GLOUCESTER, MASS. (February 2021) – The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to welcome Miranda Aisling as the new Education Manager. Her mission is to reconnect art to daily life, a purpose she brings to her new work developing programs for the Museum including a new virtual lecture series this month.

“As a practicing artist and community organizer, I believe that creativity is an innate human skill,” says Aisling. “Some people suppress it, others develop it, but everyone has it. In my new role at the Cape Ann Museum, I’m excited to create avenues to celebrate and amplify the incredible creativity in this community, both past and present.”

Among one of her first initiatives, in response to the continued state-wide limit on large gatherings, is to bring the Museum’s gallery talks online with the CAM Virtual Lecture Series. The first such event was held on January 29.

Up next on Friday, February 26 at 1:00 pm, as part of Black History Month, the Museum will present “African Americans in Essex County” with Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, Salem State University. These two scholars have spent the past two years visiting historic repositories throughout Essex County, including the Cape Ann Museum, to collect, compile, and catalog the rich history of African Americans in this area. Their report, African Americans in Essex County, was funded by the National Park Service and will be released later this spring.

“Miranda has hit the ground running, developing two timely virtual presentations in her first month on the job,” says Oliver Barker, Museum Director. “I look forward to working with Miranda and the rest of our dynamic staff to bring exciting, new programming to the Cape Ann community and beyond as we continue to navigate these historic times.”

Aisling previously built and ran a non-profit called Miranda’s Hearth with the mission of

building community through creativity that is approachable, affordable, and accessible. She also worked as the Director of Visual Arts & Operations at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Mass., and was an educator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She holds a master’s of education degree in community art from Lesley University and a bachelor’s of art degree in painting and pottery from Mary Baldwin University.

The Virtual Lecture Series is free for CAM members; $10 for nonmembers. Registration is open online. For further details or information, please call (978)283-0455 x110 or email info@capeannmuseum.org.

The Cape Ann Museum, founded in 1875, exists to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, three historic homes, a Library & Archives and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. In 2021, the Museum will officially open the 12,000 square foot Janet & William Ellery James Center at the Cape Ann Museum Green. The campus also includes three historic buildings – the White Ellery House (1710), an adjacent Barn (c. 1740), and the recently acquired Babson-Alling House (c.1740), all located on the site at the intersection of Washington and Poplar Streets in Gloucester.   

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, operating hours have been reduced to better protect the safety and well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers. The Museum is currently open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Timed tickets are required for all visitors at this time and can be reserved online at www.camuseum.eventbrite.com. Admission is $12.00 adults, $10.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Youth (under 18) and Museum members are free. Cape Ann residents can visit for free on the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (978)283-0455 x110 or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.  

For a detailed media fact sheet please visit www.capeannmuseum.org/press.

MEDIA CONTACTS:          Ashley Elias                                        
                                                Teak Media
                                                (213) 400-3402
                                                Ashley@teakmedia.com

Meredith Anderson

meredithanderson@capeannmuseum.org
(978) 283-0455 x115

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (February 2021) – The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to welcome Kathleen (Kate) Cooke Ryan as the Museum’s new Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Ryan is a seasoned fundraising professional with deep experience in international program development and relationship management, most recently through her working with constituents around the globe on behalf of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, at Tufts University. Before joining Tufts, Ryan worked for Harvard University, where her leadership positions included Harvard Business School, the Harvard Alumni Association, The Rhodes Trust and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Prior to working for U.S. universities and colleges, Ryan taught English at the Notre Dame Seishin Women’s University in Okayama, Japan.   

Most recently, as senior director of development and alumni relations at Tufts University, Ryan helped shape a team of talented professionals and partnered with senior leadership to achieve consecutive years of record-breaking fundraising results, raising nearly $70 million in pledges and gifts toward Fletcher’s highest priorities and positioning the School to reach its campaign target.

A Cape Ann resident for over 30 years, Ryan and her husband raised their three children on Cape Ann and were introduced to the Cape Ann Museum 25 years ago through their son’s art project, which was featured in a Cape Ann Museum exhibit.

