Mass Studios

There's been a few movies filmed right in Worcester in the past couple of years. The Maiden Heist at the Worcester Art Museum, Bruce Willis's film The Surrogates at the old Worcester Courthouse (good buddy of mine Andy Fish ran into Brucio while he was mailing a letter) and most recently a film starring Christian Bale and Robert DeNiro was filmed at Nick's as well as around the Woo. There was even talk Martin Scorese wanted to film a movie inside the now demolished Worcester State Hospital. But the city wouldn't allow it because of liability or something along those lines.

Recently both the Worcester Telegram and Worcester Magazine ran articles talking about a group called The Pullman Project LLC preparing to open a film studio in North Worcester which will be called Mass Studios in what was originally the home of the Pullman Train Car Company. Once the manufacturer of train cars and trolley buses.

That's right folks. A long time ago trolley cars used to run through Worcester. This is some of the reason why Kelley Square is designed the way it is.

However, since the trolley hasn't run through Worcester for many moons, the need for a company that manufactered them became redundant. And the building abandoned. The Pullman Project is looking to utilize the 125,000 square feet of that building into a working film and television studio.

The project is being spearheaded by founder founder Barbara Guertin, developer Anton Nel and producer Kristen Lucas. I got to know Barbara through Nicole Watson at Nick's. I was still in the process of looking for actors for my Sherlock Holmes production and Nicole connected me with Barbara whom in turn connected me with a young actor by the name of Connor Lee who did an excellent job in the role of Col. Sebastian Moran.

Barbara was a huge help in fitting that final piece of the puzzle for me and was able to offer really wonderful advice in getting what really was my very first production together.

Once completed, what would something like this offer the city of Worcester. Well, as mentioned in their mission statement, Mass Studios will be a premiere full-service independent studio campus dedicated to providing content creators of all kinds with the most technologically advanced user‐friendly, one-stop production studio and office facility in Massachusetts.

And what they will feature four state-of-the-art sound stages for film and television production, each with its own support space, pre and post-production offices, and writer’s office space, four audio editing bays, four video editing bays a back lot along with on-site parking.

The Mass Studios Campus is strategically located on approximately a 14-acre Site in the city of Worcester, MA. Sound stages, office buildings and back lot, are the primary permanent facilities used in the production of high value content for film, television and gaming entertainment.

The Mass Studio Campus provides a system that offers a wide variety of infrastructure, amenities, and services including high clearance, column free sound stage space, with adjacent support area for dressing rooms, offices, wardrobe storage, make-up rooms, and pre and post-production office space.

Personally, I think this sounds great. And when this comes to pass I would love to be a part of it.

You can read both the Telegram and the Worcester Magazine articles online to find out more or to find out how to contact Mass Studios

War of the Woo (11x17 color print)

 

A print I came up with for the upcoming stART on the Street: Spring Canal District Edition which I have to confess was inspired by my buddy Andy Fish's HARVEY BALL'S REVENGE illustration he did (and won a prize for) at the Harvey Ball celebration which took place at the Worcester Historical Museum a few years back.

 

H.G. Wells's WAR OF THE WORLDS with a decidedly Worcester Massachusetts twist. Featuring a few current and historical hotspots in the fair metropolis known affectionately by some as Wormtown, Wortown, Woo-Town or the Big Woo.

 

Both places that are still standing and a few that are sadly long gone.

 

The print measures 11x17 and is printed on a high quality glossy stock. A limited signed and numbered set.

 

And you will only be able to get it at stART!!

 

It's also to promote a possible upcoming event that may or may not be happening sometime soon. Exactly what said event is I cannot say. You'll just have to wait and see.

 

I'm trying to work on a couple more before the day of the show as well as perhaps bringing back a couple old favorites. So stay tuned gentle readers!!

 

Upcoming show: Blackstone Canalfest September 8th 2012

 

I will be doing my very first (but the fifth annual) Blackstone Canalfest will take place Saturday, September 8, on Harding Street in Worcester, directly above the buried canal. The show itself will be taking place from 11AM till 5PM.

If you happen to be in the area, please stop by. I should have copies of The Casque of Amontillado available just in time for the show.

Smokestack Urban BBQ

Syd and I were mighty impressed with our visit to Smokestack Urban BBQ located near the Canal District in Worcester Massachusetts. We decided to give it a go coming home from work on Saturday night and we're already looking forward to our next visit.

It was first brought to our attention when we recently took part in stART on the Street's Spring Show on Green Street. A kid had been passing out menu's to everyone at the show. He had also mentioned that the vegetarian chili was even more popular than their regular chili. Since Syd's been a vegematarian for the past 20 years, it's always nice to find places that accomodates the veggie crowd.

And there are actually quite a few in the Woo that do.

The restaurant is located in what appears to be an old Mill Building. Parking could be a bit of an adventure, but we were able to find a spot. The first thing that struck me when we walked in was how spacious the place was. Even though it seemed to be hopping even around 8:30/9PM, you don't get the feeling like you're cramped in a phone booth waiting for a table the way some places can be.

And it was very clean while maintaining that funky old mill look.

