McGRATHPR.com – The James Library & Center for the Arts, Norwell’s historic community arts center and lending library, presents a winter season of music, art, and literary programming, serving the South Shore community, at 24 West Street, Norwell. The James is also home to a beautiful art gallery featuring the works of local and regional artists for monthly gallery openings and exhibits. Visitors are welcome to attend the openings or view the works on display during business hours.
The James Library’s public art project features new works created and installed monthly on The James’ grounds, viewable by the public. Through the end of 2024, large scale sculptures created by local Artist Jake Basso will be installed monthly. Basso’s sculpture, “Open House,” a mixed media piece of found items of metals and other materials, is currently on display.
Jake Basso is an interdisciplinary artist living in Norwell, who creates sculptures, drawings, paintings, and poetry. His abstract and figurative sculptures are made from reused materials that he collects at construction and industrial sites. Jake is a graduate of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. His work has been featured at the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, the James Library’s gallery, and at South Shore Art Center in Cohasset. Follow @JakeBassoArt on Instagram.
~ Winter Entertainment and Events Schedule ~
Mama Steph Music, Movement, and More!
Saturday, November 9, 11 am
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted
Sponsored by First Parish Preschool in Norwell
Bring your little ones and join Stephanie Chase for traditional music, puppets, sing-a-longs, smiles and lots of laughs. Stephanie “Mama” Chase is an accomplished musician, singer, songwriter, entertainer and craftsperson. She has a vast and loyal audience throughout the South Shore, and has published three albums of her original music, with thousands of copies sold. This performance is best suited to children up to age seven.
James Library Fundraiser at Buttonwood Books and Toys
Sunday, November 10 through Tuesday, November 12
Buttonwood Books and Toys, 747 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Cohasset
Business hours: Monday, 12 to 6 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Favorite local independent store Buttonwood Books and Toys donates 20% of your sale when you mention James Library & Center for the Arts at checkout, supporting its local arts and culture programs.
A South African Perspective on Racism ~ Presented by Stewart Ting Chong
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 7 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted
Norwell resident Stewart Ting Chong shares his experience growing up in South Africa and his work in the anti-apartheid movement. Please join us for this important, fascinating, and enlightening presentation.
A Night of Celtic Music
Saturday, November 16, 7:30 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $35 general admission, $30 seniors, $20 students
Sponsored by KAF Wealth Management, Owens Corning Basement Finishing Systems of Boston and South Coastal Animal Health
*A limited number of free tickets for seniors are available, courtesy of the Cordelia Family Foundation
Effervescent and engaging, Boston-based fiddler Hanneke Cassel’s fiddle music fuses influences from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton with Americana grooves and musical innovations. Her music is a blend of the contemporary and traditional, described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.” For this duo project, Hanneke joins forces with pianist Dave Wiesler who has built a national reputation for his rhythmic and innovative piano playing, and his sensitive accompaniment of dance music, choruses, and soloists. Hanneke and Dave have played together for over 20 years, recorded together on six albums, and have toured the East coast of the United States and across France, performing concerts and playing for Scottish Country Dances.
Keith Murphy and Yann Falquet are masters of contemporary Celtic guitar, representing the compelling textures, harmonies and rhythms that the guitar has brought to traditional songs and instrumentals since the Celtic music revival in the 1970s. As singers, they bring a rich blending of the Franco and Anglo song traditions. Falquet comes with a wealth of songs from the French-Canadian tradition. He is probably best known for his work with the Quebecois trio, Genticorum, with whom he has been a driving force since the group’s inception. Murphy is a highly respected traditional singer and brings a song repertoire filled with gems from his native Newfoundland as well as Quebec and his current home, Vermont. He was a founding member of the groundbreaking trio, Nightingale.
Heavenly Holidays Fundraiser: An Evening of Spirit Messages with Lori Sheridan
Friday, November 22, 7 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $50 general admission
Experience the magic of connection this holiday season with Psychic Medium Lori Sheridan. Hope, healing, love and heartwarming message converge for one unforgettable evening in The James’ intimate setting. Join Lori for a night of uplifting mediumship messages and spiritual connections that will leave you feeling comforted and inspired. Limited to 90 guests. Secure your seat now for a truly memorable experience. Lori shares as many messages with as many people as possible during the time allotted, but while every effort is made, not all guests will receive a message. All ticket sales are final.
Lori Sheridan is a professional psychic medium and spiritual teacher dedicated to helping others make healing connections through mediumship. Her ability to deliver highly evidential messages of love and comfort from the Other-Side with compassion has brought hope to individuals, families, and audiences of all sizes. She is a certified medium for the Forever Family Foundation and a contributing author to the book Signs & Synchronicities. She is also the owner of Hope Ethereal, a spiritual center in Norwell, Massachusetts. She believes love and life are eternal.
Lasting Impressions by Coastal Printmakers
Opening Reception: Friday, December 6, 6 to 8 pm
On View: December 6 through January 18
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted
Experience the magic of printmaking at an art exhibition featuring 14 of the South Shore’s finest artists from Coastal Printmakers. Explore a stunning variety of techniques including etchings, solar plates, and monoprints, all in one beautiful gallery. Coastal Printmakers was founded in 2007 and celebrates 18 years as a community.
Art for Your Mind Presents John Singer Sargent: An American Legacy
Wednesday, January 15, 1 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
General admission: $10
Sponsored by Joseph’s Garage and Gallagher Homes
“Art For Your Mind” is an engaging, educational, art observation experience designed to broaden the minds of people of all backgrounds–artists and non-artists alike. “John Singer Sargent: An American Legacy,” explores a selection of paintings spanning Sargent’s career, lending insight into his ever-evolving techniques and subjects. From elegant society images to informal watercolors, Sargent’s extraordinary proficiency earned him both commercial success and critics’ disapproval. Join local art historian Jill Sanford for an enjoyable hour of challenging yourself to witness art in a new light!
Jill Sanford is creator and primary presenter of Art For Your Mind LLC programs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Art History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After an early background in arts administration and graphic design, her experience now spans 20 years of presenting art enrichment with a passion for making art history and art appreciation enjoyable and accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds.
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 11 to 1 pm. For more information, please call 781-659-7100, visit jameslibrary.org or follow The James Library on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
