The Art Drive – August 11 & 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

THE ART DRIVE – AUGUST 11 & 12

The 5th Annual event to feature “Fabulous Fins” exhibit along outdoor route through Dartmouth and Westport

On August 11 and 12, the ART drive returns to the Southcoast for its 5th annual exhibit with 28 Dartmouth and Westport artists hosting an open studio weekend.

Consisting of some of the area’s premiere painters, ceramic artists, photographers, jewelers, woodworkers and others, the ART drive places unique emphasis on a consistent and high level of professionalism and quality in some very unusual and dramatic studio settings. In addition, several of the ART drive venues will also have guest artists exhibiting their work.

Fabulous Fins

by Barbara Purdy

This year, participating artists are applying their own unique creativity and styles to create large, colorful depictions of Yellow Fin Tuna, another favorite
of the South Coast and a species known to the area. Last year’s exhibit
featured Striped Bass.

On August 11 and 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., stationed outdoors along the Art drive routes–in public spaces and in front of stores, shops, businesses and other sites in Dartmouth and Westport–will be 42 four-foot-long Yellow Fin Tuna. While the “Fins” will be on display Saturday, July 30 through Friday, August 10, on August 12, 2012 they will be viewed at the artists’ studios over the Art drive weekend.

Westport Rivers Vineyard will host a display of all the fish on Friday,  July 6 in the afternoon and evening, in conjunction with its Summer Sunset Music concert featuring McCarthy, Richards & Legge.

On Sunday, July 8th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., join the Fabulous Fins and artists for an entertaining selection of sea stories by Norah Dooley (NorahDooley.com) at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery in Westport.

Dartmouth resident artists Beverly Carter, Sandra Hall and Deborah Quinn- Munson founded the ART drive in 2008 to give visitors an opportunity to sample the concentration of creative talent in Dartmouth and Westport. 

Lovers of the arts will enjoy a great weekend escape while touring these historic ‘hidden gem’ Southcoast towns in Massachusetts. With only 15 miles separating the thirty studios, visitors will enjoy a casual drive through this picturesque area with ample time to enjoy all the area has to offer.

by Roger Kizik

“We believe the Art drive studios will provide visitors who want to learn about the art and the artists a great weekend event while visiting our area. We’ll encourage visitors to take the time to drive through the lovely farm lands, seacoast, and enjoy a picnic at the Lloyd Center, Westport Winery and dine at area restaurants.”

The general public is encouraged to bid on the artwork on e-bay by going to www.the-Art-Drive.com. Participating artists will donate a percentage of their proceeds from sales to the Lloyd Center for the Environment.

“Donating to the Lloyd Center for the Environment is a way for us to support an organization dedicated to educating people about their natural local environment, an inspiration to many of the artists who work and live in the area,” said Carter.

Rising Stars

Students from Dartmouth, Westport and Bishop Stang high schools’ art departments will again exhibit outstanding student work at Cape Yachts’ South Wharf in Padanaram during the Art drive weekend. The location will also provide information about the tour and artists.

The 2012 “the ART drive” Artists: Gary Adriance, Maddy Bragar, Beverly Carter, Peg CaloConely, Sarah Daughn, Janet Egan, Deborah Ehrens, Deborah Quinn-Munson, Brenda Figuerido, Ray Genereux, Wendy Goldsmith, Sandra Hall, Mary Harman, Tracey Mahaffey, Michael Hubert, Donna Huse, Marty Keating, Roger Kizik, Frank McCoy, Barbara McDowell, Dora Atwater Millikin, Sarah Morse, Seth Rainville, Sabrina Satkin, Jim Sears, Karen Minati Snyder, Susan Strauss, Janie Owen, and 26 Rising Stars.

Along with the participating artists, The ART drive is sponsored by many local businesses including Community Sponsor: Hawthorn Medical Associates; Founding Sponsors: Anne Whiting Real Estate, The Sylvia Group of Insurance Agencies, FLORA and Flora & Foglia. Inc., Partner’s Village Store, and Friends Academy; and supporters Dedee Shattuck Gallery, Dartmouth Dermatology, Details and Design, Folia, Karyne and Company Day Spa, Milbury and Company, Norton Gallery, Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures, The Ries Family, The Law Offices of Rusitzky and Russell, Salt Marsh Pottery, and Westport Lobster. 

Information on the artists, locations and a map are listed on www.the-art-drive.com.