Acclaimed Acton Artist Unveils Post-It Note Exhibit

Betsyann Duval's collection can be viewed at the Bromfield Gallery in Boston.

They have become a staple in corporate cubicles, home offices and refrigerators. The little square, colorful reminder pads that we stick to surfaces so we don't forget important dates, chores or phone calls. But now, Post-it Notes have evolved into pieces of art thanks to one Acton resident's vision. Acclaimed artist Betsyann Duval has unveiled her latest exhibit, Infinite Progression – an eclectic collection of fine art created on Post-it Notes, at the Bromfield Gallery in Boston.   "I really like my work to be interactive," she told Acton Patch. "With this show, everybody feels comfortable drawing on Post-it Notes ... it's so neat." For the past three years, Duval has been making art on Post-it Notes—sometimes one a day, other times many…

• Photos (1)

Acton Actor Takes Leading Role in 'An Ideal Husband'

Ian Dowell plays Lord Arthur Goring in the Littleton production.

Ian Dowell has played a lot of roles in his lifetime. From husband to father of twins to being a self-employed database consultant for FileMaker, he's done it all. But now, the Acton actor is preparing to play the lead role in the Cannon Theatre of Littleton production of "An Ideal Husband." Dowell will play Lord Arthur Goring in Oscar Wilde's witty drama. "On the surface he seems very shallow; only concerned with wit and fashion," Dowell said of the main character. "But underneath, he truly cares about others." Dowell, who began acting in high school, said he was drawn to the show after hearing about the director. "I had heard good things about (Tatiana Ivan)," he said. "The production was with a company with which I had not yet worked. I…

• Photos (1)

Acton Resident Wins Prize in Photo Contest

Amol Mehta honored in 'Your Inspired Moments' contest.

There were 119 photographers who entered the "Your Inspired Moments" Facebook photo contest hosted by Cambridge Saving Bank, but it was an Acton resident who came away a winner. Amol Mehta received a prize from Hunt’s Photo and Video, including a gift certificate and framed print of the submitted photo, after winning the contest that asked for creative photos of places, people and images that inspired them. More than 2,000 people voted on CSB’s Facebook page to determine the 20 best entries. Mehta's work earned her a place among the finalists. The grand prize winning entry, First Snow, was by Shannon Paull. All photographers who entered the “Your Inspired Moments” contest were honored at a reception at CSB’s Harvard Square banking center…

• Photos (1)

Local Art Exhibit Showcases Work by Concord Academy Artists

Work by Jonathan Smith & Cynthia Katz will be on display until March 23 at Acton Coffee House.

Acton Coffee House will display an art exhibit featuring the work of Jonathan Smith and Cynthia Katz until March 23. Their work is displayed at the coffee house during the normal coffee shop hours. “We are very excited to showcase the work of both of these artists,” owner Hanka Ray said. "We hope that people who visit our coffee shop will find their art as thought provoking and engaging as we do." Smith currently teaches painting, printmaking and gigure drawing at Concord Academy. Katz was the Visual Arts Department head for 10 years and teaches photography at Concord Academy. Both have had their work featured at a number of exhibits. “My work explores the fragility of life, and fleetingness of time beneath the surface of commonplace …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Acton Students to Participate with Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

Violinists Phoebe Liang and Wendy Yu will perform in a semi-staged opera on Jan. 20.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following was submitted by Erin Ianni.) The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras will bring to life one of opera’s most compelling characters, Rigoletto, for a one-time-only performance of Verdi’s renowned Rigoletto. Verdi’s heart-breaking tale of love and deception has been a favorite of the operatic repertoire ever since the opening in 1851. Rigoletto, which premiered in Venice, Italy on March 11, 1851, is based on the play Le roi s’amuse by Victor Hugo. Among the participants are Acton students Phoebe Liang, 17, and Wendy Yu, Acton, 16, who will both play the violin. The story follows Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester, and the womanizing Duke of Mantua as they weave a mesmerizing tale of seduction, treachery, …

• Photos (1)

The Oscars: Did Your Favorite Film, Actor Get Nominated for an Academy Award?

Seth McFarlane and Emma Stone announced the list of nominees for The Oscars awards today, see the list here.

  Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln" led The Oscar hopefuls with 17 nominations, but Cambridge's own Ben Affleck was left off the list of hopeful for best director today when the list of nominees was announced. The Huffington Post reports that the media was abuzz when neither Affleck, Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables") nor Katherine Bigelow ("Zero Dark Thirty") made the list for Best Director.   The trio's films did make the list of movies up for Best Picture, along with a host of others, including Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" and Ang Lee's "Life of Pi." Best Actor nominees include former winners Daniel Day-Lewis ("Lincoln") and Denzel Washington ("Flight"). Jessica Chastain received a nod for her role in "Zero Dark Thirty," and will …

• Photos (1)

Auditions for Adults for The Sound of Music

Auditions will be held by appointment on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 9-10, from 7-9 p.m., at the Fenn School in Concord.

J.K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' Turns 'Harry Potter' on its Head

The famed author takes an unflinching look at British society in her first novel for adults.

  The Harry Potter series famously opens with a chapter called "The Boy Who Lived," which any of J.K. Rowling's millions of fans would tell you refers to Harry's miraculous survival after the dark wizard Voldemort attacked and killed his parents. In Rowling's new novel for adults, the first chapter could easily be titled "The Man Who Died," since the entire novel subsequently revolves around the death of the one fairly likable character. Just as Harry's status as a miraculous survivor gives him an elevated position in the fantasy series, Barry Fairbrother's status as a revered corpse reverberates through "The Casual Vacancy." The premise of "The Casual Vacancy" is that one man's death sets into motion a series of escalating events in a …

• Photos (1)

Cabaret Taking the Stage at ABRHS This Weekend

Come see the variety show that many high school parents consider the year's best entertainment bang for the buck.

ABRHS is known for their talented students who never fail to entertain sold-out audiences. The AB choruses present a number of concerts and events  each year under the direction of Jennifer Moss, but the annual “Cabaret Night” fundraiser is always one of the most anticipated concerts. The choral ensembles have been working diligently since August, rehearsing weekly, to perfect their performances. This year’s “Cabaret Night” will include plenty of comedy, dance numbers, instrumental groups, vocal music of all styles like Broadway, contemporary, and a cappella, and there’s even a TRAPEZE act! Some of the choral highlights will include “I’m Not that Girl”, an endearing ballad from the musical sensation Wicked, Rollo Dilworth’s “Freedom Train…

• Photos (3)

Charlotte’s Web Cast Delights Opening Weekend Audiences

This weekend, the final three performances of Proscenium Circus’ production will take place at ABRHS.

In recent years, Proscenium Circus has presented a number of well-acted shows – The Laramie Project and Our Town, to name two — that were not  marketed as being appropriate for all ages. Even last fall’s rendition of Robin Hood had a disclaimer attached to its publicity: the sword fighting is realistic, and may frighten young children. There is no such warning accompanying the high school theater group’s current production of Charlotte’s Web. The well-known story is told in a delightful, fast-paced manner. There exist moments of sadness as the characters confront their own mortality, and elements of danger are ever-present, but these are balanced with equal measures of glee and humor. Proscenium Circus head Linda Potter chose the show with…

• Photos (14)