the Gallery Della-Piana

our NEW WEBSITE is now replacing this BLOG !

2011-07-24T10:57:00.004-04:00

We're no longer keeping a regular update on this Blog...in case you've noticed!...because we now have a terrific new WEBSITE (same name, gallerydellapiana.com) that allows us to enter and treat it as a blog. All our links are still there. All our Archives are there.

Thanks to our wonderful designers, Hitomi Fukui & Nobu Tamagawa of ART TECH SOLUTIONS (arttechsolutions.com) I can navigate this site to include both up-to-date messages and dates as well as collecting past events.

The picture is of LAURA GRAF collecting her photo prints from Down to the Sea, which were hightighted in outr COVER article in the latest issue (July-August) of ARTSCOPE MAGAZINE.

MEANWHILE...my installation in the WENHAM MUSEUM

2011-05-14T11:48:00.003-04:00

At the Wenham Museum on Route 1-A, I'm included in their 3rd Annual Interior Design Exhibition...(my 2nd annual). Northshore Designers created Rooms throughout the Museum to showcase their specialties. My 'Room' is an 'Italian' garden patio, inspired by my collection of PIERO FORNASETTI plates...with the exhibition of Stephanie McGrail-Letendre's intricate white-on-white cut-paper works; Ingrid Johnson's Silk Wall-Hanging; my own drawings of views at Castle Hill, Ipswich; and the 1930's charcoal drawings of my uncle, Rafael Della Piana, when he was a student at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts...back when beginners' lessons were to draw from classic Roman sculptures.

The exhibit will be on view through May 22, including Sundays.

"DOWN TO THE SEA..." May 28 through July 15th.

2011-03-31T14:13:00.005-04:00

Maryclaire Wellinger drops off a variety of Sea images: Oils, Watercolors; views/memories...
We have now collected MOST of our expected art works, donated to our Call-For-Entries...We have a wonderful selection of about 200 images...many 3-D as well as quite a few very large pieces. So many crowded event dates up to now, that FINAL SELECTIONS are just being made! So, please wait a few more days for us to get in touch!

Postcard Mailings will be made this weekend! Hopefully, many of you took a handful of cards to distribute also.

Remember... NEW DATE for the OPENING of "Down to the SEA..." (we originally thought, the 15th) NOW MAY 28th, Saturday, from 4 to 6 PM, with informal poetry readings at 5PM. We had to shift the date to allow for several conflicting event dates..... Sorry to inconvenience you all; hoping this is enough time to repoint your calendars! no limit to entries, all media; $7 per processing fee.

2011-02-25T15:47:00.009-05:00

My Gallery is not a "white box" gallery, and I was challenged to display extremely contemporary works in such a 'soft' or Livable space.

We were rewarded with a Wonderful Spread in SALEM NEWS.

written by Amanda McGregor, it covers just about

what I hoped to express with this exhibit. So pleased that she 'gets it' and quoted my remarks so carefully...."SOMETHING FROM NOTHING - Wenham gallery takes 'a big leap' into the world of abstract art..."/..."Della-Piana Gallery in Wenham show takes a break from representational art"...the writer goes on to describe each of our six artist's mediums and working methods. to read more; Lifestyles Editor Amanda McGregor can be reached at amcgregor@salemnews.com and on Twitter@AmandaSalemNews.

2011-01-08T16:22:00.004-05:00

STUDIO VISITS and SELECTING the gorgeous art works for this exhibit is all over but for the Raves! Hope to see you in the crowd on this Sunday, 3 to 5 PM.

Our notice for "POINTS of DEPARTURE" is well advertised and getting lots of attention on the back cover of ARTSCOPE Magazine. We mailed out a few hundred cards...are you on our mailing list? And we've printed a beautiful full color Poster of the show, for sale at the Gallery, ($2).

Points of Departure Exhibit: Now - April 21st

2010-12-24T16:44:00.008-05:00

REVITALIZING the Gallery in prep for our newest exhibition,

"POINTS of DEPARTURE"...a show of six non-objective Artists...

MASAKO KAMIYA www.masakokamiya.com

NIHO KOZURU www.nihokozuru.com

MICHAEL PASQUALE

PAMELA SHAW www.pamelacshaw.com

ROBERT CIPRIANI www.robertcipriani.com

ROSE OLSON www.roseolson.com

This is an exhibit of explorations, of deep involvement with craft, form, mathmatics, precision, and indeed, engineering of form and surface. Color will resonate. Power will be expressed with both finite minutia and massive strength.

OPENING RECEPTION will be on Sunday, February 13th, from 3 to 5 PM.

above art: Silverpoint drawing by Pamela Shaw; Canvas Screen by Michael Pasquale.

2010-12-08T15:25:00.003-05:00

Special Gallery Visits by Stu Murphy, etc...

TUESDAY, DEC. 14th, Illustrator and children's book author, Frank Riemkiewicz, and our Featured Author, Stuart J. Murphy visited the gallery from 4:30 til 6PM...I know we're not usually open then, but Frank - whose works from three different Murphy books are in the Show, came up for a special visit from his home-studio in Florida with his wife, Sheila Nissley - A Curator of Children's Book Artists' exhibits Nation-wide (Currently, "Fairy Tale Art" at Smith-Kramer in Kansas City, Missouri). Our local Childrens' Librarian, Lorraine Der, joined us to chat and have some books signed. Frank revealed his methods for creating mini-book-dummies, and a fascinating story of his beginnings in the field. He also generously gifted us with copies of his Newest : "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Florida", published by Sterling.

