Weekend Fun: Poppy Social, Art Galleries, Armenian Cuisine

Kenji Nakayam and Damion Silver in Alter State at Drive-By Projects Art Gallery

Watertown is going to be a quiet, quite warm place on Memorial Day weekend as people are headed to greener/hillier/sandier pastures. Of course, it is a time to remember those who have given their lives, so you can pop into the Poppy Social at the Commander’s mansion on Friday in their remembrance. If looking for some air conditioning, pay a visit to see some of the art in town. There is the town sculpture garden in the open air, and a number of local galleries with current exhibits. There is also art to be made in a painting workshop.

Get Inspired for Watertown’s Annual Townwide Art Project

YardArt Watertown”PaTRASHia” was one of the pieces made for Watertown’s YardArt. The following announcement was provided by YardArt:

YardArt returns to Watertown this year for the entire month of April. The community-wide event begins Monday, April 1 and lasts through Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A variety of artful and whimsical installations will be displayed on front yards, porches, and storefronts throughout Watertown. Watertown residents, families, organizations, clubs, classes, artists, and businesses are invited to create something of their own–a gizmo, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting arrangement—let your imagination run free!

Mural Coming to Watertown Square Celebrates Artist’s Love, Vision for His New Hometown

The mural, called “I See a Dream,” planned to be created on the wall outside CVS in Watertown Square by Amir Tabatabaei. A large wall in the center of Watertown will get a bright new look when a local artist creates a mural inspired by his experience moving to his new hometown. The project will be the first public art for its creator since he emigrated from Iran. Amir Tabatabaei will work on the mural that will go on the side of the CVS on Main Street in Watertown Square starting this spring. It will start where the gate opens onto Merchant’s Row, the alley off of Main Street, and unfolds along the wall.

Watertown Student Art to be Displayed at Local Mall

Artwork created by students in the Watertown Public Schools will be on display beginning this week. The Watertown Schools announced the Visual Art Show at the Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St. The show features works from students in grades K to 12. It begins April 6 and runs through May 2. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 6-8 p.m.

Our History: Watertown Artist Ellen Robbins, Famous for Paintings of Flowers

Ellen Robbins painting in her studio (from a photograph by J. Appleton Brown)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our January 2009 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” ELLEN ROBBINS (1828 – 1905) – A WATERTOWN ARTIST

Watertown residents may be surprised to discover the many prominent people who called Watertown their home.

Turtle Studios Artists Hosting Winter Open Studios

Turtle Studios’ Winter Open House is slated for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4 from noon to 5 p.m.

The studio was formerly located in Watertown, and now is located nearby at 213 California St. in Newton. The artists create a range of works, including: paintings, drawings, sculptures, fiber arts, basketweaving, photography, mixed media. There will also be invited artisans and crafters.

Exhibit at Watertown Gallery Features Art Made with Found Items

The works of Martha Chason-Sokol and Joe Caruso will be shown at Storefront Art Projects’ exhibit called “Found Meaning.” Storefront Art Projects provided the following information about its upcoming show, called “Found Meaning”:

Dining room chairs, a discarded faucet, a metal dish rack, cd holders, old pants, old sandals, plastic shopping bags, white paper, blue tape, gray and black electrical tape, pantyhose, styrofoam, suction cups, leather, gauze, ping pong balls, wire, tin cans, yarn, acrylic paint, glue, thread, and cotton balls. 

These are but a few ingredients of the artwork in FOUND MEANING with Martha Chason-Sokol and Joe Caruso at Storefront Art Projects. 

Come visit and see how their dark but defiantly bright and surprising art is more than the sum of its parts! 

Through Halloween and the dark days of fall, Martha Chason-Sokol and Joe Caruso, present an array of colorful, monstrous, and humorous paintings and sculpture at Storefront Art Projects. Martha and Joe are kindred spirits who have never shown together before. Martha works with household items, tape, and packing materials in a wry commentary on our current values and priorities. Joe makes sculpture with clay and found materials and raucously bright paintings.

Inspirations for Mosesian Arts Members Exhibition Ranges from Nature to Children’s Books

“Ladies View, Killarney” by C.J. Lori is one of the pieces in the 2022 Mosesian Center for the Arts’ Members Exhibition. The following information was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

Members Exhibition 2022, the upcoming exhibition at Mosesian Arts, gives current members of the arts center an opportunity to showcase their work. What is surprising in this year’s exhibition is how many of the artists turned to nature for inspiration, for comfort, and reflection. Living in a world that is undergoing devastating climate changes, artists are looking for ways to keep nature and its fragile beauty in the forefront. In C.J. Lori’s painting “Ladies View, Killarney,” the viewer is transported to the magnificent, green landscape of Ireland.