SEMAYO Summer Camp Announced

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The Southeastern Massachusetts Youth Orchestras (SEMAYO) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for SEMAYO Summer Camp 2022. The camp is offering multiple performing groups of various skill levels to string, wind, and percussion students that have completed the 5th grade up to age 17. The camp will also offer special guests, masterclasses, field games, music theory, music history and more. Cost is $250 for single campers and $125 for each additional sibling. Interested students will need to submit an audition video by Wednesday, June 29, for ensemble placement purposes only. Any students that are actively enrolled and participating in SEMAYO are not required to audition.

            Location: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) building (parking lot 9)

Dates: Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29

Times: 9:00am – 3:00 pm (drop off 8:30 – 9:00 am)

Performance: July 29, 3:00 pm

            All details, including the camper application and instructions on submitting the video, may be found at: nbsymphony.org/our-educational-programs/semayo-summer-camp/.

Committee Affirms School Choice

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            There is a combined total of 99 School Choice students attending the Old Rochester Regional High School and Junior High, and that’s the way it will stay after the ORR School Committee voted at its March 23 public meeting to retain the current parameters, policies and practices.

            The committee held a Public Hearing on the matter, and with 25 School Choice students scheduled to graduate this year and 37 applications in hand, the vote of approval results in a plan to allow no more than 25 students to fill the vacated spots in the 2022-23 academic year. School Choice students populate Grades 7-12, and the district prioritizes their inclusion in Grades 7, 8 and 9.

            “We are very blessed to have some great students who came to our community and added to the quality just by their presence … the reality is they serve the overall benefit of tri-town students … create more offerings and broader educational opportunity for everybody involved. It has worked for the last several years,” said committee member Jim Muse, who was quickly supported in his comments by committee members Margaret McSweeny and Frances Kearns.

            McSweeny recognized the decline in tri-town student enrollment and recommended maintaining the School Choice program as is “to keep numbers up and keep education broad.” She read the motion prepared by ORR Administration, including a Grade 7 maximum of 18 School Choice students. Currently populated by 99 students, the School Choice program is capped at 125.

            Public Comment was invited during the public hearing, but none was received. The public hearing was closed and later in the meeting the committee voted unanimously in favor.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, Heather Burke revisited the matter of School Choice with a focus on state support or the relative lack thereof. Burke said that, while ORR is enriched by the students it receives via School Choice, the point of the program was not just to use it as a carrot but also to motivate the districts losing students to improve. The funding should go with School Choice students, said Burke, otherwise the program’s goals cannot be fully met.

            Burke also said that, while she is happy the high school track will finally be repaired, it still falls short of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) standards and therefore does not qualify ORR to host any large track meet. The context of the statement was that the junior and senior high school buildings need updates, and that need extends far beyond athletics to science and technology.

            “If we don’t tackle these topics, it’s only going to become more expensive,” said Burke, urging the committee members to attend and vote at their respective town meetings this spring.

            It was with Principal Mike Devoll’s recommendation that the School Committee held off on a vote regarding the request of the Old Rochester Youth Football Association to use ORR’s multi-purpose field this year. Devoll advised the committee to wait until after the high school lacrosse season to evaluation the field’s condition.

            “I appreciate the early notice from youth football; I feel like last year we were all hurried,” said Devoll. “Graduation’s on my mind in June, I want to see what that field looks like in June.”

            Having secured two dates on the field in 2021, Christine Medeiros appeared on behalf of the youth football organization seeking approval to hold three or four home dates. Youth football plays five age-group games on each game day.

            The committee will meet after graduation, at which time a vote will be taken, but member Jason Chisholm didn’t want to let it go at that.

            A former player at Boston University in the 1990s before that program was cut from the school’s roster of fall sports, Chisholm now coaches his sons in another football program. The Rochester resident told the committee that the hardship ORRYF parents incur in extra travel time lacking a home field has factored in his hesitation to transfer into the local program.

            “I would love for us to figure out a way to support this organization,” said Chisholm. “I can’t say that I would change things now … but it pains me to see that the kids in the tri-towns can’t play on the field where they will probably go (to high school). I respectfully understand the process and effort to the decision, but I would love – even if it wasn’t the multi-purpose field. … I’m biased, but I’ll own that.”

