Latest news with #Artwalk
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
This art was too a-peeling: Giant banana sculpture stolen from N.H. town.
'I love this banana. I thought it was one of the most exciting things that's happened in Franconia in a long time,' said one local artist, Alison Dodd, in a video the Artwalk organizers made about the banana's disappearance. Advertisement The same characteristics that made the artwork an instant hit in town may have made it enticing to the thief, according to Lovett. Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up 'I have to say the banana was very attractive. It was a bright color, and I think we didn't really look at the security of the structure well enough because we never had a problem,' she said. 'We're fairly naive. Now we're rethinking that.' She said the banana sculpture was particularly vulnerable compared to the other 36 or so artworks on display, most of which are bolted into concrete. It was also lightweight, and it hadn't been secured with wires or locks – the thief simply had to cut through a nylon cord attaching it to the fishing pole, according to Lovett. Advertisement Lovett said she was working on plans for a community garden when she began getting calls from people who were concerned that the banana had gone missing. Then, she said, she rushed to the scene and saw for herself that it had been taken. She informed the police and spoke with the restaurant owner. 'No one knows where the banana is,' she said. Franconia Police Chief Martin 'Mac' Cashin said his department is investigating the theft, but so far, they don't have any leads or suspects. He said there hasn't been any security footage that has yielded clues about who might have absconded with the banana. 'I'm hoping that this is a senior prank of some sort and I'm hoping that somebody will return it undamaged,' said Cashin. The artwork was created by Massachusetts-based sculptor and art educator 'The idea of someone trying to smuggle around a giant banana is just objectively hilarious, but of course I am annoyed that the sculpture can't be seen anymore,' he said in a statement. The banana was valued at $475, according to Lovett. Members of the public with information about the missing banana can call the Franconia Police Department at 603-823-7025. 'Just want that banana back,' said Lovett. This article first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, Advertisement Amanda Gokee can be reached at
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Throngs turn out for the 30th annual Balboa Island Artwalk, a treasured showcase of local artists' works
Balboa Island's South Bayfront was buzzing with activity during Sunday's annual Balboa Island Artwalk. The mile-long exhibit stretched along the seawall between Marine and Pearl avenues and was filled with paintings, ceramics, jewelry, blown glass and photography with live music performed in five bayfront yards. For the past 13 years, artist Karen Werner of Upland has been participating in the show, which is now in its 30th year. Her exhibit is set up in the same general area between Pearl and Agate Avenue. 'My work is impressionist oil painting,' explained Werner, who is also a signature member of American Impressionist Society. 'I paint mostly still life in the studio and plein air in Laguna Beach or Balboa Island.' Werner, who has been painting full-time for two decades, said she looks forward to displaying her work each year at the event. 'I love the crowd, which is always complimentary about my works,' she said. 'It's my highest selling event of the year.' As a first-time attendee, Costa Mesa resident Patti Jasinski was attracted to what Redondo Beach artist Joyce Carol calls her wearable art. The unique, handcrafted jewelry made of natural stones, semi-precious metals, shells, fossils and glass includes earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches. 'I really admire all of the thoughts and process that they use,' said Jasinski. 'Each artist is so unique.' Instead of beginning with a blank canvas, Laguna Beach artist Jeff Lavinsky paints his land and sea animals on top of vintage nautical charts and maps that match their geographical location. 'There is a series of almanac maps and nautical charts that I use to paint the animals where they're from,' said Lavinsky. There's Winston the Corgi posing in front of a vintage atlas of England, Nahoa the tiger shark swimming across a Hawaiian Island nautical chart and a marbled godwit shorebird perched on a vintage chart of Newport Beach in 1967, to name a few. The Artwalk is sponsored by Mary Hardesty Realty, which announced on its website the winners of this year's participating artist awards: The Mary Hardesty Realty Award of Excellence went to Pam Fall, a photographic watercolorist; the winner of the Mayor's Choice Award was Ernie Romo, an oil painter; the Huse Skelly Gallery Art Star Award: was given to Sangeetha Giopalakrishnan, who also paints in oils.
