GO ART!

Photos: Picnic in the Park 2013

By Howard B. Owens
Jul 4, 2013, 9:40pm

Bob Zeagler was all decked out for the 4th -- as he usually is -- at GO ART's Picnic in the Park today in Centennial Park.

The picnic was once again a successful community event.

To purchase prints, click here.

GO Art! announced 2013 grant award winners

By Howard B. Owens
May 7, 2013, 2:34pm

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the Decentralization Regrant recipients for 2013 in Genesee and Orleans Counties, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts. This year GO ART! received 26 applications to the Reach Grant Program requesting a total of $69,541. With $37,300 available, 24 of the applicants were awarded grants.

GO ART! Also awarded two Ripple Grants* ($2,500 each- listed below) to provide funding for the creation of new work by local individual artists who wish to involve the community in their creative process.

2013 brought a new grant opportunity to the community through GO ART! called the Arts Education Grant. This category awards funding to individual artists or cultural organizations that wish to work with students within a public school setting. Artists are awarded funds to enable them to set up a brief residency within the school in order to offer a new experience to the students that they would not typically have in the school setting. Three grants of $2,000 each were awarded in this category.

History of the Grant Program:
The Decentralization Regrant Program (known locally as Reach and Ripple) was first developed in 1977 by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in response to a mandate by the New York State Legislature to encourage greater participation in the state’s cultural funding at the local level. Local decision-making is the basic principle of the Decentralization Regrant Program in supporting a wide range of community- based professional and avocational arts programs in diverse communities throughout the state, and in helping to support the work of individual artists. GO ART! is proud to administer the NYSCA Decentralization Regrant Program in Genesee and Orleans Counties.

The grant process begins in the summer with grant workshops held throughout Genesee and Orleans Counties. Individuals, non-profit organizations and local government agencies are encouraged to submit applications in the fall for community- minded artistic and cultural programs. These proposals are reviewed by a separate panel for each grant category, made up of artists, community leaders and educators from the two counties. The panel then submits funding recommendations to the GO ART! Board of Directors for approval. Through the Decentralization Regrant Program, GO ART!, NYSCA, and the New York State Legislature hope to expand, upgrade and increase arts and cultural programming in Genesee and Orleans counties. In order to publically recognize and congratulate the 2013 grant recipients, a Grant Awards Ceremony is scheduled for May 17, 2013.

For a complete list of winners, click here (PDF)

Photos: The 2013 Artists Road Show, sponsored by GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens
May 4, 2013, 5:53pm

This afternoon, I made the rounds on a portion of GO ART! 2013 Artists Road Show.

Above, Bernice Yunker and Marilynn Palotti at the studio of artist Terry Weber, 5769 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany (the former East Bethany General Store).

Below, Heather Burroughs, of Alexander, gives a pottery demonstration at Ivy Lane Pottery, 3384 Broadway Road, Alexander. Burroughs is a student of Jean Grinnell and started pottery lessons a year ago when she received the lessons as a birthday present from her parents. Grinnell said Heather has picked up the craft quickly.

Bottom photo, Anita Haefner at Sticks and Stones, 2339 Broadway, Darien Center. Our photos of Michael Haefner, unfortunately, did not turn out. He makes rock sculptures.

GO ART! Artist Road Show in Genesee County is Saturday

By Billie Owens
May 3, 2013, 5:57pm

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) opens the 2013 Artist Road Show in Genesee County this Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free for all attendees.

Previously called the Open Studio Tour, this sixth annual event features an Art Trail with 12 artists — from photographers to painters, sculptors to glasswork artists — at 6 studios and galleries in Genesee County, all open for guests experience art and meet the artists in person.

The Artist Road Show is envisioned to provide an exciting opportunity to see artists at work, view or purchase art, raise awareness of art and culture and contribute to tourism in Genesee County. A map of all sites and artists may be picked up at GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main Street in Batavia and at participating sites as well as online at <http://www.GOart.org>.

Sites and Artists featured in Genesee County include:

At Terry Weber Studio: Bernice Yunker & Marilynn Palotti
5769 Ellicott St. Road. (Former E. Bethany General Store), East Bethany

Bernice Yunker,
Bernice Yunker, owner of Farmer’s Wife Studio in Elba, paints in a variety of media. Her favorite subject is TREES. She has a B.A. from Empire State College and also studied at R.I.T.

