"It's a Colorful Life", Paintings by Jen Niles
2021-11-02 - 2021-11-30 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Seaside Scituate Scene, painting by Jen Niles
Drop by to see this month’s featured artist, Jen Niles, in our cafe gallery during regular business hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, open Wednesdays until 6.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com
Artist’s Statement: I am a self-taught artist living and working in Paxton, Mass. I’ve been drawing all my life, and for many years concentrated on pen & ink illustrations including commissioned house portraits. In 2001 I began experimenting with acrylics, inspired by the comical antics and effortless elegance of my two cats, PK and Nellie. From there, I developed a recognizable, whimsical style usually featuring bold color and cheerful subjects from everyday life. In recent years, I’ve started teaching both adults and children, including my popular “Paint Your Pet” classes. Whether it is animals, my surroundings here at home in New England, or scenes from daily life, I never fail to find inspiration.

Paintings by Anne M. Tisdell
2021-12-01 - 2021-12-31
Chickadee, watercolor by Anne Tisdell
Paintings by Anne M. Tisdell will be on display and for sale December 1st-31st.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, December 11th from 1-3 pm. For more information email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232.
Hours for viewing the show are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesdays 10-6, Sundays, December 5th, 12th and 19th 12-4, Mondays December 13th & 20th 10-5.
Artist bio:
I have dabbled in art all my life with sketching and drawing. I grew up in Swampscott, MA., an oceanside community north of Boston. Professionally, I have worked as an RN and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner for 45 years. I had a few courses in art as a teen and took 2 courses at Montserrat School of Art in Beverly, MA in pastels and watercolors with artist/teacher, Mimi Johnson. Retiring in 2016, I have had the time to pursue my interests in art, music, dance and photography.
Many of the paintings that I create are based on my photographs or the photographs by friends with their permission. Artist, Elaine Griffith taught classes at Holden Senior Center in acrylic painting which I started in October 2017. Since then, I have exhibited in various places in Central MA. I started Art Classes with Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum in 2018, which brought me to a new level as an artist. He has taught in all mediums and students work in the medium of their choosing. I have exhibited at the Museum’s Adult Student Art Exhibit and at Arts Worcester. In 2018, I started watercolor classes with Charlie Grey in Rutland, MA., a local well-known artist who has been instrumental in improving my watercolor technique. In July 2021. I participated in an intense workshop under the direction of Artists Mimi Johnson and Mark Hayden in multiple art forms. I am also a musician and singer and have sung in choruses and churches in Greater Boston. I studied voice with the late Pauline Maher of Lynn, MA.
The Pandemic in 2020 cut into my exhibition time. Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, MA was my first exhibit of 2020. I am happy to return in December of 2021 with a mix of Landscapes, Birds, Animals and Flowers for all to enjoy!

January Art Exhibit-"Journey in Dry Medium"
2022-01-06 - 2022-01-29
“Journey in Dry Medium“, colored pencil & mixed media drawings by Jim Palace will be on display and for sale January 6th-29th during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, January 22nd, 1-3 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
Artist’s statement: As a transplanted Long Island resident, I first started working in the Kitchen and Bath Industry at Weston Kitchens. There, I was a CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) designer. I created floor plans, elevations and 3-D renderings for our clients. After 15 years, I changed directions and worked in the public school system’s Special Education Department, as a one-on-one aide.
For the last 2 years, under the tutelage of Ed Turner, (owner of Art and Frame Emporium) I have concentrated on my colored pencil and mixed media projects. These are the pieces I have chosen for my show “ Journey In Dry Medium”.

Meet the Artist Reception for Jim Palace
2022-01-22 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
Stop in to meet this month’s featured artist in our cafe gallery, Jim Palace. Free and open to the public.

