belfast looking to better their past
They thought this dream couldn't last.
 Wtih families of Chamberlain, Lang, and Mast,
The Irish O'Mally's, O'Reilley's, and Sullivans were aghast,
But Alas, a warm Belfast welcome was cast.
~Carol A. Fuller, Belfast, NY

There once was an Irish Festivus
Organized by some of the best of us
The music was great
We stayed up too late
Next year will be even later!
~Patty Preston, Belfast, NY

When the Irish tell a tale
Whether it be a lady or a male
They're usually imbibing ale
Sometimes in a glass, sometimes in a pail
But evoking laughter never fails!!
~Tom Joerg, Mechanicsburg, PA

There once came some Irish to Belfast
By water, rail, and road they did arrive
They proceeded to work play and thrive
Through thick and through thin they stayed alive-
And their children are still here today!
~Kathy Garrison, BOFA Member Belfast, NY

    The Irish Were Coming
Belfast was the lucky town
When Irish came here to settle down
They worked hard in construction, rails, and fields
The played hard in taverns and had a blast
Drinking and remembering much about their past.
~Marie Nix BOFA Member, Belfast, NY

When the Irish came to Belfast it was a wonderful sight
John L. Sullivan and William Muldoon taught us all
How to put up a good fight.
Years later, we remember them still with the help of our friend Scott.
Come ye, come ye to Belfast and you will learn a lot!!
~Anonymous