And the food was great!! I had a Stacker Burger which is a burger topped with Pulled Pork. Syd had a vegetarian burger which looks like it could rival the one she had at Local Burger out in Northampton. It was equally as hearty looking.

And they had a decent beer selection. Any place that has Narragansett Lager for $2.25 is tops in my books.

I recommed checking it out. Great BBQ and great ambience.

Happy 10th Anniversary stART on the Street!!

A photo of the Fall Show taken from the stART website

stART on the Street has been taking place since 2002. One would be inclined to think it's hard to believe that a little art show that first took place on Main Street in Worcester 10 years back has turned into pretty much the premiere venue for artist and crafters in the area and beyond!!

However! Knowing many of the people involved in making stART  a success every year, it's very little surprise that little art show has become one of the most highly praised events to attend and one of the most coveted for local artists and artisans to take part in every year. The Spring Show on Green Street almost filled up immediately with people participating and despite stART having to use their rain date for the first time in event history, it was still a success and very highly attended.

What has made the show a success and very popular with artists is the fact that the people involved LISTEN and take people's suggestions on how to improve the show very seriously.

My first experience with stART on the Street was back in 2005 when I took part in a show called Spring Art at the Station. I had picked up a sign up sheet at CC Lowell. I believe at the time the show was being hosted by several artists groups. Including stART. But on a whim I signed up for it.

I was 29 at the time. I had been working at the Art Museum for a couple years. I had nothing published at that point and I was working hard to break out of my introverted shell and get more exposure for my work. I had a few small art shows at that time but nothing monumental.

A show at Worcester's Union Station intrigued me. Especially since it had been only five years since they renovated it to it's original glory. The following year after such a great experience with the show at Union Station I took part in the first year they hosted what was to become the flagship show on Park Avenue.

A lot has happened in seven years since that initial show both for me and for stART itself. I now have eight more books published which I sell along with my prints and small works and a wife who is now selling her own original fun household items at the shows now.

And stART itself just seems to get better every year. And this year it's their 10th Anniversary. So you know the boys and girls who put stART together have something big planned for the Fall Show that stARTed it all.

Syd and I have our application signed and mailed in. Like I said. Looking at how fast the Spring show filled up, we weren't taking any chances.

But with all that said, Happy Anniversary stART on the Street!! Here's to the 10 years working up to this and here's to 10 years more!!

New Print!! Scooby Doo? Where Are You?

Well the powers that be decided to postpone stART on the Street: Spring Edition till next Sunday due to the unpredictable weather. Which it looks like it may have been a good idea looking at some of the ominous clouds and it started to rain.

But it's given Syd and I the opportunity to work on a few extra goodies as well as finally buy a tent for the show next Sunday. Which we will use for future shows. Including Sowa's Market in Boston which the two of us have seriously considered taking part in.

But if you come to Green Street next Sunday from 11AM till 5PM, the print above is just one of the new goodies you will be seeing at the show. Hope to see you all there!!

stART on the Street: Spring Edition

This will be the third year stART on the Street will be hosting their Spring Show. The last couple of years they have held it on Main Street as opposed to Park Avenue where the Fall show is held.

After a rather lackluster turn out on Main Street last year, I was talking to Tina Zlody at an art show for Derek Ring and she mentioned at the time stART was in talks about pulling up roots on Main Street and opting for  a different location.

I had given her my two cents about my experience last year. Although, it was entirely disappointing, it wasn't nearly as successful as either the Fall or December show. At the time things were still pretty hush hush because a decision had not been reached.

But a location was ultimately found and this year stART on the Street: Spring Edition will be held on Green Street in the Canal District!! And it sounds as though this year will be an absolutely doozy of an event!!

Along with what has made stART successful in the past with over 150+ artists and crafters, live music, activities for children and a food court. There will also be a classic car show this year!!

Don't think Summer Nationals with screeching tires and kids revving up their ridiculously souped up cars until they blow something in the engine and have to be towed away.

But I'm sure you'll see some amazing cars from bygone era's.

You never know. You might even see the Sr. Herholz's 1937 Chevy on display.

Not only will I be selling copies of my books, prints and original artwork at the show. But this will be the first sTART on the Street event to feature my wife Syd's fun household items made from recycled vinyl.

She is offering bowls, wine holders, file holders, jewelery and earring holders. ALL made from used LP's!!

It's all taking place Sunday June 3rd from 11AM till 5PM on Green Street. For more info log onto stART on the Street's website:

stART on the Street: Spring Edition

Hope to see you all there.

New Art: The White Rabbit Sends A Little Bill

In hopes to entice you to come out to this Sunday's stART at the Station taking place at Worcester's Historic Union Station, here's a brand new pen and ink sketch inspired by Sir John Tenniel's original artwork for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

And remember!! I am now accepting CREDIT CARD purchases at all my shows. Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express are all accepted!!

Worcester Magazine: The Fuzz Club

Beards! Love 'em or loathe 'em they're still beards. I've always been one of those people who grows them for the Winter and shaves them off in the Spring. I'm also lucky Syd likes me either way.

On a lark I suggested to Worcester Magazine editor Doreen Manning about doing a Beards of Worcester issue. The idea was finding different artists, musicians and so forth from around about the Woo who sported the old face fur.