"Winter Vignettes" February Group Art Show
2022-02-01 - 2022-02-26
Stop in to view the 27th annual February group art show at Booklovers’ Gourmet in our cafe gallery. This year’s theme is “Winter Vignettes”. Photography, drawings, paintings and mixed media are represented by 13 local artists.
New this year!! “People’s Choice Awards” You may cast your vote in person anytime during our regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
The show will run from February 1st-26th

Nature by Design Photography Show by Debra Horan
2022-03-01 - 2022-03-31
Bleeding Hearts by Debra Horan
“Nature by Design”, photography by Debra Horan will be on display & for sale through the month of March. The show can be viewed in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
The main inspiration for this show comes from closely observing the inherent design, beauty and balance of the natural world, including pattern, texture and tone. Whether in our own backyard or out in the wilderness, experiencing nature and open space can lead to a deeper sense of respect, well-being, self-discovery and interconnectedness to every living thing.
Debra Horan was born and raised in Webster, Massachusetts and is a graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. She pursued a career in freelance illustration for several years and worked for publications including Worcester Magazine, the Worcester Phoenix, the War Resistors League (NY), Orange Coast Magazine (CA), Inside Sports, and Rhode Island Monthly magazine. From 1994 through 2004 she was an active member of the women’s art group ARTXII, based out of Worcester, MA, who organized and participated in regional and national gallery, university and museum shows.
Since 1995, Debra continues to own and operate of Booklovers’ Gourmet, a bookstore, cafe and art gallery, in Webster, MA. This career enables her to combine her artistic and literary interests as well as help support local artists, authors, poets and musicians in the community by creating a welcoming place for them to gather and draw inspiration from one another.

"Seasons", Paintings by Kelly Anderson
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-30
Winter Tree Shadow by Kelly Anderson
Stop in to see the work of the featured artist of the month, Kelly Anderson, in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
**Please join us for a meet the artist reception on Saturday, April 2nd, 2-4 p.m.**
About the artist:
Kelly is a self-taught painter working in oil and more recently, watercolor. Raised in Harpswell Maine and now enjoying Webster Lake, she is drawn to painting rocky coastlines, the beauty of trees, birds and all things natural and meditative lake water. Kelly is inspired by her favorite painters Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer
Kelly is grateful for developing an artist’s eye for observation, now seeing beauty in things that previously lacked significance. Gratitude also extends to what she has learned from painting that has impacted her life in general: gaining patience to wait for the canvas to dry when it would be satisfying to continue painting, not being frugal with paint and materials in order to create a desired effect the first time, and having confidence that the ugly parts of the painting process in the beginning will bring forth the desired feeling.
Inspired by Wyeth’s Teel’s Island by Kelly Anderson
The theme of Kelly’s show is Seasons. It captures many of her inspirations. Each of the naturally stained poplar floating frames were made Kelly’s husband, Matt.

"Seasons" Meet the Artist Reception
2022-04-02 14:00 - 16:00
Inspired by Wyeth’s Teel’s Island by Kelly Anderson

Stop in from 2-4 pm to meet and chat with this month’s featured artist, Kelly Anderson.
Free and open to the public.

May Art Exhibit-Is There Beauty Within Tragedy? by Eren Torres
2022-05-07 - 2022-05-31
Stop in during the month of May to view drawings and mixed media artwork by Eren Torres in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet and greet with the artist will take place on Saturday, May 14th, 2-4 p.m. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
This is a portfolio on tragedy. We all know the meaning of that word and what emotions come with it. But what if there was some unforeseen side to it? What if we took tragedy and turned it into beauty. Can tragedy be beautiful? Can something as dark and cold as tragedy be seen as something beautiful? And how, just how, can we perceive that?

About the Artist:
Seventeen-year-old upcoming artist Eren Torres takes inspiration from things most people would see as “bad” “dark” and “horrific” and sees them in a positive and fulfilling way, taking away the negative attributes of the world and forcing others to see them in a different way. As a proud member of the LGBT community and born into a Hispanic household, Eren sought to make change with their art. Hoping it can become a tool for the world to see things in common, as well as each other, to create a conjoined and hopeful community.

Artist Reception for Is There Beauty Within Tragedy?
2022-05-14 14:00 - 16:00
Come by to meet and chat with young artist Eren Torres.