Marilynn Palotti
Marilynn Palotti is a retired Pavilion elementary art teacher who believes art is a means of exploring and translating through the senses. Her favorite definition of art comes from her former students who think art is "magic." Marilynn wants to "make magic" in her paintings and continue to learn and grow in her craft.

At Ivy Lane Pottery: Jean Grinnell
3384 Broadway Road (Rt. 20), Alexander

Jean Grinnell
I am as self-taught studio potter. I believe that art should be touched, used and enjoyed.

At Sticks and Stones: Michael and Anita Haefner
2339 Broadway, Darien Center

Michael and Anita Haefner
Our artwork is inspired by the beauty of nature. We use all natural materials. This year we have also added vintage reuse items to make some very unique home décor items.

At Locally Made Shop: Jan Revier & Colleen O’Connor
58 Main St., Le Roy

Jan Revier
I do what your grandmother did – traditional rug hooking. I hook primitive designs using recycled wool and my pieces can be used as rugs, wall hangings or table mats.

Colleen O’Connor
I specialize in hand-weaving, using mostly wool and cotton. I create household items such and scarves and rag rugs using recycled materials.

At Barn Hollow Gifts: Lori Ann Johnson, Shelly Gillman, & Denise Desmond
7451 S. Lake Road, Bergen

Lori Ann Johnson
Nature’s beauty captured in 5x7 matted prints.

Shelly Gillman
Beautifully handcrafted beaded jewelry at reasonable prices.

Denise Desmond
Denise makes pottery that is decorated in her own unique style.

At Oatka School of Glass: Amanda and Lance Taylor
2nd Floor, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia

Amanda and Lance Taylor
Oatka School of Glass is a 14,000 square-foot teaching facility and private studio for Lance and Amanda Taylor. Glass classes are taught year-round and open to the public. We also create and sell our own work at the studio.

At Kimbriel and Company Woodworking: James Kimbriel
4th Floor, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, NY

James Kimbriel
Using domestic and exotic wood and veneer I create everything from night lights to furniture pieces. I will be on hand to demonstrate my techniques and answer questions about working with wood.

At Sharon Jahnke Long Portraits: Sharon Long
56 Harvester Ave, #20-01-01, Batavia

Sharon Long
One woman asked me at a recent art show, “What got me into doing this?” I quietly replied, “I stare at people a lot, and this is a good excuse for it.” Seriously, I’ve always loved to paint and draw the human face.

(The Orleans County edition of the GO ART! Artist Road Show will be taking place on Saturday, May 18th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is made possible with the generous support of The Bank of Castile and the New York State Council on the Arts.)

Chris Collins announces winners of annual art contest for high school students

By Howard B. Owens
Apr 27, 2013, 12:30pm

Rep. Chris Collins was at Seymour Place today to announce the winners of the annual congressional art contest. Students from throughout the NY-27 submitted artworks, which were displayed at Go ART! and judged by local artists.

The winner, above with Collins, was Mitchell R. Krumm, of Clarence High School. Second place, bottom photo, was Judith Brennan, also of Clarence.

The awards were presented by Collins and Diana Kasten (second photo with Collins), a member of the GO ART! Board of Directors.

GO ART! to host special screening of 'Copperhead' at GCC in June

By Howard B. Owens
Apr 24, 2013, 8:56am

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (aka GO ART!) is honored to be working together with local author Bill Kauffman to host a preview screening of "Copperhead," the third film in director Ron Maxwell’s ("Gettysburg," "Gods & Generals") American Civil War anthology. Kauffman wrote the screenplay.

The film, starring Billy Campbell and Peter Fonda, will be released in theaters on June 28. This special preview screening takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, at the Stuart Steiner Theatre, Genesee Community College, Batavia. Following the screening is a short presentation by Screenwriter Kauffman along with a Q&A with Kauffman and Director Maxwell, who will be in attendance.

GO ART! hosts workshop on fundraising and development for local organizations

By Billie Owens
Oct 26, 2012, 2:43pm

GO ART! continues its new workshop series “Embracing Innovation: The Business of the Arts” with a presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 14, by Mark Peterson, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise.

