All posts by Jill Kenny
Art on Thursdays at the Chelmsford Public Library
Have you heard about Art on Thursdays and wonder what that is? Each month, on the last Thursday, there is a VIRTUAL program on a different artist, or style, or art related topic. The best part about this program, is that if you register, but cannot make it- the recording will be shared with registrants! If you are curious, check out the program tomorrow night – to get into the glittery spirit of the holidays.
All that Glitters is Gold: Gustav Klimt
Austrian painter Gustav Klimt is associated with a number of artist movements including Art Nouveau and Symbolism, but in the end he developed a distinctive style all his own. This program introduces audiences to the idiosyncratic artist and reviews his famous gold paintings as well as his lesser known works. Image: Gustav Klimt, Judith (detail), 1901. Belvedere Gallery, Vienna.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/9972991
About the presenter:
Jane Oneail (pronounced OH-neel) is the founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and presents art appreciation. Jane holds a master’s in Art History from Boston University and a master’s in Education from Harvard University. Born and raised in NH, she has worked at some of the state’s most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator. Jane has also taught at the college level for more than a decade, most recently at Southern New Hampshire University. For more information visit iamculturallycurious.com
Here is the schedule for 2024. Please use the links under each month to register on zoom and receive the link. If you register for them now, zoom will send you a reminder the week before!
2024 Featured Monthly Programs:
January 25th at 7pm – Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame
Pop artist Andy Warhol famously elevated everyday objects – like soup cans – to works of fine art. His paintings, silkscreens and photography often focused on American consumerism, not just of products, but of celebrities and images themselves. This program will look at the abbreviated life, artwork and enduring legacy of the artist who predicted “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes.” Image: Andy Warhol, Campbell Soup Cans, 1960s.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11428929
February 29th at 7pm- Kehinde Wiley: Color & Splendor
Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama cemented his status in the contemporary art world as an artist that mixes Grand Manner portraiture traditions, intricate patterns and designs, and a vibrant, technicolor palette. His paintings, which most often depict contemporary African American subjects, examine visual codes for power and challenge expectations. This program explores the artist’s life and provides an overview of his works and inspiration. Image: Kehinde Wiley. Barack Obama (detail), 2018. Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11428978
- WEDNESDAY (Not Thursday) March 27th at 7pm- Fierce Females: Women in Art, Part II
Women have been barred from meaningful participation in the arts for centuries. This program celebrates the stories of an array of women artists (from the 1500s to today) who have overcome obstacles to achieve recognition and success. This program can be presented independent of Fierce Females, Part I. Image: Dorothea Lange. Migrant Mother, 1936. Museum of Modern Art.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11433878
April 25th at 7pm- Claude Monet: Impressions from Nature
Claude Monet was the founder of French Impressionism, a revolutionary style that involves working outside and rapidly executing sketchy paintings to capture momentary effects of light and shadow. Monet returned to familiar outdoor subjects throughout his career, culminating with his beloved series on the water lilies in his garden in Giverny. This program traces the artist’s life and career and includes many of his most beloved works. Image: Claude Monet. Nympheas, 1919. Musee Marmottan.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487151
May 30th at 7pm – Maxfield Parrish: Myth & Whimsy
Working in the first half of the 20th century, the NH artist Maxfield Parrish skyrocketed to success as an illustrator with his distinct saturated hues and neoclassical themes. His prolific career helped to shape the Golden Age of Illustration in the US and his fantastic landscapes and ethereal figures transported audiences to other realms. This program provides an overview of the artist’s life, inspiration, and artistic output. Image: Maxfield Parrish. The Lantern Bearers, 1908. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487819
June 27th at 7pm – Frida Kahlo: Love, Pain and Painting
Frida Kahlo has become a household name in recent years, with movies, books and countless products dedicated to her art and likeness. This program will go beyond the artist’s famous facial hair and penetrating stare and explore her life and her work, particularly as it relates to the trolley accident she survived as a teen and her passionate and often tumultuous marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera. Image: Frida Kahlo. Self-Portrait with Monkey (detail), 1940. Private Collection.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487827
