museum

Cape Ann Museum plans illuminated message on new campus to pay tribute to city, front line workers during pandemic

~ laurenren

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Rendering Courtesy of Harbor Voices Public Art

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (May 7, 2020) – In an effort to boost the city’s spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cape Ann Museum is presenting a CAM Contemporary exhibition involving the projection of an illuminated multilingual message on the nights of May 6 to 8, 2020, saying “Thank You Frontline Heroes.” The installation is called “In Gratitude.”

“We know many of our neighbors, friends, and families are struggling at this time of social distancing, isolation, and anxiety around health and financial concerns from the coronavirus,” said Museum Director Oliver Barker. “We want to send a message of solidarity, gratitude and hope to our community.”

This “Thank You Frontline Heroes” illumination planned for the side of the White-Ellery Barn at the Cape Ann Museum Green, 245 Washington Street in Gloucester, was created by Stephanie Terelak Benenson, a North Shore artist and founder of the nonprofit, Harbor Voices Public Art. The projection will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Wed. May 6 to Friday, May 8. The message itself will be in several languages – Portugese, Spanish, Italian, and English – and is dedicated to the COVID-19 crisis’s frontline responders such as nurses, doctors, hospital staff and administrators, delivery, teachers, grocery personnel, and the many non-profits supporting our community at this time.

This projection is sponsored by LuminArtz Communications Ink., as part of the “Light Up the Night” series that is bringing rays of light into the community during the pandemic. The group will preview the installation on Luminartz’s Facebook Live event on Wed. May 6 at 9 p.m. Visit harborvoices.com or action@harborvoices.com for more details.

Unlike the Museum’s other events and with a view to current social distancing requirements at present this pop-up projection of thanks is not meant to be attended in person. It is strategically placed and timed for workers to notice when driving home.

Visit capeannmuseum.org for more details.

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The Cape Ann Museum has been in existence since the 1870s, working 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 June 2021, the Museum will open a new 12,000-square-foot collection storage and public exhibition space in Gloucester as part of its Cape Ann Museum Green campus. The campus will also include three historic buildings – the White Ellery House (1710), an adjacent Barn (c. 1740), and the recently acquired Babson-Alling House (c.1740) which are located on the site at the intersection of Washington and Poplar Streets in Gloucester.  Visit capeannmuseum.org for details.

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. While temporarily closed due the COVID-19 pandemic, Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 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 x10. Additional information can be found online at www.capeannmuseum.org.

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

MEDIA CONTACTS:          

Diana Brown McCloy
Teak Media

(978) 978-697-9414
Diana@teakmedia.com

Meredith Anderson
meredithanderson@capeannmuseum.org
(978) 283-0455 x15

Happy 269th birthday, Judith Sargent!

~ sargenthousemuseum

🎂 Happy Birthday, Judith! John Singleton Copley’s oil portrait of early American women’s rights advocate and Gloucester native, Judith Sargent Murray, circa 1770-72, captures the 18 year old Judith in an alluring Turquerie costume, which is believed to belong to the artist. In spite of the sensuous, fluid garments, there is no mistaking Judith’s steely and determined gaze. This is a woman of power!

To celebrate Judith’s birthday, another young Gloucester woman recreates Copley’s original portrait, capturing both the sensual and determined spirit of the original subject. Please celebrate with us by sharing your own interpretation of this stunning portrait on social media and using #JudithSargentOnCanvas!

Learn more about Judith and her life in Gloucester at www.sargenthouse.org.

Thanks to model Natalie Zaffiro and photographer Nick Zaffiro!

Sargent House Museum Hosts Historic Styles

~ Shannon Cardinal

 

GLOUCESTER, MA –The Sargent House Museum is currently hosting eighteenth-century inspired fashion. Created for The Folklore Theatre Company’s 2015 production of “The Medium, or Virtue Triumphant” the four outfits on exhibit at the historic home are based on patterns for dresses and suits popular between 1780-1805.