            Chisholm made sure the committee understands that ORRYF has not been able to find a home on any other field in the tri-towns. They therefore play most of their games either in Rhode Island or Dighton-Rehoboth and Seekonk. Participation is slightly down as a result.

            Echoing Chisholm’s sentiments, committee member Joe Pires asked about the current field conditions at ORR. Devoll said the field is in “good shape” and that it was “managed very carefully in the fall.” Referencing conversation with Facilities Director Gene Jones earlier on the day of the meeting, Devoll said more extensive maintenance has improved the field’s resiliency.

            Kearns thanked Medeiros for ORRYF’s diligence in cleaning up after football days and asked ORR Administration if any grants or funding can be pursued for the sake of the field. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said that, as of now, there are no such opportunities. The committee tabled the matter until June, when spring sports will have ended. The lacrosse season is coming up this spring.

            The ORR Youth Lacrosse Association was also scheduled to make a request, but that was withdrawn.

            ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said that the matter of naming the press box will be revived and he will bring an update to the committee at a future meeting.

            After hearing from Junior High Principal Silas Coellner’s discussion on how technology has changed music, the committee voted to approve his proposal to shift the focus from a “Music and Technology” course to “Music for Life” with an emphasis on social-emotional learning.

            The committee also voted to approve ORR’s School Health Unit Application submitted by school nurses Nicole Sadeck and Linda Deveau and endorsed and signed by Nelson and Dr. Jason Reynolds, the school physician.

            In the Administration Report, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell said she is working on creating a professional-development plan for 2022-23. The last P.D. day of the current school year addressed cultural proficiency.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson talked about events meant to smooth the transition from elementary schools to the junior high. On Tuesday, April 12, at 6:00 pm, parents will have the opportunity to gain advice on how to speak to their children about racial incidents at school. Registration forms were emailed to families on March 23.

            In his Principals Report, Silas Coellner reported that 100 parents attended the March 22 transition event, which was to be repeated this week with another parent tour scheduled for April 17. “It makes a big difference when they’ve had prior exposure,” he said.

            Earlier in the meeting, Devoll recognized winter season successes, starting with sports including South Coast Conference championships in boys and girls basketball, boys and girls indoor track, and boys swimming. “We don’t have a winter pep rally, but maybe we should,” he said. Colby Gross made nationals in the 300-meter run, and Jen Williams finished seventh in New England in the 55 hurdles. In music, Corinne Hibbert qualified for the Southeast District Festival in flute.

            ORR’s DECA chapter produced state champions including Eddie Gonet, Colin Carroll and Brendan Burke, who will all compete in April in Atlanta. Gonet and fellow senior McKenzie Wilson exceled in Speech & Debate.

            Among committee reports, Muse said the Mattapoisett School Committee’s negotiations with teachers were “going well,” that Kevin Tavares will be promoted at Old Hammondtown School and that the town is looking for a principal for Center School.

            After thanking the Central Office for its hard work, attention to detail and including the school committee in its communications, McSweeny used the floor in the Open Comment segment of the meeting to say she would like to hear from junior and senior high schools about the implementation of discipline. She also asked why the ORR District does not employ a Curriculum coordinator, calling it “a huge job.”

            Gonet reported on ORR’s Student Council, including a spring dance with the freshman and sophomore classes, a junior class semi-formal and the senior prom at the Belmar in Newport, Rhode Island. Spirit Week, he said, will be held before the April vacation with an outdoor pep rally scheduled. Senior Week will be held the week before graduation with a series of events including a parade, a walk-through the elementary schools, an awards night and a breakfast. Gonet said that Senior Superlative Night raised $1,400 for the class to offset prom-related costs. Gonet regretfully reported that nothing came from the regional Student Advisory Council meeting.

            Alison Noyce of Tri Town Against Racism recognized ORR students Grace Long and Angus McLellan after their entries placed in the TTAR Art Contest during Black History Month, calling the work, “very moving pieces that we are extremely proud of.”

            The ORR Senior Class Fundraiser request was withdrawn.

            The committee entered Executive Session at 6:48 pm to discuss collective bargaining strategy and to comply with the provisions of any general or special law or federal grant-in-aid requirements and exited at 7:15 pm.

            Early in the meeting, Nelson held a moment of silence for ORR student Emma Whittaker, who passed away on February 16.

            The next meeting of the ORR School Committee will be held on Wednesday, April 27, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee will be held on Thursday, April 28, both at 6:30 pm.

