COSMOS Insider
Behind the Culture Scene
People, News, Views & Flux
We invite submissions to COSMOS Insider. We are interested in cultural news items, management press releases, forward publicity pieces, background feature articles, season schedules, and such. While well-founded rumors are of interest, please, no gossip or politics. Send your good stuff for consideration to: editor@capeanncosmos.com.
CAPE ANN PLEIN AIR 2025 UPDATES
March 19, 2025
New Team Members, October Plans, and next Palate to Palette Artist
The Cape Ann Plein Air 2025 team is expanding and growing with new leadership. Three new members have joined the board: Marianne Coons, Liz O’Connor, and Ron Seger. Each brings a wealth of experience and passion for the arts and the Cape Ann community, and importantly, are ardent fans of Cape Ann Plein Air.
In addition, the organization will be led by current board member Billy Burgoyne, who will serve as the 2025 Interim Executive Director. He has an extensive background in arts administration and possesses deep ties to the Cape Ann area. CAPA 2025 will be in good hands.
We have learned that the CAPA Gala will again be staged at the wonderful upstairs gallery at North Shore Arts Association, in East Gloucester. The Quick Draw contest will again happen in Manchester-by-the-Sea.
The CAPA Team is now reviewing artists’ applications who wish to be chosen as one of the 35 invited plein air artists. Application deadline is March 31, 11:59pm. Application portal: tinyurl.com/ApplytoCAPA2025
Palate to Palette Artist: Dennis Doyle
As part of their publicity campaign for CAPA2025, periodic “Palate to Palette” events are staged at restaurants, and feature a plein air artist painting while diners dine and observe.
The next such event is scheduled for March 27th, at Oak to Ember in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The artist will be plein air painter Dennis Doyle. He has participated in many of Cape Ann Plein Air’s paint out events, winning 2nd place at our Paint Out on the Rocks in June 2024 at the North Shore Art Association, Honorable Mention at our Motif Day Paint out in May 2024, and Judge’s Recognition at Cape Ann Plein Air 2024’s Quickdraw.
Dennis is a life-long resident of Weymouth, MA, and was educated at Massachusetts College of Art. He is a licensed merchant mariner working on tugboats, where he plies his trade upon creeks and rivers, bays and harbors, inland waterways and coastal routes, from Maine to Louisiana.
"I developed an early affinity for drawing that grew into a lifelong love for painting. My Mass Art tuition was paid with wages earned on the local clam-flats (Weymouth, Hingham & Hull), and from lobster and gill-net fishing on Stellwagen Bank in Massachusetts Bay. I've never had a traditional job and don't expect I ever will - I'm a water-man by trade, with a passion for paint. I have a small studio but I'm hardly ever there except to drop off or fetch some paintings. I prefer to work outside in the elements and before what matters. On the boat my paint bag is a stowaway, I'm prepared to chase the light and answer inspiration's call with a quick painting, anywhere anytime, up and down this entire coast. I'm fortunate. Art is interpretation and presentation of this life, and plein air painting is its body and soul."
The Cabot Names Brian Ridolfo as New Executive Director
National search leads to seasoned South Carolina arts executive
February 27, 2025
The Cabot has recently announced that Brian Ridolfo will lead the historic Beverly theater as their new Executive Director. Ridolfo succeeds J. Casey Soward, who stepped down in October 2024 after 10 years with the organization. The nation-wide search was conducted by a committee of The Cabot’s Board of Directors and facilitated by DHR Global, led by James Abruzzo, Vice Chairman.
Ridolfo’s extensive career includes key leadership roles at major arts institutions. As Founder and CEO of Encore Programming Group, Ridolfo supported performing arts centers, festivals, and arts organizations in curating diverse, high-quality programs that aligned with both artistic and financial goals. As Vice President of Programming at the Peace Center in Greenville, S.C., he developed community-driven initiatives, secured sponsorships, and continuously improved financial viability across multiple venues. Ridolfo is keen on leveraging data to guide programming and marketing decisions. By analyzing demographic insights, sales trends, and audience engagement he aims to attract new audiences, unlock new revenue streams and create programming that truly reflects the community’s interests.
Prior to the Peace Center, Ridolfo managed programming at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, FL, implementing dynamic strategies for orchestrating large-scale events. His tenure at Old School Square Cultural Arts Center in Delray Beach, FL saw him launch successful concert and film series while overseeing production operations.