SCHOOL BUS GROUP FROM GLOUCESTER, Thurs., DEC.16th...About 30 First-Graders and their teachers descended upon us at the Gallery at 10 AM (again, very special hours!) to meet Stu Murphy, see the art works, and have the unforgettable fun of being read-to by the jolly author, himself... They stayed about an hour, heard three books, and then 'voted' for their favorite pieces of ART. Most votes went to Remy Simard's Space Adventure images, with determined voices for JoAnn Adinolfi's Leaping Lizards, Marcia Winborn's Big, Bigger, Best and Scott Nash's Henry the Fourth.

After their carefully managed Snack-Time, we saw them off to the Bus...thank you, Miss Crean!

2010-11-19T17:08:00.006-05:00

January 21st; Last day of my Sketchbook Exhibit at Montserrat.

January 26th; First day of my Last Semester at Montserrat ! before retiring in May.

February 2nd; My Book-promotion lecture at the Dover, Mass, Garden Club,

"What is a WINTER Garden?"

February 13th, Sunday from 3 to 5 PM; New Opening : "POINTS OF DEPARTURE"

5 non-objective artists in 2-D and 3-D ; Niho Kozuru, Masako Kamiya, Pamela Shaw,

Michael Pasquale, Rose Olson.

April 16th; Montserrat College of Art OPEN HOUSE, Best Juried student work in all Departments.

April 21st; Last day of "Points of Departure".

April 23rd; Deadline for CALL-FOR-ENTRIES : "DOWN TO THE SEA", $7.00 per each entry.

April 30th; Annual ART AUTION for Montserrat...Artists receive 40% of sale of donated

Artworks. We encourage you to donate and attend a lively event!

May 15th; Grand Opening of the new CALL-FOR-ENTRIES, "Down to The Sea"

June 4th; My lecture at the Danvers Art Association, "Keeping Sketchbook Journals"

July 30th; Last day of "Down to The Sea". Pick-up by August 6th.

August.......We will be closed until September4th.

September 4th: Grand Opening of "COLLAGE", an exhibit in 2-D and 3-D of Selected Artists.

November 4th; Last day of "Collage".

November 27th; Opening of New CALL-FOR-ENTRIES, "Animals" (working Title)

EDP has a Show at Montserrat, while the Murphy Book Show is at the D-P Gallery

2010-11-12T17:39:00.005-05:00

I'm included in an Exhibit in the Main Gallery, Montserrat College, 23 Essex St, Beverly, with 7 other...obsessive, sketchbook-on the spot- illustrator journalists. Now through January 21, 2011, the M Gallery is open 6 days a week (M-F, 10am-5pm; every Th, 10-8pm; Sat, noon to 5)

When I'm at the College on Mondays and Wednesdays, I have a big block of time free from 3:00 to 6PM...so could meet and give a Tour!!

Gabriel Campanario, A Seattle illustrator who maintains a regular Column in the newspaper, drawing and writing about that local scene; Kyle Lindholm shows drawings from hiding places in Afganistan!; Veronica Lawlor exhibits drawings of world travels, her native NYC and even Boston!; Fred Lynch puts his inimitable twist to elegant and witty drawings from Italy; Margaret Hurst, also of NYC is a remarkable speed drawer of the Figure;...my own drawings include several of my massive "drawing a day" sketchbooks, drawings on-the-spot at the Grand David Magic Show, and a collection of Fashion Drawings from NYand London costume history installations.

the "MATH=FUN!" Illustration Show...

2010-10-28T13:54:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful Opening Day, October 23.
Walls were repainted...as usual; art collected, and the New limited edition Book...called: "VISUAL LEARNING",( a Timeline from Cave Art through Illuminated Manuscripts, The Printing Press, Book manufacturing, Electronic communications, innovations in Teaching with Visual Aids, and the great hurrah of Murphy's MATHSTART books)... is now here! From 1 to 3 PM, Stuart and renowned Children's Book critic and biographer, Barbara Elleman, gave a stimulating presentation at the Hamilton-Wenham Library...and signed their books. At 4, we all congregated at the Gallery for Wines, fruits, and goodies, in the perfect wished-for warm weather so our newly pebble-paved outdoors was useful to overflow crowds. Popular illustrator, Steve Kellogg attended, and we talked about having a STEVE KELLOGG exhibition in 2012! Lots of reunions, especially from Many RISD ALUMNI, and warm greetings from friends, families, our Regular Gallery Goers, and happy purchasers of Art and Books. Many of us capped off the evening with dinner at the Tea House, where lovely speeches were made. Here are some pictures of the Day, thanks to our constant photographer, my Intern from Montserrat, Waka Tokuno. Thanks also to my helper, Adam Ziskie, at the bar...recent MCA grad whose first children's book will be coming out in Feb '12!!, and to Corrine Reid, a current Senior at MCA, for her invaluable help on Photoshop.

as One comes Down, Another is 'Waiting in the Wings"

2010-10-08T15:16:00.003-04:00

As our 'Tree' buyers pick up their treasures, and 'Tree' artists come to get their work(TRY TO GIVE US SPACE!), we're ready to send our latest limited-edition book out to Press, and are juggling space to pile up the new art coming in from around the Globe! Illustrators of Stuart J. Murphy's books are delivering and mailing their works from the Mid-West, New York, the North West, Italy, Canada, California, the South-West, and New England. The show will include 18 Illustrators (OUR SPACE LIMIT!), in all, although Stuart has created 63 books with dozens of artists.

