Essex news from Lee Spence and Lynne and Jay Havighurst:
ArtTalk: Conversations with Essex Artists
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 10AM – 12PM
Hosted by Essex River Cultural District
Event Location: Essex Town Hall, 3rd Floor, 30 Martin Street, Essex, MA 01929
(An accessible facility)
Get to know a diverse group of Essex artists as they share thoughts on the creative process, inspirations and influences behind their art, in a casual conversation moderated by Karen Ristuben (Program Director, Creative County Initiative at Essex County Community Foundation) with audience Q&A.  Hear from poet Erica Funkhouser, whose latest book, Post and Rail, undertakes an exploration of family history, one mother’s compelling silences and our recent discovery of a way to “hear” gravitational waves that have been traveling to earth from billions of years ago.  Mixed media artist Susan Guest-McPhail, passionate about the process of experimenting and starting new, explores the mystery of creating a non-objective painting. Glassblower James McLeod of The Bubble Factory uses steel or wood coupled with glass – creating tension between a very fragile material and a seemingly unbreakable, “heavy” material –  to generate an emotional response and connection to these objects.  Sculptor Chris Williams bends, shapes and welds metal into life-like works of art that appear caught in a moment of stillness.  His process of bending and twisting the metal gives each piece a pulse. Essex Arts Collective comprises the second panel of artists.  This dynamic group of women artists create collaboratively and collectively to inspire each other as they pursue their art.  Featured members are Melissa Glorieux, Jen Groeber, Mallie Pratt, Jen Romans, Margaret Sweet and Alison Taylor.
Doors open at 9:30AM with complimentary coffee and cinnamon rolls by Ripple on the Water Restaurant. Following ArtTalk, clam chowder by Woodman’s Restaurant will be served. Free admission and parking.
This special event, presented by the Essex River Cultural District, is funded by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. The event marks the recent 5-year renewal of the Essex River Cultural District designation. ArtTalk: Conversations with Essex Artists is part of ArtWeek (https://www.artweekma.org), a statewide creative festival.
 Artists’ Websites:
 Erica Funkhouser https://www.ericafunkhouser.com/
Susan Guest-McPhail https://susanguestmcphail.com/
James McLeod https://www.bubblefactoryma.com/team
Chris Williams https://www.chriswilliamssculpture.com/
Essex Art Collective https://riversandroads.life/essex-artists-collective/
Facebook Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/470793190124676/
ArtWeek Event Page
https://calendar.artweekma.org/Detail/144
Good Morning Gloucester 