Kim Barry is a painter, potter, sculptor, and art educator. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Sculpture and from University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth with an MFA in Painting. Ms Barry is an exhibiting member of The Providence Art Club and teaches painting at the club as well as member being a member of South Coast Artists, Westport Art Group, Marion Art Center and Gallery X.

Kim lives in the south coast of Massachusetts and her work is informed by this beautiful, coastal environment. “Through deep observation and my intimate response to the natural world, I finds a bounty of inspiration for my paintings. My subject matter such as fruits, flowers, veggies, or shells can often reference the human form, gesture, memory, emotion, sensuality or simply capturing the energy of a time and place.”

Peggy Call-Conley earned her BFA in Art Education in 1972 from Southeastern Massachusetts University. She found her artistic inspiration early, and a childhood move from Boston to rural Middleboro afforded Peggy solace and adventures in nature. These were reinforced when she arrived in the South Coast for college, living in New Bedford and the coastal villages of Dartmouth and Adamsville. She eventually made her home in South Dartmouth and taught art in private and public schools for 35 years. Call-Conley has traveled to the Maine coast annual for art retreats, creating photographs and paintings that reflect her passion for the ocean and rocky coastline. Graduate courses in art developed her desire to pursue fine arts further, especially with watercolor painting.

Peggy currently teaches adult watercolor classes at the Dartmouth grange and other local venues. Her acrylic and watercolor paintings are in private, local, national and international collections. She has done commissions for private home views and landscapes of sentimental value for patrons.

Call-Conley has earned numerous awards in juried exhibitions, including the 2015/16 David Aldrich Award for Excellence in the juried Little Compton Summer Art Show. She is an exhibiting member of the Marion Art Center, Rhode Island Watercolor Society and exhibits annually on the Art Drive Studio Tour in Dartmouth, Massachusetts and other local art shows. Peggy is a current Gallery Artist at True Grit Art Gallery in Middleboro and the Art Loft in Fairhaven.

Dana grew up in the small town of Mattapoisett, MA, and currently lives and works in Fairhaven, MA. He is deeply embedded in the maritime field. Dana is currently a Senior Marine Surveyor for Marine Safety Consultants, a Safety Trainer for the Fishing Partnership and he also heads up the CAT team, previously working hurricanes Francis, Wilma, Katrina and Sandy. Along side his main position, Dana is the owner and principal Surveyor of Collyer Marine Services, where he surveys pleasure-craft vessels and consults with potential buyers.

Dana served in the United States Coast Guard, both as an engineer on a 378’ cutter, sailing the South Pacific, North Pacific and Bearing Sea, as well as a small boat engineer at a search and rescue station in Rhode Island. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Mattapoisett Fire Department from 1996 – 2003, where he trained in heavy rescue, and was a certified medical first respondent.

Aside from the marine field, Dana is an avid craftsman and builder, and lifelong Jeep enthusiast, who is currently restoring his historic 1831 Federal Colonial home, and 1979 Jeep CJ. He is a creative artist who can effortlessly turn concept into reality, and has been learning the art of oil painting.

Dana is the founder of the (former) Dockside Candle Co., and a skilled Chandler who has mastered the craft of candle-making. He is very excited to share his knowledge of the craft with others.

Dana is a key-figure and supporter of the opening and operation of the Art Loft, alongside his wife, Tena.

Tena is the owner of Art Loft and longtime resident of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Along with opening Art Loft this past Spring, Tena is a coastal New England artist who works with a myriad of mediums.

Tena has been a creative her entire life, starting at a young age doing all things ‘artsy’. In the early nineties, she studied at Rhode Island School of Design and Bristol Community College where she obtained a degree in fine art / graphic design. After taking a decade long hiatus from school, Tena returned and earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts.

In the ‘pre-pandemic’ years, Tena co-owned, and was the lead designer at a successful design firm in Mattapoisett. More recently, Tena has been working independently with individuals, teaching them various art techniques in a variety of mediums.

Tena’s work can be viewed on her website, tenacollyer.com.

Anthony Days is a local artist who after a 33 year career in public safety has returned to his first love, creating art. Anthony is a member of the Marion Art Center and enjoys exploring nature and history through his illustrations, watercolors, acrylics and oil paintings. From our rural bucolic settings to seascapes he is always looking for new subject matter.

His inquisitive nature and desire to share his love of artistry with others is what motivates him to present classes like ILLUSTRATION 101. His experience in the classroom setting is rooted in over 35 years as a public safety and art educator in multiple subjects.