Wasn't I surprised when she thought the idea was great and I found myself on Monday morning down at Worcester Magazine having my picture taken.

And they thought of a much better title for the issue than I could have imagined.

And the result was an issue that was a lot of fun to be a part of and some really great portraits of artsy folks such as Scott Holloway, Kevin McKeon (dressed in his hot dog costume), Shane Hall and Milo just to name a few.

Newspapers don't always HAVE TO BE posting something depressing. They can be fun too. Besides, this is considered a magazine. So, they're articles can be a bit more diverse and enjoyable than the usual "Welcome Wagon Runs Over Newcomer" type stories.

Much like Womag's End of the Year Comic Issue. More on that later.

The issue hits newsstands around the metropolis today. But if you're not able to pick up a copy, you may also read it online:
Worcester Magazine

Indie Art Market at Beatnik's TONIGHT!!

I just finished several new illustrations for both stART on the Street happening later in the month and Indie Art Market which is happening TONIGHT from 6PM till 9PM and a hep and happenin' little place on Park Ave. in the Woo called Beatnik's.

If you have yet to get down to Beatnik's I highly recommend you make the trip. Come on down, get yourself a fresh Wormtown Ale on tap and say hello.

If any of the illustrations happen to sell tonight, I will probably get to work creating new ones just in time for stART!!

Boston Donuts

I discovered Boston Donut three or four years ago. At the time it was going by the name Gourmet Donuts. I'm not sure why they changed the name to Boston seeing that they are located right smack dab in the heart of Worcester on Park Avenue. But they did. And thankfully the quality hasn't changed with the name.

I suppose what amused and intrigued me when I first saw it was 1.) It was doing business out of an old Dunkin Donuts and 2.) They were using a very similar font as Dunkin for their sign.

It surprised me that they didn't get into hot water over that. But maybe that's why the name changed. Dunkin might have seen it as a jab inferring that the donuts at this little shop are considered gourmet over Dunkin's. Boston is a bit more innocuous.

Still, the truth hurts Dunkin' ;-) Well, anyways...

I always prefer to have my cup of coffee at home in the morning but I haven't had time to brew a pot of late. So, remembering how great my last visit to Boston Donut was, I decided to reconnect.

Not wanting to stop at either Dunkin' or Starbucks, I went out of my way to Boston Donut get a cup of hot French Vanilla Coffee to have on my drive into work. French Vanilla is one of my favorites in the morning next to good old fashioned regular coffee.

There was enough of a crowd there that made me have to park in the Walgreen's parking lot next door. I began to worry I was going to be standing in line for an eternity to get my cup of Joe.

Not the case. I stepped inside and the two women working behind the counter were efficient at an almost inhuman pace. I mean it!! One moment I'm three or four people behind them. The next I'm standing outside holding a hot cup of coffee wondering if I just stepped into a wormhole and traveled five seconds into the future.

I'm not sure if I even paid for the coffee it happened so quick.

But I know for a fact fast doesn't always equal good. A McDonald's burger is fast. But it is far from being good. As impressive as the service of these two women were, if this coffee didn't taste good, I would be very disappointed.

My fears were quelled when I took a sip. It was just as good as I remembered it to be. I was impressed. The fact that they could move the line along and still maintain a level of quality to the coffee was very admirable. I was driving along enjoying a great cup of coffee while other people were probably still sitting in the drive-thru at Dunkin's.

I've seen the drive-thru at Dunkin's first hand. It never moves along. You'll be lucky you don't age like the villain from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade while you wait for your coffee.

I think if they put these two women in charge of the drive-thru not only would the line move along, but I think the coffee's quality would improve.

Maybe not.

I'm still not sure how Boston's donut's and breakfast sandwiches are. Sydney says the donuts are pretty good. And she's one that swears by Dunkin's. As for the breakfast sandwiches. I couldn't tell you.

All I can tell you is the coffee's great!!

I've also heard great things about Dippin' Donuts and Gonuts 4 Donuts (located on 517 Park Ave in Worcester. I'm not sure if their name has changed again too) from some very reliable sources and I may have to try both at some time. But it's going to be very hard to tear me from Boston Donut. They managed to drag me back in.

I highly recommend all my Woo-Town friends to take a break from your Dunkin routine and try Boston, Dippin' or Gonuts. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised by trying something new.

The Wortown Bombshells

You probably didn't realize Worcester Massachusetts had it's own Burlesque Troupe. Well it does!! Introducing The Wortown Bombshells.

For those of you unfamiliar:

Burlesque is a humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody and sometimes grotesque exaggeration. In 20th century America, the form became associated with a variety show in which striptease is the chief attraction.

For those of you familiar with burlesque, don't bother reading the last paragraph ;-)

Well, the Bombshells will be hosting their very first Sketch Night at the Hotel Vernon in Kelley Square on July 29th from 8pm till 10pm with a $5 admission and free food and cheap beer.

Which seems like a great excuse to me to risk a stopping violation from one of Kelley Square's MANY invisible stop signs and red lights.

Click on the banner below and get to know the loverly ladies of the Wortown Bombshells: