Gifts like no others

By Michael J. DeCicco

It's more practical than you think to give a unique piece of local art as a present this holiday season, when you consider the many places you will find the work of local artisans this time of year.

While there are myriad South Coast area art galleries, here are some of the highlights for your holiday shopping spree.

Inner animals

Fall River's premier art gallery, the Narrows Center for the Arts at 16 Anawan Street, is now featuring an exhibit of masks, sculptures, paintings, and drawings by Fall River artist David Mello called "Man and Beast.” The show will be on display, with some pieces for sale, starting on November 15. "It's a look at man's relationship with animals, imagined and actual," Mello said. The images he's crafted have been inspired by world folklore and myths. It's about our common connection with the natural world, he said. "Some pieces are allegorical, some playful too and fantastical.” A big example of his exhibit's theme is the Phoenix bird piece that fronts the Narrows’ website announcement of his exhibit. His phoenix, Mello said, is part man and part bird. Like many of his pieces, they are allegories of man's symbiotic relationship with animals and nature that mankind should always keep in mind. Mello is a lifelong Fall River resident with a lifelong love of the fine arts. The children's librarian at the Fall River public library for the past 30 years said he's worked in the UMass Dartmouth theatre department, designing masks for their productions and teaching students how to use them. Mello’s passion for mask making started with his love of Halloween, he said. "I'd start planning masks for it in May or June. I fell in love with the holiday and with the mythology and folklore of masks. Masks of Greek and Celtic Gods, from classic operas. Masks are perhaps one of the oldest art forms we have. At the beginning of time, it was a way to speak to the spiritual world."

At his last show at the Narrows five years ago, Mello sold half of his pieces the first night, he said. He's realistic about his chances this time, but hopeful. "This is a different show. But it will be nice to sell a few pieces. It touches me when someone thinks enough of my work to take it home."

Pretty as a picture

In the heart of South Dartmouth's Padnaram Village, at 286 Elm Street, you'll find stunning still-life and landscape photography at the village's newest gallery, Stephanies Art Works (stephaniesartworks.com).

As the name implies, it’s all the work of owner Stephanie Costa – even the prints and resin and abstract resin art she has on display. The South Dartmouth native said she never thought of pursuing life as an artist until six years ago, just after high school, when she developed the first photo she had taken in a photography course at BCC. "I fell in love with what I could do with art," she said. "It blew me away, seeing my work appear in that dark room. I knew right from then on I wanted to do more of this." With her parents’ support, Costa opened her gallery last June. Then came the complication of the COVID lock down. "It's been a rollercoaster ride for sure." This year, she said, the rollercoaster has slowed. Sales have picked up. July was particularly strong, and "Christmas is coming up!" Costa said she just enjoys taking pictures of beauty, of the beautiful landscapes around New England and sharing that love with the community. "I just want people to come and see what I do and to be known in this community for my work."

Communal creations

Beyond the plentiful art galleries and museums in downtown New Bedford and the North End's generous selection of art studios at Hatch Street Gallery (at 88 Hatch Street, hatchstreetstudios.com), Kilburn Mills in the city's South End, at 127 West Rodney French Boulevard, features its own array of art galleries with pieces for sale. The veteran of this group is the Judith Klein Gallery, at Suite 207. The gallery and studio has been in business for 12 years, six of those years downtown and six at Kilburn. For more information visit judithkleinartgallery.com. Klein’s neighbor, the smaller Winston Gallery and Studio at suite 206, currently features the charcoal and photography work of a truly unique artist, James Dugas, from now until November 15. Dugas is deaf, but that's the least of the ways to define him. Through his friend and fellow artist Elizabeth Arruda (who signs ASL fluently), Dugas said he studied art at the Swain School of Design and Bristol Community College. But his biggest influences have been the 17th-century and other past masters of art, including Dali, Picasso, and Cezanne. Art is his best way to express himself, he said. And he loves these past masters' colors and their very visual expression of life, and that love shows in his work. "Art is communication," he said. "Art is mystery. Art is life." Winston Gallery and Studio’s owner, New Bedford native Victor DaSilva Jr., said the studio is six years old and the gallery three years old. DaSilva's own work adorns the studio portion of his suite, acrylic on canvas,canvas sculptures, and mosaics of found objects. DaSilva’s work belongs to the "Art Povera'' school. Literally translated as “art of the poor,” it is an Italian art movement originating in the late 1960s to early 1970s whose artists used non-traditional everyday materials. DaSilva's show will follow Dugas’ from November 17 to December 12. DaSilva said he has an open door policy – any artist can use his studio to create their art during his open hours. "People can drop in and make a collage or a little painting," DaSilva said. "It's my way of giving back to my art community." With COVID safety measures in effect, he asks that interested artists message Winston Gallery on Instagram for further information.

Mini muses

For a more low-key outing, the chance for children to create their own holiday gifts will be available at the Marion Art Center at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, at its Art In the Afternoon Session 3 workshop. Designed for kids ages 5-10, it is scheduled for December 3, 10, and 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. Whether you are a member or not, the class offers the opportunity for participants to make their own holiday gifts for family and friends. Projects include hand-printed dish towels, snow globes, stamped cards and wrapping paper, ornaments, and more! Masks are required for all students and anyone entering the Marion Art Center. Students will be asked to wash and sanitize hands before the beginning of the class. For more information visit marionartcenter.org.