sawyerfreelibrary

Sawyer Free Library Launches Monthly Artist Program with Exhibit by Artists Erin Luman and Laureen Maher Bowie “Volume One”

~ Sawyer Free Library

Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6th, 5:00pm in the Library’s Matz Gallery

The Sawyer Free Library proudly presents Volume One, the inaugural exhibition in its new Monthly Artist Program—marking a vibrant beginning for the Library’s reimagined Matz Gallery and its renewed commitment to the arts. Featuring Gloucester artists Erin Luman and Laureen Maher Bowie, Volume One will be on view November 2 through December 29, 2025.

There will be an Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Matz Gallery at the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. The public is invited to attend this special event. No registration is needed.

Volume One celebrates both the creative spirit of the community and the innovative transformation of the Sawyer Free Library itself, which has just reopened following a two-year, $28 million renovation and expansion.

Both artists began their creative journeys years ago by exhibiting in the Library’s Monthly Artist Program. Returning now to inaugurate the revitalized Matz Gallery, they reexamine their art through a fresh lens—bridging past and present in this inspiring debut show.

About the Artists
Gloucester-based contemporary artist Erin Luman weaves memory and daily life into evocative scenes that invite viewers to pause and reflect. What began as a fascination with the weathered cottages of Long Beach has evolved into a body of work capturing small, intimate moments—a century-old bathroom sink, beach towels drying in the sun, or glimpses of lived spaces both personal and universal. While her upcoming winter exhibition at Endicott College will spotlight the studios of local makers, Volume One offers a deeply personal collection drawn from the in-between moments that inspire her.

Laureen Maher Bowie, an award-winning local painter and celebrated colorist, captures the beauty and grit of Gloucester in richly layered oils. Her iconic painting, We Dive at Five, depicting local youth jumping off from the Good Harbor Beach footbridge at high tide, will be displayed publicly for the first time at this exhibition. Maher Bowie’s work has been featured in Exhibit Art New England and will appear in the upcoming Rockport Art Association & Museum National Juried Show.

As part of the Library’s renewed commitment to supporting local arts and culture, the Monthly Artist Program will feature rotating exhibitions that highlight both emerging and established regional artists. The newly formed Matz Committee will help guide future exhibitions, ensuring that the space remains a vibrant showcase for creativity and connection. Local and regional artists interested in exhibiting may submit expressions of interest to matzgallery@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Volume One serves as an exciting kickoff to this initiative—and to the holiday season—with 25% of all sales benefiting the Sawyer Free Library. The exhibition has already drawn enthusiastic community response and stands as a fitting tribute to the Library’s long-standing role as a cultural cornerstone of Gloucester.

Visitors are invited to experience Volume One and explore the beautifully expanded Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester—a welcoming, inspiring space designed to serve generations to come.

For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Harborlight Homes presentation on the “Dirty Deeds Project” at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Thursday, October 30 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm the Sawyer Free Library welcomes Andrew DeFranza, Executive Director, and Nancy Sanchez, Advocacy & Education Manager at Harborlight Homes to discuss their role in the Dirty Deeds Project. 

The Dirty Deeds Project is a collaboration between Harborlight Homes, the NAACP North Shore Branch, and the Mapping Prejudice Project at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Together, the partners examined property records in Southern Essex County and identified 407 deeds containing racially restrictive covenants, later confirmed as 390 after duplicates were removed.

Racial covenants were once a widespread practice used to exclude people from homeownership based on race, ethnicity, or religion. These clauses were written directly into property deeds and included language such as:

“The granted premises shall not be sold, mortgaged or leased to or occupied by persons of negro blood.” — Marblehead

“Said premises shall not be conveyed to or occupied by a colored person.” — Beverly

“The premises … shall not be owned or occupied by any person of Negro, Jewish, Italian, Greek, Polish or Armenian blood.” — Nahant

Although no longer enforceable, the presence of these covenants in the historical record continues to send a harmful message to those they targeted.

The project not only documents this discriminatory history but also advances solutions. Harborlight Homes and its partners are supporting Senator Lydia Edwards’ bill (HD.4087/SD.720, An Act Providing for the Removal of Void Restrictive Covenants), which seeks to remove such language from property records across Massachusetts.