ORR School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Secrets: True Crime Writing

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            It is a fair statement that no one gets closer to the drama of a real crime than those charged with reporting it as news. The real time investigatory work done by law enforcement is followed in minute detail as the reporters strive to tell the full story with clarity and, yes, compassion for victims and their families regardless of where the guilt may eventually fall.

            Or consider what happens when a crime becomes a cold case spanning years, hanging like torn laundry from multiple lines of inquiry, only to remain flapping in the wind of time.

            Maureen Boyle knows the challenges and has accepted the responsibility of keeping victims alive in the minds of a public, who have long lost interest in their unfinished stories. Such is the case with her true crime story “Shallow Graves,” which brings us back to the nine unsolved murders of women whose lives were savagely taken in 1988. The victims’ bodies were tossed in the tangled brambles along tree lines off Routes 195, 140 and 88. Not a single case has been solved.

            “Someone knows something,” Boyle stated during her March 26 presentation at the Mattapoisett Public Library. But even her exhaustive efforts during and since the first victim was uncovered have failed to produce new evidence, thus Boyle’s goal is to keep the files open and relevant despite the passage of time. She wonders aloud, “How can anyone keep a secret of this many decades?”

            In 1988 Boyle was assigned by the Standard-Times to cover the New Bedford Police Department. She had been a working reporter for some time and found covering the police a good beat for her. As the body count increased, Boyle interviewed police officers, detectives, victim’s families and neighbors, combed through documents and kept asking, “Is this a serial killer?

            “I didn’t know it was a serial killer until he stopped.”

            Altogether, a total of 11 women went missing and were reported as such; nine were eventually located, while two have never been found. But in some cases the missing person report wasn’t filed right away. They lived on the fringes of society in a world filled with drugs and physical abuse, Boyle clarified. But as she explained, weather and time exercised additional abuse on the discarded murdered women, sometimes leaving little useable evidence even in the form of an intact body.

            Boyle’s book tells the story of the victims with what she said was absolutely necessary “dignity and respect.” But it is also a validation of the hard work and dedication she witnessed from law enforcement, the endless searching in the wooded byways, knocking on doors, shagging down leads, and thousands of pages of documents.

            “People were saying the police didn’t care, they didn’t want to solve the case,” Boyle said. But as she firmly attested was not the truth, “They worked around the clock.”

            Boyle’s talent to probe and search, asking the tough or mundane questions is well honed from her many years as a journalist. But she is also a truly interesting speaker. From the moment she began her talk about not only Shallow Graves but her newer publication “The Ghost,” another true crime story that was eventually solved but only after decades, Boyle captivated her audience. That she knows her material is an understatement, but that she can deliver it in an interesting and thought-provoking manner is a gift.

            “Writing true crime is not easy. There are mountains of documents from birth certificates to death notices,” Boyle shared. She singled out libraries as important repositories for all manner of public documentation and the aid provided by library staff. She spoke of the hours spent reading microfiche, saying it was torturous but necessary and that newspapers – hardcopy – are critical to society, giving us a sense of place and time.

            In closing, Boyle said, “Crime writing is like solving a secret, but getting the answer does not ease the pain. It doesn’t bring anyone back. Lives are lost, these were real people.

            “You have to be careful how you treat the people – not hurt them further, but to write about it truthfully and tastefully.”

            Boyle will continue to shine a light on these victims, women she has lived with for decades. To learn more about Boyle and her crime stories, visit maureenboylewriter.com.

By Marilou Newell

Academic Achievements

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Julia Pardo, a member of the class of 2022 from Marion, has been named to the Fall 2021 Dean’s List at Loyola University Maryland. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List at Loyola, a student must achieve a minimum QPA of at least 3.500 for the term, provided that in the term they have successfully completed courses totaling a minimum of 15 credits.

            Allison Paim of Marion, Daniela Gil Veras of Marion, Lilah Gendreau of Mattapoisett, Maya Dube of Mattapoisett, and Felicia Aguiar of Mattapoisett were named to the 2021 Fall Semester Dean’s List at Simmons University in Boston. To qualify for Dean’s List status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

The MAC Announces New Exhibit

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The Marion Art Center is pleased to announce its newest exhibit, Emergence, featuring works by textile artist Paula Stebbins Becker and painter Tracey J. Maroni. The show runs April 1 through May 6, with an artists’ reception scheduled on Saturday, April 9 from 3:00-5:00 pm.

