The Summer Fling

at the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce

1st July - Art

Free Admission | Starts 7.30pm | Finishes 10.00pm

Experiencing Di�erent Mediums

If you have ever wanted to see artists working in their chosen medium and ask them

questions - this is your opportunity. Ceramists (Items for sale) - Julie Apap, Zell

Osborne, Talia Maggi, Sculptors (Metal, Stone, Wood) David Mifsud, Sergio Gauci,

Martin Bezzina Wettinger. Art Academy and Faber-Castell with Clinton Carter -

Sample acrylics, oil paints, frames, ceramic materials, canvases and easels.

2nd July - Comedy

Free Admission | Drinks 7.30pm Performance 8.30pm

Commedia dell'Arte - ARLECCHINO’S LOVE POTION

An original Commedia dell’Arte farce by Narcy Calamatta. A story of love,

mischief and happy endings. Light hearted entertainment perfect for a

summer evening. Malcolm Vella King as Arlecchino, Anna Bassily as Cinders

and Narcy Calamatta as Pantaloon. Performed in English.

3rd July - Music

Free Admission | Starts 7.30pm | Finishes 10.30pm

'Iskay' Latin American Music

'Iskay is a band with unique taste and international soul.' Their music

is a fusion of cultures comprising of members from Peru, Australia and

a female singer from Malta.

An evening of lively Latin American music in the palace courtyard.

FOCUSJune 2009 - Issue no11

Magazine of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo de la Salle, 219, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1116

Tel: 21244400 21244339 - www.artsmalta.org - info@artsmalta.org

EditorialFOCUS - June 2009

2

The year 2009 has now seen new faces connected with the Society. First and foremost the new President of the Republic of Malta, Dr George Abela, who has already graciously accepted to be the Patron of the Society; a new President of the Society in the person of Joseph J. Mifsud; and three new Council members, Prof. Lino Briguglio, Roberto Buontempo and Saviour J. Zammit. The gradual and unavoidable change shows the strength of an institution, as is happening in the Society now in its one hundred and �fty-seventh year of existence. The cherished history of the Society will only be sustained by the active interest of the members and by the hard work put in by the sta� and the Council members.

The frequent visitors of Palazzo de La Salle are seeing and appreciating the transformation of these premises. A relatively large amount of money has been disbursed by the Society to enhance the building making it a place where teachers, students and gallery users enjoy working in a pleasant and clean environment. The restoration works on the façade in St Nicholas Street and of the outside walls surrounding the Sala dei Cavalieri are in hand and proceeding under the supervision of Architect and Civil Engineer Amanda De Giovanni of the Restoration Unit of the Works Division (Ministry of Resources and Rural A�airs). Another project to be considered by the Council concerns the restoration and rehabilitation of the courtyard and the basement. However, as the Society lacks the means for the preparation of speci�cations and for the supervision of works, arrangements for this task must be sought elsewhere. Other works which contribute towards the embellishment of Palazzo de La Salle and the convenience of teachers, students, exhibitors, visitors and sta� are being considered by the Council but it is premature to give details at this juncture.

Upgrading the building even to a mint condition would be useless unless it is kept alive through programmes and activities throughout the year. In this respect it surely cannot be said that the Society lacks the necessary initiative for organising diverse courses, exhibitions and music concerts. For next year the calendar of events is already taking shape and the next six months are fully booked with a range of events taking place including the Membership Exhibition, the summer events and National Arts Competition. The summer courses, detailed elsewhere in this issue are indeed popular and are attended by hundreds of students young and not so young.

The Society is now seeing a larger attendance of members at all events which is very rewarding for the administrative sta� and is encouraging the Council to keep the palace alive with artistic and cultural programmes. This notwithstanding, the Council would like to see more interest and involvement by members who really can contribute towards the improvement of activities held by the Society. Indeed the Council would welcome and actively consider any suggestions by members, meant at keeping the place alive with programmes energetically pursued and organised by the administrative sta� of the Society.

