Join Gloucester native and writer Maria Millefoglie as she uncovers a little-known chapter of local history in her presentation Italian Immigrant: A Story of Allegiance, Loss, and Belonging in World War II.
Drawing on archives, historic newspapers, and community stories, Millefoglie reveals how World War II reshaped Gloucester’s Sicilian and Italian immigrant families. While hundreds of young men proudly enlisted in the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, others in their households were labeled “enemy aliens,” banned from the waterfront, and stripped of their livelihoods. During this time, the U.S. Navy requisitioned some of Gloucester’s finest fishing vessels for minesweeping and patrol duty, even as German U-boats prowled the Atlantic.
Through storytelling, timelines, and photographs, Millefoglie brings to life the sacrifices of fishermen pressed into naval service, the struggles of families torn between loyalty to their new country and ties to their homeland, and the resilience of women who held households together amid fear and loss.
This presentation not only pays tribute to the past but also offers timely reflections on how history echoes in today’s debates about immigration and belonging.
This event is the first project under Preserving Cape Ann’s Ethnic Cultural Heritage, part of the broader Down the Fort: A Documentary and Archive Project, which works to capture and honor the immigrant and ethnic experiences that have long shaped Cape Ann’s cultural fabric.
The Sawyer Free Library is located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For details on all the Library’s services and upcoming programming visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.
The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is honored to be presenting Trio Gaia, the graduate piano trio-in-residence at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, in concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 10, at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester, MA.
This is the trio’s debut in the Foundation’s 10 years of programming in the 1806 Meetinghouse, a historic landmark on the Gloucester skyline and cited in the National Register of Historic Places. The award-winning trio’s program, titled “Convergence,” will include works by Nico Muhly, Leoš Janáček and Béla Bartok, concluding with Franz Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E Flat Major. It explores a theme of our times—conflict, both internal and external—and its resolution through music. Grant Houston, Trio Gaia’s violinist and spokesman, said, “This program offers a reflective parallel to today’s world, where divisions and struggles for resolution continue to shape our collective experience, and the search for unity persists despite discord.”
Cellist Yi-Mei Templeton and guest-artist pianist Alexa Stier will be joining Houston. The trio is the Conservatory’s most recent graduate piano trio-in-residence, performing nationally and abroad since 2018, including in Panama and Japan. Trio Gaia won first prize at the WDAV Young Chamber Musicians Competition in North Carolina and honors at other competitions.
Tickets are available at http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org or at the door. The Meetinghouse is at Middle and Church Streets in Gloucester, The location is most easily found via GPS using the address, 50 Middle Street. Limited parking is available on the Green in front of the church, entered from Middle Street. Access for persons with disabilities is at 10 Church Street.
The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church traces its history to the 1779 founding of the first Universalist church in America, a rebellious congregation that played a timely role in development of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Meetinghouse Foundation is dedicated to the building’s preservation and use for and by the community.
Join us for our third annual Eric Pape fine art exhibit, featuring works previously unseen since the artist’s death in 1938.
Including Newly Restored Chapter Initials for Lew Wallace’s’The Fair God’ from Pape’s Locked Studio in Annisquam!
Join us as we kick off our 2025 season with this extraordinary exhibit of works rarely seen by one of Boston and Cape Ann’s golden age illustrators and painters.
At the time of the exhibit, it is expected to be the largest collection of Pape’s artworks on public display anywhere in the world, many of which haven’t been publicly seen in nearly a century. The artwork is primarily on loan from the private collection of avid Pape collector and biographer Dr. Gregory Conn, the world’s leading expert on the 20th-century artist.
This year’s exhibition came together serendipitously when Thomas Meeks, curator of the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum in Indiana, engaged Dr. Conn for verification of several original illustrations from Wallace’s 1873 publication “The Fair God.” These artworks were in Pape’s famed Annisquam “Locked Studio” and had remained in the condition in which they were when the studio was reopened in the late 1980s. This past winter, Dr. Conn sponsored their subsequent restoration, conservation, and re-framing. This exhibit marks their public debut since the restorations, which coincides with Dr. Conn’s newest book, a hardcover, bound catalog of this exhibition, which is, named after Pape’s most renowned illustrated deluxe edition of Wallace’s novels.
