I put a book together! Over the last several years I had an idea to keep track of the stories behind the work. I had a single copy printed to look at the quality and am passing it around to see how it reads.
Would you like to WIN this original painting just in time for gift giving season? Let's play a game! It's a search game. I'm going to give you a small section of one of my paintings, and to win you need only name the painting. Easy right?
TO ENTER: When you find the painting the piece comes from (somewhere on this website Donna-Howard.com)
Go to "Contacts" and leave me its name.
Please, please, please: Type "Puzzle Contest" in the subject line.
Don't forget to leave a valid email so I can contact you if you win.
On November 24th I will randomly choose a name from all of the correct entries. The painting will be shipped ready to hang. This website is new and easier to use. Pop in and take a look around!
Here's what to look for:
Please share this with friends who like games! Best of luck to all who enter!
I'm looking at October and no show! I guess I could have made it a priority, but I honestly have no idea where September went!
I've spent the last month or so painting flowers. The last of the summer blooms are gone but the fall has plenty in store.
This is called "My Mother's Children". My little brother is the center of this piece. He's a lot like our mom - can't sit still. Here I see him as bright and shining!
As August comes to a close, so does my show at the Lincoln Library. Huge success for me. Met lots of wonderful people and even sold a few pieces!
ArtUp a success, may grow
By Grant Welker
LOWELL — From the start, the idea was an ambitious one that had its share of doubters.
The program would ask donors to buy art that they would never be able to hang in their home. Instead, it would be placed in a health center they weren’t even likely to visit. The art would also have to be more costly, so the health center and the artists could share the profits equally.
“We were kind of skeptical as to whether that would fly,” said Michael Gallagher, a Lowell attorney and downtown resident who created the program. But more than a year after its start, ArtUp has been called a success by all involved. The Lowell Community Health Center now has about 160 pieces of art on its walls, with space for many more. There has even been interest from other centers
Please see ARTUP/14
Checking out “Intersection of Main and Sanders,” an oil on canvas by Miranda Updike of Ipswich, hanging at the Lowell Community Health Center are, from left, ArtUp founder Michael Gallagher, artist John Cascio, patron Jack Moynihan, committee member Caroline Gallagher and artist, committee member and donor Bill Reedy, all of Lowell.
SUN/JULIAMALAKIE
ArtUp a proven success, may grow
ARTUP/ From Page 1and offices in Lowell to do something similar.
“We know now, it’s proven. It works,” said Bill Reedy, a Lowell resident and artist who has several works in the health center.
The program has been enough of a success that a celebratory event, called Art Is Up, is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The health center’s space at 161 Jackson St. is 100,000 square feet, leaving a lot of walls that would be blank if not for ArtUp. Now, there are works of all kinds from about 100 artists who either live in Lowell or have work space in the city.
“We like to say we’re one of the largest art museums in the commonwealth,”Gallagher said of LCHC.
ArtUp combined two partners and met a need each had. Lowell has dozens of artists, many of whom sometimes struggle to sell their work and make ends meet. The health center moved into its cavernous space downtown in 2012, and had an opportunity to add splashes of color that could also serve in a therapeutic way to the nearly 50,000 patients who visit each year.
Artist Donna Howard, who lives in Lowell and has space at Gallery Z, has three pieces in the health center.
“It feels great. It was a win-win situation for everyone,” Howard said. She’s also among a small number with several works chosen.
“I know,” she said witha smile. “Amazing.” Donors include many local residents, such as Jack Moynihan, a co-chairman of the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association, who has bought several works with his wife. Moynihan said he was initially skeptical that ArtUp would provide enough proceeds for artists to be worthwhile. He has sincebeen won over. Other donors have included foundations and people wanting to donate in memory of loved ones. The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation gave $75,000.
So far, about $150,000 has been collected, split between the health center and artists. For the health center, the proceeds go to its Wraparound Fund, which covers services thatare otherwise not covered.
Acall for entries in early 2015 brought forward more than 100 artists with more than 500 pieces of art, much more than organizers expected. Clare Gunther, the director of development and communications for the health center, said she has since gotten calls about once a week from artists interesting in taking part.
As the health center’s space fills with art, there will be more opportunities.
Next month, the center will start work on a 65,000-square-foot, $25 million expansion into vacant space in the same mill building. That space is expected to open before the end of 2017.
I was invited along with John Cascio and Bill Reedy to be interviewed by the Lowell Sun, regarding the Art Up program (at Lowell community Health Center) from an artist's point of view. I think I did okay.
Reception went great, punch and candy refreshments went over quite well! Sold 2 paintings, "August in Humarock" and "Tree Frog". I also got a commission to paint 2 pet cats. Thanks to everyone who came out!
August 9, hot. Reception is in 2 days. I always worry that no one will come. Then they come and I'm saved from that particular angst nightmare. I am unfortunately not allowed to serve wine. sorry. But I came up with another idea. since a lot of the show is about my childhood I'm serving punch and a variety of penny candy that I remember having as a kid.