July 25th at 7pm- Defining America: Illustrators and the Saturday Evening Post
The iconic Saturday Evening Post magazine reached millions of homes each week, featuring illustrated covers that spoke to the experiences of the modern American nuclear family. Explore the styles and themes of beloved illustrators including Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and John Philip Falter. Image: Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveter, 1943. Crystal Bridges Museum.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487882
August 29th at 7pm – Downeast Connections: Artists Inspired by Maine
Maine’s remote, rocky shoreline has been a beacon to American artists for generations. This program will survey the work of some of the most celebrated artists inspired by the state’s distinct landscape and way of life. The program features work by artists including Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and Ashley Bryan. Image: Frank Weston Benson, Calm Morning, 1904. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487903
September 26th at 7pm- Leonardo da Vinci: Invention & Creation
Leonardo da Vinci is a name synonymous with genius. His ideas and his work helped to define the High Renaissance in Italy and they still mesmerize audiences worldwide today. This program provides an introduction to the artist and some of his most celebrated works including The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. Image: Leonardo da Vinci. Lady with an Ermine, 1491. Czartoryski Museum, Krakow, Poland.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487927
October 24th at 7pm – Art History’s Best Dressed
Satins, silks, velvets and furs – through the years, artists have flattered their subjects with beautiful clothes rendered with awe-inspiring detail. This lighthearted program reviews some of the great fashions throughout the history of painting (with a few wardrobe malfunctions thrown in for good measure!).Image: John Singer Sargent. Mrs. Carl Meyer and her Children (detail), 1896. Tate Britain.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487943
November 21st at 7pm- Rembrandt & Vermeer: Masters of the Dutch Baroque
The Dutch Golden Age of Painting was ushered in by a prosperous middle class and a new demand for images like still-lifes, portraits and genre scenes. The undisputed masters of the era were Rembrandt and Vermeer. This program provides an overview of the artists’ careers and an introduction to some of their most famous works. Image: Johannes Vermeer, Girl with the Pearl Earring, 1665. Mauritshuis, Den Haag, Netherlands.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487945
December 19th at 7pm- Snowy Scapes & Celebrations: The Artist’s Holiday
Through the years, artists have created works both grand and intimate, religious and secular in response to the “most wonderful time of the year.” Enjoy this special overview of the variety of ways artists have captured the magic of the season. This program includes works by Grandma Moses, Salvador Dali, and Andy Warhol. Image: Grandma Moses. Christmas, 1958. Smithsonian Institute.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11487953
Apple Pie Contest 2023
The Apple Pie Contest made a successful comeback on Sunday, 11/12 after four years!
The Library’s Apple Pie Contest – back by popular demand – drew over 85 hungry tasters to sample homemade and store-bought pies and vote for the best. Twelve local bakers brought their own signature pie recipes to the tasting table. Our “Store-Bought Challenge” presented pies from Hannaford, Market Basket, Stop & Shop and Costco for the community to sample and vote for the collective favorite.
Twelve local bakers arrived with their homemade pies to be judged by our judges’ panel and the community; a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. The whole library smelled of cinnamon and apples, just like Fall should. After a round of judging on qualities from flaky, buttery crust to eye appeal to overall cooking, prizes for first, second, third and people’s choice were awarded.
Lots of people make apple pies, but do you make your own crust? Do you buy a frozen premade crust? Do you use a family recipe, or one you found online? Twelve bakers were brave enough to submit a pie following our rules:
RULES:
- All pies are to be homemade, with a homemade double crust.
- Pie filling must be just apples, with no other fruit such as raisins, cranberries, etc. with the exception of flavorings such as citrus juice or zest.
- Recipe must accompany the pie, including the type of apple(s) used.
- Contestants pre-register online on or before November 9.
- Contestants are asked to bring pies promptly at 1 PM when the library opens.
- Judging will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Winners will be announced following the judging with ribbons and prizes awarded.
We want to thank the bakers for following the rules, making delicious pies, creating an amazing apple pie aroma in the library and sharing your creations for others to try.
