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GO ART!

Joe Vernon's collection of model sailing ships on display at GO ART! April 11 through May 4

By Billie Owens
Collection of Model Sailing Ships by Joe Vernon is on exhibit at GO ART! from April  11 through May 4.
 
There will be an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at GO ART!
 
Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
GO ART! is located inside the historic Seymour Place building at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

GO ART!'s Spring Fling is April 27 and the theme is the fantabulous '50s

By Billie Owens
GO ART! will host its Spring Fling from 7 to 10 p.m. on Satruday, April 27.
 
This will be a 1950s themed evening of music and appetizers with a cash bar. The Genean Awards will be presented that evening.
 
Tickets are $20 per person for non-members and $15 per person for members.
 
Tickets can be purchased at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia or by calling 585-343-9313.

Nominations sought for GO ART!'s second annual Genean Awards, deadline is March 29

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
This year, nominations are now open for the public to vote on GO ART!'s "Genean Awards." Why "Genean" you ask?
 
Well, simply put, we decided that we needed to have our own unique awards (like the Oscars or Tony awards) for GENesee and OrlEANs counties, to recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties.
 
So there you have it! Genean it is!
 
Nominations Deadline: March 29th
 
There are three categories:
 
1. ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR -- This award honors an not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its achievements in 2018.
 
2. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR -- This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2018 or career-long body of work
 
3. SUPPORTER (OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR) OF THE YEAR -- This award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector.
 
To nominate please visit online here.
 
Winners will be announced at our Spring Fling on April 27th.

GO ART! growing under current director's leadership

By Howard B. Owens

Members of Human Services Committee expressed satisfaction with the job Gregory Hallock has done as director of GO ART! since being appointed to the job in July 2017.

Since Hallock was promoted, he's instituted a number of new and innovative programs, expanded gallery shows, acquired a liquor license for beer and wine sales at Seymore Place, instituted profitable fundraisers, and generally raised the profile of GO ART! in the community.

"We've had a new philosophy," Hallock said. "In the past, the philosophy was just to stay alive so they stopped doing some things to save money. Now we do things so people see us doing things and then they support what we're doing."

In each of the past year, GO ART! has taken in more money than it has spent but because of depreciation on Seymore Place, the organization officially lost money, at least until 2018, when GO ART! was in the black by $40,000.

All of the organization's debts, except for a mortgage on Seymore Place, taken out for building maintenance, have been paid off.

One of the most successful fundraisers for GO ART! over the past year was the celebrity bartender challenge. Various prominent community members competed as celebrity bartenders with tips going to GO ART! as donations. The series of nights with celebrity bartenders bought in $13,000.

Hallock said he wants to continue the concept by bringing in a celebrity bartender every Thursday. One of the benefits is the guest bartenders invite a bunch of their friends. 

Nearly 40 percent of the people who attended these events last year had never been to GO ART! before, Hallock said, and the events also helped attract a younger audience, which has been hard for GO ART! to reach in recent years.

The director is continuing to pursue big plans. He wants to get an elevator installed in the building and wants to expand the art garden behind the building. He is seeking grants for both projects.

"You've done an excellent job to bring exposure to GO ART! and the building," said Andrew Young, chairman of the committee. "It's heads and shoulders above what we've seen in recent years. I see and hear about GO ART! activities everywhere and it seems to be paying dividends for you."

Hallock said the credit doesn't belong to just him alone.

"We have an awesome board and staff," Hallock said. "I'm the only one with a degree but everyone is passionate about it."

GO ART! to get $3,000 in competitive historic preservation grant program

By Billie Owens

ALBANY — The New York State Council on the Arts together with the Preservation League of New York State and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area announce the recipients of the seventh year of grant funding through the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program today.

In Genesee County, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council -- GO ART! will receive $3,000.

“At its October 2018 meeting, the Technical Assistance Grant panel awarded $55,068 to 19 projects in 17 counties,” said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. “As always, the competition for these funds was intense. We are delighted to help advance the preservation efforts of these organizations with timely funding from the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program.”

