Press release submitted by the Trustees of Reservations
“Night and Moonlight”: A Transcendental Night Hike
Wednesday, September 6, 7 to 9 p.m.
Member $9. Nonmember $15
“Chancing to take a memorable walk by moonlight some years ago, I resolved to take more such walks, and make acquaintance with another side of Nature.” -Night and Moonlight by Henry David Thoreau. Join us under the Harvest Moon at the Fruitlands Museum for this Transcendental Night Hike. We will share a public reading of Thoreau’s “Night and Moonlight,” an essay printed in The Atlantic Monthly Magazine in November 1863. Next, we will take to the trails to discover nature by night and explore the elements, sites, and sounds that awaken when the sun sets. Thoreau describes, “As for the moon, I had seen her only as it were through a crevice in a shutter, occasionally. Why not walk a little way in her light?” For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Candlelight Yoga
Thursdays, September 7 to October 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Members $80. Nonmembers $100 for full six-week series.
This six-week course is intended for those new to yoga and for those who would like to strengthen their practice. Come quiet your mind, relax your body, and allow your spirit to be filled with peace as you explore meditation, asana and breathe work. Instructor, Diane Borton, has been practicing yoga for over a decade. Her instruction will help you strengthen your body, center the mind, and create a peaceful spirit in this gentle yoga class. Students should wear comfortable exercise clothing, and bring a yoga mat, a blanket, and a pair of yoga blocks if you have them. Please note that space in this series is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Exercises for the Quiet Eye
Saturday, September 9, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Member $9. Nonmember $15
This practice of deep looking, of resting in a tolerance of a.m.biguity, in a state of not fully knowing, is one of the greatest potential gifts of human visual culture. Being open simultaneously to deep sensory, emotional and intellectual experience, happens best when we can resist rushing to easy, premature understanding–when we accept the mystery. In this way, the intensified satisfactions and challenges of art prepare us for the essential experience of the human condition–the state of living in mystery, the human experience of not knowing. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Join educator, Annie Storr, as she leads you through close looking activities in the Art Gallery in the Fruitlands Museum. Take time to pause, absorb, and dive into art and artifacts with your senses. Gain new understanding of the impact of art on the viewer.
Painting with Pastels with Joelle Feldman
Tuesdays, September 12 to October 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
Member $200. Nonmember $250 for full six-week series.
This course is for beginning and returning artists who want to acquire fundamental skills and new approaches to painting with pastels. A dynamic and accomplished artist, Joelle Feldman’s instruction includes weekly exercises and one-on-one teaching geared to all levels of experience. Whether trying the medium for the first time or building on experience, students emerge from this six-week course with greater confidence and a renewed passion for making art. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Plein Air Pastel Workshop with Joelle Feldman
Saturday, September 16, and September 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Member $160. Nonmember $200 (two-day workshop)
Recognized and award-winning artist, Joelle Feldman, teaches students fundamental skills and introduces multiple approaches to painting with pastels. This two-day workshop will focus on composition, texture, color, drawing and outline, applying an under-painting and gradually building pastel layers until the painting is completed. The class starts with an introduction of materials, including exploration and experimentation with a variety of pastel painting surfaces using different grades and brands of pastel sticks. Instruction and pace may vary based on the class dynamics and participants’ needs. Open to all levels of experience. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Pop-Up Trivia Night!
Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
FREE
Join us at Fruitlands for a Pop-Up Trivia Night!
BYOB, your wits, and your friends! This evening of general trivia will cover a variety of categories and time periods, including pop culture.
Drive on down to the Wayside Visitor Center and see what you know! For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
7th Annual Craft Festival
Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Member $5; Nonmember $10; Kids 12 and under FREE
Enjoy original handmade craft by 48 New England Artisans during the 7th Annual Craft Festival at Fruitlands. The Festival is a two-day outdoor tented show set on the picturesque grounds of the museum. Quality juried craft, museum offerings, and stunning views has made the Festival a popular September destination for all. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping and find that original gift for the hard-to-buy-for!