By uncovering and addressing this history, The Dirty Deeds Project works toward building more inclusive and equitable communities.

Please register for the event at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Reimagining Gloucester Together: Placemaking at the New Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join us October 23 as global placemaking leader Ethan Kent and 20 Cape Ann Creatives spark new conversations about community, creativity, and connection.

Be part of something inspiring! Join us for the official relaunch of the historic Gloucester Lyceum as we welcome Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX, one of the world’s foremost leaders in creating inclusive, thriving public spaces.

This engaging evening invites attendees to explore the newly reimagined Sawyer Free Library and take part in lively small-group dialogues alongside 20 Cape Ann Community Creatives and members of the Gloucester Lyceum Committee. Together, we’ll consider how great public places—like our Library—can connect, strengthen, and inspire the community we share.

“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” says Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live—the places we love.”

Come experience the rebirth of the Gloucester Lyceum—where the city comes to think.

Featuring Cape Ann Community Creatives:

Anne Rolland • Nina Fletcher • Jennifer K. Brown • Leslie Dale Bartlett • Rick Blue • Lindsay Ann Crouse • Heidi McGrath • Brett Dunton • Chele Lizotte • Sarah Smith • Penny Neal • Charlee Bianchini • Ann Ledy • Sash Ludwig • Craig Walker • Julie Wyman • Eroica Schenck • Lucy Pear • Catherine Pear • Tom Balf

Free and open to all! Space is limited—register today at sawyerfreelibrary.org

 Sawyer Free Library | 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA
Thursday, October 23 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
 Free and open to the public | Space is limited | Registration required

Fancy Fun with Robin Preiss Glasser: Illustrator of children’s book series Fancy Nancy

~ Sawyer Free Library

Ooh la la! Get ready for a fabulously fancy afternoon at the Sawyer Free Library!

On Wednesday, October 22, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., join Robin Preiss Glasser, the bestselling illustrator of the beloved Fancy Nancy books, for a sparkling celebration of creativity, confidence, and charm.

Attendees of all ages are encouraged to dress in their fanciest outfits (costumes welcome—it’s almost Halloween!) and enjoy an afternoon full of glitter and giggles as Robin greets guests with hand-drawn butterflies, shares her inspiring journey from professional ballet dancer to celebrated illustrator, reads one of her favorite stories on the big screen, and teaches everyone the art of “banana walking.” Afterward, stick around for crafts, book signings, and plenty of fancy fun!

This free program is perfect for all ages. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org 

About the Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Robin Preiss Glasser wore tiaras and tutus when she danced as a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Now she happily spends her days in jeans, drawing. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including the now-classic Fancy Nancy series. In 2013, she won the Children’s Choice Book Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.

From Leaf to Bean: A Delicious Look at the Health Perks of Tea and Chocolate

~ Sawyer Free Library

Savor an afternoon of flavor and fun at the Sawyer Free Library with From Leaf to Bean: A Delicious Look at the Health Perks of Tea and Chocolate on Tuesday, October 14, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Led by Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations, this engaging workshop explores the rich history, health benefits, and cultural traditions of both dark chocolate and fine teas. Participants will enjoy pairing three teas with three different varieties of chocolate, guided by a tea aroma tasting wheel. Along the way, Kim will share fascinating insights into how cacao beans and tea leaves are transformed into the treats we love, demonstrate how to brew the perfect “cuppa,” and introduce the artistry behind Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies. The afternoon wraps up with a lively interactive quiz—making this a deliciously educational experience you won’t want to miss.

To attend this delicious and informative event, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org

Author Talk with Mark Kurlansky: The Boston Way: Radicals Against Slavery & The Civil War

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library for an afternoon with acclaimed author Mark Kurlansky as he discusses his latest book, The Boston Way: Radicals Against Slavery & The Civil War on Saturday, October 25 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.

In this powerful and thought-provoking work, Kurlansky explores a lesser-known side of abolitionism—the Boston pacifists who believed persuasion, not violence, was the only path to lasting freedom and justice. Through the lives of William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and other Black and white abolitionists, Kurlansky examines how their moral courage and commitment to nonviolence shaped not only the fight against slavery, but the broader pursuit of human rights that would influence thinkers from Leo Tolstoy to Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Copies of The Boston Way will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of The Bookstore of Gloucester.

