IN THE GALLERIES

Geometric Bricolage:
Found Materials Transformed,
an exhibit of work by Nancy Natale
On display Friday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, April 7
Artist’s Reception Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A native of Boston who has lived in western Massachusetts for the past eleven years, Nancy Natale has exhibited her work throughout the U.S. and particularly in New England.  She is the recipient of a number of grants for her work, most recently being awarded a 2011 individual grant by the Artist’s Resource Trust, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

Natale has organized award-winning shows combining art and the history of place. Her work is collected by more than 25 large public organizations, and she is represented by Arden Gallery of Newbury Street in Boston.

“I define ‘bricolage’ as collage with muscle. It is similar to collage in that it combines found or invented materials to make a work of art, but it has more dimensionality. My current work combines the sculptural qualities of wax with an accretion of mixed media elements to make semi-relief, loosely-geometric paintings that allude to the building up and wearing away of memory over time. By creating strips from materials such as parts of old books and record albums, painted paper and cardboard, recycled rubber and patinated metal, I add a wealth of texture, color, reflectivity and material associations while making a new abstract arrangement with a rich physical presence. The multitude of tacks I use add a polyrhythmic overtone to the main horizontal or vertical thrust of the strips. Then, in a final step, I paint on pigmented encaustic (wax plus a hardening resin), adding color and enriching the muscularity of the composition by building up dimension to highlight the elements and their organization.”

Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

WORKSHOP
Mysteries of Movie
Making Solved!
with Marty Langford
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 - 9 p.m.

“Filmmaking is a craft – the craft of storytelling. And like all other crafts, it can be learned. Whether creating an hour-long television drama, a feature length film, or an instructional video on tap dancing, the stories we create are dependent on only two things – our imaginations, and the tools we need to externalize them.”

Join us for this opportunity to learn some film theory basics with Marty Langford, principal in the local video production company, viz-bang! Great preparation for planning that music video, vacation adventure, or riveting feature! The two hour class is only $20.

To register please call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

Volunteers Needed
We are seeking volunteers to help staff events and promote programming. Become a part of our effort to increase the neighborhood's coolness factor! Call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

JANUARY 2012

This Month at the Bing

January First Friday:
Small Town Reunion
Friday, January 6 at 8 p.m.

Kick off the new year with Small Town Reunion. Members of THe CHiCKeN YaRD team up with special guests to present an exciting acoustic evening of roots Americana! Doors open at 7:30. Refreshments available. $5 at the door.

Pocket Vinyl
Friday, January 13 at 8 p.m.

Passionately energetic piano playing (some might say “slamming”) by Eric Stevenson, coupled with a live on-stage artist, Elizabeth Jancewicz, creating a painting while the music is being played. The completed painting will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Live art at the Bing with Pocket Vinyl! Doors open at 7:30. Refreshments available. $5 at the door.

Bing Artbeat World Music Series presents
African Rhythms with
Gokh-Bi System and Abdou Sarr
Thursday, January 19 at 8 p.m.
One of the leaders of the emerging African hip hop movement, Gokh-Bi System creates a memorable and melodic blend of singing, rapping, traditional, and contemporary beats. Combined with Abdou Sarr’s fusion of Senegalese dance styles, this promises to be a performance of unforgettable rhythmic mastery! Doors open at 7:30. Refreshments available. $7.50 at the door.
Bing Artbeat World Music Series made possible in part by Forest Park Liquors.

Bing Independent Filmmakers’ Series presents
The Music of Erich Zann &
The Earth Rejects Him
Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m.
The Music of Erich Zann is a short horror movie of haunting beauty and terrifying poetry filmed in the style of the German Expressionist films of the 1920’s. Agawam native Jared Skolnick, created the film as his final project at Fairfield University. “Zann has allowed me to experiment with nonverbal storytelling and expressionistic cinematography in the style of the classic horror films of the silent era such as Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The palpable atmosphere of dread and decay are prevalent throughout the film, giving it an otherworldly yet familiar feel.” We will also show Eric's most recent short film The Earth Rejects Him. The screenings will be followed by a filmmakers’ Q & A. Doors open at 7:30. Refreshments available. $5 at the door.

Ignite the Mic! hosted by Teatro V!da
Wednesday, January 25, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Bing is pleased to present Ignite the Mic, a monthly open mic series hosted by Teatro V!da. The performance events take place on the last Wednesday of each month. Performers may sign-up beginning at 6:45 p.m. Spanish and English poetry and music improvisations will create an intimate and fun evening of voices celebrating the healing power of arts in everyday life! The mic will be open for ages 12 to 25, but we hope everyone will come out to support the young artists.
Refreshments available. Goodwill donation.

