The James Library & Center for the Arts Presents Spring Entertainment and Events Series

The James Library & Center for the Arts, Norwell’s historic community arts center and lending library, presents a spring season of eclectic music and literary entertainment and art gallery events serving the South Shore community at 24 West Street, Norwell.

~ Spring Entertainment and Events Series ~

Gregg Pauley Piano Concert

Sunday, February 7, 3 pm

Tickets are $25 adults, $22 seniors, $10 students

Gifted pianist Gregg Pauley returns to The James to continue his Beethoven Piano Sonata series with Season III, The Late Period, featuring Sonata in G Major (Op. 79), Sonata in E Major (Op. 109), and Sonata in A-flat Major (Op. 110). Pauley himself performs the sonatas and discusses them with the audience. Sponsored by Stewards of the Steinway and Harbour Insurance. A limited number of free tickets for senior citizens are available, generously sponsored by the Cordelia Family Foundation.

Trio Tremonti

Sunday, March 6, 3 pm

Tickets are $25 adults, $22 seniors, $10 students

Trio Tremonti presents three internationally-acclaimed artists, joined together with a deep musical bond: Mexican-born violinist Saul Bitrán, Chilean cellist Jan Müller-Szeraws, and Israeli pianist Sally Pinkas. These distinguished musicians will join us for an afternoon of trios by Ravel, Dvořák, and Turina. Sponsored by the Chilman Fund, the Cordelia Family Foundation, the Douglas Perry Fund, and HUB International, New England. A limited number of free tickets for senior citizens are available, generously sponsored by the Cordelia Family Foundation.

Story Slam: Funny Business

Friday, April 1, 7:30 pm

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door

Hosted by Andrea Lovett of Massmouth

Enjoy the Moth Radio Hour, “This American Life” or love live storytelling? This event is for you! Now a third annual event at The James, a story slam is a contest of words by known and undiscovered talent. Share your true five-minute story on the topic of “funny business” in front of an audience and a team of local judges. Submit your name to participate; ten lucky names will be drawn to tell their stories and prizes will be awarded. Each of the featured stories will be judged on how well it is told, how well it is constructed and how well the story explores, connects and reveals some truth about the theme. There will be laughs, maybe some tears, a cash bar and thoughtful stories told from the heart. Audience members who want to listen to stories are also a must! Sponsored by U.S. Wealth Management and Lynch, Mallor, Marini, LLP.

Michael Tougias, The Finest Hours

Friday, April 8, 7:30 pm

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 students

Author Michael Tougias joins us to discuss his book The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue, now a major motion picture. Tougias’ slide presentation about the heroic 1952 Coast Guard rescue off the coast of Cape Cod will have you visually reliving the adventure. He’ll share stories about the filming of the movie, which took place around the South Shore in 2014. His presentation includes his account of the harrowing attempts to rescue the seamen, especially focusing on four young Coast Guardsmen who must overcome insurmountable odds to save the lives of 32 crewmen stranded aboard the stern of the Pendleton. Standing between the men and their mission were towering waves that reached 70 feet, blinding snow, and one of the most dangerous shoals in the world, the dreaded Chatham Bar. Sponsored by Jackson Ltd. Real Estate, Old Derby Animal Hospital, and Axiom Architects. Sponsored by Norwell, Scituate and Hingham Cultural Councils. A limited number of free tickets for senior citizens are available, generously sponsored by the Cordelia Family Foundation.

Sarah Gardner Spring Sing-a-Long

Saturday, April 9, 10:30 am

Admission is free!

Celebrate spring with interactive songs by children’s entertainer Sarah Gardner. This event is fun for the whole family, especially children ages 3-6! No charge, but donations at the door are appreciated. Sponsored by First Parish Preschool of Norwell.

Books in Bloom

Opening Party: Friday, May 6, 6-9 pm

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Open Exhibit: Saturday, May 7, 10 am to 1 pm

Exhibit admission is free!