With a technical production background and a track record of strategic innovation and audience-focused programming, Ridolfo’s new position is poised to make a lasting impact on The Cabot and surrounding community. Under Ridolfo’s leadership, The Cabot aims to bring even more world-class performances and community events to the North Shore
“The Executive Committee conducted an extensive search for a visionary and dynamic leader to guide The Cabot into its next chapter,” said Mark Jaffe, Board Chair. “With Brian’s extensive production experience and proven ability to curate outstanding arts programming, we are confident he is the right person to lead us forward. We are excited for the future and all that lies ahead under his leadership.” Ridolfo holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University. He plans to relocate from Greenville, South Carolina to the North Shore with his wife and daughter.
Shelburne Museum Acquires Three Significant Norman Rockwell Paintings
February 18, 2025
The Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT), announces the acquisition of three important works by renowned American illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894–1978), expanding its distinguished collection of American art. The paintings—Kneeling Girl (1955), The Craftsman (1962), and the accompanying preliminary sketch for The Craftsman—were originally commissioned by Rock of Ages Corporation as part of mid-century advertising campaigns celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of Vermont’s granite industry. Rock of Ages and its parent company, Polycor Inc., have generously gifted the works to the museum, ensuring their wider appreciation by the public.
Norman Rockwell, The Craftsman, 1962. Oil on canvas, 47 1/4 x 38 1/4 in. Collection of Shelburne Museum, gift of Polycor Inc. and Rock of Ages Corporation. 2024-12.1. Photography by Andy Duback.
“We are honored to welcome these significant works into Shelburne Museum’s collection,” said Thomas Denenberg, the John Wilmerding Director of Shelburne Museum. “Norman Rockwell’s ability to blend artistry with storytelling is unparalleled, and these paintings offer a unique glimpse into both his creative process and Vermont’s industrial heritage.”
The connection between Rockwell and Rock of Ages began in 1955 with Kneeling Girl. Featuring a young girl kneeling before a gravestone, this painting became part of a successful advertising campaign for the company through the artist’s ability to convey deep emotion through his art, resonating with a post-war audience.
In 1962, Rock of Ages approached Rockwell for another commission commemorating the artistry of their headstones. After visiting the facility, Rockwell approached one of their longtime employees, George Seivwright (Scottish-American, 1887-1966), to model for the work. The resulting painting, The Craftsman, captures Seivwright posed at the Rock of Ages facility in a moment of quiet focus and dignity, portraying the stonecutter engraving a headstone while a carved angel looks over his shoulder. Seivwright’s connection to the community, combined with Rockwell’s meticulous attention to detail, imbues the work with authenticity and depth. The artist even included a playful nod to himself: the name “Norwell” engraved on the depicted headstone.
Rockwell’s mastery is evident in the thoughtful use of light and texture, with thick impasto strokes that bring The Craftsman to life. The work celebrates not only Vermont’s granite industry but also the personal stories and dedication of its workers, underscoring Rockwell’s ability to humanize his subjects while honoring their craft.
COSMOS receives frequent news items from organizations and publicists, which do not fit into the editorial guidelines of our events newsletter, Cape Ann COSMOS.
Thus – the launch of our new page, the COSMOS Insider, for the News, Views, People & Flux happening behind the scenes.
We invite your submissions to COSMOS Insider. Cultural news items, press releases, awards, publicity pieces, management changes, season schedules, and such. While well-founded rumors are of interest, please, no gossip or politics. Send your good stuff for consideration to: editor@capeanncosmos.com.
February 5, 2025
Dear COSMOS Members & Patrons,
You are now privy to COSMOS Insider, a bulletin with updates on people and flux happening behind the scenes in the Greater Cape Ann cultural community. Producing all of the events is a cadre of intriguing people, dedicated to their missions, schedules and budgets. It all combines into another source of drama!
Here at the PR friendly COSMOS crossroads, we are often the first to know the news. Or, sometimes we simply receive updates as we interact with the cultural community that we serve. Thus, COSMOS Insider is a natural spinoff from Cape Ann COSMOS, our flagship publication. Both keeping our readers In the Know...culturally on the Go!
WINDHOVER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 2025 SEASON IN THE WORKS
Photos (L), Windhover Gala and (R) dancers perform a Quarry Dance, on a uniquely Windhover stage.
One of the busier people in Gloucester right now is Lisa Hahn, Executive Director of the Windhover Performing Arts Center, who is deep in negotiations and bookings for the Center’s summer season. COSMOS met with Lisa for a long coffee at The Source, on a recent January morning and caught up with her plans for 2025 Windhover stage.
