The Dorchester Arts Collaborative invites you to join us for the 4th Friday Potluck on Friday, March 25, from 7 to 10 p.m., at 11 Pearl Street, Dorchester, Mass.

The Dorchester Arts Collaborative has lots to celebrate on its second 4th Friday.  First, its SPRING!  Second, we will be showing off our new office and arts space, Studio D  (11 Pearl Street) and our current show featuring Chuck Sullivan and VIncent Crotty.  Third, we will be launching our new, fully functional and comprehensive web site for a sneak peek, and we will be asking everyone to sample a variety of chili and vote on their favorite to help us decide which  recipe to enter in the Dorchester Chilli Cook-off.

There is a BONUS for anyone who buys a painting, becomes a member or patron of DAC, or registers for Open Studios 2011 using our online registration forms (a laptop will be available): You will get the recipes for all the chili you will be tasting!

Friday, March 18, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.,  join us at DOT 2 DOT Cafe, 1739 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, Mass. Cost: $5.

Artist Renato A. D. Riccioni will discuss his artwork and journal for Sustainability Guild International www.sustainabilityguild.com.

Renato Riccioni is a recognized abstract painter and sculptor in the Italian contemporary arts community. He works with oil, acrylic, terracotta, stone, metal, concrete, paper and plastic in an abstract and minimalist style. He spent over 20 years as an award-winning director of experimental theater in Rome, where he realized over 80 full-scale theatrical productions. Renato also conducts group and individual sessions on art as therapy. He is the principal teacher for the Boston Public School/Museum of Fine Arts Scholarship Program.

Join fellow artists of every stripe! Find out what’s new, what’s needed and discuss all things related to arts, in Dorchester and beyond. Share your news, work, ideas, and dreams.  Questions? Contact us at 617. 839. 6734 | email: daclist@comcast.net.

It starts off Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at 7 p.m., at the gallery, 309 Hancock Street in Dorchester, Mass. There will be a different venue each month, including DAC’s new office and gallery space at 11 Pearl Street.  Please join us! Let us know if you plan to attend and, if possible, what you will bring for the table. We look forward to seeing you! RSVP at daclist@comcast.net.

This Friday, Feb. 18, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. join us at Gerard’s, located at 772 Adams Street, in Adams Village. What’s your take on the arts scene in Dorchester? What’s needed? What’s new? What’s not to be missed? Let’s talk about it.

Come hungry and ready to order and talk. Questions? Contact us at 617. 839. 6734 | email: daclist@comcast.net.

release: January 26, 2011

deadline: March 14, 2011

At the request of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, in coordination with the Boston Art Commission, is seeking proposals for temporary public artworks to be considered for an 18-month installation to celebrate the innovative and ecological spirit that will define Boston’s Innovation District. These artworks will serve to engage the public and act as gateways for the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) and indicators of the Innovation District and its creative community. These temporary installations are the first step of a renewed effort to bring public art to the BMIP.  Additional funding is being sought to support permanent installations through a community-wide public process.

Artists/designers/teams are now invited to forward a selection of up to three existing works and/or installation proposals for new work to be considered for this 18 month installation. There are three possible sites, artists can submit entries for one or more of the sites; however, final sitings will be determined by the selection committee.

Rachel Goodwin, pianist; Stephen Hamilton, artist; Valerie Owen, gallery owner and DAC board member; Florence Rawls, DAC co-chair; Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor at Large; Bob Thornell, artist and DAC board member; Larry Pierce, artist; Pat Burson, artist and DAC board member; Mariko Kanto, actress. Not pictured, but also present, Amy Butterfield, Destiny Palmer, artist, and Jackney Prioly, director of external affairs for Ayanna Pressley.

A hearty crowd gathered on Friday, Jan. 21, 2010, at the Hancock 309 Gallery to hear Boston City Councilor at large and Dorchester resident Ayanna Pressley speak at the breakfast series sponsored by the Dorchester Arts Collaborative.

Councilor Pressley gave an impassioned plea for arts in the schools and an endorsement of the arts in the community. In her role as co-chair of the Arts, Film, Humanities and Tourism sub-committee, Pressley is taking an active role learning about the arts scene all over Boston. She addressed the link between the economy and the arts, and how culture levels the playing field for children from different backgrounds.

The artists and arts lovers who attended each had a chance to articulate how and why they are involved in the arts, and to describe the challenges they face. Pressley then shared a concept offered by Massachusetts Cultural Council to identify and focus support on arts districts across the state.

Stay tuned for details about the next DAC breakfast gathering.

The breakfast will be at Hancock 309 Gallery, at the corner of Hancock St. and Dorchester Avenue. Come hungry for food and food for thought. Listen, learn and join an informative discussion in Dorchester’s gorgeous new art gallery and meeting space.

What’s your take on the arts scene in Dorchester? What’s needed? What’s new? What’s not to be missed?

The Dorchester Arts Collaborative breakfasts are a place to get together with fellow artists and join in discussions about all matters pertaining to art, artists, the business of arts and current arts events and thought.