The approximately two-hour workshop is titled "Fundraising and Development for the Local Organization."

It will begin at 9 a.m. at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Light refreshments will be available.

Peterson will share the knowledge he has gained through his various fundraising and development experiences. He will describe strategies that will be useful for “small-town” organizations and those starting out at the grassroots level.

A certified fund-raising executive (CFRE) since 1992, Peterson has an impressive history of garnering substantial monies at several first-class nonprofit organizations totaling more than $120 million.

This workshop is free for GO ART! members. There is a nominal fee for non-members or organizations wishing to attend: $10/individual or $20/organization (up to three attending).

You may pay over the phone, online, or at the door, but advance reservations are required by calling (585) 343-9313 or email info@goart.org.

For more information on the workshop series and future workshops in the series, please visit www.GOart.org

Photo: AARP-sponsored presidential debate night at Go Art!

By Howard B. Owens
Oct 4, 2012, 12:23am

AARP hosted a dinner and presidential-debate watch at Go Art! on Wednesday evening. There was a good turn out for the dinner, I was told, but nearly everybody left before the debate started (which is when I showed up) so they could watch it at home.

AARP NY: Free dinner, presidential debate viewing & discussion at Go ART!

By Billie Owens
Sep 26, 2012, 1:46pm

Please join AARP New York for Dinner and a Debate in Batavia!

AARP has been taking the debate about the future of Medicare and Social Security out from behind closed doors in Washington so you can have a voice. On Oct. 3, join us in Batavia to continue our national conversation while watching President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney debate important federal issues such as Social Security, Medicare and Financial Security.

Event Date and Time

Oct 3, 2012, 6:30pm - Oct 3, 2012, 10:30pm

Making the most of social media is focus of GO ART! workshop aimed at nonprofits, artists, and cultural groups

By Billie Owens
Jun 8, 2012, 4:23pm

GO ART! is kicks off its new workshop series "Embracing Innovation" with "Marketing and Best Practices for Social Media" -- at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, at GO ART!

This workshop will feature two professionals from Genesee Community College: Kevin Manne, new media specialist and Shirley Verrico, art gallery director. It is targeted for nonprofit organizations, cultural groups and individual artists.

GO ART! is located at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., in Downtown Batavia.

GO ART! recently received a grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation to present a series of workshops, entitled “Embracing Innovation,” offering a variety of technical assistance.

“Social media can be a valuable resource for your business or organization,” Manne said. “It’s no longer just for college students or teens looking to make connections with friends.

"Your group or business should also have a presence and voice in social media to connect with new customers, employees and potential partners. And, the majority of sites and tools are free to use and have great potential reach, making them invaluable for marketing – with the right plan.”

GO ART! members are free to attend this workshop. There is a nominal fee for non-members or organizations wishing to attend: individuals - $10; organizations (maybe bring up to three people) $20.

Light refreshments will be available. The workshop will be approximately two hours.

Please register in advance by calling 343-9313 or email info@goart.org

Future “Embracing Innovation” Workshops:

Aug. 21: Fundraising and Development for the Small Town Organization presented by Mark Peterson, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise.

Oct. 16: Business Planning with the Artist in Mind presented by Sam Campanella, SBDC certified business advisor, GCEDC

January 2013 (date TBA): Volunteerism and Board Development

(date TBA) Engaging Youth: Preserving the Past with our Future

GO ART! announces winners of student poetry contest

By Billie Owens
May 4, 2012, 1:26pm

GO ART! has announced the winners of the 2012 Genesee/Orleans Student Poetry Contest.

Students from schools in both counties were invited to participate.
The winners in Genesee County are:

Ian Edwards -- Grade 2, Alexander
Will Johnson -- Grade 5, Byron
Emily Leone -- Grade 6, Le Roy
Anna Dembowski -- Grade 12, East Bethany

GO ART!'s Salon Series offers three themed-dinner socials with young 'Rising Stars'

By Billie Owens
Mar 22, 2012, 2:02pm

Press release:

GO ART!’s popular Salon Series returns this month through May with three programs in Genesee County, all featuring “Rising Stars” -- young artists in our communities. All GO ART! Salons are casual and fun, and each includes a themed menu, presentation from our artists, and time for socializing and discussion.