The Hamilton-Wenham Library will also be sponsoring a talk and presentation about How Illustrators work with words, featuring Barbara Elleman, editor of Booklinks and Bookviews magazines, and Stuart - a Visual Learning specialist, from 1 to 3 on OCTOBER 23. Following the talk, we will host the Gala Opening of the show at the Gallery, from 4 to 6. SEE YOU THERE!

My NEW KITCHEN on Northshore House Tour

2010-09-23T16:17:00.004-04:00

The Gallery Della-Piana is always searching for ways to promote our name and our Artists. An opportunity to see fine art and original illustration in the 'living environment', so to speak, came with an invitation from the curators of the Wenham Museum.

As if "nothing much to do..." I've put my newly decorated Kitchen on the HOUSE-TOUR on Saturday, October 2nd, from 11 AM to 4PM. The fund-raising project by the Wenham Museum will feature 9 Kitchens from Wenham, Hamilton, Beverly, and Manchester-by-the-Sea, for a $15.oo tax-deductable ticket. Go to wenhammuseum.org, or call 978-468-2377.

What a project!! Having the Museum deadline has compelled me to do it, at last...Every square inch of the kitchen, featuring new paint, new shelving, new art, and a treasury of tender cooking objects from my own Grandmother's kitchen...her 100 year old pasta rolling pin, ravioli cutter, pizzelle-maker. (and how old IS that bottle of Abruzzi "Centerba" apertivo?)

My personal collection of art on view includes works from Alyssa Watters, Alan Witschonke, Katie Stannard, Paul Davis, David Levine, David Itchkawich, Fred Lynch, Chan Invathong, Caroline Baganol, Kathy Speranza, Niho Kozuru, Frank Valliere, and Courtney McGlynn, as well as Sculptures by Leandro Della Piana, Arcangelo Cascieri, Reno Pisano.

The banquet room will be set for a harvest holiday, and the bright new entry vestibule will feature paintings from some of the artists the Gallery represents...Eva Cincotta and more Alyssa Watters. We report that during the renovations, as Everything from the kichen was removed to the banquet room, it looked frighteningly like those rooms in 'Hoarders'...so I REALLY edited as it went back. Honest!

SAVE THE DATES: Oct 23 & Feb 13: letting you know about our up-coming shows

2010-09-09T16:04:00.010-04:00

Plans have been

well underway toward

our Next TWO exhibits:

first..."MATH = FUN!"...

EIGHTEEN Illustrators of

STUART J. MURPHY's

internationally popular

MATHSTART Children's Books

Original Art, Limited Edition Prints,

and autographed books. OPENING

on Saturday, OCTOBER 23rd,

with a preview pesentation talk at the Hamilton/Wenham Library

featuring Murphy and renowned Editor, Barbara Elleman:"Visual Learning" from 1 - 3 PM will be lively and interactive, and will be followed by our Open House Reception at the Gallery, from 4 - 6PM. Many of the Illustrators will attend...here's the list so far: Jo-Anne Adinolfi, Steve Bjorkman, Renee Andriani, Diane Greenseid, Cynthia Jabar, Brian Karas, Bernice Lum,

Scott Nash, Valeria Petrone, Mike Reed, Frank Remkiewicz, Remy Simard, David Wenzel(see his book cover, above), Marsha Winborn, Lois Ehlert, Michael Rex, Tricia Tusa, & Julia Gorton... MATH - FUN! continues through December 30...

Check out Stu's remarkable books that make learning math as fun as recess!

>stuartjmurphy.com< >mathstartbooks.com<>

NEXT......OUR POST-HOLIDAY SPRING EXHIBITION: Feb.13th - April21 2011,

"POINTS OF DEPARTURE" Five outstanding contemporary artists who work in various media creating non-representational art in 2-D and 3-D, on paper, canvas, wood panels, in constructed forms and cast forms. NIHO KOZURU, MASAKO KAMIYA, MICHAEL PASQUALE, ROSE OLSON, PAMELA C. SHAW. (see Michael's 3-D painting, 75"X24"X6", above).

A few Unusual Constructions in the "Lovely...as a TREE" Show

2010-09-04T17:50:00.007-04:00

This carved Pencil (by Deb Barnwell) is twenty-six inches long; the "eraser" is held on with a tin can; we love that it is not absolutely straight! $250.

Laurie Miles' carved and constructed wooden "dinner ring," built with "leaf plywood," and a ceramic egg inside of an acorn cap. $95.

Michael Pasquale's complex construction of canvas, stretched and stitched over wooden armature, and painted in latex acrylics. $2400.

Grand Opening of our Group Show, "Trees"

2010-08-27T17:12:00.003-04:00

We guessed that about 160 guests showed up for our "...lovely as a tree" opening on the 14th.

Elissa had the help from her

enthusiastic greeter-staff,

'Becca Buonopane, her

intern from Mass Art,

Rebecca Yankes, her

Gallery Assistant from

Montserrat, and

Amanda Beard, her intern

from RISD.

A crowd assembled

outside to hear

Poetry readings by

Carol Weston, Jack

Murray, and Jim

Chisholm.

Viewers clogged the three Gallery Rooms until well past six...it was a great event!

August 14th Opening

2010-08-14T13:12:00.006-04:00

Our "Lovely...as a TREE" show, August 14th through October 9th. Sixty one artists exhibit 150 pieces!

Behind the Scenes at the Gallery Della-Piana

2010-08-10T15:38:00.002-04:00

(Trust us, this is the easiest part.)