Welcome spring! The James is filled with creative flower arrangements depicting favorite books selected by thirty South Shore artists. Support the James by attending this festive benefit party celebrating the magical combination of books and flowers. The party features live music, light fare, a cash bar, and spectacular artistry. Sponsored by Jennifer and Mark McGreenery, proceeds benefit the library.

A limited number of free tickets are available to senior citizens thanks to a generous grant by the Cordelia Family foundation for the Gregg Pauley, Trio Tremonti, and Michael Tougias events. Some restrictions apply. For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact the James at 781-659-7100 or jameslibrary@verizon.net.

~ Spring Art Gallery Series ~

The James Library is home to a beautiful community art gallery featuring the works of local artists for monthly gallery openings and exhibits. Visitors are welcome to attend the openings, or view the works on display during business hours.

Robert Beaulieu

On view February 5 through March 2

Free opening reception on Friday, February 5, 6 to 8 pm

Robert (Bob) G. Beaulieu, a 36-year Scituate resident, graduated from the Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, where he majored in Illustration art. After a service commitment he moved to the Boston area and started working in the advertising profession, while at the same time attended and continued his studies at the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston. Moving to Scituate in 1979, Bob started his association with the Scituate Arts Association, started his own ad agency and became active in the South Shore Art community.

His primary medium is oil, and alla prima plein aire studies, but always welcomes commissions and other assignments. Many times, all seasons of the year, you may pass Bob painting next to his classic red MGA at one of South Shore’s picturesque locations.

Coastal Printmakers: Make It Your Own

On view March 4 through 30

Free opening reception Friday, March 4, 6 to 8 pm

Coastal Printmakers, a local consortium of printmakers, features new prints that are created by responding to art pieces that each printmaker chooses as an inspiration. This show’s challenge is utilizing another artist’s well-known work as inspiration to create one’s own image. This exhibition showcases a variety of printmaking techniques by creating original prints including etchings, solarplates,and monoprints. The exhibiting artists are or have been students of Esther Maschio, a master printmaker who has taught continually at the South Shore Art Center for over twenty years.

Marcia Ballou: Sunshine

On view April 3 through May 4

Free opening reception Sunday, April 3, 4 to 6 pm

Artist Marcia Ballou creatively pieces colorful paint, papers and cloth together in an intuitive splash of whimsy.

Ed Nute: Untitl-Ed

On view May 13 through June 1

Opening reception on Friday, May 13, 6 to 8 pm

Long recognized Plymouth-based photography artist Ed Nute presents a retrospective collection of his work covering more than two career decades. In contrast, some new photography from over the last year will demonstrate growth, and reveal the advances in the photography medium. This anthology features film and digital photos from over the years, including landscapes and Nute’s acclaimed studio still life pictures.

Judy Quinn

On view June 11 through June 30

Opening reception Friday, June 11, 5 to 7 pm

Artist Judy Quinn’s current work deals with an abstract idea of the currents, forces and energy that move around the earth. Be it oceanic gyres, typhoons, winds, rivers, fish shoaling, birds flocking, leaves falling; everything feels a pulse and a rhythm. She has tried to depict this feeling of involuntary movement, natural flow that affects living creatures everywhere. It may even be a metaphor for human flight and the change in global weather patterns. She tries for a minimalist approach, using repetitive marks that build upon each other and flow around the painted ground. Some mimic shoaling fish or bird flight. Some seem more aboriginal and earthbound.

For more information about The James Library’s programs and events, please call 781-659-7100, visit www.jameslibrary.org or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the James Library & Center for the Arts

Since 1874, The James Library has served the South Shore community as a warm gathering place. Housed in a landmark Victorian in historical Norwell Center, The James is dedicated to serving the community by providing high-quality programs, resources and materials through a concert hall, art gallery and the operation of a free lending library. As an independent, non-profit arts center we foster a mission for the creation, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts for residents of all ages on the South Shore, while preserving the historic character of our home. The James Library is located at 24 West Street, Norwell and is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 pm and on Saturday from 10 to 1 pm. The library is closed on Saturdays during July and August. For more information, please call 781-659-7100, visit www.jameslibrary.org or follow us on Facebook.