The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program, a competitive historic preservation grant program, was established in 2012 as a partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of New York State.

Additional support for this program in 2018 has been provided by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. The Technical Assistance Grant program enables the Preservation League to support arts centers, historic sites, music halls, theaters, libraries, and other cultural not-for-profit or municipal entities that steward historic buildings in every one of New York’s 62 counties.

With the announcement of the 2018 awards, support provided by TAG since its launch in 2012 totals $332,465. These grants have directly advanced the preservation of 118 historic buildings in 44 counties across New York State.

The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of New York State. The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area has provided additional support for projects occurring in the National Heritage Area.

For more information about the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program, please call (518) 462-5658, ext. 10, or visit League’s website at www.preservenys.org.

GC Student Art Exhibit now on display at GO ART! through Feb. 23

By Billie Owens

On display at GO ART! now through Feb. 23 is the Genesee County Student Art Exhibit. There will be an Artist Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.

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

Phone is 343-9313.

The Batavia Society of Artists hosts free Artist Mixer at GO ART! on Feb. 12

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Society of Artists will host its kick-off event for 2019-- a free Artist Mixer -- from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at GO ART! 

It is located in the historic Seymour Place building in Downtown Batavia, 201 E. Main St.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a piece of their artwork to display for the evening.

Enjoy some wine and cheese and talk with other artists from the area.

All levels and mediums welcome.

An Art Book Sale will be available to benefit The Batavia Society of Artists.

Dues to join the society are $30 a year for an individual; $50 for a couple; $10 for students; the drop-in fee for events, programs and demos is $5.

The Board of Directors is comprised of: Teresa Tamfer, Nicole Tamfer, Nancy Brown*, Carole LaValley, Shauna Blake*, Amy DiSalvo and Karen Crittenden. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month.

(*New Board Members)

Here's the rest of the year's lineup; all demos (except En Plein Air) are held at GO ART!:

  • March 12 -- Colette Savage Demo of warm undertone painting with pastels, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • April 9 -- Mike Killelea Demo of adding people and animals to finished watercolors for interest, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • May 9 -- Spring Art Show Reception at Richmond Memorial Library, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • May 18 -- Saturday Sketch Out -- Genesee County Park & Forest Nature Interpretive Center in East Bethany, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • June 11 -- Linda Metcalf Hands-on Demo of encaustics, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • July 9 -- Picnic at Kiwanis Park & En Plein Air Demo with Sue Meyer -- Bring a dish to pass, 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Aug. 15 -- GO ART! Show Reception -- Upstairs in the Batavia Rotary Club Gallery, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Sept. 10 -- Shauna Blake Hands-on Demo of alcohol inks, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Oct. 8 -- Chris Humel Hands-on Demo of caricatures, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Nov. 12 -- Becky Maynard Demo of acrylic pour ornaments, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Dec. 5 -- Winter Art Show Reception at Richmond Memorial Library, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 10 -- Christmas Dinner Party at Dibble Family Center, $20 per person, 6 p.m. - 'til ?

Video: Jazz & Jam at GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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The Genesee Jazz Collective played at GO ART! on Thursday night as part of GO ART!'s Fifth Thursday night, this time with a theme of Jazz & Jam. The evening featured P&J sandwiches, live jazz and a jazz jam session.

Members of the Genesee Jazz Collective are: Dan Klinczar on Brass, Mike Grammatico on Sax and Clarinet, Andrew Lawton on Drums, Phil Briatico on Bass, And Brian Goeltz on Guitar.

Joining the Genesee Jazz Collective during the jam session on vocals, Stuart McLean.

 

GO ART! open for Jazz & Jam tonight as part of its Fifth Thursday series

By Billie Owens

GO ART! is open for Jazz & Jam tonight (Jan. 31) as part of its Fifth Thursdays series.

The Genesee Jazz Collective will be performing from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

Then from 8 to 9 p.m. the Genesee Jazz Collective will host an open Jam Session.