In addition, an important early fine art painting from Pape’s 1890 trip to Egypt will be on loan from a private collector, “The Last Soldier,” a painting of the Sphinx by moonlight The remaining works chosen for this exhibition include, but are not limited to oil copies of several famous large-scale pastel portraits by Pape, which are displayed in Dr. Conn’s private collection. Since the works of art remain in their original, unfixed state, they are unsuitable for international transit and exhibition. Alberto Romero, a popular sculptor in Spain who created the exhibition’s central portrait of Eric Pape contributes five modern portraits, also on loan from Dr. Conn’s private collection. Romero´s work has received widespread attention both in Spain and in Central America and can be found in many noted collections.
Additionally, attendees can view the three Pape paintings on permanent display in their respective galleries within the Museum, including Pape’s sole surviving mural, “The Wireless Naval Battle of Gloucester Bay.”
Four Libraries to host Community-Wide Celebration of Earth Day
As the world gets ready to celebrate Earth Day 2025, Cape Ann’s public libraries are joining forces to inspire environmental action and education. This year, four public libraries of Cape Ann—Gloucester,Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Essex – are proud to present bestselling author Sy Montgomery and renowned wildlife illustrator Matt Patterson for a special event exploring the wonders of turtles and the natural world.
On Saturday, April 19, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, the libraries will welcome Montgomery and Patterson to the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA, for an engaging discussion of their acclaimed book, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell. The event will feature a 60-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. Attendees can submit questions in advance through their library’s website.
This free event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from two of the most passionate voices in nature writing and wildlife illustration. Tickets are available online through each participating library’s website—space is limited.
“A library is a portal not just to our own world, but to worlds unknown–worlds that have never been–worlds of imagination. A library holds the keys to every kingdom. And just think: all of us can step through this magical door right in our own neighborhood! For me, the library is an entryway, a refuge, a space rocket. Libraries show us we can dream anything, do anything, be anything. They are more essential today than ever before,” shares author Sy Montgomery about the importance of public libraries.
Cape Ann’s libraries are thrilled to bring this Earth Day program to the community as part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental education. Montgomery and Patterson will share their experiences working with injured turtles, discuss their creative collaboration, and inspire audiences to see the world—and its wildlife—through a fresh, more compassionate lens.
As coastal communities, Cape Ann’s libraries recognize the critical importance of protecting the environment for future generations. With this special event, the libraries hope to encourage people of all ages to deepen their connection to nature and take meaningful action. In addition, each Cape Ann library will offer a variety of Earth Day programs throughout March and April, encouraging individuals of all ages to take meaningful steps to protect our environment – because every day is Earth Day.
Sy Montgomery is an internationally acclaimed author and naturalist, celebrated for her remarkable ability to bring the lives of animals and their ecosystems to readers of all ages. She has written over 30 books, including the National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus, and has traveled the world researching rare and extraordinary creatures. Her latest work, Of Time and Turtles, explores the resilience and wonder of these ancient beings while offering profound insights into the mysteries of time itself.
Matt Patterson is an award-winning wildlife illustrator whose detailed, captivating artwork brings the beauty of nature to life. His illustrations in The Book of Turtles, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Award recipient, showcase the stunning diversity of turtles and highlight their crucial role in ecosystems worldwide.
The community is invited to celebrate Earth Day with an unforgettable conversation about wildlife, conservation, and the timeless lessons turtles can teach us. This special program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Cape Ann’s public libraries —Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Essex – and their shared commitment to fostering a love of nature, literature, and lifelong learning.
For those interested, Susie’s Stories in Rockport will be offering to purchase signed copies of Sy Montgomery’s book Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell through their website.
Discover the driving forces that make life meaningful and fulfilling in the second of the Sawyer Free Library‘s program “Live Your Best Life” taking place on Thursday, October 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at 21 Main Street, downtown Gloucester.
In this dynamic session with professional life coach Marcy Plante, we’ll explore ways to uncover your true passions and align them with your life’s purpose. Expect an inspiring journey that will leave you feeling empowered, excited, and ready to live with intention and zest.
Registration is required at sawyefreelibrary.org. For question, contact at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Marcy Plante is a dedicated professional with over 50 years of diverse experience as a coach, wellness industry leader, and educator, holding a master’s degree in education. She successfully managed a health club for 17 years, guiding people toward achieving their fitness goals and continually pursuing personal growth. In her free time, Marcy enjoys boating, collecting sea glass, skiing, and cycling, while her true passion lies in helping others unlock their potential and live life with enthusiasm.