We're having a crazy week here at the Gallery Della-Piana. All of us are getting our hands dirty and finding wall paint on our clothes as we prepare for our seventeenth show (already!): "as Lovely as a Tree." The final jurying resulted in 146 pieces...from our largest open-call-for-entries yet! To celebrate this, we decided to refresh our "3rd Room" gallery space in order to adequately display all of the wonderful pieces of tree art. Additionally, due to the number and sheer sizes of many of the works, the show is being hung in Salon Style...the art will cover the walls nearly from floor to ceiling!

The show opening is this Saturday, August 14th, from 4-6pm, with a short poetry reading at 5. It happens to be a Tax-Free Holiday here in Massachusetts, in case you want to have some fun some shopping at our housemate Seams after enjoying our art and poetry. :)

See you then!
-Elissa and the gals

Over 160 Entries being Juried for TREES' show!

2010-08-03T15:49:00.004-04:00

Well, we're guessing that every 'call-for-entries' show will just keep getting Bigger. Even though I held back many potential entries at the signing, we still brought in SO many that we KNOW that some will have to be put aside. We're in the process of turning our 2nd floor "over-Flow" gallery room into a well-lit, beautifully painted ROOM THREE Gallery, to accomodate the Theme Show selections in the strongest way, but we must eliminate perhaps 20 pieces. At this count, the number of Artists is also at an all-time high...57! We'll have our Final Number of pieces we can hang by this weekend, the 7th. We'll call the artists to alert them, then, and the art could be picked up any day the week before Opening, as we'll be here working from 11AM to6PM each Day!...or one could wait until the 14th.

Meanwhile, we're thrilled with the turn-out, and with meeting so many 'new' artists, and with the wonderful array of approaches to the subject. Didn't expect so many Sculptures! There are several that are Figurative, and a few that are even whimsical.

Mailed out our lovely Post card yesterday, designed by new Intern, Becca Buonopane...using her powerful photograph. Announcing the Opening - August 14th, from 4 to 6; with a short Poetry event at 5PM.

We have also sent off all our Digital Pages of the original BOOK for the "as Lovely as a Tree" show, which includes the Art work and/or Poetry of 20 artist friends of the Gallery, as well as some classic favorite poems and quotes.

This book will be in a surprising format that requires a lot of handwork from our team of four, at the last minute, to have it ready for the Opening.

We expect a CROWD, and will hope for a cooler day than the BIRD SHOW opening!

Larry Scanlon Bird Carving Demonstration/"BIRD-Watching"!

2010-07-02T12:56:00.012-04:00

Larry was a charismatic speaker/demonstrator, on the 21st of July, when he brought in his equipment and several of his 'start-to-finish' projects. He worked on the spot, while fielding questions and popping jokes. A big moment was when he finally placed an Eye into his shore bird carving...it was as if it literally came to life. We were all impressed with his skill and the curious techniques employed; the raising of the wood grain by Burning; the uses of Dentist tools (yes, it sounded just like a Dentist's Office!); and his brilliant invention of a mini-roller-paper-pallette!!

Also, be sure to stop by for the "BIRD-Watching" exhibit before it closes on July 24th! You don't want to miss this!

Elissa Della-Piana featured in Wenham Museum Design Show

2010-06-05T15:00:00.005-04:00

Design Show transforms museum into favorite spaces

Excerpted from the article by Stephanie Silverstein

Interior designers from Hamilton, Wenham, the North Shore and beyond have transformed the Wenham Museum into 15 favorite spaces, showcasing their inspirations for North Shore life, past and present, encompassing the mission of the Wenham Museum.

The designers were each given approximately an 8-by-8-foot area of space in the museum--either in Burnham Hall, the Thompson Gallery, the lobby or even the coat room--and transformed it into a favorite space, inspired by North Shore life and the mission of the Wenham Museum: to protect, preserve, and interpret the history and culture of Boston's North Shore, domestic life and the artifacts of childhood.

Elissa Della-Piana, of Gallery Della-Piana in Wenham, transformed a tenXten' space in the Wenham Museum's lobby into an artist's studio corner, inspired by the Audubon Reserve in Wenham, one of Della-Piana's favorite places on the North Shore. The space, filled with nature collections and surrounded by artists' tools such as an antique easel with Della-Piana's artwork hanging on the walls, mingles nature and art.

"I spend so much time walking through the Audubon Reserve, which is right off Cherry Street in Wenham, and I simply love the place," Della-Piana said. The drawings in her vignette are some of the work she has created while in the Audubon Reserve. "This is my art, and this is the source, sort of the Audubon Reserve coming through the walls of the studio."

From the Hamilton Wenham Chronicle (Thurs May 20 2010)

My recent Installation at The Wenham Museum's DESIGN SHOW

2010-05-27T16:40:00.005-04:00

An important Annual Event at the Museum is a juried invitational to no more than 15 interior designers to install and show-case (and sell) a room-sized diarama...this year, on the theme of "Favorite Places on the North Shore". Speakers, Tour Guides and Celebrities; with Host of 'This Old House', presiding. I chose to create an 'artist's studio next to the Audubon Reserve in Wenham', with the walls disappearing into the paths through the woods. All the drawings were done in the Reserve.

2010-04-17T13:59:00.001-04:00

HOURS: Thurs, Fri, & Sat, 11AM to 6PM...or when posted for special openings.

The Murphy-Krosoczka show is packed up now. We still have SIGNED copies of many of their most popular books in the Gallery.

2010-04-17T12:49:00.003-04:00

ORIGINAL BOOK ART...Jarrett and Kelly. Meet KELLY Feb 27, 4 - 6; Meet Jarrett, Mar 5, 4:30 -6.

2010-02-11T15:50:00.008-05:00

COME IN TO SEE our new Gallery-Mate, B.J. Faulkner's Lively and Colorful Action Paintings of European Scenes.