            Paula Stebbins Becker is an artist and textile designer residing in Rhode Island. She received her MFA in Fibers from Cranbrook Academy of Art and her BFA in TD/Fibers from UMass Dartmouth. Paula is “inspired by people, nature and our relationship with the environment and human experiences.”Paula explores themes of memory, time and the delicate structure of human existence through the medium of fiber – by weaving, knotting, stitching, unraveling and reconstructing threads and fabrics.

            Tracey J. Maroni is a visual artist from Massachusetts who works in paint and mixed media. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a painting major and art history minor from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Maroni, whose most preferred medium is painting, “draws her inspiration from nature” and her artwork is “an investigation and exploration of the natural world and the planet as a living, giving entity.”

            The MAC will host a closing event during the show, kicking off ten days of SouthCoast Spring Arts events on Thursday, May 5 from 6-7 pm with a conversation with artist Paula Stebbins Becker (free to attend.) Paula will share her inspiration and discuss her various processes of unraveling and weaving threads, natural dyeing, and using thread in her printed works on paper. During the event, guests can also view an image slideshow in the MAC Theater featuring more works and images by artist Tracey J. Maroni. Find out more at marionartcenter.org/events.

Brandt Point Village Build-Out Continues

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            Since first being permitted some years ago, the Brandt Point Village subdivision has been plagued by fits and starts, not the least of which have occurred due to changes in ownership. But for about a year now, Christian Farland, Farland Corporation, New Bedford, who now owns portions of the development, has expressed his desire to complete the job others had started and to do so in full transparency and cooperation with town boards. Armand Cotelleso remains an owner for other segments of the subdivision.

            Farland came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on Monday night to discuss the next steps he plans to take. There are now four Notice of Intent filings for four new, three-bedroom homes, each served by private freshwater wells and a communal septic system. He said the homes range from 2,200 to 2,600 square feet of living space with underground utilities to lots measuring approximately 17,500 square feet.

            As of Monday night, Farland was awaiting Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection file numbers, a necessary regulatory system of state oversight and project tracking. The projects cannot move forward until that happens. He is also waiting for confirmation from the MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program that preexisting conditions noted at the site by the agency since the beginning remain valid.

            Farland also stated the completion of roadways is planned by the end of the year. The commission was pleased that less than desirable site conditions including construction trash and collapsed erosion controls were being addressed. The filings were continued until April 11.

            Several certificates of completion were issued but held for properties located in the Preserve at the Bay Club, Split Rock neighborhood. Abutters had brought to the commission’s attention concerns over at least one culvert that was not functioning properly and what appeared to be large sections of plastic sheeting in wetlands. Chairman Mike King said a site visit and discussion with the developer is in order.

            In other business, conditions were issued to the Mattapoisett Boatyard for annual dock maintenance at the marina in Brandt Cove. An Emergency Certification for septic repairs at 12 Meadowbrook Lane was issued. An Order of Conditions was issued to Tracey White, 70 Aucoot Road, for a 1,728 square-foot, detached garage.

            Richard Charon of Charon Associates, representing Emmjay Realty Trust, 13 Industrial Drive, came before the commission to share details on the proposed updated stormwater drainage system being studied for the parcel. He said that a state Department of Environmental Protection file number was pending, as were calculations on a new canopy drainage system. The filing will return to the commission on April 11.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 11, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Tri-Town Recreation Basketball Finals Night

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Wednesday, March 23 was finals night for the Tri-Town recreation basketball League. The league has players from all three towns and is run by Mattapoisett and Marion Recreation. Over 200 players registered this year for the three leagues.

            The first game of the night was the Girls’ League finals with Team Sky coached by Amy Hartley-Matteson and Dena Xifaras versus team Fever coached by Jon Root. Fever was up 6-4 at the end of the first quarter. Sky had a strong second quarter to end up 14-12 at halftime. Both teams battled hard. Score was tied at the end of the third quarter 20-20. In the last quarter, team Sky came up with a few key baskets to win the game 28-24. High scorers for team Sky were Zoe Papadakis with 14 points and Erin Fahy with 10. Team Fever had seven players score, and leaders were Leia Perez with six points; Bailee Cusick, Erin Root and Kamdyn Monteiro with four points.