LGBTQ Open Mic hosted by Diego Angarita Horowitz & MC'd by Nelson Roman
Monday, January 30, 7 - 9 p.m.

Refreshments available. Goodwill donation.

Schedule subject to change. Please check our website, www.BingArtsCenter.org, for current information regarding additional programs and events.

Coming for February's First Friday — The Three of Cups

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Bing Arts Center • 716 Sumner Avenue • Springfield, MA
P.O. Box 80553 • Springfield, MA 01138 • 413 731- 9730
www.BingArtsCenter.org

IN THE GALLERIES

Streaming Stillness, egg tempera
paintings and moist media drawings
by Michelle DeMarco
On display through January 21, 2012.

Clearly at the forefront of today’s art movement, Michelle DeMarco's work synthesizes one of the newest artistic mediums, digital photography, with egg tempera, one of the oldest. Striking fusions of re-imagined beauty, the pieces are very colorful and attractive, and quite accessible in their reference to the natural world. As an artist, DeMarco questions the lines drawn between real and imaginary to create a sense of wonder and instill a belief in the life form itself.

Michelle DeMarco received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Massachusetts and her Certificate in Studio Art from the School of the Worcester Art Museum. She has won numerous awards and exhibited frequently with the Cambridge Artist Association University Place Gallery in Harvard Square. She won first prize in the 2003 3rd Regional East Coast Women Artist Show at the prestigious Pen & Brush in New York.

Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

WORKSHOP
Take Better Photos,
Even with a Phone!
with Chris Marion
Tuesday, January 10, 7 - 9 p.m.
The best camera is the one you have with you. Let Chris share his tips for taking better photos using the camera you have at hand. $20 per person. To register please call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

Volunteers Needed
We are seeking volunteers to help staff events and promote programming. Become a part of our effort to increase the neighborhood's coolness factor! Call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

IN THE GALLERIES

Streaming Stillness, egg tempera
paintings and moist media drawings
by Michelle DeMarco
On display through January 21, 2012.

Clearly at the forefront of today’s art movement, Michelle DeMarco's work synthesizes one of the newest artistic mediums, digital photography, with egg tempera, one of the oldest. Striking fusions of re-imagined beauty, the pieces are very colorful and attractive, and quite accessible in their reference to the natural world. As an artist, DeMarco questions the lines drawn between real and imaginary to create a sense of wonder and instill a belief in the life form itself.

Michelle DeMarco received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Massachusetts and her Certificate in Studio Art from the School of the Worcester Art Museum. She has won numerous awards and exhibited frequently with the Cambridge Artist Association University Place Gallery in Harvard Square. She won first prize in the 2003 3rd Regional East Coast Women Artist Show at the prestigious Pen & Brush in New York.

Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

WORKSHOP
Take Better Photos,
Even with a Phone!
with Chris Marion
Tuesday, January 10, 7 - 9 p.m.
The best camera is the one you have with you. Let Chris share his tips for taking better photos using the camera you have at hand. $20 per person. To register please call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

Volunteers Needed
We are seeking volunteers to help staff events and promote programming. Become a part of our effort to increase the neighborhood's coolness factor! Call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

IN THE GALLERIES

Continuity, new paintings
by Philip Grant
On display through October 8, 2011.

Philip Grant began painting at a young age and honed his representational skills and talent during his career as an industrial designer.

Grant paints traditional subject matter and especially enjoys painting people and their animals.  He uses methods he developed as a designer combined with Flemish and Renaissance techniques and color. His paintings are controlled and crafted studies in a classical format.

Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

Coming to the gallery in November, Streaming Stillness, egg tempera paintings and moist media drawings by Michelle DeMarco.

Volunteers Needed
We are seeking volunteers to help staff events and promote programming. Become a part of our effort to increase the neighborhood's coolness factor! Call 731-9730 or email Brian@BingArtsCenter.org.

WORKSHOP
Floral Design with
Matthew Flatow of
Flowers, Flowers!

Matthew Flatow, manager of Flowers, Flowers! will demonstrate techniques for creating autumn floral arrangements. Hands-on instruction will enable everyone in attendance to produce their own beautiful, decorative piece to take home.

The class will be offered on Tuesday, October 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. and has a limit of 20, so early registration is suggested. Cost is $25 with all materials included. For information or to register please call Matthew Flatow or Daniel Stezko at Flowers, Flowers! at 732-8813.