The line-up includes the following programs taking place at GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia (reservations are required):

The Forum Players: "God’s Favorite"
5 p.m. -- Saturday, March 31
Salon requested contribution: $23/members, $26/non-members

For this first salon in our series, the reservation includes the dinner / program at GO ART! AND a ticket to the 7:30 p.m. performance at Genesee Community College. To start the evening, Maryanne Arena, Forum Players’ advisor and GCC director of Fine & Performing Arts, will share informative and entertaining insights into the Neil Simon play “God’s Favorite,” which will be performed that evening.

Forum Players, a co-curricular theatrical organization, is an integral part of the Theatre Program at Genesee. All theatrical productions at the college are coordinated by the Forum Players and theater majors are encouraged to become members; however, it is open to all GCC students.

In recent years, the Forum Players have presented the adventurous play "Peter Pan" and the musical "Chicago" to sell-out crowds and rave reviews. In late 2009, the Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College Forum Players performance of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf,” was a featured show at the Theater Association of New York State Festival (TANYS). It won three awards: Best Long Production, Best Choreography and Best Performance.

Menu: Fajita Bar! Strips of salmon, chicken and beef with all the toppings to make the perfect fajita or salad; bread pudding with caramel sauce.

Vocalist: Emily Tworek-Helenbrook
6 p.m. -- Thursday, April 26
Salon requested contribution: $21/members, $23/non-members

Join us for a night of international food and song! An accomplished vocalist, performer and photographer at the age of 17, Emily Tworek-Helenbrook, of Alexander, is a lyric coloratura soprano who has performed all over New York and Canada since she was 11. She has been described as a "vocal prodigy" with a "crystalline" and "hauntingly beautiful" voice. A live pianist will accompany Emily as she delights us with international-themed pieces, performing songs from France, Italy, Poland, Russia and the United States.

Ms. Tworek-Helenbrook has won the American Prize Vocal Competition in both the Opera and Art Song categories. She was a second-place winner in the Barry Alexander International Voice Competition in 2010, and in 2011 she took first place at the prestigious competition, resulting in a debut at Carnegie Hall in January 2011. She is a two time first-place winner of the Polish Heritage Society Competition. Emily won first place at the Classical Singer Competitions held at Mannes School of Music and Boston Conservatory, was a finalist in the prestigious Rochester Oratorio Competition, and has received numerous other awards.

Menu: French onion soup with baked cheese, antipasti salad, crusty rolls, cheese & potato-filled pierogi, chrusciki & hot fudge sundaes.

Chef de Cuisine: Michael Zambito
6 p.m. -- Wednesday, May 23
Salon requested contribution: $22/members, $24/non-members

A rare and wonderful treat for Batavia...the famed cuisine of Michael Zambito, owner and head chef of Zambistro in Medina, right in our backyard. Chef Zambito shares his culinary arts skills as well as his evolution as a chef, starting with a childhood spent in his nana’s kitchen. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York City after high school, during which time he interned at Chefs d’France in Epcot Center.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute, Chef Zambito returned to his hometown of Medina. His 50-seat bistro, Zambistro, was founded Dec. 1, 2006 to lead the way in a local culinary revolution, featuring Zambito’s unique blend of seasonal flavors and bold ingredients to create his spin on upscale comfort food. He is also executive chef for The Bistro at Shelridge (Country Club) in Medina, and has developed Zambistro Catering as part of his business model. GO ART! is proud to announce that Zambistro is now one of the official Preferred Caterers for events at GO ART!, Seymour Place.

Menu: Amuse-bouche -- Grilled & chilled shrimp cocktail, toasted barley salad, roasted tomato gazpacho; main course -- pan-seared free-range chicken breast, summer salad of romaine hearts, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, croutons, pesto vinaigrette; dessert -- table-side presentation of espresso crème brûlée.

Each salon has a separate requested contribution, listed above, or enjoy the series of three at the discounted rate of $55 for members and $60 for non-members.

Reservations are required and can be made by phone at 343-9313, email at info@GOart.org, or by stopping in to GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays). Reservations may also be made online at www.goart.org <http://www.goart.org> under “Events.”