Bobbi Heath is an artist in love with the New England coast. Her bold colorful paintings celebrate life near the water from Rhode Island to Maine. An art enthusiast since she learned to draw as a child, Bobbi’s love of painting was kicked into high gear with the discovery of daily painting, the practice of regularly creating small paintings in a single sitting. Soon after, she was enticed outdoors by the landscape and became a plein air painter, enjoying the opportunity to paint in direct observation of the world around her. She now splits her time between Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts and coastal Maine, combining her twin passions of painting and boating.

Bobbi spent the last dozen years of her technology career dividing her time between leading teams and painting. Those experiences came together when she began teaching 12 years ago. Known for her ability to guide both beginners and more experienced painters to master technical challenges and find their own unique voice, she’s taught in-person, online, and via zoom as well as leading workshops in Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, and Provence.

Bobbi has participated in numerous Plein Air Festivals from Pennsylvania to Maine and is represented by The Drawing Room in New Bedford, MA, and Yarmouth Frame and Gallery in Yarmouth, ME.

Jim is a freelance fine art photographer based in Fairhaven, Massachusetts where he lives with his wife and fellow photographer, Carole. A former educator and administrator, Jim has blended his career with his love for photography by offering classes and presentations to camera clubs and private groups.

A former president of the Whaling City Camera Club, Jim’s work has earned awards both from local clubs and the New England Camera Club Council. His work has been shown in juried exhibitions at the Falmouth Art Center and the Plymouth Center for the Arts. His work can also be seen in local restaurants in the greater New Bedford area.

His photographs have been published in South Coast Almanac Magazine, National Fisherman Magazine, Fairhaven Neighborhood News, The Advocate, and the Fairhaven Bicentennial Commemorative Book.

Jim has studied under his mentor and friend Stan Godwin for years now, along with his cohort of Cape Cod photographers. Stan is a former The hours of work and learning under Stan’s guidance had helped to develop Jim’s creative eye resulting in his exceptional fine art photography and digital art.

A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Christine is a multi-disciplinary artist creating primarily in the mediums of painting, drawing, collage and photography. Her compositions incorporate elements of color, symmetry, contrast and space that are inspired by her transformational journeys and subsequent wisdoms; a rigorous love of texture and detail also surfaces. Her imagination additionally expands into interior design, where she provides design consulting services, formerly with Ethan Allen.

Christine displays her work in solo and group exhibitions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A self-portrait photographic series entitled “Retribution Refuse” was her first solo show in 2016 that captures emotional rebirth and remains a compelling, integral part of her portfolio.

To date, Christine has earned her Associates in Fine Arts, magna cum laude with honors, from Bristol Community College. By invitation, she completed an independent study in painting with her Mentor and Professional Artist, the late Jason Chase.

In December 2020, Christine and her partner and husband, Sean, established MaiatoFitz Art Gallery & Studio in Downtown New Bedford, where private viewings of her work are seen by appointment. Christine presently is serving again as Treasurer for Gallery X in New Bedford. From 2019 through 2022, she served on their Board as Secretary, then as Treasurer, respectively.

Christine’s most notable collaborations include her work with Ronald Fortier, international artist, documentarian and co-founder of The Artist Index podcast, where she is currently preserving and documenting posters, news articles and the like relative to Gallery X. She also was the transcriptionist for The Artist Index in 2022, archiving several local artist interviews that are currently stored at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. In 2019, Christine’s photography was featured in the “Understanding Potential Benefits and Consequences of Art Therapy in Arts Education” at Quinnipac University in Connecticut, invited by her former Professor, David Stephan Graves. He again featured Christine’s images in 2020 in “The Role of Trauma in Art, Design - Education” at Bristol Community College in Fall River.

Christine has been featured in several online magazines, including the ArtTALKS segment of the New Bedford Light, Bold Journey, Canvas Rebel and ShoutDFW, as well as in podcast interviews with The Artist Index and Odd People Podcast of Bourne, Massachusetts. She also has article mentions by local artist and art critic, Don Wilkinson, in his 2017 “Gallery X’s Annual Public Hanging Remains True to Its Non-Restrictive Roots”, as well as “Some Gems Stand Out in Wealth of Public Hanging” in 2015, both published in The Standard Times.

Christine continues to explore her creative curiosities and integrate each experience into every project!

Butch McCarthy has been painting most of his life. Starting with encouragement from his father at a young age, (Butch’s dad an amateur painter himself) to then utilizing the expert advice of countless generous artists over the years, Butch has refined his talent on his own time and his own terms without formal fine art education (what we like to call a completely self-taught artist). He began seriously painting 10+ years ago, after retiring from the business world.

His paintings have been displayed at Frying Pan Gallery on Cape Cod in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, The Drawing Room in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Gallery X, also in New Bedford. He currently works from his home studio in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Butch is also an accomplished, life-long musician. He still performs at various venues throughout Southern New England, combining music and art all year long.