For your entertainment, there is a food truck, the Café, and live music, courtesy of the Summertime Trio, on both days of the Festival. The Guests’ admission also includes entry to the Museum exhibits and trails. It’s a fun day out with family and friends. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x288 or email hfreidrich@thetrustees.org.
Painting Materials and Methods with Jill Pottle
Fridays, September 29 to Friday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Member $200. Nonmember $250 for full six-week series
This course is for beginning and returning painters who want to acquire fundamental painting skills and new approaches to painting with oils or acrylics. A dynamic and accomplished artist, Jill Pottle’s instruction includes weekly exercises and one-on-one teaching geared to all levels of experience. Whether picking up a brush for the first time or the hundredth, students emerge from this six-week course with greater confidence and a renewed passion for painting.
Some basic drawing experienced is preferred.
Please note that space in this class series is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Artist Talk: Greg Lookerse
Saturday, September 30, 2 to 3 p.m.
Free with museum admission
Join Artist-in-Residence, Greg Lookerse as he discusses his recent works created at Fruitlands Museum. Hear about his process and the ways in which his time at both Fruitlands Museum and the Old Manse have inspired the creation of these new works of art.
Greg Lookerse creates sculptural artwork joining conceptual rigor with thorough craftsmanship. It is not enough for him to read texts by influential authors including St. Augustine, Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, and Annie Dillard. Once read, the pages of his personal copies become visual art. In a process that often evolves through performative consideration, the ideas held within the pages become activated and made public in a way they wouldn’t if they remained on a bookshelf, in a library. Lookerse folds the pages of Dillard’s The Living (1992) into an elaborate, mandala-like relief resembling the window of a Gothic cathedral. Pages of Thoreau’s Walden become a winding path on the gallery floor with a simply-hewn prayer bench at its center. Melville’s Moby Dick becomes simple, blunt paintings as the artist systematically covers all but chapter headings with rows of white pigment. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Hand Drumming Workshop Series with Dave Curry
Mondays, October 2 to October 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
For Full Four-Week Series: Member $60. Nonmember $75.
Mondays, October 2nd-23rd, join drummer Dave Curry at Fruitlands Museum to learn the basic techniques for playing a variety of different hand drums from different musical heritages. Playing hand drums in a drum circle is not only a satisfying musical experience. It is so much fun that it doubles as a social event as well! No prior music experience is necessary. Bring your own hand drum or Dave will have several to lend for the class for a small fee ($3).
About our Instructor: Dave Curry is the creator of Drums For One & All and the co-creator of the Eastern Massachusetts Rhythm Festival. Over the past 16 years, he has led hundreds of public drum circles, drumming events, and workshops across New England. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Meditation: A Smile and a Long, Slow, Deep Breath
Wednesdays, October 4 to October 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
For Full Four-Week Series: Member $60. Nonmember $75.
Wednesdays October 4th-25th, explore meditation, refresh a stale practice, or simply come and meditate with others. Led by Donna Mitchell-Moniak, founder of Spirit Fire Meditative Retreat Center, this four-week class will include techniques of meditation and discussion of the results each brings. Discussion of common challenges and simple solutions to establishing a practice will also be explored. Donna teaches The Practice of Living Awareness, a contemporary meditation that combines traditional meditation techniques together with engaging one’s senses. Students are sure to find these classes both restoring and refreshing. Participants should wear comfortable clothing. Bring a meditation cushion if you have one. Please note that space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Forest Bathing: Taking in the Forest Atmosphere
Saturday, October 7, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Member $28. Nonmember $35.