The event is free, and open to all to attend but registration is requested at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Join the Sawyer Free Library for the Relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum

~ Sawyer Free Library

Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community with Ethan Kent

The Sawyer Free Library will officially relaunch the Gloucester Lyceum with a special event, Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community, featuring internationally renowned placemaking leader Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX.

The program will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. Free and open to the public, registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited.

The program will begin with remarks by Mr. Kent, followed by interactive conversations with fellow attendees throughout the various spaces of the newly renovated, expanded, and modernized Sawyer Free Library. The perspectives shared in these dialogues will inspire closing insights from Mr. Kent, allowing participants to reflect on how Gloucester can continue to build meaningful, inclusive spaces—starting with its newly reimagined Library.

“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” said Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live, the places we love.”

The Gloucester Lyceum: A Tradition Renewed

Founded in 1830, the Gloucester Lyceum once brought thought leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to Cape Ann. Today, the Sawyer Free Library’s relaunch builds on this proud tradition, offering marquee programs that bring contemporary voices into dialogue with the community.

“The relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum is about renewing a proud tradition of bringing people together for public discourse within a collaborative forum. True to the notion that a lyceum is “where the city comes to think,” we are honored to welcome Ethan Kent as our first speaker in this new chapter. His work around the world embodies the very spirit of community dialogue and imagination that we hope to cultivate right here in Gloucester,” said Laura Ventimiglia, Chair of the Gloucester Lyceum. 

“Welcoming Ethan Kent to Gloucester to help relaunch our historic Lyceum is both timely and inspiring,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Board of Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library. “Our newly reimagined Library is the hub of the community—offering so much to so many. Ethan’s work demonstrates how meaningful public spaces can bring people together, foster belonging, and strengthen communities.”

About the Sawyer Free Library

For nearly 200 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester as a hub of culture, learning, and civic life. Its newly renovated and expanded building continues this mission, providing equal access to resources and programs that support the community’s evolving needs.

For more information and to register for this special evening, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited, so register today!

Preserving Cape Ann’s Ethnic Cultural Heritage | Branded: Gloucester’s Hidden History of Enemy Aliens

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is proud to host Branded: Gloucester’s Hidden History of Enemy Aliens on Saturday, September 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Library’s (brand new!) Community Room located on the ground floor level.

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.

Register for the presentation on Library’s calendar at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

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.

Help Break a World Record: Library Card Sign Up Challenge!

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is inviting the entire community to join in a fun-filled day of discovery, creativity, and history-making at its Community Celebration & Open House on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester.

As part of the festivities, the Library is launching a Library Card World Record Attempt — aiming to break the current record of 1,922 library card sign-ups in a single day. 🎯 New and renewing cardholders will receive a limited-edition commemorative Sawyer Free Library card as a keepsake from this exciting moment.

“A Library for Everyone” celebration marks the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, now a vibrant and inclusive center for learning, imagination, and community connection.

In addition to the record attempt, attendees can explore the library’s transformed spaces and enjoy live music including Gloucester Student Band, engaging presentations, children’s programs, tech demos, collaborative art projects, Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana, a visit from the Boston Red Sox Wally the Green Monster and much more—with activities and prizes designed for all ages.

Everyone is welcome to attend, have fun, and help make history! Details: sawyerfreelibrary.org

2025 Sawyer Free Library Ribbon Cutting Celebration – September 5th!

~ Sawyer Free Library

After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to welcome the community back to its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue in the heart of Gloucester!

Join us for a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration on:

Friday, September 5, 2025
3:00 – 4:30 PM
School Street Entrance, Sawyer Free Library

Be part of this once-in-a-generation moment as we unveil your newly reimagined 21st-century library—a vibrant, inclusive space built for learning, creativity, and connection.

Enjoy remarks, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a performance by the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, and light refreshments.

This rain-or-shine event is free and open to all—come celebrate with neighbors, friends, and fellow library lovers as we turn the page to an exciting new chapter!

Don’t Miss the Fun!
Come back the next day for our Community Open House on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring musical performances, activities, and family-friendly fun for all ages! Stay tuned for even more details or visit sawyerfreelibrary.org!