"Forget-Me-Not ....An artist's healing journey through Flowers and Inspiration"
2022-06-01 - 2022-06-30
Paintings by Cindy Smith will be on display June 1st-30th in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, June 25th , 2-4 p.m.
A portion of all sales will go towards cancer research.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com
Artist’s Statement: “Flowers and Art have always been my passion…As I walk this cancer journey, I found solace in painting and a purpose in raising funds for my Oncologist Dr. James M. Cleary, MD, PhD from Dana Farber.”

"Forget-Me-Not" artist reception with Cindy Smith
2022-06-25 14:00 - 16:00
Meet & greet with local artist Cindy Smith.
A portion of proceeds from sales goes towards cancer research, specifically the research of Dr. James M. Cleary, MD, PhD from Dana Farber, Cindy’s Oncologist.

Beyond Blooms, Textures in our Garden-Photography Exhibit by Don McCallister
2022-07-05 - 2022-07-30
Textures in the Garden by Don McCallister
The featured art show of July is photography by Don McCallister, on display and for sale July 5th-30th in the cafe gallery.

A reception to meet the artist will take place on Saturday, July 23rd from 1-3 p.m.
Viewing hours for the public are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com

Artist’s statement:
Gardens can be beautiful with flowers of every color and hue. But when the flowers are finished blooming, all you have left in boring green foliage. Right? Well, not necessarily. There can be interesting subjects in the garden all year long. All you need to do is look beyond the blooms and you’ll discover a never ending variety of shapes and textures. (And having a talented gardener, such as my wife, to design the gardens helps.) I hope this collection will inspire its viewers to look for unexpected beauty in our yards and in the natural world.

Artist Reception for Beyond Blooms
2022-07-23 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a meet & greet with Don McCallister, whose photographs grace the cafe walls through July 30th.

Sixth Annual BVAA Sunflower Show
2022-08-02 - 2022-08-31
Image by Alexandra Spano
The Sixth Annual Blackstone Valley Art Association’s Sunflower Show celebrates the sunny beautiful flower! It is the perfect summery experience.
If there ever was a flower which symbolized glorious summertime, the sunflower is the one. Did you know that nearly all of the 70 species of sunflowers are native to North America? They can grow to be up to six feet tall and they even tilt as the sun moves so they always face it!
Artwork will include photography, paintings, drawings, mixed media & more. Come on out to appreciate the diverse, expressive artistic visions and explore the shop’s offerings!
A public reception to meet the artists will take place on Saturday, August 13th, 3-5 p.m.
Watch a video of artwork from the 2017 Sunflower Show HERE.

Public Reception for BVAA Sunflower Show
2022-08-13 15:00 - 17:00
Come meet some of the participating artists of The Blackstone Valley Art Association and their unique interpretations of the beautiful sunflower!

Sisters Call & Respond- To Nature and To Each Other
2022-09-01 - 2022-09-30
“Sisters Call & Respond- To Nature and To Each Other”– A Photography Exhibit by Christine M. Croteau and Elizabeth Croteau-Kallestad will be on display and for sale September 1st-30th. Viewing hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. Please note: the store will be closed September 12th-19th for vacation.
For more information call 508-949-6232.
A public meet & greet with the artists will take place on Saturday, September 10th from 1-3 p.m. Attendees will be eligible to win a set of photos through a raffle.
This exhibit was created to show how art can be used as a means of getting close, in human relationships and in relationships to the natural world. In a largely fragmented world, art and nature can be connectors and community builders. Sisters, Elizabeth Croteau-Kallestad and Christine M. Croteau both photographers and naturalists, came together to collaborate on this call and response exhibit.

Reception for Sisters Call & Respond Art Show
2022-09-10 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a meet & greet with sister artists Christine Croteau and Elizabeth Croteau-Kallestad.
Attendees will be eligible to win a set of photos through a special raffle that day only!!
This exhibit was created to show how art can be used as a means of getting close, in human relationships and in relationships to the natural world. In a largely fragmented world, art and nature can be connectors and community builders. Sisters, Elizabeth Croteau-Kallestad and Christine M. Croteau both photographers and naturalists, came together to collaborate on this call and response exhibit.

