In The News
| Northshore Magazine Arts On The Move Salem Arts Association Has a New Home. by Dinah Cardin (April 2020) When describing his playful multimedia art pieces, artist Paul Nathan says, “There’s a certain...happiness." A dynamic collage features a parade more suited for New Orleans passing in front of the Salem Custom House. “They are light and joyous, but not simple,” says Nathan. This could be a good description for Salem itself at times. A story full of serendipity has been unfolding on Derby Street in Salem. It started when Nathan retired from his work as a lawyer a couple years ago and turned his law office (an 18th-century yellow clapboard building near the water) into the Paul Nathan Gallery and Museum, where he could sell his original artworks and greeting cards stamped with his work. But he wasn’t seeing enough foot traffic. Then one day, when Salem Arts Association president Jim Bostick wandered in. a friendly conversation sparked a historic moment for the arts in Salem. Fast-forward to April of this year and the SAA has a new 2,600-square-foot home across the street from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and near landmarks like the House of the Seven Gables and Mercy Tavern. |
In contrast with the Rockport Art Association, which began in 1921, Salem’s is the youngest on the North Shore, formed in 2007 by a group on Artists’ Row. The Salem Film Fest and Salem Jazz and Soul Festival were starting up at the same time. The SAA now has a membership of more than 300, representing artists living all over the North Shore.
The organization has been housed in several locations, the most recent being a former Universalist church on Bridge Street. “Our openings were incredibly well attended. It was a really good feeling. But after the opening, nothing” says the organization’s vice president and exhibition curator. Heather Stewart, who lives in Lynn and focuses on Realist paintings.Stewart is thrilled to have a more permanent home with 11 galleries, space for classes and workshops, and even an artist-in- residence program.
“I consider this a story of growth,” says Bostick, who works as a photographer and designer. One common goal is to bring back the community “clubhouse" feel that existed on Artists’ Row, when musicians would just turn up on a Friday, says Bostick, the new location includes a patio filled with potential on Kosciusko Street. Sunlit galleries are named after a few of the 50 wharves where goods were offloaded from Salem ships traveling all over the world, A first-floor gallery is named in memory of active Salem artist Ellen Hardy, considered the driving force behind the association. Bostick credits Hardy with saying “The word arts has an s for a reason." Keeping this in mind, the association is looking into expanding their offerings, even turning their basement into a black box theatre. “Ellen is smiling down on us.” says Bostick of his friend, who died in 2017. “None of this would have happened without her.”
The SAA has gained traction with a busy calendar of events, like their annual show inspired by a chosen exhibition at PEM. In October, there is a fitting Dark Arts exhibit And in the spring is the playful Salon des Refuses, a tradition that started last year, featuring works turned down by the Salem Arts Festival. Now, when an artist’s work is rejected, the city hands them a flyer for the Salem Arts show, says Bostick, adding that this opportunity is a tradition going back to the French Academy.
On April 3, the public can attend the first member showcase in the new location. “I feel really strongly about letting people show their work," says Stewart, who has acted as juror, curator, and critic for exhibitions at prominent galleries in the region.
Bostick is coming to the end of his three- year term as president and is happy to hand off the SAA stronger than he found it. Some of that is due to hard work and some to the magic of Salem. In the meantime, the building also houses a small gallery just for Paul Nathan's work. “I think it s a win-win all around," says Nathan. "I see this as an adventure. The more people you have, the more energy."
News Links
May 2023 - Vibrant Art Scene Blooms in Salem - Northshore Magazine
September 2021 - Destination Salem Podcast - Episode 13: Salem Arts Association - Northshore Radio 104.9
March 2021 - Salem Arts Association Welcomes New Director and Artist in Residence - Creative Northshore
September 2020 - Salem Arts Announces Two New Exhibits - Northshore Magazine
July 2020 - Salem Arts Grand Opening Member Showcase - Salem Access Television (SATV)
May 2020 - Salem Arts Association Launches Virtual Exhibit - Northshore Magazine
May 2020 - Gallery, Never Opened Due to COVID, Launches Online - Salem News
April 2020 - Arts On The Move - Salem Arts Association Has a New Home - Northshore Magazine (download PDF)
February 2020 - Salem Arts Association Moves to Derby Street Neighborhood - Salem Gazette
November 2019 - Autumn Member Showcase - Salem Access Television (SATV)
October 2019 - Dark Arts Exhibit - Salem Access TV (SATV)
September 2019 - Picturing America and Dark Arts Exhibitions - Salem Access Television (SATV)
August 6 2019: Dan Breslin Solo Show - Salem Gazette
June 2019 - Salon Des Refuses - Salem Access Television (SATV)
May 2019 - Roots Exhibit at Salem Old Town Hall - Salem Access Television (SATV)
April 2019 - Member Showcase Exhibition at Salem Old Town Hall - Salem Access Television (SATV)
March 2019 - Young at Art, Ellen Hardy, Paula Beaulieu, and Scholarship Fundraiser Exhibit - Salem Access Television (SATV)
December 2018 - Fall Member Showcase 2018 - Salem Access Television (SATV)
October, 2018 - Two Exhibits: Untold Stories and Dark Arts 10-5-18 - Salem Access Television (SATV)
August, 2018 - Land & Sea, Raymond Gilbert Solo Exhibit - Salem Access Television (SATV)
July, 2018 - Go Away Exhibit - Salem Access Television (SATV)
March 2018 - Inspiring The Arts - Salem Magazine (Download PDF)
January, 2018 - Salem Cultural Council 2018 Grant Recipients - Salem Cultural Council
December 28, 2017 - Reflecting on 2017 Events in Salem - Salem Gazette
November 2017 - Salem Arts Association Member Showcase - Salem Access Television (SATV)
July 17, 2017 - Salem Arts Association: ReVision Opening Reception - Salem Access Television (SATV)
May 5, 2017 - ReVISION Exhibit Opening Reception - Salem Access Television (SATV)
March 9, 2017 - Salem Arts cuts ribbon on new digs - Wicked Local Salem
March 5, 2017 - Grand Opening Festivities on Salem Access Television - Salem Access Television (SATV)
February 22, 2017 - Salem Arts Announces New Move - Salem Gazette
February 18, 2017 - "The Bridge at 211" Welcomes Salem Arts Association - Creative Salem
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