All the art you can handle

All the art you can handle GALA to host art show this weekend

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Andrew Mansfield The Gardner Area League of Artists will host an art show this weekend at the Polish American Citizens Club. From left, judges Thomas Matsuda, Donna Dodson, and Andy Moerlein decide the winners on Thursday morning. Andrew Mansfield Reporter GARDNER — With 166 art pieces on display, the Gardner Area League of Artists annual Spring Art Show promises to have something that can catch everyone’s eye. “It’s definitely our biggest event of the year. It’s a really great venue to show the creativity in the region,” said GALA board member Ashley Bird. The artwork, made by GALA members, will be separated into different categories such as photography, watercolor, and oil painting. First, second, and third place prizes will be given in each category along with honorable mentions. The free show will be held at the Polish American Citizens Club, at 171 Kendall Pond Road West. It will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. with live music, followed by the artists’ reception and awards presentation at 7 p.m. The show also runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Three well-respected sculptors who have had their work displayed in major exhibits have judged the art pieces: Donna Dodson, Thomas Matsuda and Andy Moerlein. But GALA members aren’t the only ones in on the action – high school students from Gardner, Murdock, Narragansett and Oakmont are participating in their own group, which will be judged as well, with a scholarship to be handed out Friday night. “We’re trying to draw in up-and-coming artists with more established artists,” said Bird. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the show with a raffle and silent auction of art pieces, as well as voting on which piece they like the best for the popular choice awards. The show will be capped off on Sunday with the announcement of the winners of the raffle, silent auction and popular choice awards. There will also be art demonstrations by teachers for needle felting, oil painting and sand art to participate in on Saturday and Sunday. Live music from local musicians will be featured each day, adding to the ambiance of the show. With all that going on, Bird said the show is exciting for GALA and that a lot of the members are displaying art pieces. GALA is a nonprofit organization. The Gardner Cultural Council is helping to support the program through a grant. Complete information for the show can be found on GALA’s website, www.galagardner.org.