On View: Wednesday, January 7 through February 1, 2015
Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday 1-5PM

Opening Reception: Friday, January 9, from 5PM to 8PM

Exploring Tattoos as fine arts, the gallery will host a number of local and regional tattoo artists who will share their experiences with this unusual medium and canvas. See the different styles, the amazing creations that hold such a powerful meaning for those who have them. Find out more about the history of Tattoos, how they are created from their conception to the finished artwork indelibly unique and personal. Join us for an extraordinary show experience.

Eight young tattoo artists from the New London area will display their work. Ranging from simple line to a complex photorealistic portrait of Einstein, from black and grey geometric mandalas to colorful retro sci-fi comic book style illustrations and from love to horror, the subjects and styles of the artwork are as diverse as those who create and commission it. 
Artists include Brian Trubia, Guy Ammeen, Elyssa Dion, Mason Giordano and Edward Knowles. The artists came to the centuries-old, globally-practiced form of self-expression in different ways. 

Show organizer Brian Trubia had always loved art, but majored in chemistry. “During my first job after school in an environmental lab,” says the artist,  “I discovered tattooing when a friend began apprenticing at a local shop. My interest grew to the point where I started apprenticing at the same shop under Johnny Rivero.  After about six months I did my first tattoo and gave my two week notice at the lab just a few weeks later.” He has been tattooing for three and a half years and although constantly evolving, currently works mainly in a black and grey photorealistic style. “For me tattooing has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” says the artist. Both his technical ability and artistic skills grow with each tattoo. “I feel that there is a very strong relationship between the effort put in and the rewards in tattooing, more so than other jobs I have worked at. While I'm working to evolve my style, at the moment it revolves around photo realism, in particular black and grey. This follows a lot from my previous experience in more typical forms of art. Before tattooing I did a lot of work in pencil and charcoal, and sometimes oils or acrylics.  I often focused on still life, landscape or portraiture.  While a lot of this influences how I tattoo, I also step outside of those boundaries and enjoy trying more traditional or illustrative work."

What excites the artist is when a client requests a custom tattoo because they appreciate the quality and style of his artwork. “Sometimes we'll get the freedom to express ourselves and at the same time express something for that client,” says Mr. Trubia.  “Sometimes it's to mark an important time in their life, sometimes it's just for the sake of the artwork. I get to give them a piece of myself and my art that, instead of hanging on their wall, they get to carry with them for the rest of their life. 

January’s show also features photography on the theme, including photos of tattoo artists at work, and photographs of people wearing body paint while celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oils, watercolors, glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, artisan furniture and more will also be on display. And of course, as always at the Artists’ Cooperative, shopping is tax-free.  Nothing lasts forever. Except maybe a tattoo. So catch “Inked Up” before it’s over. 

In the gallery

​

"Inked up"

​Art of the Body and Soul Show

Newport Bridge   Mary Plante

​Members of the Adult Day Center of Westerly have something new to brag about  – an exhibit of their work at the Back Room Art Gallery (BRAG) at the Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly. The show will open with a reception on Sunday, Jan. 11 from 2 – 4 PM and continue through Feb. 1.  Light refreshments will be served.

The show features watercolor paintings created by members of the Adult Day Center of Westerly Painting Group. Artists include Charolette Prachniak, Theresa Forge’t, Eleanor Dillingham and Mary Plante. The group is led by Sylvia Rice, who has been the art instructor at the center for the last three years.  The painters meet once a week and paint a variety of subjects from photographs, as well as some still lifes. Work on display ranges from spring flowers to wintry scenes.

A member of the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Ms. Rice finds teaching both inspiring and rewarding, as well as fun. “We laugh a lot,” says the artist. She and her students are excited about the opportunity to show their work at BRAG.

The non-profit Adult Day Center of Westerly, in operation since 1980, is committed to serving and providing daytime care for older adults in Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island, thereby enabling them to remain in their homes and in the community, connected to family and friends. The group is also dedicated to providing support and respite for caregivers and families. ​​

On View in the BRAG (Back Room Art Gallery):

"​Adult Day Center of Westerly Painters Exhibit"

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW) pleased to host The Bohemian Quartet in Concert ​

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW) is pleased to host The Bohemian Quartet in Concert. Watching The Bohemian Quartet perform live is like listening to history being preserved. In many ways, this exhilarating act is simply keeping a rare musical flame alive by taking on the challenging oeuvre of the Romany, or “gypsy,” musical tradition. Those of you who’ve already seen their show know how mesmerizing and captivating it can be. Those who’ve missed it thus far are in for a treat! You can see them on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 3:00pm, in the intimate setting of the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, 7 Canal Street Westerly, RI 02891.

The acclaimed ensemble featuring the violin, viola, cello, and bass was formed in 2005. Violinist Stan Renard, a composer and virtuoso player with an impressive list of credentials, assembled the group with the idea of preserving the tradition and indulging in the virtuosic playing of classic gypsy music. Renard recruited like-minded and ambitious friends: Christine Harrington on cello, Nancy Richardson on viola, and Dave Zinno on upright bass. Together, they are capable curators, tackling ancient traditions, and still leaving room to wander off into newer, lovely, and more modern directions. So don’t hesitate to take advantage of this great musical moment. Go to enjoy the historic traditions. Go to witness the musical virtuosity. But above all, go to have a great time, listening to fine music.

This concert is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets are $20 and include wine and snacks at intermission. Tickets are by reservation only with limited seating. Please make reservations as early as possible by emailing bohemianquartet@gmail.com or calling 603-203-7137. No tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the concert.

We hope to see you there!

Sunday, February 22 from 1-5pm Master Weavers Demonstration with Jan Doyle

Looking Ahead to February...

Friday, February 6, 5-8pm

Visiting Artist Show: "Fabric and Fashion Forward"

Opening Reception ​​

Sunday, February 15 at 3pm

Bohemian Quartet in Concert 

Ticket Price: $20.00 

Wine and apps included 

To reserve tickets, please call (603) 203-7137 or email bohemianquartet@gmail.com