October Art Exhibit-Big Colors in Small Works by Linda Littleton
2022-10-01 - 2022-10-29
Come by to check out the October art show featuring Abstract Alcohol & Ink Paintings by Linda Littleton.
Artwork will be on display and for sale October 1st-29th in the cafe gallery and can be viewed during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6, Closed Sunday & Monday
The public is invited to meet the artist at a reception on Friday, October 14th, 4-6 p.m.
About the artist: Linda Littleton is a local “Lake Artist” best known for her watercolor, many of which are on display and for sale at Point Breeze and her acrylics at Hometown Bank. But Linda also delves into other mediums. Alcohol and ink is a favorite as she has put on many workshops with this “somewhat messy” medium. The results are small abstracts bursting with color pleasing to the senses. Linda will have over 30 small abstracts for show and for sale. Please come by and enjoy these bright little works!

Meet the Artist Reception with Linda Littleton
2022-10-14 16:00 - 18:00
Stop by to meet and chat with the featured artist of the month Linda Littleton, whose show Big Colors in Small Works is on display October 1st-29th in our cafe gallery.
Free and open to the public.

Mother Daughter Art Show ~ Silent Night
2022-11-01 - 2022-11-30
Angel painting by Kathleen Kunkel
This is a show where both Kathleen Kunkel and her daughter Hanna share some of their creative work together. Kathleen will display pieces of mixed media, sharing a feeling of stillness through angels and nature. Other art by Kathleen will be displayed as well. Hanna will share her creativity through her pottery.
On view November 1st-30th in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A public meet the artist reception will take place on Wednesday, November 16th from 4-6 p.m.
Pottery by Hanna Kunkel
Call 508-949-6232 for more information.

Walking Through the Woods on a Foggy Day in December-Photo Show
2022-12-01 - 2022-12-31
View the ethereal photographs of Bettie Carlson December 1st-31st in our cafe gallery.
A public meet the artist reception will take place on Sunday, December 11th, 1-3 p.m.
Artist’s Statement: Winter, the time when all the leaves have fallen from the trees and the flowers have died and all the colors have gone from the land. Or have they?? Is it just that the colors are more subtle than in the warmer months? Not everything is dead. Most are just waiting for springtime when they can rise again. But on a foggy day in December, I discovered plenty of color – and some fascinating shapes in the decaying wood and leaves that I might not have noticed with the distractions of all that summertime color. And the fog created a veil to embrace it all.

Artist Reception for Foggy Day in December Woods
2022-12-11 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a meet & greet with photographer Bettie Carlson.

"Lights and Icons: A Study in Acrylics"-Paintings by Jim Wilton
2023-01-06 - 2023-01-31
Booklovers’ Gourmet is pleased to present “Lights and Icons: A Study in Acrylics”, paintings by Jim Wilton on view and for sale January 6th-31st, 2023.
The show can be viewed during regular business hours, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5 pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm in the cafe gallery.
A public reception with the artist will take place on Saturday, January 7th, 2-4 pm.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
Artist’s Statement: “I’ve been photographing and painting for years, in fact all my life. I’m mostly self taught other than my elementary and high school. I have photographed lighthouses as well as other subjects for inspiration for my art. These beautiful locations have inspired me to seek more outdoor locations as well as other subject matter.

I spent many years painting portraits but have switched it up to trying lighthouses after a hiatus to raise children but also found myself returning to portraits. I began photography of outdoor scenes and wildlife in 2008 after finding digital photography, making it more accessible. A few years ago I began painting again after a friend painted from one of my photos thus inspiring me to try again. I haven’t stopped but also got into crafts such as seashell jewelry boxes, Christmas trees and lighthouses. I hope folks enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed painting it.”

Artist Reception for Lights & Icons by Jim Wilton
2023-01-07 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for a meet & greet with featured artist of the month, Jim Wilton.
Free & open to the public.

"Winter Light" February Group Art Show
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-28
Show Dates: February 1st-28th
On view during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS ARE BACK!! COME IN AND CAST YOUR VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PIECE!

