Isalos Fine Art

Yesterday in Stonington, the Town Hall posted this sign out front:

We're proud that Stonington is hosting the clams, and the ramp access for the differently-abled is one of the many ways that Stoningtonions are putting out that extra effort to welcome everyone into our town, no matter what their race, creed or species. Lets hope the clams have been successful in their talks. Rumoured subject: re-seeding the world's mudflats after humans fail to negotiate peace.

We're also pleased that American Style Magazine's current issue includes a guide to the arts and crafts of Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle. About us, they say "Stonington, a traditional fishing port, is shedding its rough-and tumble image. Isalos Fine Art and gWatson Gallery are especially worth visiting." Check it out here. 

That May 6th deadline for the Black and White show is coming up. Honestly, we're not looking at entries until the 10th, so you last minute people had better get to it. The entries so far are looking great, and it ought to be an exciting and fun show. I'd better start shopping for a tux.

Vaino Kola was featured this week in another great article by Kristen Andresen in The Bangor Daily News. Check it out here. We have a few of his pieces in the gallery now, but we'll have more in late May, when we get them back from his show at the State House, where they are subtly influencing our legislators to appropriate more money for the arts.

                                                       Rebecca Daugherty photo 

It's foggy today here in Stonington, and a bit rainy. In moderation, this is weather I kind of like. I like walking around in the fog, and I like coming back inside, where you can focus on the task at hand, be it reading or making art (or in my case- painting the bathroom) without feeling like you're missing much outside. On my foggy walk, I went by the Opera House and encountered a thirty-foot dragon with glowing eyes.

The dragon is a Peter Beerits creation, borne of cast-off auto parts, an antique projector, and other found objects. I understand it's still a work in progress, but it's bound to become a local landmark.  

Speaking of weather, we've been glued to our computer screen, looking at the scenes from Iowa City, which was hit by at least one F2 tornado Thursday evening.  Considering the devastation, it's amazing that more people weren't seriously injured or killed. Some of those neighborhoods are a few blocks from our former home, where we lived for five years after I finished graduate school at U of I. It was a nice place to live, and took a Greek island to lure us away. We've heard from our friends at  AKAR Design and Architecture, and they were fortunate to have been missed by about a block. Check-out their beautiful website, where you'll see some of the best ceramic art available.

Well, it's been a quiet week in Stonington. Especially with the impending theme park buy-out. You would have thought the local paper's letters page would have been filled with angry letters, denouncing Biggerthangodcorp (identified in last weeks Island Advantages as "Biggerthananythingcorp"). Instead, ho hum, you know- the war, etcetera, etcetera.

Stonington Galleries is moving right along with plans for our First Friday gallery walks this summer. Down the street, we peeked in at the new gWatson Gallery yesterday. Ron has moved from his second floor space into the space previously occupied by The Grasshopper Shop. It is looking pretty nice, and I must admit I'm a wee bit jealous. The town is going to feel a bit different soon, and not just because the weather will change. The Fisherman's Friend will open up in the old Bartlett's Market building. Restaurants will be serving alcohol (The Harbor Cafe already is) and we generally have police (or at least the possibility of police) on any given evening. We're not becoming Camden or Bar Harbor, as many people very vocally fear, but our restaurant and gallery scene is picking up.

I've reconfigured my artist information pages, and added a listing for upcoming classes and workshops. Take a look: www.isalosfineart.com/for-artists 

I don't usually use press releases for my blog, but this one is so huge I couldn't resist. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1st, 2006

Contact: I.M. Huuge  at www.biggerthangodcorp.com

Theme Park Developer Buys Deer Isle

According to a press release, Biggerthangodcorp A.G., a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest theme park developers, has bought the island of Deer Isle. The buy-out includes Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle Village and the town of Stonington, and took place over several months of clandestine negotiations, in which local property owners were compensated at higher prices than the current market values. The total selling price came to just over six kazillion dollars.

Construction of the theme park will begin this spring, after phase one of the islander relocation program is complete. A new toll bridge will be constructed, and the current bridge will be used as a ride. Other major features will include a track for NASCAR racing around the perimeter of the island, and a waterslide and rafting park near the new mosquito hatchery. Giant lobsters have been bred both for the lobster livery (saddle-up a lobster and go for a guided, scenic tour) and for fights at the Colisseum, in which 900-pound lobsters are pitted against all manner of creatures, including real lobstermen dressed-up as gladiators and bullfighters. Stunt car tire-burning demonstrations will be sponsored by several major tire manufacturers.

A volcano is planned for Crotch Island. It will erupt every hour, on the hour, and will be visible from outer space. Work has already begun on dredging the thorofare and the removal of several ledges and small islands to make room for cruise ships. Until the  global warming process is complete, a dome will cover the island for nine months of the year, the temperature set at 72 degrees.

Employment opportunities abound for island residents who wish to stay. Visitors will be greeted by islanders dressed in period costume, speaking in colorful Maine accents with plenty of salty nautical terms(voice classes will be offered). Other positions include Pirates, Smugglers, Granite Cutters, Fishermen, Artists, Dance-hall Girls and Lobster Wranglers.

As part of the compensation package, many islanders have opted to move to the newly-constructed Walton Isle, near Addison, a man-made island in which each home is directly connected to a superstore in the middle. “You’ll never have to go anywhere,” said I.M. Huuge, the project manager. “You can even hook-up to the intravenous feeding system and drink no-calorie Pop Tarts all day long while you watch reality TV shows. There’s really no need to go anywhere or do anything anymore.”

A gala kick-off event will take place this Saturday, April 1st, at the Stonington Pier, where spectators can watch submarine races in the newly-dredged thorofare. For more information, go to www.biggerthangodcorp.com.