            The Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Finals were next. The Huskies coached by Kevin Oliveira played the Orangemen coached by John Crouch and Greg Eitas. Huskies went up 4-3 at the end of the first quarter. It was a defensive battle score at the half was Huskies 8, Orangemen 5. In the end, the Huskies opened it up to win 18-11. High scorer for the Huskies was Nathaniel Grossman with eight points, and for the Orangemen, it was Ethan Perry with six points.

            The final game of the evening was the Boys 5th and 6th grade finals with the Spurs coached by Dave Nelson versus the Heat coached by David Arancio. It was a back-and-forth battle. The heat came out strong to go up 11-4 at the end of the first quarter. Spurs rallied to get back in it and score at the half was Heat 16, Spurs 11. At the end of regulation time, score was 29-29. In 2-minute overtime, the Heat closed it out with a long pass play to win the game 35-33. The game high scorer was Connor Nelson with 15 points for the Spurs. High scorers for the Heat were Logan Oliveira with 12 points and Hudson Arancio with 9 points. The game could not have been closer. It was an exciting end to the season.

            A huge thank you to all of our volunteer coaches that make the program a success.

Osprey Marsh Boardwalk: Wildlife Interpretive Signs

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This year, Sippican Lands trust (SLT) installed new wildlife interpretive signs at SLT’s Osprey Marsh property on Point Road in Marion. These permanent wildlife signs will be visible along the boardwalk for those interested in learning more about the habitats and wildlife species in the maritime forests of coastal Marion.

            These newly installed signs were supported by two grants: one from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council and the other from the Marion Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The Sippican Lands Trust is grateful for this local funding from the local cultural councils and their commitment to environmental education and programming.

            SLT hopes to see you out on our trails. For more information, or to give us feedback on our new interpretive signs, please call our office at (508) 748-3080 or send us an email at info@sippicanlandstrust.org.

MNHM Coastal Explorations

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The Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is one of the most well-known and well-regarded in the Southcoast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program. The programs are designed to be small groups, and the program size is limited and registration restricted in size. This program will feature exploration of our rocky intertidal shorelines, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, swamps, ponds, forests and bogs. We will be exploring the different ecosystems and taking a close-up look at the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special. Please note: this program meets at multiple locations throughout Marion depending on the activity planned.

For students entering grades 3 – 5: Coastal Explorations: 9-12, Monday – Friday, July Session Dates: July 11 – 15 and August session dates are 1–5. Second week may be available upon request. Cost: $250 members, $300 nonmembers.To register for these programs, please go to the Marion Natural History Museum’s website:  www.marionmuseum.org.

The MAC Presents Twelve SouthCoast Spring Arts Events

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The Marion Art Center joins more than two dozen local cultural organizations to launch a celebration of the arts across the SouthCoast region May 6-15. SouthCoast Spring Arts is a 10-day festival celebrating the arts in our communities by connecting innovative, creative and affordable art and cultural events in communities across the region, from Fall River to Wareham. The MAC joins this effort with twelve new cultural events in theater, live music, art history, film, movement and visual arts. All Spring Arts events at the MAC are hands-on or interactive and are offered at low cost or free. 

            The MAC will kick off their Spring Arts events on Thursday, May 5 from 6-7 pm with a conversation with artist Paula Stebbins Becker (free to attend) whose work, along with painter Tracey J. Maroni, can be viewed in the MAC’s current show Emergence. Paula will share her inspiration and discuss her various processes of unraveling and weaving threads, natural dyeing, and using thread in her printed works on paper. During the event, guests can also view an image slideshow in the MAC Theater featuring additional works by artist Tracey J. Maroni.

            On Friday, May 6 from 7-8 pm, attend a concert and hands-on learning experience with Latin Percussionist Jesús Andujar at the MAC. Dive into the wonderful world of congas, timbales, guiros, cabasas, djembes, claves, bongos and shakers. Jesús will perform his own rhythmic improvisations and guests can learn some basic patterns and join in the fun. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 15.

            The MAC partners with the Mattapoisett Wellness Center to host workshops to Enhance your Creativity with Yoga and Reiki ($18 per class) on Saturday, May 7 and Saturday, May 14, 10:30-11:45 am. In these two one-hour workshops, led by long-time yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner Jennifer Risio, you will learn first-hand the benefits both practices provide: stress reduction, quieting the mind, strengthening the body. The Mattapoisett Wellness Center is located at 76 County Road, Mattapoisett.