EditorialEditorial

appreciating the transformation of these premises. A relatively

dei Cavalieri are in hand and proceeding under the supervision

courtyard and the basement. However, as the Society lacks the

dei Cavalieri are in hand and proceeding under the supervision

Aquatess Marketing Limited, Mdina Road, ZebbugT: 21464243 E: aquatess@waldonet.net.mt

Past ExhibitionsFOCUS - June 2009

3

The Gallery Past Exhibitions

‘Lost Horizons’Photographic ExhibitionCharles Mifsud

9th January to 22nd January 2009Contact: charles.mifsud@go.com.mt

‘ArtGems’Collective Exhibition of PaintingsMary Clare Albanozzo, Louis MifsudMartin Formosa, Joseph Spiteri Staines5th to 21st February 2009Contact: c/o staines@onvol.net

‘Emotions in Stone’Exhibition of Limestone SculpturesCharles Bonnici

27th February to 20th March 2009Contact: bonnici.charles@gmail.com

‘Retrospective 1969 – 2009’Exhibition of PaintingsEman GrimaFeaturing photographic work by Jeannot Kuenzel27th March to 18th April 2009Contact: eman001@maltanet.net

‘Anime Delle Terre’Exhibition of Ceramic WorkPaul Vella Critien

25th April to 9th May 2009Contact: pcritien@maltanet.net

‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Struggle Fest’Exhibition of PaintingsGabot Goslin

29th May to 13th June 2009Contact: cgoslin@gmail.com

The Society gallery has been alive with exhibitions during the �rst 5 months of this year. Here is a taste of what has been on show from January to May.

If you would like to be added to the guest list for future events or want to enquire about use of the gallery space, please contact us on events@artsmalta.org.

News

5

FOCUS - June 2009

4

Sixty one years of membership On the 10th December 1948 Notary Paul Pellegrini Petit became a member of the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce. The President of the Society Mr Joseph J. Mifsud, presented a bronze medal and certi�cate to Notary Pellegrini in recognition of his long, continuous membership. The presentation was held at his residence in the presence of his wife and family.

Mr Stephen Sant'Angelo Hon. Sec, Notary Pellegrini Petit, the President of the Society

Mr Evarist Bartolo visits the Society Mr Evarist Bartolo was invited to visit Palazzo de La Salle which he did in March of this year. He was met by the then Acting President of the Society, Mr Joseph J Mifsud and Members of the Council and spoke with the administration sta�. He was shown the various classrooms and exhibition gallery, stopping to talk with teachers and students attending the classes at the time. He expressed his appreciation of the work carried out by the Society.

Mr Francis Galea, Mr Joseph J Mifsud, Mr Evarist Bartolo and Mr Stephen Sant'Angelo

American Ceramic Artist - Coreen Abbott

'Still Life: The Power of the Object' - Public Presentation7.30pm Friday 26th June 2009 - Free Admission, Booking required.

Mould Making and Surface Design - Ceramic Workshop9am to 4pm Saturday & Sunday 27th & 28th June 2009 - Eur45, Booking required.

Lunchtime Vocal Recitals The month of May began with the Johann Strauss School of Music organizing three vocal recitals at Palazzo De La Salle. The well attended lunch time events were a �rst for the Society and may in the future become a regular feature. Soprano Rosabelle Bianchi and pianist Caroline Calleja performed during the �rst recital, tenor Charles Vincenti and pianist Caroline Calleja rendering during the second, with Bianchi, Vincenti and Calleja performing arias from operas by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Puccini and Camilleri for their �nal recital.

Cultural Tour in Gozo Another fully booked Cultural Tour, organised by the Society for members and students, headed o� to Gozo on a thankfully bright day at the end of April. The group visited the Kola Mill in Xaghra, the Mekren Bakery in Nadur followed by an afternoon at the Ta’ Mena Complex, in the Limits of Marsalforn, amongst the citrus and strawberry �elds.Member of the Society selected for a

prestigious International Festival in Croatia‘Adventurous Intervention’ is the title of a freestanding stoneware sculpture by local ceramist Valerio Schembri chosen for participation in Ceramica Multiplex 2009 a ceramic exhibition that opened in Varazdin, Croatia on 18th April. The exhibition with the theme of “Nature as Adventure” included a total of one hundred and �fty ceramic works from forty-three di�erent countries selected from �ve hundred and �fty original submissions received from all parts of the globe. The selected pieces were displayed in the City Museum and the exhibition which formed part of the Third International Festival of Ceramics 2009 remained open till 24th May. The Maltese ceramist who has been a member of the Society since 2006 was also invited to make a �fteen minute presentation about his works in the Artists’ Show held following the opening of the exhibition.

