Art
The Art of Crafting, Especially When You're Sheltering in Place – Bowdoin News
When Seneca Ellis ’22 is stressed or needs a break from people or her studies, she gets working on cross-stitching, needlepointing, or painting. She’s been embroidering since she was twelve years old.
While crafting has always been an important part of her life, she’s been turning to it more than usual during the pandemic. “I have been plowing through projects!” the neuroscience major said. “It’s very therapeutic. I don’t have to think about anything going on around me.”
Ellis also thinks crafting in general is having its moment, as people spend more time at home and look for things to do—especially activities that are distracting. Some friends of hers are picking up cross-stitching and needlepoint. At least one is getting wildly ambitious and is cross-stitching a map of the United States.
Eugen Cotei ’21 holds up two rocks he found in Costa Rica that he will turn into a necklace. He says crafting “helps me to do something creative with my mind, to let it escape.”
Eugen Cotei ’21, another Craft Center manager, has been knitting, crocheting, sewing, spinning wool, and baking since his grandmother taught him these skills as a little boy. He pursued these pastimes even though they weren’t encouraged. “I am from Romania, and in Romania, a guy cannot have a sewing needle in his hand and he can’t be in the kitchen. But I never followed those rules,” he said.
Some of the objects Cotei, an earth and oceanographic science and Hispanic studies major, often creates are terrariums—glass-enclosed habitats that mimic the natural environments of plants and that in the right conditions can last decades.
Even in the desert climate where he lives (he’s based right now in Las Vegas with his family), he finds enough plants—as well lustrous volcanic rocks—to make his mini-ecosystems.” When I started really exploring these mountain valleys, the more upstream areas with creeks and rivers, I found a lot of different species of moss,” he said.
In the past few weeks since she headed home to Idaho, Madisen Miller ’22—who manages the Craft Center’s pottery studio—has been working on painting projects. She and her friends are finding old record album covers and giving them new meanings by painting them.
“Art keeps me sane,” said Miller, a government and history major. “Art is my only hobby that I do for the sake of pure enjoyment. Other things I do, like community service, I do for others, or I work on something to advance my career. But art is just for me, and it’s meditative—you don’t think of anything else; it’s a good de-stresser.”
The Bowdoin Craft Center
Membership increased from 132 in the fall of 2018 to 270 last fall.
Miriam Fraga, assistant director of student activities, said this may have to do in part with the Craft Center waiving the fee for students with financial hardship.
And part of the growing interest may have to do with the managers’ efforts to make it easier for crafters to drop in to the center and get help with their projects.
The managing team of students established “office hours,” where they would be available to lend their expertise with throwing pots, stitching, using the sewing machine, knitting, or whatever creations students had in mind. “We took on a bigger role,” Ellis said. “If people are there, we help them with whatever they’re working on.”
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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