Remembering Maris Platais, Gifted Artist and Beloved Teacher

Maris Platais Age 87, of Carlisle, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024, after a brief illness.  Born in Jelgava, Latvia, Maris and his family fled their homeland in 1944 to arrive in Boston in 1949. Maris was a graduate of the Boston Tech High School. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he graduated from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Maris’ passion for art became his career, first at Dennison Manufacturing Co. in Framingham and later, his award-winning fine art was featured in galleries worldwide.

Art was his passion from the time that he was a child. He developed a highly skilled visual memory and combined that with his imagination to create exquisite pen and inks, etchings and light-filled acrylics. He was an active and  long time member of the Guild of Boston Artists. In addition to being  a gifted artist, Maris was also a beloved teacher at the Tolles Parson Center in Wellesley and  gave artist demonstrations for local art groups including the WSA. His joy of life was infectious and he will be missed enormously.

 

 

Remembering Roger Kastel

The WSA would like to share the sad news that Roger Kastel internationally acclaimed artist and WSA member passed away in early November at the age of 92. Although Roger will be forever remembered for his iconic “Jaws” painting, his humble, kind, and generous spirit will endure in the hearts of those who knew him. The art world has lost a great talent and the world has lost a wonderful human being. 
 
Roger Kastel, First Place, “Bluebird” at the Annual Library Show 2018
 
He was also the WSA Artist of the Month in April 2021.

Food for Thought-Using the Visual Arts to Help Train Physicians and Healthcare Workers

For most artists and art lovers the impact of art is well known. That knowledge is now being tapped in healthcare to help both healthcare workers and patients alike. The Center for Visual Arts in Healthcare at Brigham & Women’s Hospital  focuses on visual arts education for healthcare workers and is the first of its kind within the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. The Center, based in the Department of Medicine at BWH, trains healthcare workers using visual arts methods that build essential skills of a humanistic provider, including empathy, teamwork, respect, curiosity, and cultural responsiveness. Learn more about this amazing program.

Don’t Miss the Cow Parade!

What is CowParade? A public art event for people of all ages and backgrounds, featuring life-size cow sculptures, which are painted and transformed by local artists, displayed in pastures throughout cities for residents and tourists to visit, and sold for the benefit of local nonprofit organizations.CowParade New England presented by Herb Chambers includes 75 life-size cows, designed by a range of artists throughout New England, to high trafficked landmarks throughout Greater Boston to celebrate 75 years of progress and impact made possible by the Jimmy Fund community. All proceeds directly benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s efforts to defy cancer.
 
 
WSA member, Lori Mehta (pictured above) is one of the participating artists. Lori’s cow, “Undercover Cow” stands proudly in front of the Copley Society of Art on Newbury Street. Congratulations Lori on this stunning work of art. “Undercover Cow” has already SOLD!

Local Spring Open Studios

Don’t miss spring open studios…visit friends, brings friends and support the arts by visiting local open studios!

*WSA Member Participating

Gorse Mill Gallery 31 Thorpe Road, Needham, MA
Needham Open Studios 2022 Artists’ Exhibition
April 4, 2022 – May 15, 2022,  Artists’ Reception:  April 24, 2022 at 5 pm.
​* Eddie Bruckner ​

Needham Open Studios,  Saturday & Sunday, May 14th-15th, 2022: 11 am-4 pm

*Find Eddie Bruckner at Location #6: First Baptist Church, 858 Great Plain Ave, Needham

*Find Joan Onofrey at Location #4, 28 Maple Street, Needham

*Find Mark Richards at Location #9, 58 Falcon Street, Needham

*Find Naomi Wilsey at Location #4, 28 Maple Street, Needham

Newton Open Studios 2022 May 21 & 22, 11am to 5pm, indoor and outdoor locations

*Nan Rumpf at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park

*Anna Rejoyce at the Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.

Somerville Open Studios 2022, April 30 and May 1 and more