This article appeared in the April 9, 2003 Cambridge Chronicle.

Out of the Blue Gallery is having its 6th anniversary two-day Birthday Reception!

A six-year sketch:

Out of the Blue celebrates mark

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

Central Square’s Out of the Blue has emerged from a trying year with proverbial, if not literal, flying colors. This weekend, the little gallery that could will celebrate six years of providing support and space to all manner of local artist and organization.

The gallery was founded in the fall of 1996 by Tom Tipton and other artists, to encourage and foster underserved craftspeople. “I wanted to reach out to those who had not been given an opportunity because of a lack of exposure or funding, or of knowing the right person,” he said. The group held shows in downtown lofts until migrating the following year to a small blue storefront at 168 Brookline St., where it remained until eviction and financial problems resulted in a move to 106 Prospect St. this past September.

Since its inception, Out of the Blue has been hanging art not just in its gallery (which has been located since September, 2002 at 106 Prospect St. in Central Square), but also in many area restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlors and even banks.

This weekend, from noon-6 p.m. on both days, the works of over 50 culturally diverse local artists of varying professional levels will be displayed. In addition to paintings and drawings, mozaics, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, wall hangings, photographs, literature books and other media will be featured; members of the public will be able to visit the gallery, meet and converse with the artists and of course, purchase art to support the gallery.

Food from Cambridge establishments, including The Middle East, the 1369 Cafes, Brookline Lunch, The Overdraught, Amelia's Trattoria and Bread & Circus, will be donated. Interactive demonstrations by noted performers Sidewalk Sam, the Cosmic Spelunker Theater and others will be ongoing, as well as face painting for children, balloons, poetry, singing, African Drum playing, mime and more.

“This year in particular has been difficult, with the move and the past tribulations with the Brookline Street landlord,” said Priestly, who noted the gallery’s new stability and the significant foot traffic the new location has attracted.

Tipton and Priestly consider their space to be foremostly an outlet for expression. “We are hoping that this reception will open our doors even further to the community of Cambridge and help our neighbors realize that our gallery is definitely a catalyst for nurturing creative growth,” said Priestly.

The two have also begun a series of weeklong receptions for politically-motivated artists or photographers. In early March, they held a benefit for photographer Eve Lyman, a missionary representing Afghans for Civil Society, which netted funds for education, food and shelter for orphans. Upcoming shows will feature Melody Winnig, whose watercolors on photographs depict scenes of nomads and holy sites in Iran and Iranian physician and artist Manijeh Zarghamee, who paints in oil in the Persian miniatures style, and whose themes include women veiled and unveiled, as well as Afghani women artists. Also upcoming is an exhibit by Iraqi painter Amal Awan of Baghdad, whose street scenes reflect the people and cityscapes of Baghdad.

April Poetry Month events will include an April 11 Tigh Fili Poetry Salon with Nola Kelley, an April 18 reading for San Francisco-based Poesy Magazine, and an April 14 multi-venue PoetryPalooza festival at 8 p.m.

Favored causes have included Cambridge’s On the Rise women’s assistance organization, the Bosler Humane Society (the largest no-kill animal shelter in New England), senior groups, and artists with mental, social and physical handicaps.

A typical week at the gallery will feature an open poetry and acoustic mic, electronic music show, prose night, improv comedy, figure drawing, sketching, African drumming, Tai Chi, women’s meeting, tarot card reading, healing art Sunday and magic workshop.

"People are always thanking us for being here and for all of the support

that we offer artists, but the truth is that without the artists and those

who appreciate the arts, we would have no reason to be here,” said Tipton.

"One of the things that I enjoy about the gallery is that it promotes poetry and prose as a genuine art form, a real way of expression,” said Priestly, who, accordingly, holds five popular literary venues at the site.

Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m. every day. For more information, please visit www.outoftheblueartgallery.com, email ootb@att.net or call 617-354-5287.