The Institution for Savings Gallery, located on the second & first floor lobby of the Firehouse Center for the Arts, hosts art exhibits year round. Artists are invited to submit examples of their work for review and selection by our Visual Arts Committee once a year. A reception is scheduled for each show and offers a great opportunity to meet the artists.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Follow the Gallery on Social Media:
Submission Forms and Information
"School of Art" Exhibition Submission Form
"School of Art" Exhibition Guidelines (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 13TH)
Solo Exhibition Submission Form
Solo Exhibition Guidelines
Featured Artist:
Tony Lombardi
Where do the edges of these things end and the others begin?
ON EXHIBIT: July 15 - August 17, 2026
Artist Statement
Where do the edges of these things end and the others begin?
For me, there isn't a clear distinction, instead the space between one and the other is often softened and blurred. The work presented here reflects the blended cycle of exploration, explanation and integration that I am fortunate to move through as an artist, teacher and student.
As a student, I am free to explore materials, techniques, and subject matter with curiosity and free of any attachment to knowing. With a beginner's mind, my work can stay loose and free, providing the opportunity for wonder and discovery. I cherish the “not knowing” phase of my creativity. Sitting in the students seat makes me a better teacher.
As a teacher, I am tasked with synthesizing the information gathered in the curious exploration of a student and presenting others with ways of working through a similar cycle (or spiral) of exploring, understanding and integrating. When we can explain these things to ourselves and others, we can begin to integrate it into our practice.
As an artist, I am “practicing what I preach” by remaining free and loose in my work. This process reveals that our creative journey is a non-linear path and instead is a series of iterations of attempting, understanding and integrating. We learn a thing, we practice using it, we create something new - over and over.
The work you see here is a collection of pieces created in various phases of being an artist, teacher and student. I am grateful for this cycle, and this opportunity to share my work with you. I hope you enjoy viewing this work as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Artist Bio
Tony Lombardi is an artist, teacher and student living in Danvers, Massachusetts. After growing up with a creative spirit in Rhode Island for more than two decades and spending another quarter century working in youth development, Tony became a full time artist and art teacher in 2021. During this season of life Tony continues to find new ways of creating connections, community and of course, lots of art!, If you want to know more about me as an artist, teacher or student or are interested in learning more about any of the work you see here, you can find me online at www.ynotcreate.net, on Instagram @ynot_create and in person, teaching classes at Slow River Studio in Topsfield.
Past Artists
Johanna Finnegan-Topitzer
FOREST, SEA, AND MYTH
ON EXHIBIT: November 30 - December 25, 2022
ARTIST RECEPTION: December 10 from 3pm-5pm
About the Artist Animals have long been important to humans and our ancestors created many tales about them. They imagined animals as taking part in creation tales or looked to them to explain why things are the way they are today. Many of the pieces in this exhibit were inspired by folktales and mythology. They draw from many cultures. It is fascinating to see how humans have respected the animal world and given them credit for so many aspects of life. I hope my artwork might inspire contemporary humankind to have the same respect for wildlife and consider the importance of each species as part of the Earth’s ecosystem. The natural world and how humans have perceived it are themes that run through my work. I am fascinated by the folklore and mythology of cultures around the world, especially as it relates to animals. In our human history and oral tales there is much respect for our fellow creatures, but this does not always play out in how we treat them. With my art, I hope to rekindle that sense of awe and respect for other living creatures and hope we humans can turn around our destructive nature to enable all life to survive on this planet.Artist Statement
Artist Bio
My creative process involves exploring in nature and taking reference photos. I then come back to my studio and start with simple sketches. I paint my animals with gouache which allows me to get subtle details. I use cut colored paper to create plants and landscape elements and define their details with pen. All these components are made separately and then adhered to a solid color background.
I grew up on the Northshore of Massachusetts but have lived many places. Whether I was living in the Rockies of Colorado, the green fields of Ireland, the tropical island of Taiwan, or the beautiful Northeast of the U.S., I have always been inspired by the wildlife that has surrounded me. But above all, I am a New England artist as this is my home.