“Cape Ann is a very special place with unsurpassed beauty, especially comforting this past year as we sought peace and solace during uncertain times,” says Ryan. “The community is so fortunate to have such a beautiful Museum to honor and share the many dimensions of Cape Ann’s art, nature, history and culture.”

Ryan has served on several boards and committees on the North Shore and is currently a board member of the Institute for Global Maritime Studies. She earned her master’s degree in international relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.    

Oliver Barker, the Museum’s Director, is very pleased to welcome Ryan at a critical time of growth for the institution. “Kate Ryan’s expertise is so important to the Museum’s future success and our commitment to engaging the broader Cape Ann community,” Barker said. “We are expanding our staff, increasing our programming, and have opened a second campus, CAM Green, so this is an exciting time for us to bring on such a gifted fundraiser as part of our senior leadership as we prepare for the Museum’s 150th anniversary in 2025.”

For more information about the Museum, its programs, exhibits, and collections, visit www.capeannmuseum.org.

The Cape Ann Museum, founded in 1875, exists to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, three historic homes, a Library & Archives and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. In 2021, the Museum will officially open the 12,000 square foot Janet & William Ellery James Center at the Cape Ann Museum Green. The campus also includes three historic buildings – the White Ellery House (1710), an adjacent Barn (c. 1740), and the recently acquired Babson-Alling House (c.1740), all located on the site at the intersection of Washington and Poplar Streets in Gloucester.   

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, operating hours have been reduced to better protect the safety and well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers. The Museum is currently open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Timed tickets are required for all visitors at this time and can be reserved online at www.camuseum.eventbrite.com. Admission is $12.00 adults, $10.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Youth (under 18) and Museum members are free. Cape Ann residents can visit for free on the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (978)283-0455 x110 or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.  

For a detailed media fact sheet please visit www.capeannmuseum.org/press.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Ashley Elias
                                    Teak Media
                                    (213) 400-3402
                                    Ashley@teakmedia.com

Meredith Anderson
meredithanderson@capeannmuseum.org
(978) 283-0455 x115

Today begins our new #TourTuesday series, where you’ll get a glimpse inside GMGI’s state-of-the-art research institute each Tuesday for the next few weeks. Let’s get started!

Some background: Affectionately known amongst staff as ‘417 Main’, the nearly 6,000sq ft space first opened in October of 2018 and is home to all of GMGI’s research and administration staff. The institute was built by @windover_construction and was made possible through a $2.7M grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

First up, the largest and most centralized lab in the institute, the Molecular Biology Lab. This is where the majority of hands-on laboratory experiments take place, with specialized tasks happening in other, smaller lab areas. (You’ll see those in the coming weeks!) The Molecular Biology Lab supports desk space for GMGI’s research associates and lab technicians, and has designated bench space for up to 16 research staff – all with incredible views of Gloucester’s inner and outer harbor!

Cape Ann’s small business community has proven how resilient, determined, and creative they truly are. Over the course of the past year, our local businesses have experienced mandated closures and state restrictions and have endured significant challenges to help keep our community safe. Now more than ever, the independently owned businesses that make Cape Ann unique need our help to persevere. We are asking you to show that we are stronger together by supporting your neighbors through take out, delivery, online ordering, or visiting their location to buy something special.

Each week we will feature one restaurant and one retailer for the community to rally behind. We implore you, our Cape Ann neighbors and friends, to help keep our businesses strong now so that we all can continue to do business with them in brighter days ahead. This week we invite you to visit Laneside Pub and Brewery at Cape Ann Lanes and shop at Toodeloos! for a family night!

Cape Ann Strong, Stronger Together!

If you would like to participate in the campaign as a featured restaurant, retailer or community sponsor, please contact Sara Bowen at  sara@capeannchamber.com  

LEAP for Education is running a FREE 2021 Summer Internship Program for Gloucester Youth and Young Adults, and those from surrounding towns!