2010-01-23T17:28:00.010-05:00

Now that we are in the habit of designing a special BOOK for each show - not a catalogue OF the show - we have created the "Bird...watching" Book. As usual, it's my new FAVORITE, and will be 24 pages on fine stock with some wonderful images of birds, nests, eggs, as well as Profiles of some of history's great Bird Artists, and a few powerful stories and poems. We've numbered each book in our limited edition: #1 to #35. Inside we've "tipped-in" a special print (that is, it's just glued in on the bound book page) that I found in a Dickensian book and print shop in London, of the illustrated heads of British birds, and on another page I've glued-in an actual Feather.

NOW THAT WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AGAIN, the gallery-garden update is that all our Tulips came back, in waves of earliest Reds, then many shades of pinks, cerises, and whites, and lastly, the almost black tulips, Now faded past, the beds are full of Lambs'Ear, giant Clovers, Day lilies, Snow-in-Summer, and Buttercups. The foundation bushes of Holly, Rhododendron, Red Barberry, and Azalea are flourishing - the White Azalea was COVERED in spectacular blooms. Now the fat buds of the White Roses are ready to open.

KAREN WATSON'S exquisite collaged writing table dominates the entrance to TABLE MANNERS

2009-10-31T15:48:00.026-04:00

JOHN PAQUETTE'S 'DUOMO' table, assembled in reconstructed woods is available in many color combinations of 'naturals', stains, and blacks. 21"x21"x27"tall, $350.

" TABLE MANNERS" Our new exhibit...a group show of 25 artists...Will open on DECEMBER 17th, from 4 to 6 PM, with a holiday party. The show will continue into February; closing day is on Feb. 13th.

Artists have created 2-D and 3-D works that derive from 'Tables'...Still-Lifes, Table-Tops, and TABLES as furniture and sculpture.

Here's our Artist list, alphabetically:

Donna Baldassari, Suzanne Barnes, Emile Bellott, Sheila Boss-Concannon, Allan Brockenbrough, Joseph Capachietti, James Chisholm, Eva Cincotta, Karyl Hayes, Law Hamilton, Michael Hamilton, Marcia Hermann, Mark Hoffmann, Josie Lawrence, Fred Lynch, John Paquette, Michael Pasquale, David Piemonte, Terry Slater, Laura Elkins Stover, Karen Watson, and Alan Witschonke.

MARYLIN HAFNER CHILDREN'S BOOK ART RETROSPECTIVE,

October/November 2009
Marylin Hafner - Illustrator, created thousands of elegant and rather nutty drawings for miriad publishers and authors--most notably for Cricket and Ladybug magazines, and award winning children's books.
Her ink and pencil line-control was perfectly paired with each story's whimsey, and she had a brilliant hand with watercolors.

But Marylin herself said, "my best work has been an enormous output of Unsolicited Mail"...so as a tribute to her indefatigable inventiveness and relentless challenges to the Post Office, we presented a keepsake collection of her treasured* letters and envelopes--an ephemera of Salutes, Sharings, gossamer affronts, and "Irritations" (her word), couched in an anglophilic prose of langorous trivia, frenetic opines, and outright silliness.

We sold many copies of our privately published book of some of her 'immortal' mailings ...see below for a preview pic. The books sell for $30.00, and I've mailed them out around the country for an additional $2. Contact me if you need a copy...
-Elissa Della-Piana

The Gallery Della-Piana

*Thanks, everyone.

That's Abby and Doug Newton on the left, Marylin's daughter and son-in-law, at the opening on October 25th. We had a wonderful crowd of Marylin's family, dear friends, editors, and art lovers. We served Halloween treats in honor of Marylin's favorite holiday!

Visitors were charmed and fascinated by "Room A," which was filled with her children's books and magazine art, but we heard shrieks of laughter from "Room B," in which hung the exhibit of her outrageous illustrated mail!

The Gallery Della-Piana is located at 152R Main Street, Wenham MA, 01984. (978)468-1944. We are open from 11-6 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and on Tuesdays by appointment only. You can contact us at edpgarden@yahoo.com.

A Quick Tour of the Equine Show Installation, On View in the Gallery!

2009-09-05T17:14:00.019-04:00

JOHN FLYNN's masterful oil of Hunt Riders...

the first artist to greet you

when entering the Gallery.

In the background (left to right) are

ANNA 'PANSY' HALEY's "White Mare"

and MARILYN FALLON's "Foal with Lightning Bolt."

Our featured Beverly artist and poet, JACK MURRAY, during a visit to the Gallery, stands in front of his on-the-spot rapid drawings. The two drawings on the right, one in dry brush and the other sketchbook page in graphite, briefly demonstrate his control and his command of both horse anatomy and the kinship of the rider to the horse.

Views of installation in the two lower rooms (we call these rooms A and B) give a snapshot of some of the eighteen artists in the show...ANNA 'PANSY' HALEY, EMILE BELLOTT, JOHN FLYNN, JACK MURRAY, and LAURA ELKINS STOVER.

OLDER POSTS...our History, so far.

2009-08-28T16:27:00.004-04:00

When you have time - hit the "older posts" button at the end of a column and scroll through our history of exhibits. We keep a virtual tour of each installation...so you can see how the Gallery is re-designed for every exhibit, to better present each theme and artists' point-of-view.

