Call For Artists

We need you!!
The Allegany Arts Association is counting down to our first   “You’ve Been Framed” Art Sale and this is a reminder that we need your help! 

Frankly we are getting a bit nervous since we do not have any way to request a presale sign up and there is the thought of the utter horror of putting all of this together and then not having anything to sell!  We are putting our faith in your generosity and your sense of adventure to produce some wonderful items for our sale.   If you are a painter or a ceramist; a quilter or a basketweaver.  If you do any sort of art, which can be displayed in a frame of some sort - we need you!!   Please don’t worry if you don’t have a beautiful frame for your work.  Though it would be preferable we would much prefer to have a beautiful piece of art ready for a nice frame rather than an empty frame.  It just must be able to maintain its shape and be able to be hung.

How the sale works:

On Tuesday; May 7^th from 12 to 3 pm; Wednesday; May 8th from 12 to 3 and Thursday; May 9^th from 4 to 7 we will be accepting entries.   Any genre is acceptable as long as it can be framed in some way and hung.  It must be no larger than 20 inches in any direction.  You may submit up to 3 pieces of work to the sale.   Be creative.  Be fun.  Be artistic.  Be you.  (Just be.  Please.)

On Friday we kick off the sale with a Wine Tasting and Hors D’oeuvres from 5 to 8.  Advance tickets are $10 and may be purchased from members or at several sites around the county (watch for more advertising on this).   Tickets at the door are $12.  What a great time to schmooze with fellow artists and art lovers!  The sale continues on Saturday with no admission for the general sale.

At the sale framed items will be displayed with only a number on colored tags.  The color indicates the price of the item.  Any item 10 inches or less is $20.  Items between 10” and 16” are $25 and items greater than 16” are $30.   A buyer selects a work of art by requesting the number from one of our runners.   Once the item is purchased the new owner will discover who the artist is and the name of the work of art (if it has been given one) by the tag that is on the back of the artwork.   I guess we will find out if a signature does indeed sell artwork or whether it is true that  “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”  when it comes to art.

Since there is no age limit for artists and the media could be as varied as the talent of the contributors there should be something for everyone at the sale and show.   Expect the best pieces to be snapped up on Friday evening but then again….maybe not.

You will be given the opportunity to indicate to us whether you wish to donate the item if it doesn’t sell at this sale (to be sold at a later date at another location) or whether you will pick it up after the sale.

All proceeds from the sale of donated items will be used to help finance AAA’s free art programs for children held throughout the county both in the summer and at certain vacation times.

Thank you in advance for your help.  See you in May at the sale!!!

BOFA founder selected as Balloon Rally Artist

Full Story

Honored to be involved in the Official Great Wellsville Balloon Rally this year, Sheila completed the painting, "Safe Landing" on  April 15, 2013. Watch for it on on T-shirts and posters in July. The original painting will be auctioned during Balloon Rally activities.

Call For Artists

Allegany Arts Association Seeking Artwork for Fundraiser to benefit the Arts in Allegany County
Open to Artists of All Ages!!! Drop Off Entries May 7th and 8th. Contact AAA for more information.

Entry Guidelines

Seven Counties Art Show

Wellsville Art Association   
Seven Counties Art Show
Opening Reception Thursday, April 4, 2013 6-7:30p.m.
at the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville, NY.
Offering a wide variety of art from many talented artists in our region, the show will be open to the public until April 20, 2012.
Follow the WAA page to stay up to date on current events and exhibit opportunities.

A Delightfully Inspiring Project

Leave Your Sleep is an enchanting five year project recently completed by Natalie Merchant. Inspired by the stories and poetry she shared with her daughter, NM collaborated with more than 100 talented musicians to create this charming collection.
"Poetry speaks of so much: longing and sadness, joy and beauty, hope and disillusionment. These are the things that make a childhood, that time when we wake up to the great wonders and small terrors of our world. Poets are our soft-spoken clairvoyants. But poetry on the page can be difficult to penetrate; sometimes it needs to be heard. I used music to enter these poems, and once inside I was able to understand how they were constructed with layers of feeling and meaning." ~Natalie Merchant

From the history of poets to the eyes and ears of modern toddlers, this extensive project has enough layers to delight children of ALL ages.

 The collection of "children's poetry adapted to music by Natalie Merchant and illustrated by Barbara McClintock"  is now available through the Southern Tier Library System, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

BOFA and 3 Bums Pizza Host Open Mic Night

Many thanks to the talented participants at Open Mic Night  February 2013.

Owen (left) and Kyle (rt) rapping to Bruno Mars video

Vocalist, Kayla, sings while playing keyboards

Vocalist, Zack,  accompanied by Dad, Jeff Enders

Balladeer, Jim Schwartz, closes out the evening with several children’s songs

Grane (Amy Preston, Reeni McCumiskey, Derek Briggs, Mark Hunter)
plays to an enthusiastic crowd

Mia and Aubri Enders play an instrumental piece

Recent Events

February 16, 2013:  The Belfast Organization for Artists held a free “Open Mic Nite” at 3 Bums Pizza, Main Street, Belfast, NY, from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.  The 3^rd annual early spring event features local artists and is always popular.  This event was no exception—there was an enthusiastic standing room only crowd and excellent performances by 8 artists or groups.  Student performers included Mia Enders (euphonium, vocals), Zach Enders (vocals), Kayla Ross (vocals, keyboards), and Kyle McCumiskey and Owen Hall (rapping to videos).  Adult performers included “Reeni and Amy” (Reeni McCumiskey and Amy Preston), Derek Briggs and Mark Hunter, “Grane” (Reeni & Amy, Derek & Mark), and balladeer Jim Schwartz.  Mia and Zach were accompanied by their parents (Aubri and Jeff Enders) while Kayla was self-accompanied.  BOFA members Kathy Garrison (Events Coordinator, emcee), Marie Nix, and Derek Briggs (sound system, guitar, vocals) were also present for the event.  It’s great to know there is so much local musical talent willing to come out and entertain!!  Many thanks to 3 Bums Pizza for hosting our event!!!!!! -k.g.

January 31, 2013:  The Belfast Organization for Artists sponsored a UFO Day at the Belfast Town Hall from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM.  For this event, local artists and artisans are asked to bring their unfinished objects or projects with the intent of working on them in the congenial company of other artists.  Some choose to bring completed or nearly completed projects; some are seeking various solutions to problems or sticking points; and some are looking for ideas for/critiques of new projects.  Some people just wander in to see what others are doing and to socialize.  This time we had 8 local artists working on various fiber projects, including BOFA members Kathy, Marie, and Janine.  It was nice to see some of the “works in progress” for the upcoming August 2013 Art Show at the Belfast Library. -k.g.