1st Artists Market builds community, showcases talent

1st Artists Market builds community, showcases talent

GALA hosts gathering at Gardner Senior Center
Doneen Durling
News Staff Writer

Hand-crafted wooden Christmas ornaments by mixed media artist Doreen LaScola are displayed at Saturday’s GALA Artists Market.

The work of local artists is displayed during GALA’s Artists Market at the Gardner Senior Center, Saturday.


GARDNER — The Gardner Area League of Artists held its first-ever Artists Market at the Senior Center on Saturday, showcasing a range of works as the holiday shopping season picks up.

The gathering was more than just a market, though — it was a way for GALA members to strengthen their community of artists.

“We organize two shows in a year. Before, I would get a notice, I would show up and hand over my three pieces of art, and they would hang it or I would hang it,” said Kevin Bird, the organization’s president, who said the weekend’s market represented a new approach. “The only interaction with the other artists was just at that one reception ... We are trying something new to see if it sticks.”


Mr. Bird said the group has of late moved to expand the level of interaction among its artists, including by holding outdoor painting sessions at several sites. GALA has also formed a critique group that meets six times a year at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library.

“What was interesting was that we got different people each time we met that used different mediums, or with different skill levels,” he said. “People in the artists’ world need to step out of themselves and hear what others have to say. It helps the artist himself grow personally.”

“It’s constructive critique,” said his wife, Ashley Bird.

Ms. Bird said many members expressed a desire to adopt a more cooperative approach to showing and selling work. Without a permanent site for such an arrangement available, events like the weekend’s market are meant to fill that need.

“In the same idea as the open studios that happen all around the state, a lot of people in this area don’t necessarily have studio space,” she said. “Where they create is in their homes, so this is a way to bring the studios to one place.”

Mr. Bird said the senior center and its staff was “fantastically helpful,” and the facility was an optimal location for the event.

The market drew a constant flow of people observing and purchasing art. Mr. Bird said modest improvement in the economy, along with a growing trend of consumers buying locally, has given a boost to artists.

“I hope that is one of the things we push,” said Ms. Bird. “We should push that there is so much talent in the area ... you are supporting the artist that lives next door or the next town over and keeping those dollars in the community.”

The Birds feel that art brings life to communities, and their hope is that GALA will find a home to develop that community.

Songs by local musicians were played during Saturday’s gathering, with nearly 20 local artists showcasing a broad range of paintings, photographs, multimedia pieces and other work.

Mr. Bird said all are welcome to become involved in GALA “in any way, shape or form.”

For more information, visit www.galagardner.org