If not familiar with the Windhover enclave of buildings and its centerpiece, a tented stage, it is one of the crown jewels among the Cape Ann cultural venues. Ina Hahn, Lisa’s mother and a renowned dancer on the New York stage, headed to Cape Ann when her dance career ended. She and her husband bought a dairy farm and undertook the arduous work of converting the site to a children’s dance camp. The performing stage and resident companies were to follow, establishing Windhover as a legendary summer dance destination in New England.
Now forty years since the founding of Windhover, Lisa Hahn is developing the next stage of the Windhover Performing Arts Center, to feature a broader range of programs. Residential and performing dance programs will continue to be the dominant genre booked into Windhover, but Lisa is increasing productions for theater, music, workshops and retreats.
As of early February, Lisa expects the season to include a Bach program, combining music and dancers; a six-week residence of the Lanes Coven Theatre Company, who will produce two plays, one Shakespeare and one contemporary. The Quarry Dance will happen this year! A production with a most unusual requirement for staging. Lisa is currently “looking for a quarry”. Certainly a signature Cape Ann performance venue!
Many people do not know that Lisa has a second business, and a significant one: Art Horizons International Inc. Founded in 1985, the company provides custom-designed cultural and educational art and architecture tours. Lisa works with museums and galleries situated all over the world. When we met, she was planning to take a group to Los Angeles, with stops at The Getty, LACMA, and other major art venues. To learn more: ART HORIZONS INTERNATIONAL Somehow Lisa balances these two audacious roles in both the Cape Ann cultural community, and that of the World!
PEOPLE IN TRANSITION
Christopher Griffith, the long serving and affable General Manager of Gloucester Stage Company, is moving on. The departure has been in the works since September, so he makes his exit stage right, before the new season. Chris served “with honor” and was last spotted at The Source, which seems to be Gloucester’s new hotspot for hot drinks. We wish him all the luck in the theatrical world. Break a leg, Chris!
Wenham Museum Board of Trustees has named Sarah Sosa-Acevedo the new Executive Director of Wenham Museum, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. Effective February 1, 2025, Sosa-Acevedo will oversee all museum operations for the Museum, a hands-on, family-friendly history museum that currently stewards a diverse collection of approximately 45,000 objects and is known for its educational and community programming.
Sosa-Acevedo was most recently Senior Principal and Planned Giving Officer at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and President of the National Capital Gift Planning Council. Her career includes roles at Smithsonian Latino Center, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (WI), and Madison Children’s Museum (WI), a National Medal Award-winning institution. She holds an M.B.A. in Arts Administration from Wisconsin School of Business at University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.A.E. in Art Education from University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras in San Juan, PR.
Christopher Griffith
Sarah Sosa-Acevedo
COSMOS MOVES UPTOWN
Yes, COSMOS is joining the cultural district in the heart of Gloucester with a new space at 20 Pleasant Street, very near Cape Ann Museum, Jane Deering Gallery, 1623 Studio, Town Hall, Sawyer Library, MAGMA Dance Center, Matthew Swift Gallery, Charles Fine Arts.
Our new space will be multifunctional for office headquarters, small events and an art gallery.
Grand Opening: February 28, 6-9pm. The event will include our first COSMOS Art Party, with a show and sale for the works of Jon Sarkin. Subscribers at the COSMOS Member and Patron levels are invited to a 5-6pm preview of the artwork, with discounts honored of 5% for Members and 10% for Patrons.
We hope you can join us for this thrilling first event in our expanding COSMOS space!
STATUS: COSMOS MEMBERSHIP PLANS
We deeply thank all of you, our first paying subscribers to the COSMOS. You are in the vanguard! It was a tough decision but necessary. We have reached a stage in our operations that a Free newsletter would ultimately sack the COSMOS.
The technical execution was tricky, we worked through all that, and were enormously gratified to see the first cohort of subscribers converting over, as of January 8 launch. Please encourage your friends to take your lead.
Our sustainability plan needs at least 30% of currently enrolled subscribers to make the conversion. We are far from that goal. You’ll see the marketing messages continuing, and increasing. You now have the privilege of ignoring all requests to upgrade your plan!
Going forward, we will soon commence private communications to our paid subscribers with updates on the expanding COSMOS platform. Stay tuned!
GORDON MASSMAN BREAKS THROUGH IN BARCELONA
More than three years ago, COSMOS published a Gordon Massman painting and began our coverage of the poet who became a painter. He continues to bring fervor daily to his studio on the harbor. The Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art consortium, Barcelona Spain, has recently published a lengthy interview with Gordon and will include him in their annual book of international artists to watch. Gordon’s poetic skills and introspective nature make for a spellbinding interview: Gordon Massman 10 Questions.