Anne Silber
LIMITED EDITION SERIGRAPHS
ON EXHIBIT: November 2 - 27, 2022
Artist statement
These works are limited edition serigraphs, or silkscreen prints, hand-printed by me using hand-cut lacquer film stencils. The inks are mixed with a large percentage of transparent base, allowing for the visual “blending” of overlaid tones, creating an effect like that of well-controlled watercolors.
My work emphasizes the graphic qualities: form, line and especially color relationships. I enjoy working with colors in an almost musical sense, creating harmonies and occasional dissonance with the combination of tones. Many of my works also explore the possibilities of light and shadow, with shadows becoming as much an interesting and integral part of the composition as the objects casting them.
Many of my landscapes and cityscapes are inspired by my love of foreign travel and the many countries I have been privileged to visit, others by the beauty of Boston and the surrounding area. Alternately, working in the realm of still life allows me the luxury of control in creating a small, ordered universe, with all elements carefully chosen and arranged.
My work has been shown in numerous one-person and group exhibitions around the U.S. and Europe, and my prints are included in many corporate and museum collections. In addition, my serigraphs have appeared on the sets of over one hundred feature films and TV series, including “Grey’s Anatomy”, “The West Wing”, “The Departed” and “The Bucket List”.
Artist Bio
Born in New Jersey, Anne Silber studied at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and has lived and worked in the Boston area since 1977. Silber's work has been shown in numerous one-person and group exhibitions around the U.S. and Europe, and her prints are included in many corporate and museum collections. Her work has also appeared on the sets of a large number of television series and major motion pictures.
Jim Kociuba
THE KOMOREBI PAINTINGS
ON EXHIBIT: October 5 - 30, 2022
Artist statement
The subject of this series of paintings are tightly cropped tree studies is a variety of seasons. The common thread in this work is my goal to portray light that passes through as well as light that bounces off of the leaves. The Japanese language have a single word, Komorebi, which describes light that passes through the leaves of trees.
My process is a deliberate building up layers starting with the sky, branches, and finally diagonal pixels to appear as the shapes of leaves. I chose the diamond form to represent the leaves as it tends to mimic the movement of leaves in a breeze. Although the process may appear to be tedious, my state of mind while painting these is quite relaxed, similar to that of meditation. My intent is to bring the viewer a sense of being closer to the slowed pulse of nature with these paintings.
Artist Bio
Jim Kociuba was raised in Woonsocket, Rhode Island in a first generation Ukrainian and French Canadian household. My first exposure to art was gazing up at the amazing frescos in St. Ann’s Church on Sunday mornings. I studied studio art and art education at Rhode Island College and Rhode Island School of Design. My work as a high school art teacher took me to New Hampshire, where I taught at Hopkinton High School for 31 years. In 2012 I retired from teaching and have been privileged to be painting full time while living here in Massachusetts.
Rosalie Cuticchia
IN THE ABSTRACT
ON EXHIBIT: August 10 - September 18
Reception on Sunday, August 14 from 2:00-5:00 PM.
Artist statement
An American Contemporary Artist, Rosalie studied with the late Oil Painter Enrico Donati. Her work with Donati laid a classical foundation that informed her evolution from representational to abstract art. Her paintings are non-conceptual and process driven. They celebrate color form, shape and share dynamic, expressive, lyrical qualities.
“I've been asked countless times how I create an abstract painting. I answer that say work is process-driven, intuitive’. I talk about color, shape relationship, and line. While that is true, it’s also true that sometimes I have no idea how a painting appears, and how those layers of paint speak to me, and for me. That moment when color, shape and line transform into a beautiful, provocative composition is impossible to describe. It's a mystery how a painting finally sparks to life. One that I will continue to happily explore.”
As a juried member of the storied National Association of Women Artists, Rosalie exhibits extensively. Her work is held in private collections around the country, and she is currently preparing for her 7th solo show. She lives in Newburyport and keeps a sun-filled studio in Amesbury.
Diane Maroun
ON EXHIBIT: June 29 - August 7
Reception on Saturday, July 9 from 2:00-5:00 PM.
Artist statement
Born and raised in Methuen, MA I was taught to draw at first by my Mother who was an artist and took lessons after that through public school. I received an Associate of Arts Degree from Bradford College in Bradford, MA and a Batchelor's Degree in Fine Art at The School of the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, MA. Since then I have painted with different groups and on my own. I ran The Andover's Artists Guild Art in the Park outdoor art show for many years, helped several organizations run shows of their own and participated in many group shows.