www.valerioschembri.com

Society Teacher and Member attend a course for Water Gilding & Painting Techniques for Italian Fine Cabinetry in FlorenceJoe Fenech, the Gilding teacher of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, and Charles Agius, a Society member, attended a �ve day course in Florence supported by the Lifelong Learning Programme Grundtvig from the European Union Programme Agency. The aim of the course was to give students a sound knowledge of techniques in water gilding with 22 karat gold leaf, silver and imitation gold. Demonstrations and lectures were part delivered by Signor Roberto Passari, who taught for many years at the Opi�cio delle Pietre Dura di Firenze, and is no stranger to Malta having restored the gilded frame of Caravaggio’s painting ‘The Beheading of St John’. Painting Techniques were taught by Alison Woolley Bukhgalter.

Caption: Joe Fenech (left) and Charles Agius (right) with Alison Wolley Bukhgalter and Roberto Passari.

€980 raised during the Fund Raising DinnerThe Fund Raising Dinner returned to Villa Arrigo for this year’s event with almost 150 guests attending. The Society organizes this annual event in aid of the Special Projects Programme, an initiative to help talented art, crafts and music students further their studies. Nineteen students were awarded a three-month scholarship under this programme last year; this year 20 students will be receiving a similar scholarship.

Guests enjoyed a sociable evening over a generous, well selected menu followed by a ra�e with prizes donated by various sponsors. The President of the Society, Mr Joseph J. Mifsud, thanked all those present and the sponsors namely, BOV, Alka Ceramics, ETV & Balay, Firm Joseph Filletti, Photocity, V&F Portelli, Vee Gee Bee Art, Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, Cavalier Hotel, Saracino Café, Simonds Farsons Cisk Ltd, A&M Print, CSD Stationers, members Salvina Grech, Carmen Ellul, Nadine Micallef Grimaud, Elizabeth Borg, David Camilleri, Mary Clare Albanozzo, Josette Agius Fardell, Maria Cauchi, and students Mary Bonnici, Dorothy Ebejer, Maria Farrugia, Fatima Hima, Theresanne Scalpello, Mary Cassar, Grace Portughese, Rita Fenech, Antonia Farrugia and Antoinette Sinagra.

ActivitiesFOCUS - June 2009

6

Displaying some 30 canvases each, both artists are inspired by nature and turn to a vibrant palette to express themselves.

Emmanuel has a series of works heavily in�uenced by the imagery of horses, capturing their dynamic energy, these paintings are dominated by surrealist and abstract characteristics, he says ‘the movements of the colours from transparent work to �gurative re�ect harmony between strength and peace’. His landscape paintings are also a feature of this exhibition alternating between reality and imaginary. He believes that many of the vivid colours that he uses are evident in the natural Maltese and Gozitan landscapes.

Emma who is originally from England, has had recent success with two solo exhibitions; ‘Dawn’ in 2008 and ‘Solace’ in early 2009. She describes her work as ‘enigmatic, abstract and contemporary art inspired by the wild, natural and tranquil beauty of Gozo and the Mediterranean Sea’. Although using vibrant colours, Emma prefers not to combine too many in one artwork; she enjoys shades and tones from the same spectrum and adds ‘my work is simplistic – meaning uncomplicated’.

The opening will be held at 7.30pm on Friday 7th August and all art enthusiasts are welcome to attend.

During the London College of Music Annual Concert, which was held at the Casino Maltese on 29th May, 55 candidates who achieved a Distinction received the LCM Grades Certi�cates. The presentations were made after the concert by the President of the Society, Mr Joseph J. Mifsud and Mr Godfrey Turner, the LCM Examiner who was in Malta for the Spring Practical Examinations. The programme included performances on the piano by Katya Farrugia, Mark Anthony Bonello, Christabel Borg, Marija Carbonaro, Amy Marsh, Eucharist Gravina and Rachel Gauci. Jean Pierre Stanyer and Marita Cassar played the clarinet, Carmel Cachia with the euphonium, William Smith and Neil Sammut on the guitar and Valentina Cassar performed vocally. The event was very well attended.