Breathe, Relax, Wander, Touch, Listen, Heal. Peel the layers of stress away and support healing by experiencing the medicine of the forest on a Shinrin Yoku walk with Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nadine Mazzola. Shinrin Yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It is unlike any nature walk you have experience before. We focus on our senses to develop an immediate connection with the forest. This is a very relaxed, slow, and mindful way of walking that has many proven health benefits. It’s fun, easy and relaxing! We’ll do a series of activities to engage our senses, hone intuition and connect with the natural world around us. Over time we have started to lose our connection with nature as more technology creeps into our lives. Wash away some of the technology induced stress of modern life and reconnect to nature.
The walk will still be on if it’s raining, unless it is a big downpour or violent storm. If it is raining it’s important to have a waterproof shell including pants, and many people bring umbrellas also. Rain often enhances sensory experience and makes for some of our most memorable walks. Please note that space in this program is limited and pre-registration is required.
About Our Instructor:
Nadine is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide and Mentor through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs and founder & Director of New England Nature & Forest Therapy Consulting. Her training includes special knowledge in guiding people of all ages in Shinrin Yoku, “Forest Bathing,” walks and the body of scientific knowledge demonstrating the benefits of spending time in nature as a wellness practice and an effective way to manage and reduce stress. As a cancer survivor, practicing good self-care is Nadine’s most important guiding principle for herself. She has come to know the healing and support that nature can offer us through her own personal wellness journey. A Massachusetts native who loves spending time wandering and exploring in nature, she is joyous to be sharing Forest Bathing with the community and creating environments for Forest Therapy. Her website is www.nenft.com. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Collage Art Workshop with Jill Pottle
Sunday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Member $80, Nonmember $100
Sunday, October 8th, join artist Jill Pottle for a Collage Workshop at Fruitlands Museum. Students will learn the basic of collaging using a vast variety of materials. This differs from mosaics and the rough putting together of images and black and white type. Often with collages no one knows where the paper starts and the drawing begins. Students will learn about composition, design, and color relationships to create a wonderful marriage between colored materials and blacks and whites. Fun for folks new to the creative arts as well as students that have been creating fine arts for years. Some drawing experience useful but not required. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Harvest Fest
Sunday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free with museum admission
Enjoy the abundance of the New England landscape at this celebration of the autumn harvest! Learn about Native a.m.erican gardening and how local Native peoples prepared for the winter long ago. See livestock raised in local farms and find fresh food sources near you. Taste local fruits and vegetables.
Inside the Art Gallery, learn about farming past in our Portraits and Penmanship: The Appleton’s in the Own Words exhibition which highlights the Appleton family of Ipswich’s Appleton Farms. Dive into the exhibition with a Curator Talk at 1pm. Have your silhouette created by a silhouette artist and create your very own Farmer Hat or Shaker Bonnet. All in the spirit of the season! For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Historic Games
Monday, October 9, 1 to 4 p.m.
Free with museum admission
Join us at the Fruitlands Museum during April School Vacation Week for some Columbus Day family fun! All kinds of toys and games replicated from the 1800s will come out of their boxes and into play at the Wayside Visitor Center. Try your hand at table-top bowling, a round of shooting marbles, spinning tops, and more! It’s the perfect excuse to get unplugged for an afternoon. Free with Museum Admission. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
Wednesday Wonderings Nature Playgroup
Wednesday, October 11, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Free with museum admission
Year-round, join us the second Wednesday of the month on the Fruitlands hillside to explore the museum grounds and trails with your preschooler. Each month we will dive into a new nature theme with stories and activities to help explore the wonder of the natural world. No registration necessary for this event.
During our Main season, May through October, this event is free with Museum Admission. Please check in at the Museum Shop and then join the group at the Wayside Visitor Center.
Please note that during our winter season, November-March this program will take place outside of our regular open hours. Admission for the program is free for Trustees members and $5 per child for non-members. When you arrive at the Museum, head straight down the Wayside Visitor Center (Green Building that will be the third building on your left) and check in with the program educator. For more information please call 978-456-3924 x291 or email cshortliffe@thetrustees.org.