David Meyers is a New Bedford based artist, craftsman and educator who received his BFA from the Temple University Tyler School of Art. He majored in painting/drawing and minored in art history. David continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he earned his MA and MFA in painting and sculpture.

David’s work is characterized as embracing drawing and mixed media materiality, using unexpected elements in unique and unpredictable ways. From painting to drawing, sculpture and beyond - David is a dedicated and lifelong artist.

In the past, David has taught classes at the University of Iowa, Boston University, The Eliot School, Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, as well as, individual private lessons.

Hi, I’m Diane. I am a writer, fiddler, dancer and lover of all things nature and I believe strongly in the power of play. A native of the Pennsylvania mountains I moved to Boston 30 years ago and pursued a career in business, although writing, art and music have always been cornerstones in my life. Nearly a decade ago, I shifted gears to explore every alternative healing modality I could find, and to focus on my art, also as a pathway to healing. I am now a Forest Therapy Guide, trained Herbalist and Positive Psychology coach in addition to my writing craft, and I love sharing the power of art, nature and positivity with others.

Free-writing was a major influence in re-igniting my own creativity and helping me find my voice. It uncovered the confidence to put my writing and artwork out in the world. Now I love leading writing circles to inspire others to break through blocks, unleash their creativity, tell their stories and find their voice.

I’m the author and illustrator of Be the Magic- Bite Sized Nuggets of Wisdom to Feed your Joy, Nourish your Soul and Open your Heart; and written articles for multiple online magazines. In my spare time, I’m a Felter and Embroiderer-anything color!

You can learn more about me at dianepienta.com including a list of my training and education but the bottom line is that my life is devoted to nature, beauty, creativity and connection, and sharing their power with others.

Lana Quann is a self taught watercolorist from New Bedford, Massachusetts. She earned her BA in Art History from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and has studied a variety of mediums. In 2018, after a 30 years hiatus from art she picked up her brushes again, this time teaching herself the complex yet magical art of watercolor. Through persistence and encouragement she created ‘The Wandering Brush’, where she shares her love for the magic of watercolor art in an everyday, simplified way using a variety of pigments, papers and brushes. Her art has a simple approach - derived from hikes, drives and travels between the southcoast of Massachusetts and downeast Maine.

Lana’s work is shown and sold in several local galleries and retail shops, as well as artisan events. Her belief is that ‘art is for everyone’, putting aside the label of ‘fine art’ and bringing fun, exploration and playfulness to her work and the classroom setting. Lana’s classes are taught in a structured method with lots of room for mistakes and learning techniques.

Jay is a watercolor painter who’s been observing places, people, and things around Massachusetts’ Southcoast for more than twenty years. He works from his Wilbur Point studio in Fairhaven. After spending thirty-four years as a public school educator - half as art teacher then as an elementary school principal - he has turned to (almost) daily practice as a painter.

Since 2012 Jay has been teaching painting at the Marion Art Center and Westport Art Group, taught as a teen mentor for the New Bedford Art Museum and taught online for the Penn Studio School in Philadelphia. Until Covid shutdowns in 2020, he has been a volunteer gallery instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, leading weekly K-12 school group tours.

Jay’s work has been exhibited at the New Bedford Art Museum in Member Shows and multiple Teen Artist Intern Program exhibits, Westport Art Group, Provincetown Art Museum, and Judith Klein Gallery, New Bedford, with solo exhibits at the Marion Art Center (2015) and Maiato-FitzGerald Gallery (2021), New Bedford and more recently the Art Loft in Fairhaven. In summer, Jay is part of the annual Art Drive in Dartmouth and Westport and has displayed his work at Art in the Park in Marion. In September of 2019 he was selected as a member of that year’s Cuttyhunk Island Artist’s Residency. His Wilbur Point, Fairhaven studio is open most days by appointment.

Jay is a graduate of Framingham State University, Lesley University and has studied at the Massachusetts College of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Danforth Museum.

Amanda is a coastal New England Creative with a love of Kid Art and for the people who make it. With over 30 years developing and implementing curriculum and training in the non- profit human services sector, appointed Human Rights officer, teaching art and meditation workshops she is passionate about creativity and self empowerment. She has served as a TA in the Anthropology Dept. at UMD and on the HSS Artists’ Association.

Morning has created her line of avocado dyed vintage clothing called Avo Maria, designed and sold jewelry, all natural soaps and body care products, fused glass and hosted Open Studio gallery events at both of her former studios in New Bedford. Morning is ecstatic to be joining Art Loft in its introductory Creativity Camp and working with children in our community.