Paige VaughAn
SWEET-PEA'S DREAM
ON EXHIBIT: May 18-June 26, 2022
Reception on Saturday, May 28 from 1:00-5:00 PM.
I am Just a lady, Following a Dream.
As a Self-Taught Artist, I have always enjoyed trying new techniques and styles. Growing up, I was very lucky to have a grandfather who encouraged me and bought me countless supplies to explore my natural artistic tendencies. He himself was a Newburyport Native, so it seems fitting that I have a show here.
You will see I have developed 3 distinct styles:
- Palette Knife Landscapes
- Repurposed “JUNK” into vibrant Textured art pieces
- Abstract
After 30 years of Painting, I was encouraged to share my Artwork with the world.
The response has been absolutely amazing. I am kicking myself that I didn't open up earlier.
I am thankful to have a loving and encouraging husband and an amazing pup. They keep me grounded and balanced, inspiration for many of my paintings.
My friendships are filled with strong willed women, and we try to encourage each other to reach for the STARS. I am forever grateful for our village and the strength it brings to all of us. The future excites me, and all the possibilities it may bring.
I truly hope you enjoy what you see.
John Sheedy
ALONG THE MERRIMAC
ON EXHIBIT: March 30-May 15, 2022
I began this series of painting in the Winter of 2020
The 117 mile long Merrimac River begins at the juncture of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee Rivers in Franklin, NH and empties out into the ocean between Newburyport and Salisbuty
Looking across the river at the houses and buildings affords a unique panoramic view that, in my opinion, makes for a compelling subject matter.
The mos efficient way to paint dozens of homes and businesses in a detailed manner is to directly from phots, although the treatment of the sky and the water is more impressionistic than realistic.
My hope is that people enjoy viewing these works as much as I enjoyed painting them
About the Artist
I began painting and drawing during my years as a student in the Boston Public
Schools. I studied at Mass College of Art for 2 years and went on to finish my
education at the University of New Hampshire, where I worked extensively in the
printmaking department. After graduating from college, I taught art at several local
public schools and also served as an apprentice at Fox Graphics, where I helped print
numerous editions of lithographs, etchings and monoprints.
For the last 20 years, I have been painting landscapes, which are on display at
my gallery next to my home in Newbury.
I have been in several shows at the Newburyport Art Association, The Firehouse
Gallery, Seaport Art and Antiques in Newburyport, The Banks Gallery in Portsmouth, and
the Barn Gallery in Ogunquit, among others.
Although I have worked in watercolors and various print media throughout the
years, I now work mainly in oil on canvas.
OpArt
Joyful Quilt
ON EXHIBIT: February 16 - March 27, 2022
The OpArt program, founded in 2004, is a partnership between the Newburyport Art
Association and Opportunity Works with a mission is to encourage and support individuals
with disabilities to fulfill their life’s ambitions through the creative process. OpArt provides
participating artists with artistic training to professionally create, exhibit, and market their
artwork. The program is managed by Jenna Signore and Michele Champion, with volunteer
assistance from Michelle Gray, Christine Molitor Johnson, Susan Leck, and Tara McQuaid.
OpArt is dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities to enrich their lives through
creative expression and artistic practice by providing art instruction in a variety of mediums
and techniques. Open studio sessions are held weekly at the Haverhill and Newburyport
Opportunity Works locations. Artists are encouraged to work freely with materials offered
(paint, pastels, collage, drawing, sculpture, etc.) to create artwork centered on a particular
theme or may choose to work independently. All forms of expression are encouraged, and
the result is artwork that is unique, vibrant, and innovative.
Nicole Dombrowski, Mixed Media Artist
Puzzle Art
ON EXHIBIT: January 5 - February 13, 2022
About the ArtistNicole Dombrowski first studied art in high school, and she has continued her art education through art classes and her art therapy. Nicole recently completed a delightful series of mixed media art using puzzle pieces on canvas and wood. Her exhibit of Puzzle Trees and Puzzle Letters will be on exhibit at the Firehouse Center for the Arts Institution for Savings Gallery from January 5th through February 13th.