EQUINE BEAUTY, paintings and drawings of Horses and Riders

2009-08-21T11:38:00.018-04:00

ALECIA UNDERHILL: "Palomino", oil on canvas
Opening day of our EQUINE BEAUTY exhibit saw over one hundred local horse--and art---lovers crowd into the gallery. Our usual two rooms became three, with the addition of "Room 3" on the second floor to accomodate for the huge number of pieces. For the opening, we also pitched the outdoor tent to try to cast a little more shade during the blistering heat (it wasn't much help!).
JACK MURRAY: Sketch, pen and ink on paper
At 5pm sharp, we introduced an informal reading of several of JACK MURRAY's poems, shared by the voices of James Turner and MaryClaire Wellinger. For the first time, in conjunction with this show, we've designed and published a keepsake book of MURRAY's poems, action drawings, and vintage photographs ($25, for sale in the gallery).
JOHN FLYNN: "Hunt Scene", oil on linen
We are also happy to report that the show had fantastic sales! The public reaction has been wonderful so far, and we can't wait to meet more horse and art lovers to prepare for a future show of the same theme.

Not a DAY goes by thatwe don't meet a new visitor or a new artist!
ANNA HALEY: "White Mare", giclée print on canvas

More views from our EQUINE BEAUTY exhibit, August-October, 2009

2009-08-18T17:32:00.010-04:00

MARILYN FALLON: "Foal with Lightning Bolt", graphite pencil on paperTo mark the beginning of our second year, we opened of our tenth show:
"EQUINE BEAUTY: Art of the Field, Trail, and Paddock"...
EQUINE BEAUTY featured the work of eighteen artists from the North Shore and around the U.S., all of whom shared a passion for horses, working in oils, acrylics, graphite, ink, collage, wood-and-canvas sculpture, photos, and prints. Subject matter included exciting New England fox hunting and polo scenes, as well as peaceful observations of grazing horses and tranquil rides.
Featured artists included Jack Murray, an illustrator and poet from North Beverly, whose sketches and poems are drawn from memories of over thirty years of riding in New England; Emile Bellott from Beverly, whose photographs give viewers an intimate look into the world of the Hunt; Anna 'Pansy' Haley of Beverly and Wenham, whose oil paintings reflect the complex emotional and very lively views of horses; and Marilyn Fallon, an illustrator originally from Salem (now living in Florida) who creates breathtaking drawings based on her deep understanding of horse anatomy and behavior. Laura Elkins Stover of Topsfield paints The Hunt; John Flynn captures the classic New England huntsmen in timeless Oils; Olivia Clove is a self-taught painter who depicts the animals she loves in lively portraits; Fred Kepler has created powerful moments on canvas of the Myopia Polo Games; Alecia Underhill from Rhode Island was found at the Annual RISD Alumni sale with her oversized canvases and prints of unusual compositions; Renee Mallett and Vivian Earabino are local photographers who follow the horse Events and Trials, and join Laura Graf in the pursuit of elusive equine beauty; Cheryl Polcaro, printmaker from Montserrat as well as a Veterinarian, fascinated visitors with her out-sized monographs including a saddle, boots, and stirrup; her husband, Tom Polcaro, also from Montserrat draws with graphite powder to generate extreme subtleties; photographer Bill Wasserman has caught some elegant and romantic views of the horse both in the French countryside and his local Ipswich; John Paquette of Connecticut and Michael Pasquale of Boston - both professional architects - present their views of the horse in dramatically different ways...Pasquale suggests a Friesian Horse in abstract sculpture, while Paquette renders miniature drawings in pen and ink.
Several artists on display also included prints for sale.
* Fine "giclee" reproductions on canvas or art-papers, reductions of originals ready to frame, and sets of cards for mailing or framing. Most Photographers are prepared to offer further reproductions of prints in various sizes.

The Gallery is located at 152R Main Street, Wenham MA, 01984, and is open weekly from Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm, and Tuesdays by appointment. (978)468-1944.

Gallery Della-Piana Awarded BEST of NORTH SHORE

2009-07-17T15:35:00.006-04:00

Coinciding with the First Anniversary of opening her Gallery in Wenham, Curator/Director, Elissa Della-Piana, was awarded the BEST ART GALLERY on the NORTH SHORE, by North Shore Magazine, in their 4th annual awards issue. The area designated encompasses towns from Melrose to Andover, Gloucester, Newburyport and Southern NH. "It's a special honor for our little town", said Della-Piana, "and I'm especially happy to let my Artists know that they are showing in the Best of the North Shore."

Elissa poses deliriously with her award and North Shore Magazine.

OUR RECENT SHOW...a little history

2009-06-12T14:59:00.014-04:00

"LITTLE ITALY" exhibit featured small artworks...all were memories or imaginings about Italy!

Our call-for-entries resulted in a really fun, and yet romantic 'trip' to the Old Country...included in the 46 artists and 100 works are oils, acrylics, watercolors, collages, photos, computer-generated images, encaustics, ink and pencil drawings, constructions in wire, tin, paper, glass, and ceramics...cartoons and classically romantic landscapes.

Artists emerged from all the local and surrounding towns, and from Boston, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Lexington collagist, Karen Watson, and Newburyport's Ann McCrea at the opening event.

Sandra Venus of Wenham, who studied Architecture at RISD, displayed drawings of Etruscan and medieval Viterbo...a town somewhat north of Rome. Ann McCrea of Newburyport included several rich collages of images, papers, and gold, that celebrated the Etruscan, Venetian, and Umbrian essenses she treasures, and Hamilton resident, Diane Carnivale brought her native exuberance to her brilliant, explosive action-paintings of Tuscan landscapes.

Ann McCrea with her works.