Money prizes will be awarded for the top 3 picks voted on by viewers during the month.

"Winter Light" Artists Reception
2023-02-04 13:00 - 15:00
Misty Lake Peninsula by Debra Horan
Come view the diverse selection of artwork featuring the theme “Winter Light” and meet some of the local artists participating in the show.
Light refreshments will be served.
Vote for your favorite piece in our People’s Choice Awards!

"Transitions: Winter to Spring"- Paintings by Anne M. Tisdell
2023-03-01 - 2023-03-31
Sunrise After a Snowstorm, Webster, MA
Paintings by Anne M. Tisdell will be featured in the cafe gallery from March 1st-31st and can be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5,
Iris, watercolor by Anne Tisdell
Wednesday 10-6.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, March 11th from 1-3 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
Watch a video interview with Anne HERE.
Artist’s Statement:
I have dabbled in art all my life with sketching and drawing. I grew up in Swampscott, MA, an oceanside community north of Boston. Professionally, I have worked as an RN and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner for 45 years. I had a few courses in art as a teen and took 2 courses at Montserrat School of Art in Beverly, MA in pastels and watercolors with artist/teacher, Mimi Johnson. Retiring in 2016, I have had the time to pursue my interests in art, music, dance and photography.
Many of the paintings that I create are based on my photographs or the photographs by friends with their permission. Artist, Elaine Griffith, (now, Artist, Janice Legare ) taught classes at Holden Senior Center in acrylic painting which I started in October 2017. Since then, I have exhibited in various places in Central MA. I started Art Classes with Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum in 2018, which brought me to a new level as an artist. He has taught in all mediums and students work in the medium of their choosing. I have exhibited at the Museum’s Adult Student Art Exhibit and at Arts Worcester. In 2018, I started watercolor classes with Charlie Grey in Rutland, MA., a local well-known artist who has been instrumental in improving my watercolor technique. In July 2021. I participated in an intense workshop under the direction of Artists Mimi Johnson and Mark Hayden in multiple art forms. I am also a musician and singer and have sung in choruses and churches in Greater Boston. I studied voice with the late Pauline Maher of Lynn, MA. The Pandemic in 2020 cut into my exhibition time. Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, MA. was my first exhibit of 2020 and in December 2021. Recently, I have exhibited at the Gale Free Library and 122 Diner in Holden, and The Pearle L. Crawford Library in Dudley.

"Transitions: Winter to Spring" Artist Reception for Anne M. Tisdell
2023-03-11 13:00 - 15:00
Sunrise After a Snowstorm, Webster, MA
Stop in to meet and chat with local artist Anne M. Tisdell and view her show “Transitions: Winter to Spring” in the cafe gallery.
Light refreshments will be served.
Free and open to the public.
Watch a video interview with Anne HERE.

Through an Artist's Eye: Paintings & Carvings by Wayne Yacino
2023-04-01 - 2023-04-29
Pilgrim at the Well, oil painting by Wayne Yacino
The photo-realistic oil paintings of portraiture and historical scenes and life-like wildlife carvings of local artist Wayne Yacino will be on display and for sale April 1st-29th in our cafe gallery.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, April 8th, 1-3 p.m. The show is on view during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
Please note: the store will be closed April 10th-13th for vacation.
About the artist:
Wayne Joseph Yacino is a native of Oxford, Massachusetts, who is of Metis (French–Abenaki), Italian and Polish descent. He began painting at the age of 5 years. As a self-taught artist, and with 61 years of experience, he has had the opportunity to live in Europe for 2 years during his military tour with NATO. He has displayed several of his pieces in Vicenza, Italy. He has also displayed his woodwork and paintings throughout the United States.
The artist has done extensive research into Native American imagery and has taught the Ancient American Skills the first weekend in October, at the Annual Water’s Farm Days event in Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1996-present.
The artist’s goal is: “To share with the viewer my emotions and Spiritual experiences through my art; to rise above the mundane, and to bring honor and Glory to my God.”
Whatever his subject, he finds great joy and blessing in the way the eye moves through a painting and follows the interaction of colors.