This is the second of a three-part series “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series”
Learning to market your own creative arts business involves developing a vision of the audience you are looking to reach. How do you determine your target market? Who are you selling to? Simplify your success by learning what questions to ask to identify your market and determine which channels to use to reach them. To find out – join the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street on Tuesday, October 15 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
This is the second of a three-part series entitled “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series” led by Leah Hancock, owner and founder of Placid Marketing with over 15 years of experience in integrated and online marketing communications.
Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited! If you have questions, please contact moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.
Join the Sawyer Free Library this Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the North Shore Arts Association (11 Pirates Lane, Gloucester) for an evening filled with creativity and connection—all in support of the Sawyer Free Library 2025 Capital Campaign.
Take a Sneak Peek HERE at some of the stunning artwork up for grabs in our silent and live auctions from artists such as Jeff Weaver, John Terelak, Robert Gruppé, Coco Berkman, Charles Movalli, Jon Sarkin, and many more. Every bid brings us closer to restoring, expanding, and modernizing Gloucester’s beloved historic library.
The excitement begins at 7:15 p.m. when Walt Kolenda from Cape Ann Auction kicks off the live auction. Be sure to place your bids early—our silent auction closes promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy light refreshments, snacks, and live music while mingling with fellow art lovers and community members.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the art world, the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Benefit Art Auction promises to be a thrilling event. It’s a chance to enjoy a fun evening, connect with friends, and take home an original piece of art, all while supporting the future of the Sawyer Free Library. We hope to see everyone there for this exciting and meaningful and free community event!
Register HERE to let us know you are coming to the auction or for more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500
Join the Sawyer Free Library for an evening of art, music, and community in support of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. It is free and open to all!
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the North Shore Arts Association, the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Art Auctionwill showcase an impressive selection of works from both emerging local talents and established artists including Jeff Weaver, John Terelak, Robert Gruppé, Coco Berkman, and many more. Participating artists generously contribute half or all of the proceeds from their auctioned pieces to the building project to restore, expand, and modernize Gloucester’s historic library.
Walt Kolenda of Cape Ann Auctionwill lead the live auction, which kicks off at 7:15 pm. Don’t miss out on the silent auction, closing at 7:00 pm. Enjoy refreshments and light bites while live music sets the perfect ambiance for a night of creativity and philanthropy.
Come, contribute, and be a part of something truly special! This is more than just an art auction—it’s a unique chance to support this beloved vital community institution poised to make a lasting, transformative impact on downtown Gloucester for generations to come. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Sawyer Free Library 2025 Capital Campaign. RSVP HERE.
ARTISTS interested in submitting their work for consideration for the juried auction, click HERE for details.This is a great opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their work to new audiences and support their community!
RSVP HERE for this special evening. It is open to all to attend.
For those interested in learning more about or how to invest in the Library project, visit 2025 Sawyer Free Library
RSVP HEREto 2025 Sawyer Free Library Benefit Art Auction and Reception
Join the Sawyer Free Library on Wednesday, August 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. forthe next Community Creations at Cape Ann Lanes with local sculptor Ryan Kelley who will present the unique art of sculpting trees from wire. These bi-monthly workshops celebrate art by inspiring creativity and building community.
Well known for his distinctive wire tree sculptures, Byfield, Massachusetts-based sculptor Ryan Kelley’s art transcends a variety of media to include his recognizable wire trees growing from stone bases, large-scale metal sculptures, custom metal wall art, 3-D art installations, and much more.
All materials and complimentary pizza dinner provided. For ages 18+. Registration required. For questions, email lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
This series is a collaboration between Cape Ann Lanes and the Sawyer Free Library.
On Tuesday, July 16 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm Tweens and Teens are invited to unlock their crafty side, learn about the centuries-old art of reverse glass painting and create their own reverse painting with Pop Up Art School at the Sawyer Free Library!
Participants can choose from three images, and paint it using acrylic paint on clear acetate.
Reverse painting techniques have been used since the 16th century. In reverse painting, the details are painted first and then the larger shapes. It’s the reverse order of how one usually paints on paper or canvas where we start with the background, add medium to large shapes and then details. Once the image has been painted, it is viewed from the opposite side through the clear acetate.
Rising 6th graders to graduated 12 graders welcome. Space is limited, please register at SawyerFreeLibrary.org to hold your spot.
Cape Ann Community 