Boston artist, Lisa Angelini, known for her exquisite handpainted tiles, broadened her sphere to exhibit two elegant acrylic/collage pieces that honor 'il territorio' in unusual ways.

Well-known Fine Artist, Greg Kitterly, has researched the actual formula for oil glazes used by Brunelleschi in the early Renaissance, to create amazing depths of color in his paintings of the Villa Adriana and the Volcano, Stromboli. Fred Lynch of Winchester, who teaches a class in Viterbo every July, has included his sepia ink paintings of "non-views" around that ancient town...(as if there could BE any non-views!)

(from left) Painter Allan Brockenbrough, sculptor Jill Herrick-Lee, and director/curator Elissa Della-Piana, with guests.

The Gallery also added some of Tomie dePaola's beautiful - and amusing - scenes from his famous "Strega Nona" books.

One extremely whimsical piece that sold right away, was a Wire sculpture of a PIZZA, by Salem's Katie Stannard. An Italo-American Antipasto fantasy sculpture leaped directly from a cookbook...constructed in paper, by Pamela Braverman-Schmidt was a crowd-pleaser. And a popular exhibit that included works in Encaustic by Milisa Galazzi of Rhode Island entitled, "NONA" and "NONO", Donna Baldassari's oil Portrait of her beloved "NONNI", and Beverly artist, Alissa Watters' "CANNOLLO" imortalized on a plate.

Josephine Currie, photographer, and opening night attendees. (We estimated about 100 at the opening.)

Here are some of the Reviews that hit the local and electronic media...Wickedlocal News Media write-ups and reviews: KATRINA HART's pastel landscape, "Umbria", refers to the clear lake reflections of Italian cypresses that are a part of her Italian memories. Hart studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, and is one of the artists exhibiting at Gallery Della-Piana's 'Little Italy' show through July 18th.

Artist Allan Brockenbrough of Hamilton painted 285 nailheads in colorful acrylics to create the shimmering illusion of a sunset in Venice for a local art exhibit about Italy. Brockenbrough has exhibited more conventional works locally, but was inspired by the Gallery Della-Piana's theme,"Little Italy", to create this dimentional construction. (see photo of Allan's "Sta Maria della Salute" in the righthand column...kind of a cross between Pointilism and Chuck Close...)

LITTLE ITALY EXHIBIT FEATURES SMALL ARTWORKS

Wenham artist Elissa Della-Piana hosts an art exhibit of her own works and 45 other New England artists' works that celebrate Italian themes, from romantic scenes to whimsical food sculptures. The "Little Italy" show,... features paintings, photos, sculptures, and collages from many Hamilton and Wenham artists.

Sandra Venus of Wenham, who studied Architecture, is exhibiting her delicate line drawings of ancient Etruscan structures of Viterbo, Italy. By contrast, South Hamilton's Diane Carnevale's exuberant and lush paintings of Tuscan landscapes are framed in dramatic Italianate carvings."...

Young Artists and Readers at the Tomie Show

2009-05-01T16:04:00.005-04:00

Lots of Pic's of the TOMIE dePAOLA exhibit...School groups came to TOMIE's show, agape with wonder...this class brought art supplies to copy his work! The little prodigy in the blue dress is 3 years old.

We had such a great time at the Opening, and have seen more and more of Tomie's fans come in every day. Norman Laliberte came by to see Tomie and and tell us that they were studying art together years ago in NY. Tiny tots were star-struck, and grown women told their stories about reading his books as kids and now are reading his books to their own kids. Which is all only sensible...as the Power of Children's Books is phenominal.

Happily, there are many collectors of Art, as well, and the thrill of owning a genuine page from one of Tomie's books is parallel to knowing that it will never be devalued!!

We saw almost every new book we stocked the Gallery with, "fly-out-the-door", so had to reorder many more. The first to go were the STREGA NONA Pop-Up books, which are (in Editors' lingo) "over the moon"!

Kids get down to work on their Tomie art...

She was fascinated by Tomie's Fruit Trees...

The Three-year-old is reproducing his Watermelon - which is behind her!

The session ended with a Reading, and the kids sent their art to Tomie for his "collection".

Tomie dePaola Opens in Wenham, April 4th

2009-04-16T11:44:00.005-04:00

The Tomie dePaola Installation

2009-04-16T11:34:00.005-04:00

" I N T I M A T I O N S " february 7 - march 15 '08

2009-01-08T13:43:00.011-05:00

Four fascinating Artists, SAS COLBY, JUDITH DANER, JILL HERRICK-LEE, and LAURIE MILES, who work in 'mixed-media', to say the least, and who construct resonating objects that compel and hold you...perhaps a humorous subtitle might be, "I enjoy being a Girl..."

OUR INITIAL OPENING RECEPTION on Saturday the 7th was attended by about 200 PEOPLE ! who stayed and stayed, bought art, ate tasty bits and wines, and amazingly left the Gallery in pristine condition...even though one could hardly move from one room to another!

THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE, North Section, printed two photos (Daner's and Herrick-Lee's) and listed our show as well as this coming Sunday's second Reception...this time, from 3 to 6PM, to get all four artists together...which means SAS COLBY will be coming in from the West Coast. Sas will also be bringing several more Artists' Books...two Painted on Canvas, and her very newest, limited edition, "BUNNIES ON ICE".

Sculptures, Artists' Books, Kinetics, Paintings, explore memories and attitudes connected with little girl games and play, the journey to womanhood, the embrace of fashion, the poetry and art that thrilled... The Show remained on display through MARCH 15th.

Winter exhibit: crowds, sales, and terrific local press. Check out the extensive write-up on www.wickedlocal.com, the December 24th issue.