The 2012 Salon Series is sponsored by The Bank of Castile.

GO ART! announces gallery exhibits, opening receptions with artists

By Billie Owens
Mar 13, 2012, 1:48pm

On Monday, GO ART! announced gallery exhibits through April. The following information is about the two in Genesee County.

GO ART! Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia – The premier GO ART! "Members Exhibition" featuring more than 60 works by 22 artists. Exhibit dates: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, April 27.

***A free Meet-the-Artists Opening Reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at the Bank of Castile Main Gallery.

GO ART! Batavia Satellite Gallery, Genesee County Senior Center, 2 Bank St., Batavia – The inaugural “Digital Art Show.” In the Batavia Satellite Gallery, 24 works by 13 artists are featured. Exhibit dates are weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, April 27.

***A free Meet-the-Artists Opening Reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at the senior center.

For more information on these exhibits and other GO ART! programs and services, please visit www.GOart.org <http://www.GOart.org> , email info@GOart.org or call 343-9313.

GO ART! exhibits are supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

GO Art! announces 2012 Reach and Ripple grants for area artists and organizations

By Howard B. Owens
Mar 7, 2012, 10:52am

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the Decentralization Regrant recipients for 2012 in Genesee and Orleans counties, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts. This year GO ART! received 24 applications to the Reach Grant Program requesting a total of $61,454. With $37,160 available, 20 of the applicants were awarded grants (listed below).

GO ART! is also pleased to regrant two Ripple Grants ($2,000 each listed below) to provide funding for the creation of new arts and cultural projects within a community context. These will done by local individual artists who wish to involve the community in their creative process.

History of the grant program:

The Decentralization Regrant Program (known locally as Reach and Ripple) was first developed in 1977 by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in response to a mandate by the New York State Legislature to encourage greater participation in the state’s cultural funding at the local level. Local decision-making is the basic principle of the Decentralization Regrant Program. It supports a wide range of community-based professional and avocational arts programs in diverse communities throughout the state, and fosters the work of individual artists. GO ART! is proud to administer the NYSCA Decentralization Regrant Program in Genesee and Orleans counties.

The grant process begins in the summer with grant workshops held throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. Individuals, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies submit applications in the fall for community-minded artistic and cultural programs. These proposals are reviewed by a panel (there are separate panels for the Reach and Ripple grants), made up of artists, community leaders and educators from the two counties.

The panel then submits funding recommendations to the GO ART! Board of Directors for approval, and grants are awarded. Through the Decentralization Regrant Program, GO ART!, NYSCA, and the New York State Legislature hope to expand, upgrade and increase arts and cultural programming in Genesee and Orleans counties. In order to publically recognize and congratulate this year's recipients, a Grant Awards Ceremony is scheduled for March 9.

For more information on the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council’s Regrant Program, please contact Heather at GO ART!, 585.343.9313 or hgrant@goart.org.

2012 GO ART! REACH GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS

(to individual artists, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies for arts and cultural programs or projects in our two counties)

Organization

Project

Grant Award

Batavia Concert Band

Summer Concert Series

$ 3,000

Genesee ARC

Sprout Film Festival & Art Show

$ 1,800

The ARC of Orleans County

Quilting our Community

$ 400

Lake Plains Players

Musical Theater Production

$ 1,000

Le Roy Christian Community Project

After School Theater Program

$ 400

GCASA sponsoring Lisa Barrett

Everyday Hero Recording and Music Video

$ 2,075

Mental Health Association in Genesee County

Theatrical Performance

$ 925

Yates Community Library

Books, Music and More

$ 1,400

Lyndonville Lions Club

Fun in the Summertime

$ 800

Village of Corfu

Corfu/Pembroke Community Winterfest

$ 1,200

Batavia Players

Summer Youth Theater - “Camelot”

$ 3,200

Batavia Players

Shakespearian Theater - “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

$ 1,000

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

Finally Fridays! Music Series

$ 2,500

World Life Institute

Voices from the Earth

$ 4,000

Gillam-Grant Community Center

Uncover the World… Passport to Culture

$ 2,500

Genesee Chorale

Fireworks, Fanfare and Flair: Concert Series

$ 3,450

Genesee Symphony Orchestra

A Timeless Musical Journey - Concert Series

$ 3,450

A Tale for Three Counties Council

A Tale for Three Counties 2012

$ 1,760

Byron-Bergen Public Library

Get Culture @ Your Library!