Judith Sargent Murray lived in the Sargent House between 1782-1793. She wrote plays including “The Medium, or Virtue Triumphant,” one novel, and a breadth of essays, poems, and letters.  She was the first American playwright to have her work produced in Boston. A leading advocate of women’s rights, Sargent Murray deeply valued education, representation in government, and the right to work. Her pieces often focused on these issues. She enjoyed a celebrated reputation as a notable author, devoted Universalist, and friend of prominent figures such as John and Abigail Adams. The Sargent House Museum hosts remarkable examples of early American furnishings, artifacts owned by the Sargent family, and an incredible art collection including pieces by Fitz Henry Lane and John Singer Sargent. The costumes on display range from an everyday dress, to an evening gown and a wealthy man’s formal suit. These costumes were designed by Christine Curtis, Costume Designer. Through extensive research and amazing attention to detail, Curtis created these outfits worn by the actors in Henry Allen’s 2015 production. Representative of the fashions Sargent Murray would have encountered, the dresses and suit on loan from The Folklore Theatre Company will be on display this summer.

Tour the Sargent House Museum to learn more about Judith Sargent Murray’s enduring legacy and see these incredible pieces. The museum is located at 49 Middle Street in Gloucester and open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Guided tours are offered on the hour. While you’re there browse the free exhibit “’Forever Endeared:’ 100 Years at the Sargent House Museum.” Visit sargenthouse.org to learn more.

 

Gloucester Civil War Coat Preservation Plan Wins Statewide Recognition, Grant Money

~ Chris Sicuranza ~ 2 Comments

GLOUCESTER, Mass., Feb. 1, 2017 – Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Committee of the Arts Board Member Catherine Ryan announced that Gloucester has been awarded a statewide grant of $6,620 from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) to help with conservation and historical education for a Civil War uniform coat.

“I’m proud of our city volunteers, students and residents who came together to help raise awareness of this American artifact that has history to our country and to our local community,” said Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “With this SHRAB grant, as well as Awesome Gloucester and online fundraising monies, the education and heritage will live on for years to come.”

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The SHRAB program is an extension of grants awarded by the Massachusetts Sesquicentennial Commission of the American Civil War with supporting services from the Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin and Massachusetts Archives Department, which features a rigorous and competitive qualifying process. The program reviewed hundreds of applications across the Commonwealth, but the ten-page application overview designed by two young activists, Charles King and George King, was “enthusiastically” selected by Commonwealth Archivist Dr. John Warner and his committee.

Both Charles and George King joined Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Director of Communications and Constituent Services Christopher Sicuranza in late January for a conference call with Archivist Dr. Warner to reveal the grant award, which was the culmination of months of work for advocacy and awareness for the conservation project. In addition to the monies provided by the SHRAB program, Charles and George led efforts across Gloucester to raise awareness through local media and manage fundraisers through online sites and the Awesome Gloucester program.

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Charles and George high-fived upon hearing the approval of their grant proposal from Commonwealth Archivist Dr. Warner in Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken’s office.

Plans to create an innovative and attractive display case are currently being developed, but a special emphasis on mobility was factored into the funding request so that the artifact can be easily transported to other museums, including the aim of bringing the feature at a Smithsonian National Museum as part of a regional or national ambassador program.

About Civil War Coat

Over 80 years ago, the Civil War coat was installed in the then new Gloucester High School through Albert W. Bacheler who fought in the Civil War and later served as principal of Gloucester High from in 1884-1914, using the coat in his lessons. Years later, a former student , noted businessman and philanthropist, Roger Babson, donated an enshrinement memorial at the school to help preserve the coat, but over the years the coat’s condition became fragile. One parent, Kim Minnaugh, asked Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken to assist with recovery efforts, which gained assistance, support and financing through various offices including Chief Administrative Officer Jim Destino, City Archivist Sarah Dunlop, Veterans Affairs Director Adam Curcuru, Sawyer Free Library Assistant Valerie Marino, Catherine Ryan and The Committee for the Arts, Massachusetts Historical Commission Director of Preservation Planning Michael Steinitz, Superintendent Dr. Richard Safier, Principal Cook Gloucester High School, and Allison Cousins and Principal Lucey at O’Maley Innovation Middle School.