Tavern 2.o.1 will be open and will be serving flights of jam sandwiches in honor of the Jam Session -- you get to choose from three fruit jams.

Come on in and break your cabin fever!

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

GO ART! Creative Arts Camp for first- through sixth-graders to be held next month

By Billie Owens
Press release:

The GO ART! Creative Arts Camp is an amazing opportunity for students in grade 1-6 to explore all things artistic. From fine art to performing arts, we will discover our inner artists together in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Students will have the opportunity to draw, paint, dance, sing, play, build and so much more.

Fine arts, performing arts, literary arts, culinary arts, design arts, tech arts -- experience it all!

Camp will be held at GO ART! in Downtown Batavia from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, Feb. 18-22. Drop off for participants begins at 8:30 a.m.

Only 30 spots are available.

Fee is $135 for GO ART! members (or $125 each child for multiple family members).

Fee is $150 for nonmembers (or $140 each child for multiple family members).

All materials included; deadline to register is Feb. 14. First come, first serve.

GO ART! is located in the historic Seymour Place building at 201 E. Main St.

For further information please contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or register online here.

Batavia art student opens show at GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens

Dom Grazioplene became the latest Batavia High School Art student with a solo exhibit at GO ART! this week with a well-attended opening reception last night at Seymore Place. In the video, Grazioplene talks about his approach to art.

Also hosting an opening reception Thursday was Don Fryling, a Redfield Parkway resident, and fine art photographer.

Dom Grazioplene

Don Fryling

GO ART!: Call for entries for annual juried art show, 2019 theme is 'Art of the Rural'

By Billie Owens

GO ART! announces its third annual juried art show entitled "Art of the Rural." Entries will be accepted March 7 –  9. No entries will be accepted after March 9.

Exhibit dates are March 14 -- May 4.

There will be an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at GO ART!, located in the historic Seymour Place building at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

This juried show is open to all artists. All works must be ORIGINAL and created by the submitting artist. Previous entries are not permitted. Any media is acceptable, no larger than 3' X 4'.

All entries must be accompanied by an entry form, and dropped off to GO ART! at Seymour Place.

Fees are due at drop off. GO ART! members may submit up to five works for $30; $5 for each additional work. Non-members may submit up three works for $30; $5 for each additional work.

A jury of selection will review all entries and will choose artwork to be displayed in the exhibit. Notification of the jury's decisions will be made March 12. All results will be sent via email unless otherwise requested. Please make sure to provide a valid email address to receive your jury results.

Cash prizes will be awarded and announced at the opening reception.

For questions please call585-343-9313 or email info@goart.org

For application: visit  www.goart.org/juriedshow

New photography exhibit called 'Beauty of Western New York' on display at GO ART!

By Billie Owens
A new photography exhibit entitled the "Beauty of Western New York" by Don Fryling is now showing at GO ART!, located in the historic Seymour Building at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.
 
The exhibit runs through Jan. 20.
 
There will be an artist reception for Fryling from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17. Tavern 2.o.1 will be open.
 
Gallery hours are:
Thursday, Friday 11-7
Saturday 11-4

GO ART! offers new Culinary Classes starting next Thursday

By Billie Owens
GO ART!'s Culinary Classes are back!
 
Every second Thursday Chef Tracy Burgio will be leading culinary classes at the Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Classes start at 6 p.m. and generally last two hours.
 
Tavern 2.o.1 will be open!
 
Don't delay, register today. Classes have already begun to fill up. Only eight seats available per class!
 
Cost for EACH CLASS is $45 per person for GO ART! members and $50 per person for non-members.
 
  • Jan. 10 -- Ricotta Cheese
  • Feb. 14 -- (V-Day) Chocolate Truffles
  • March 14 -- Irish Soda Bread
  • April 11 -- Carrot Cake
  • May 9 -- Handmade Fresh Pasta
  • June 13 -- Summer Risotto

GO ART! opens member show, Heat Wave

By Howard B. Owens

Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART! holds up the winning ornaments from an ornament-decorating contest for GO ART! members. Tammy Hathaway, the left ornament, won in the adult category and Anna Browne won in the children's category.