Who were the judges? We reached out to local coffee shops, bakeries, stores, and town departments for volunteers, and were lucky to find four discerning judges. Many thanks to the Director of the Chelmsford Public Library, Lesley Kimball, The Java Room owner, Candy Liu, KJ Caffé co-owner, Jake Markot and volunteer and resident, Sean Kenny (who filled in for a last-minute cancellation). The judges had the delicious yet difficult task of rating all 12 pies on appearance, taste, and originality, as well as agreeing on the finalists! Qualities the judges considered were visual appeal, overall flavor, if the apples were tender but not mushy or undercooked, crust tenderness/flakiness, and whether the pie was a good version of a classic apple pie. It was a lot to consider!
Which pies won? What was in their crust? What apples were used? What was their special ingredient? All were questions heard being asked by tasters as we walked among the many community members filling their plates with samples, and discussing their thoughts with others around them.
Some of the unusual ingredients from the recipes were gruyere cheese, cardamom, pecan flour, buffalo ginger, sumac, Szechuan pepper salt, orange zest, maple syrup and dark rum. If you were here and tasted the pies – could you identify those ingredients in each pie? There were lots of varieties of apples used as well: Empire, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Rhode Island Greening, Fuji, Gala, Evercrisp, and Spitzenberg. What kind of apples do you use in your own pies? Do you use one variety or a combination?
The top four pies shared some similarities in their crusts – all were simple: flour, butter, salt, cold/ice water, some added sugar or apple cider vinegar, but all used different varieties of apples.
First place went to long-time participant, but first-time winner: Pat Enwight (pie #4)
Apples used: Cortland
Second place went to: Kim Money Priddy (pie #1)
Apples used: Cortland and Rhode Island Greening
Third place went to: Scott Dreher (pie #7)
Apples used: Golden Delicious and Granny Smith
People’s choice went to: Valerie Kelly (pie #6)
Apples used: Honeycrisp and Granny Smith
The store-bought pies were hidden behind the letters A, B, C and D.
As you can see from the chart – the letter B was the fan favorite…
A=Hannaford
B=Costco
C=Stop & Shop
D=Market Basket
Go to Costco for the fan favorite pie – but be prepared as the pie is 18”in diameter (see in the picture above)!
Thank you to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the event and supporting the library. Please consider joining the Friends, as your membership directly supports the programs and special events at the library. Please click here to become a member: https://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/get-involved/friends/
If you would like to learn about more events and programs, click here to sign up for our newsletter that comes out three times a month: https://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/contact-us/signups/
If you would like to share your suggestions for next year’s event, please email Jill Kenny, Head of Programming jkenny@chelmsfordlibrary.org
September Book Brunch
In-person Art programs this fall
Summer Reading for Adults – 2023 Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt
Summer reading isn’t just for kids- and we added a new twist this year – a scavenger hunt for books read in different categories. Our most popular category (every single person filled in a title) “Read a book set in a vacation home.” Some titles: The Guest List by Lucy Foley, Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan, Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark, The Club by Ellery Lloyd, and the most popular title was Happy Place by Emily Henry.
“Read a book with one of the following appeals: funny, amusing, darkly humorous, or sardonic” drew titles like, The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis, The Gunkle by Stephen Rowley, Hope by Andrew Ridker, Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy, and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto.
Some titles in the “Read an historical fiction book set before the 20th century” category were: Dog of the Bondi Castle by Lynn Hall, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian, The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, and The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland.
If you want to ready a mystery set in another country, try one of these titles: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Inferno by Dan Brown, Private Moscow by James Patterson, A Bundt Instrument by Nancy Warren, Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten, and An American in Scotland by Lucy Connolly.
Favorite books mentioned that have been adapted into a television show were: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, and Irene Huss (adapted from the book, Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten.
Two very ambitious patrons filled in every single category! Well done!
Thank you to all who participated and hopefully read something new.
Winners for prizes will be contacted via email.
It’s all about the ingredients: From Chopped to Chicken Sisters
A good meal is an important part of our everyday lives, but you need the right recipe to get there. This month we review some of our favorite foodie fiction, cookbooks, shows, podcasts and more! Find the right flavor for your taste and cook up a perfect reading list.
TV Show: Chopped on the Food Network was created in 2009 and is still running today – hosted by Ted Allen. Contestants are asked to created an appetizer, main dish and dessert using mystery ingredients within a basket on the spot. After each course, one contestant is chopped, and the rest continue until they choose a Chopped champion. It’s inspiring to create edible food from some surprising ingredients, and fun to watch the challenges.