Work virtually on a project with a mentor/company where you will gain important workplace skills

Start to build a resume for college and future endeavors – examples of projects include website design at a communications company; marketing projects with a Vice President of marketing or local businesses; teen council/community representative for local nonprofits, positions at the Sawyer Free Library, teller positions at BankGloucester, internships at Halyard apartments, and many more

Receive school credit and a salary or $500 stipend

Attend regularly scheduled Zoom workplace skills workshops on topics such as job interviewing, job hunting, and resume writing

For more information, to set up an interview to discuss your interests, or to register, please email JoAnn Leavitt, Program Coordinator, at jleavitt@leap4ed.org

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScygnpeAOkf8HvrsxkhEtu6l-GLcBXU_kDM2c_4k5UMBf-m_w/viewform

Youth and Young Adults: MAKE GREAT USE OF YOUR TIME THIS SUMMER! APPLY NOW!

Monthly lecture series allows attendees to celebrate cultural history of Cape Ann

Friday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m.

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (Feb. 2021) – To honor and celebrate Black History Month, the Cape Ann Museum welcomes Dr. Kabria Baumgartner and Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello to discuss their research and report on the history of African Americans in Essex County as part of the Museum’s new virtual lecture series on Friday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.

Dr. Baumgartner, Associate Professor of American Studies and Faculty Fellow for Equity and Inclusion of the University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Duclos-Orsello, Chair and Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Coordinator of American Studies at Salem State University, will discuss their research for a new report, African Americans in Essex County, which was funded by the National Park Service and will be released later this spring.

The two have spent the past two years visiting historic repositories throughout Essex County, including the Cape Ann Museum, to collect, compile, and catalog the history of African Americans in this area.

“Exploring the deep and complex history of African Americans in Essex County is incredibly enriching,” said Dr. Baumgartner. “What becomes apparent is that African Americans have contributed to the economic development as well as the cultural and intellectual wealth of Essex County, which is a federally recognized national heritage area.”

“The African Americans in Essex County Project is the first study to provide a thorough accounting of the archival collections and materials at area repositories related to the African American experience, dating back to the seventeenth century. By compiling these materials, we have opened some new possibilities to share fascinating “hidden” stories, to identify and connect complex themes, and to collaborate with cultural institutions and community members in order to understand the dynamic history of African Americans in this region,” she said.

During the virtual discussion, participants will hear directly from Dr. Baumgartner and Dr. Duclos-Orsello about what they have learned, the impetus behind the project, and their recommendations for how local residents and institutions can celebrate and support African American History in Essex County.

WHEN and WHERE: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Register online at https://www.capeannmuseum.org/events/african-americans-essex-county/ or call 978-283-0455 x10 or email to info@capeannmuseum.org. Free for CAM members; $10 for non-members. 

Next scheduled lecture in the series will be on Friday, March 19 at 4:00 pm: How Copley Painted Women, presented by Dr. Erica Hirshler, Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings, MFA Boston and Jane Kamensky, Trumbull Professor of American History, Harvard University.

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (February 2021) – During the month of February, the Cape Ann Museum will offer three outdoor walking tours in downtown Gloucester. During a time of continued concerns around the spread of COVID-19, the 1½-hour tours offer participants a safe and engaging way to learn about the rich history of Cape Ann. Each tour is led by a knowledgeable Museum docent who will guide participants along a route through the city focusing on the chosen topic.

Cape Ann’s storied light, its natural beauty, and its rich cultural history had a significant impact on the many American artists who worked or lived on Cape Ann. On the Hopper and Lane tours, participants will visit places and observe the same views of the harbor, beaches, homes and churches that each artist translated into remarkable works of art. The “Evolution of Spiritual Communities” tour covers sites related to the religious and spiritual life of European settlers on Cape Ann over its 400-year history.

Full descriptions of each tour and required online registration information can be found at capeannmuseum.org/events.

• A Guided Tour through the Lane Gallery to the Lane House, Saturday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.
• The Evolution of Spiritual Communities Walking Tour, Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.
• “Hopper’s Houses” Walking Tour, Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.

Tours are held rain or shine. All participants must wear face masks, and dogs are not allowed on the walks. Cost is $10 for CAM members and $20 for non-members, and it includes Museum admission. Advance online registration is required. Space is limited.

For more information about the Museum, its programs, exhibits, and collections, visit www.capeannmuseum.org.