Pianist Katya Farrugia playing Prima Carezza by Costantino De Crescenzo

8th National Art Competition and Exhibition Already in its eighth year, the 2009 art competition will be inaugurated and prizes awarded on the 1st October. Members of the Society will shortly be receiving application forms and regulations to begin considering their entry. Non members should contact the Society for information to be forwarded to them. The exhibition of works will run until the 23rd October and a full length feature will appear in the next Focus publication.

Prizes co-sponsored by Art Academy and Faber-Castell.

Annual Membership Exhibition By the 25th May deadline, over 60 people had applied to take part in the Annual Membership Art Exhibition. This exhibition o�ers the full membership the opportunity to exhibit in the Society Gallery. The inauguration will be on the 25th June and will run until the 16th July, opening hours Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30pm. Highlights will appear in the next Focus edition.

‘Inspiration and Serenity’

LCM Grades Certi�cates Presentation

FINE ARTISTS, FELLOW GOZO RESIDENTS AND FRIENDS, EMMA BORG AND EMMANUEL PREVI WILL BE EXHIBITING THEIR PAINTINGS IN A JOINT EXHIBITION, ENTITLED 'INSPIRATION AND SERENITY', IN THE SOCIETY GALLERY FROM THE 7TH TO THE 28TH AUGUST 2009.

Past EventsFOCUS - June 2009

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Sharing Information

The Council of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce

Identity by Design with Mark Schembri7th May

Artist, graphic designer and teacher Mark Schembri gave a

power point presentation to Society guests in an evening dedicated to discussions on how artists can best present their image through design material such as business cards, lea�ets, invitations and websites. Mark also talked about the history of design and the best computer programmes for creating design work.

www.gallerylasttouch.com/Artists/default.aspx

Get the Picture with Kevin Casha17th April

Professional photographer and President of the

Malta Institute of Professional Photography, Kevin Casha, gave a presentation and short workshop to member artists of the Society. The presentation looked at the use of digital cameras and how to achieve the best picture of an artistic piece of work, both 2D and 3D, through lighting and set up. During the workshop Kevin very kindly took photos of one art work from each artist and later emailed the images to them.

www.kevincasha.com

Digital O�set Tour of Impressions in Marsa11th and 12th February

Ron Mifsud of Impressions in Marsa

welcomed two small groups of Society artists to their premises on two rainy evenings in February. The members were given a full guided tour of the printing press and Ron o�ered a

detailed explanation on how artistic work can be turned into high quality prints. There was also time for an exploration of the vast range of materials an artist can use for advertising purposes; calendars, business cards, postcards to mention a few. During the evening the artists were presented with a digital o�set print of their artistic work, a collection of personalized goodies and Impressions had very generously prepared a spread of food and wine.

www.impressions.com.mt

More presentations will be organized after the hot summer months.

By forwarding an email to us with your contact details, we will keep you updated with information on all future events.

His Excellency Dr George Abela, President of the RepublicHis Grace Mgr Paul Cremona, Archbishop of MaltaPatrons

Mr Joseph J. MifsudPresident

Mrs Jessica De Battista BA (Hons)Vice President

Mr Stephen Sant’AngeloHon. Secretary

Mr Carmel MicallefHon. Treasurer

Prof. Lino Briguglio PhD. (Exeter)Veri�cation O�cer

Mr Lawrence Borg, FLCM, Hon LCMMr Roberto Buontempo, DipMan (UK), MIM, FRSA (Lond), KHS

Mr Carmel V. GaleaMr Francis Galea, Dip. In Edu.Mr Salvator Mousu'Mr Saviour J. Zammit, Ing.P.Eur., P.Eng. (UK), M.S.P.E., M.I.E.T., Eng.Sc., A.I.E.DMembers

Mr Mario SchiavoneGovernment Representative

Mr Joe ScerriActing Director

The Society’s popular Summer Courses are scheduled to start in mid July running for 9 weeks until mid September.