GO ART! opened its winter members' art show, Heat Wave, on Thursday night.

Best of Show, "Firebird," by David Burke.

A sculpture, "Forest Floor," by Emily Crawford.

'Heat Wave' exhibit on display at GO ART! through March 9, artists' reception is Dec. 20

By Billie Owens
Members' Challenge Exhibit "Heat Wave" runs in the Batavia Club Gallery in Tavern 2.o.1 at GO ART! now through March 9.
 
It is located at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.
 
There will be an artists' reception, and the bar will be open, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20.
 
Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays 11- 7. Saturdays 11-4.

'The Rhythms of Nature' on display at GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens

Artist Christopher McGee was at GO ART! on Thursday evening for the opening of his show, "The Rhythms of Nature."

Born in Jamestown, the Clarence-based artist said this is the first time he's had a show for this series of paintings.

He began the series in 2008 while observing landscapes while on road trips throughout Western New York. 

He said, "My experience playing drums in experimental and improvisational noise bands helped me to visually express some of the more mercurial, unpredictable elements in the universe: earthquakes, meteor showers, supernovas, and black holes."

The show runs through Dec. 8.

GO ART! has two other shows on display as well:

  • The Batavia Photography Club has photos on display by members through Dec. 8.
  • The Traveling Ghost by Ryan Gustman is on display until Nov. 3. Gustman was diagnosed with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and ADHD early in his life. He specializes in photographing abandoned buildings.

Dedication of GO ART! Tavern 2.0.1

By James Burns

Thursday evening saw past presidents and members of The Batavia Club honored for their donation of, what is now, Seymour Place. The building at Main and Bank streets downtown was formerly the home of the men's social club and was built as a bank in 1831.

The Batavia Club sold the building to GO ART! for $1.

Gregory Hallock, executive director, of GO ART! has always been very thankful to the club for its generosity.

“If you look around GO ART!, you will see that almost everything here has a plaque thanking someone for a donation," Hallock said. "But there is no mention of the people that actually gave us the building.”

That changed on Thursday when the bar, now called Tavern 2.0.1 after the address of the building at 201 Main St., was dedicated to The Batavia Club.

Fittingly, a plaque now hangs over the bar, which is more than a century old, dedicating it to The Batavia Club. The old club plaque listing all the past presidents was moved to a prominent location in the bar as well.  

Last spring, Hallock also added a permanent exhibit that is an homage to the artwork that used to adorn the walls when it was the men’s club. If you want to see that collection, ask Hallock for a tour on your next visit. 

GO ART! to dedicate Tavern 2.o.1 to The Batavia Club on Thursday

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The GO ART! Board of Directors and staff are excited to announce the dedication of Tavern 2.o.1 inside GO ART! at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.
 
The public is invited to join them in celebrating the long lasting impact The Batavia Club has had on the organization. The men’s social club that resided at 201 E. Main St., Batavia, from 1887 to 2000. It generously sold the building, the only remaining example in Genesee County of a business establishment of the early 19th century, to GO ART! for $1.
 
To recognize their impact and the longstanding relationship between the two organizations, GO ART! is thrilled to be able to dedicate Tavern 2.o.1 to The Batavia Club complete with a plaque in honor of the club.
 
“We recognize all that the Batavia Club has done for the arts council and realize that without their generous donation, we may not be where we are today,” said Director Gregory Hallock.
 
GO ART! is also seeking help in connecting with any former members of The Batavia Club.
 
If you know of any former members of The Batavia Club, please contact the arts council by calling (585) 343-9313 or e-mail info@goart.org so they can be personally invited to the event.
 
Also on Thursday, Oct. 18th, from 6-8 p.m. is the opening reception at GO ART! of two new exhibits: Artist Christopher McGee Rhythms of Nature and the Batavia Photography Club.
 
Come down for a drink, great art and an even better time! Visit goart.org for more information.

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