2008-12-18T19:00:00.010-05:00

FRAGILE WONDERS EXHIBIT

2008-11-28T16:46:00.006-05:00

Reviews...and Gallery Pictures

2008-10-25T14:58:00.005-04:00

"F R A G I L E W O N D E R S", Cut Paper Artists, November 8 to December 10..................

Our Current Show a BLOCKBUSTER ! ... FOUR CUT-PAPER ILLUSTRATORS,

GILES LaROCHE, STEPHANIE McGRAIL-LeTENDRE, HOLLY MEADE, and DENISE ORTAKALES are gathering awed reactions by every visitor..."OMG ! ", predominating, and, "I've never seen any kind of Art like this before !", constantly repeated. I've had to add several hand-held Magnifying glasses to the installation for viewers to really get close to the "mindboggling" intricacies of Giles' and Stephanie's work. We keep a sturdy stepping stool handy for the kids who come in with parents, so they can climb up for a better view. Book sales are brisk, and most are signed by the illustrators/authors. Several customers have left their books with special notes for the artists to sign them individually. As several of Giles' stunning books are out of print and rare, we've searched and located copies for you , of " SACRED PLACES", and his Salem masterpiece,"RAGGED SHADOWS".

The Returning customer for this installation is unprecedented.

We still have several of Orfanos' paintings in our 2nd Floor Gallery. We've recently renovated that Room to display many small works and prints.
"HYPNOPOMPIC REVERIES", Greg Orfanos' provocative show was reviewed in SKIRT MAGAZINE by Alison Murray, Editor...and in 'wickedlocal', called ..."inventive, ...humorous, dream-like...and whimsical", we are reminded to see his permanent installations at INDIGO Restaurant in Hamilton, The SOMA in Beverly, and the GULU GULU CAFE in Salem.

GREG ORFANOS, "Hypopompic reveries"...(in a constant state of conscious dreaming)

2008-10-04T16:54:00.006-04:00

OCTOBER 10th through NOV. 4, the Gallery exhibited a one -man show of GREG ORFANOS,

creating a funhouse where comic surrealism & mischief meet formal issues of design & color.

"Art is the last stronghold of magic."roy deforest.

THORPE FEIDT & JENNIFER CUSHMAN(9/10 to 10/4)

2008-09-11T14:14:00.010-04:00

(Gallery views: photos by Sarah Whitling, MCA'09)

" IN PRAISE

OF SHADOWS

drawings and vine sculptures..."

Northshore press review....

"THORPE FEIDT's

haunting abstractions

appear to develop into ghostly narratives. We are invited to weave tales throughout each piece; much as his system

of additive/reductive strokes and erasures allows him to

pursue a shape, form, figure...

JENNIFER CUSHMAN's woven constructions incorporate

hidden cavities,vines interlocking with branches and brush,

creating the accidental...and the deliberate."

LITTLE GEMS EXHIBIT attracts Montserrat Alumni artists

2008-08-16T13:08:00.010-04:00

Eleven Montserrat Alumni and one current student (Sarah Whitling, photo, '09) were among the thirty-five exhibitors at the Gallery this month. Our Call-for-entries parameters of small-size/affordable price brought forth a wide variety of media and topics, as well as alums from quite a span of years at Montserrat. Former students from the 1980's, 90's, and 2000's submitted their current works to the Call, and the publicity brought even more alumni out to check out the Gallery. We are ALWAYS interested in seeing what you're up to, so pass the word along to your fellow alums! In December - "heads up!" - the show will be another Call-for-entries ... and the theme is ... " Winter". No size or price restrictions; MUST be ready for hanging. You can interpret the theme as broadly or specifically as you wish. Get busy!

Our 'Micro-Mini-Mall" site at #152-R Main Street

2008-08-16T12:58:00.005-04:00

The Gallery Della-Piana Building is also the home of SEAMS, the couture fashion and accessories boutique. Harper is the designer/creator of original fashions, from elegant evening wear, the most unique brides, tailored women's suits, and adorable separates. Her fine embroideries and beadings are part of the hallmark of her exacting touch. Visit her website at Seamstheshop.com

"In The Garden" exhibit

2008-08-15T16:49:00.003-04:00

Our Inaugural Exhibit, 'in the garden', featured Elissa's drawings and paintings, inspired by her own extensive garden in Wenham.

The Grand Opening was July 19th, and hosted a gathering of friends, family, and locals, including many area artists, interested in future Open-Calls to exhibit.

Elissa's intense drawings and focused details are rendered in her signature 'waxed' prisma pencils on Bristol paper. The medium cannot be smudged or erased...demanding that every touch be definitive. Although many viewed the work as obsessively realistic, the result of her singular focus is a virtual abstraction of reality.

Della-Piana's waxed pencil works and Gouaches are also on display and for sale in our 2nd Floor Gallery throughout the year.

About the Gallery

2008-08-15T14:02:00.011-04:00

Located in the center of Wenham village, #152-R Main Street is on Route 1-A...just a few miles from Exit 20A from northern Route 128, in Mass. We're part of an ultra-new 'destination' spot on the North Shore, with our neighbors, SEAMS Couture Fashions, Coast Furniture, Lakakos 'Best-of-Boston' Salon, Over-the-Rainbow, Nazir's Jewels, and the famous Wenham Tea House and Wenham Museum.

reach us...edpgarden@yahoo.com

Gallery director, Elissa Della-Piana is a nationally featured artist, illustrator, and designer, and has taught at Montserrat College of Art for several decades. She has been a member of the NY Society of Illustrators since 1973.