Once again the Society is introducing new courses; landscape painting around Valletta, egg art, card making, huck weaving and ribbon work and our well established courses will continue in beading, bridal bouquets, cake

decorating, cottage craft, crib building, crochet, dress making, embroidery, embroidery in gold, ganutell, interior design, knitting, Malta lace, monastery, needle handcrafts, parchment craft, plastic canvas, soft furnishing, tailoring, woodcarving, art, art 50+, art & crafts, �oral art, glass painting, manga art, modern �oral art, portrait/�gure drawing & painting, stone sculpture and clay sculpture. Also available are

music courses which include guitar, pianoforte, theory of music, violin and voice. The timetable and application form are now available on the Society’s site at www.artsmalta.org.

More information on all courses may be obtained by phoning 21244339 or 21244400, Monday to Friday between 8am and 1pm.

Summer Courses at the Society from July

Calendar of EventsFOCUS - June 2009

8

• 25th June to 16th JulyAnnual Membership Art Exhibition 2009

• 1st July 7.30pmSummer Fling – ‘Experiencing Di�erent Mediums’ Art

• 2nd July 7.30pmSummer Fling – ‘Arlecchino’s Love Potion’ Comedy

• 3rd July 7.30pmSummer Fling – ‘Iskay’ Latin American Music

• 7th to 28th August‘Inspiration and Serenity’ Art Exhibition by Emma Borg and Emanuel Previ

• 1st to 23rd October8th National Arts Competition and Exhibition, prizes co-sponsored by Art Academy and Faber-Castell

• 3rd October 7.30pmWhite Nights at the Palace (Notte Bianca)

• 23rd October 6.30pmLCM Awards and Annual Concert at Casino Maltese

• 29th October to 11th November‘Pastel Society of Malta – 3rd Annual Exhibition’

• 21st November‘Collaboration on Canvas’

8 Artists, 8 Canvases, 2 Hours. Fund raising project for Malta Hospice Movement – auction runs until 26th November

• 7th December 6.30pmPrize Day and Opening of Art and Craft Students Exhibition (runs until 14th December)

• 19th and 20th December all day Crafts Fair

DESIG

NED

BY PRETHO

UG

HT - prethought@

gmail.com

ART ACADEMY and FABER-CASTELL will be the co-sponsors of prizes for the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce 8th National Art Competition and Exhibition being held in October of this year.

Art Academy of Constitution Street, Mosta stocks all the materials an artist can ever dream of �nding under one roof. It consists of a three storey building housing an Art Shop, an Art Gallery and an Art School.

Various International Art Brands back Art Academy with their supplies, be it Acrylics, Oil Paints, Watercolors, Brushes, Canvases, Easels, Varnishes, Sketch Books, Aquarelle, Graphite or Charcoal Pencils, Chalk and Oil Pastels, Ceramic Glazes, Art Gift Sets and much more. All materials come in student’s and artist’s quality. Art Academy also o�ers a Professional Framing Service with a choice of over 600 di�erent pro�les to choose from at very competitive rates. For the framing enthusiast one can also buy uncut pro�le lengths, mount board & foam board.

An ART GALLERY overlooks the shop and is dedicated solely to Exhibitions.

Other �oors of ART ACADEMY house large Art and Pottery Studios.

Whether you are an absolute beginner, a student or a more experienced artist, it is a must to visit Art Academy at Mosta.

www.artacademymalta.com | 21433821 - 99893695

Much more than just Art Materials!

Faber-Castell, the biggest producer of wood-cased pencils world-wide, is the oldest manufacturer of writing instruments. In the �eld of artists’ materials, Faber-Castell enjoys a very high reputation because products are designed to meet the highest demands.

Since a work of art should be resistant to aging, Faber-Castell products embody the latest technology to give the artist maximum peace of mind in this respect. A high pigment density ensures the best possible results. Pencils that are easy to sharpen and crayons are second to none in toughness. This makes all products very economical in use. Centuries of experience have contributed to the excellent mixing characteristics which the A&G range o�ers. Waterproof and water-soluble artists’ colour pencils, pastel crayons with watercolours – it is never a problem with Faber-Castell products - all colours are matched to one another through the use of consistent names and numbers.

Faber-Castell is one of a handful of companies that are carbon-neutral. It has obtained FSC certi�cation and is committed to safeguarding the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations.

AF Enterprises are the local sole representatives for Faber-Castell - 21225665 / 79493351.

WHY CHOOSE Faber-Castell Art & Graphic Range?

Calendar of Eventsat Palazzo De La Salle (unless otherwise states)

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