            Join a Learning to See Photo Workshop and Walk on Saturday, May 6 from 5-7 pm at the MAC (cost $25.) Master Photographer Cathy Broderick will lead this workshop exploring different approaches to making imagery that stands out. Participants will meet at the MAC and then take a walking tour of Marion village to implement different approaches to a scene to create images of value. Suitable to all cameras and all skills levels.

            Take a Pin Loom Weaving Workshop on Monday, May 9 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the MAC ($30 fee includes materials.) Weaver Lisa Elliott will teach you how to warp and weave squares, and you will go home with one or a few coasters or mug mats. Finished woven squares provide endless possibilities and can be sewn together to create scarves, blankets, toys, and clothing.

            The MAC partners with the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center to offer Dinner and Improv on Wednesday, May 11 from 5-7 pm (cost is $15.) Tabor faculty members John Heavey and Steffon Gales will lead an exciting night of improvisation (or improve,) a spontaneous, entertaining and fun form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Audience participation is encouraged but not required. Dinner including lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert will be served at 5pm, followed by a one-hour improve workshop/show. The community center is located at 465 Mill Street, Marion.

            On Thursday, May 12 from 7-8 pm, attend a screening of the short film Kittacuck Speaks in the MAC Theater, hosted by Friends of the Blackstone, a nonprofit environmental organization. Instead of the dominant, industrially focused narrative about the Blackstone River, the Native American-named Kittacuck, the film presents a story told by the river itself. Kittacuck Speaks was written and narrated by Nipmuc tribe member Bruce Curliss. Meet film creators Gian Mancini, Vincent Mancini, and John Marsland, and learn what it means to maintain a Blue Mind, a concept developed by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, in which we become stewards of our planet and live in harmony with the natural world. Tickets, just $5, will benefit Friends of the Blackstone.

            Don’t miss the opening reception for the MAC’s exhibit on Friday, May 13 from 5-7 pm, featuring abstract works by artists Alyn Carlson, Pat Coomey Thornton, and Pat Warwick (free to attend.) Learn how each artist approaches her individual creative process, creating stunning visual compositions which are often full of vibrant color and poetic rhythms. Through mark making, layering of various media and editing, these artists create works that ignite one’s senses and capture the essence of emotion. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions.

            Artist Barbara Healy returns to teach an outdoor Paint & Sip Workshop on Saturday, May 14 from 1-3 pm at the MAC (cost $30, all materials provided.) Participants will paint their own versions of a gorgeous sunflower in this fun workshop using water-based acrylics on canvas. Barbara and her assistant will guide you through each step of the process as you get in touch with your inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. You must be 21 or older to register. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, May 15.

            Jazz Jam @ the MAC returns to the MAC Theater on Saturday, May 14 from 7-9:30 pm (tickets $12, participating musicians attend for free.) Be part of the long tradition of the jazz jam session complete with participation from community musicians. The house band will support the improvisers as they interpret many “jazz standards” in various style formats. Learn from trombonist Phil Sanborn as he leads a question-and-answer session and explains how the songs are structured and how the “road map” for each selection helps the improvisers. Join to listen in, or if you’re a musician, sign up to join the performers on stage.

            The MAC closes out Spring Arts in collaboration with Sippican Historical Society to present The Arts in Marion’s Gilded Age on Sunday, May 15 from 4-5 pm at the Music Hall in Marion, located at 164 Front Street (tickets $5.) In the late 1800’s, Marion became a summer gathering place for artists, writers, actors, musicians, architects, and intellectual luminaries. Four local experts, Wendy Bidstrup, Nancy Mitton, Judith Rosbe and Meg Steinberg, bring to light some of the characters that made up this lively scene, including Cecil Clark Davis, Charles Dana Gibson, Henry James, Mark Twain, Century Magazine editor Richard Watson Gilder, and architects H.H. Richardson and Stanford White. UMass Dartmouth professor and art historian Catherine Moran sets the stage with an overview of the Gilded Age in America. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

            Art lovers of all ages are invited to ignite their creative spirit and celebrate SouthCoast Spring Arts. To register for Marion Art Center events, head to the MAC’s website at marionartcenter.org/scspringarts. Find out more by emailing info@marionartcenter.org. Discover events throughout the local region at southcoastspringarts.org (regional SCSA events will be added to the SCSA website through early April.)