$ 1,500

Woodward Memorial Library

Everyone’s an Artist

$ 800

2012 GO ART! RIPPLE GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS

(to individual artists residing in our two counties who wish to create new arts and cultural projects within a community context)

Artist

Project

Discipline

Amount

Kim Argenta

“Many Hands…one heART” Mural for YMCA in Batavia - Entryway

Painting

$2,000

Richard Mufford

Composition and performance of new song “Hometown Hero”

Music

$2,000

Kim Argenta is a self-taught artist from Genesee County. She is the owner of Art Ah La Carte, a teaching studio in the Artisan Center on Harvester Avenue in Batavia. Her project “many hands…one heART" is a mural painting to measure 38’ x 7.5’ located in one of the main entrances to the Genesee County YMCA in Batavia. Children and adults from the various YMCA programs will be invited to assist Kim in the painting process. All are welcome and there is no minimum artistic level required to participate. Students from Art Ah La Carte will also be invited to participate and this will offer them the opportunity to see a project in “real time” from inception to sketching to completion. Community members will also be invited to participate through press releases and announcements in local media. The finished project is expected to be complete in Spring 2012.

Richard Mufford is a local musician residing in Waterport. He will be composing and producing a song entitled “Hometown Hero” in memory of the late Trevor Cook, a young marine from Orleans County, who was killed at the age of 25 during a training operation at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. The song will be a full-scale piece for concert band with a choral section. The music will be distributed to Medina area churches so that choirs, musicians may perform the piece. On May 31, the Lyndonville High School Band will publically debut the full concert band and choral performance of “Hometown Hero." Furthermore CDs and sheet music will be produced to distribute to others who wish to use this music.

This is Arts Awareness Month and there's a lot happening

By Billie Owens
Mar 5, 2012, 12:44pm

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the 14th Annual Arts Awareness Month this month in both Genesee and Orleans counties -- a celebration of arts and culture in this region.

Throughout March, local cultural organizations, artists, schools and businesses are presenting more than 50 programs and exhibits. GO ART! is highlighting these events in celebration of Arts Awareness Month with calendars that are available in local libraries, at GO ART!, and in galleries in both counties and online at www.artsawarenessmonth.com.

In addition, GO ART! is hosting: its annual Decentralization Regrant Awards Ceremony on March 9th; the kick-off for its 2012 Salon Series on March 31st; the first annual GO ART! Members Exhibition; first annual Digital Art Show; and numerous special exhibits by local artists in area libraries.

Contact GO ART! at 343-9313, email info@goart.org or visit www.artsawarenessmonth.com.

Arts Awareness Month was started in 1999 by GO ART! in an effort to raise community awareness of the scope and diversity of arts and cultural programs taking place in our communities.

The original concept was to highlight the various events and exhibits already being held – such as school concerts, exhibits and plays, and now the annual culmination of “A Tale for Three Counties” – during a time period that is traditionally not perceived as having many cultural happenings.

The effort has evolved over the years in response to changing community cultural needs and offerings, and has developed into an anticipated annual project that continues to assist in promoting the diverse talent and programs available in our own backyard.

Arts Awareness Month is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Genesee and Orleans county legislatures.

GO ART! announces Student Poetry Contest

By Billie Owens
Feb 21, 2012, 12:07pm

Press release:

GO ART! is happy to announce the 2012 Student Poetry Contest in Genesee and Orleans counties. The contest is open to all students from kindergarten through college age. Prizes and
certificates will be awarded in categories by grade range in each county.

GO ART! sponsors this contest in conjunction with Present Tense Books, Bindings Bookstore, and The Book Shoppe.

Guidelines and Entry forms are available on the GO ART! website (www.goart.org). They may also be picked up at:

GO ART! -- Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., in Batavia
Present Tense Books -- 101 Washington Ave. in Batavia
Bindings Bookstore -- 28 W. Bank St. in Albion
Book Shoppe - 519 Main St. in Medina.

The entry deadline is April 20.