Food podcast: The One Recipe – hosted by Eater senior editor Jesse Sparks. Each episode
features a guest from the food world and is all about one recipe they consider their “go to.” It’s a great combination of personal stories and food. It’s been described to me as “a conversation that you love overhearing in a cafe.”
Food magazine: My all-time favorite food magazine is Cooks Illustrated. It has pictures of the recipes included in the issue on the back cover, write ups on recommended kitchen tools, and recipes – but within the recipes, there are options given, and tips to adding/changing the recipe from the test kitchen. These are magazines that I keep, not rip recipes out.
General fiction: The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia is one of my favorite and most successful suggestions. It’s an easy sell, with fried chicken, a secret recipe, dueling sister chicken joints down in Kansas where chaos ensues when the reality TV show Food Wars wants to highlight one of the sisters. Will money or family win?
General fiction: The School of Essential Ingredients: A Novel by Erica Bauermeister is a feel-good fiction involving cooking and self-discovery. Lillian hosts a restaurant in her house, but takes 8 students on to create more than just good food. Each chapter is another course, or themed dinner and focuses on a different character. Each challenge in and out of the kitchen is addressed by the characters individually, with their recipes and as a group. Bauermeister follows this with another novel from Lillian’s restaurant called, The Lost Art of Mixing.
Mystery series with cooking: Joanne Fluke serves up a series with Hannah Swensen, a
bakery owner in Minnesota. A cozy mystery series with murder, bakery goodies and colorful characters. A healthy series of 29 books, some of the titles might catch your eye: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Lemon Meringue Pie Murder, Carrot Cake Murder, Raspberry Danish Murder and the most recent, just published, Pink Lemonade Cake Murder.
General fiction: Delicious! by Ruth Reichl is so much more than a novel about food. Delicious! is a food magazine in New York City, where Billie has come from California for a new start. When the magazine shuts down, Billie stays on to answer customer’s complaints, finds a secret room with letters from WW2 that she takes to heart and starts to open her heart to love.
Memoir: From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke. Travel, food, finding oneself, finding love, embracing culture, accepting help, learning to accept differences and embracing family. This book is a sucker punch to the senses. The description of the passion for creating art through cooking is intoxicating, the love between the couple is inspiring and heartbreaking. If you have or haven’t read the book, watch the series on Netflix, which is a wonderful adaptation of the book. The page to screen works.
Fiction-thriller: The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell is a murder mystery at a baking competition TV show at an estate in Vermont. Fans of the Great British Baking show will be happy with the parallels – interviews with the contestants, background with the host and crew, the bakes! Pies, cakes and the drama when sabotage starts- unknown substitution of salt for sugar? Eliminated. An unexplained death? A great “who did it.”
Memoir: Finding Freedom: A Cook’s Story Remaking a Life From Scratch by Erin French feels
like fiction. Expecting a book about a journey through food to creating an amazing restaurant with a lottery reservation system while going through a personal hell, brings the reader on the rollercoaster with her. Mouth watering food descriptions, HGTV commentary on finding the right space, living off the land and toxic relationships. It’s quite a mouthful.
Memoir: Audiobook: Farm City by Novella Carpenter is a memoir about urban farming to raise what you eat. Her commentary was honest, hysterical and at times gross, but fascinating. The philosophy of the process to grow what you eat, to appreciate the process what interesting and informative. It’s not for my vegan friends, as the description of her learning to kill the animals she raises is not for the weak stomach. I found it riveting and would recommend it over and over.
July 21, 2023 Book Brunch
It’s summertime! Beach days, rainy days and lots of time for reading some great books!
Here is our latest list of books halfway through the summer to get your hands on for some armchair travel, time travel, self education, escapism, crime solving, question why aliens visit and learn how to hack into security systems… among many other subjects to dive into from the many books shared with the group.
This collection of titles should help add to your lists, but if you need more recommendations, come to the next Book Brunch on Friday, September 22nd at 10:30am. We meet in-person as well as have people join us via zoom. We hope you can join us next time.