For more information, contact GO ART! at 343-9313 or email: info@goart.org; Present Tense Books at 815-7640; Bindings Bookstore at 283-4498, or The Book Shoppe at 798-3642.

The contest is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council for the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

GO ARTS! seeking submissions for its first Digital Art Show, deadline is Feb. 17

By Billie Owens
Jan 31, 2012, 2:15pm

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) announces a Call for Artists to submit work for its first Digital Art Show, to be exhibited at the Batavia and Medina satellite galleries this March and April.

The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.

Digital art is defined as artwork or prints created or manipulated by digital (computer) means. Artists and art students of all ages in Genesee and Orleans counties are invited to participate. There is no cost.

The exhibit will run from March 7 to April 27 at GO ART! satellite galleries in the Genesee County Senior Center in Batavia and in the Shirt Factory Cafe in Medina.

Information, guidelines and the registration form are available from GO ART! at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. They are also available on the “For Artists” page on the GO ART! web site at www.goart.org <http://www.goart.org>.

An opening reception for both exhibit sites is scheduled for Friday, March 16. If you have any questions, please contact GO ART! at 343-9313 or email info@goart.org.

GO ART! exhibits are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. For more information, contact GO ART! at 343-9313, or info@GOart.org or visit www.GOart.org <http://www.GOart.org>.

Regional arts council calling for submissions for debut Members Exhibition

By Billie Owens
Jan 13, 2012, 2:14pm

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is calling for artists to submit work in all media for its debut Members Exhibition, which will run from March 5 through April 27 (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment).

Works will be displayed in the GO ART! Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymore Place, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. (Note: the gallery is equipped with the "Walker Hanging System.")

The show will coincide with Arts Awareness Month in March, the GO ART! Salon kick-off, and the DEC Awards Ceremony.

All current members are eligible to enter three pieces of artwork, any media, in the exhibition. Artists may join or renew their memberships at the time of drop off, which is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 27, 28 and 29.

Two-dimensional work MUST be framed, wired and ready to hang. (No sawtooth hangers.)

There are some pedestals available for 3-D work. Check with the GO-ART! office.

GO ART! reserves the right to accept or refuse pieces. All questions should be directed to GO ART! 585-343-9313, or via email <info@GOart.org>

For publicity purposes, GO ART! says it would be helpful if artists could email or call with the size and number of pieces (max is three) by Feb. 17. If the work is to be created or is in progress, simply provide a general idea of size and medium. If you have an image available digitally, that would be helpful to have as well.

There is a registration form that should be completed and should accompany art when it is dropped off. All works should be labeled on the back with name, title, medium and price (if they are to be offered for sale. If sold, GO ART! will get a 10-percent commission). Insurance is the artist's responsibility.

The artist is responsible for providing round-trip shipping, packaging and postal insurance, if applicable.

The exhibiting artists' reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16.

Art work can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. May 1 and 2. Art left after June 1 becomes the property of GO ART!

GO ART! holds Open House for new exhibit on surviving psychological trauma

By Billie Owens
Jan 9, 2012, 2:10pm

GO ART! is holding an Open House to recognize artists participating in the new exhibit: "The Art of Healing: Surviving Psychological Trauma." It will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13 at GO ART! Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

The exhibit is open now through Feb. 27 in the Bank of Castile Main Gallery at GO ART! It features a variety of artists from Genesee and Orleans counties. The artists use art to express their pain, hope and healing in the process of recovering from trauma.

At 6 o'clock during the Open House, a brief presentation will be given on the healing aspects of art by Bobbie Noto, director of Wellness at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Noto’s role is to help move the college culture toward healthier choices in physical, financial, emotional, social and academic areas.

She organizes training sessions and outreach activities for the college community and oversees a Wellness Center available to campus students. She also works as an art therapist in private practice.

Noto has an advanced degree in Clinical Art Therapy and has national certification as an art therapist. She was previously employed as an art therapist with Genesee County Mental
Health Services and has worked in college counseling and graduate-level education.

We have invited her to offer some perspective on the art included in this exhibit.

Please join us for this complimentary event, open to the public. For more information, please contact GO ART! at 343-9313, info@GOart.org, or visit www.GOart.org.

GO ART! exhibits are supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Subscribe to GO ART!