This is the last call to take in the timeless seascapes and monumental artworks of three celebrated American artists in Cape Ann Museum’s special exhibition “Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea,” which will run through Sunday, Sept. 27.
The exhibition features 82 artworks from 26 lending institutions, including 16 museums across the country. This exhibition tells the story of a lifelong friendship among these three artists, which is told through the lens of their summers in Gloucester nearly a century ago, a period that would influence them for the rest of their lives.
Of particular note is that more than half the artworks have never before been publicly exhibited. Numerous works come from the artists’ family collections. The estates of all three artists were involved in this endeavor, and provided unprecedented access to personal collections. Family members of the artists also contributed to the 223-page catalog.
This exhibition is Cape Ann-centric on several levels. Milton Avery (1885-1965), a mentor and the oldest of the three artists, introduced Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974) and Mark Rothko (1903-1970) to the seaside wonders of Cape Ann in the 1930s. They are among the countless artists who have flocked to this scenic island for centuries. Each and every artwork in this show depicts or is inspired by the endless panoramas or scenes of daily life on the waterfront.
The Atlantic magazine recently featured an article by Sebastian Smee about the special exhibition, and the exploration of the relationships among these artists.
After the Gloucester debut, the exhibition will travel to The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., where it open Oct. 24 and close Jan. 24, 2027.
The exhibition spans genres as it follows the artistic journey of the artists and their artistic evolution over the decades These artists are master draftsmen, and the abstractions that came later stem from a life devoted to art in its many forms. This exhibition offers something of interest for all ages — and assuredly at least a few works will bring on a smile of recognition or appreciation for the artist’s choice of composition.
Admission is by timed entrance; tickets are available at capeannmuseum.org.
Final week of ‘Moon Walk Man’
Gloucester Stage’s final play of the season, “Moon Walk Man” by James Ijames, offers up a moving tale infused with fantasy, when a young single mother attempts to shield her son from harsh realities about his family. And in a fitting play on words, the acting has been called “out of this world.”
The cast features Dom Carter, Kalala Kiwanuka-Woernle, Lorraine Victoria Kanyike and Dereks Thomas working with director Lyndsay Allyn Cox in this regional premiere.
“Upon hearing about the sudden death of his mother, Spencer returns to his home in Philadelphia to plan her funeral. Along the way Spencer falls in love, discovers the truth about his absent father and learns that his past is also the making of his present,” according to synopsis of Concord Theatricals.
The play has resonated with audiences who appreciate the sweet play that also carries a powerful message about love and hope. The show closes Friday, Sept. 26. Tickets available at gloucesterstage.com.
REO Speedwagon guitarist comes to town
A powerhouse trio of guitarists — inculding special guest Dave Amato from REO Speedwagon — will be featured at the “Guitar Monsters” concert on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. at The Cut Live, 177 Main St. in Gloucester. Presented by Rockin’ 4 Vets, the show will feature Gloucester’s Jon Butcher along with Johnny A. and Amato, at a performance that will benefit The Open Door. The trio will perform classics from Jon Butcher Axis, Hendrix, the Allman Brothers, Yardbirds, Jeff Beck, R&B favorites and much more.
Butcher, a Grammy nominee, was inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame in 2025, and his national touring resume includes sharing stages with The J. Geils Band, Def Leppard and Rush.
Johnny A., a Saugus native, also a Grammy nominee, is a Boston Music Award “Blues Artist of the Year” winner and Boston Music Hall of Fame inductee.
Amato, from Framingham, started out in local bands before moving to Los Angeles in 1980 where he built his career. In 1989, he joined REO Speedwagon after which he spent more than three decades as part of this iconic band.
For tickets, visit thecutlive.com.
Meet SFL sound artist
Sawyer Free Library is hosting a new event, “Meet the Sound Artist” with a launch featuring Liam Anastasia-Murphy on Thursday, Sept. 24. from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the library at 2 Dale Ave. in Gloucester. The public is invited to join the library’s “2026 Sound Artist in Residence” for an evening of sound performance and conversation about music making. Those attending will learn about how Anastasia-Murphy will be working in the library’s Digital Learning Lab Audio Studios and how to get involved with upcoming community workshops and recording projects. More information is available at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Grammy-winning musician
Award-winning singer-songwriter Trey Hensley will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St. in Rockport. In addition to his Grammy Award, Hensley is a two-time International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year. He is respected by critics, and has been called a “musical phenom” by NPR and “a guitar-slinging superhero” by Bluegrass Today. He has collaborated with Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, and Taj Mahal among others. Tickets start at $20. For details, visit: rockportmusic.org.
Cake Fest postponed
The inaugural Cape Ann Cake Fest was to take place this weekend, but organizers have postponed the event in the face of the story forecast.
“We are in pivot mood,” the organizers emailed the Times on Wednesday afternoon. “We are rescheduling the Cake Fest to Oct. 4.”
The event will still take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Windhover Center for the Performing Arts in Rockport. The event is benefit for The Open Door, which will receive the bulk of the proceeds, and Windhover.
The format is simple: make a $50 donation when registering, bake a cake (or support a local bakery and buy one). Upon arrival, guests will receive an empty pastry box that can be filled with samples of cakes of one’s choice. The cake can be sampled at the event or taken home.
For more details and FAQs, visit www.capeanncakefest.com.
Classic Car show
The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents its seventh Cape Ann Classic Cars on the Green on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the corner of Church and Middle streets in downtown Gloucester. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 27, 1-5 p.m. Register at the entrance ($20) or in advance by emailing c.nazarian@gloucestermeetinghouse.org. Admission to the public is free; donations to the foundation for ongoing restoration of the meetinghouse are appreciated. Tours of the historic Meetinghouse available. Those attending can judge the cars and trophies are awarded. For details and weather updates, visit gloucestermeetinghouse.org.
Music at Fish City Studios
The “Other” Concert Series, Volume 1, is Friday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 10 p.m., at Fish City Studios. 39 Main St. in Gloucester. Fish City invites all to its take on a “Tiny Desk” concert. The concert will be filmed, put online, and the audience is invited to participate in the taping. The concert features ‘LIJ, Voice in Headphones, mMoron and The Intelligence Community. The stage is designed by Amy Chace, a Fish City artist and Rockport native. Admission is $10 in advance, and $15 at the door. For advance tickets, visit https://luma.com/ai5irmo9.
Exhibit: How much is enough
In a new exhibit at Cove Gallery, four artists explore the balance between what is shown and what is left out in the creation of their artworks. The show, titled “More or Less,” explores the idea of “how much is enough?” Presented by the Rocky Neck Art Colony, there is a free public opening reception from 4–6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the gallery, 37 Rocky Neck Ave. in Gloucester. The group exhibition, on view from Sept. 24 to Oct. 18, features painters Willie Alexander and Martin Sorger, sculptor Joan Mullen, and printmaker Julia Talcott.
“Rather than treating abstraction as a fixed style or endpoint, ‘More or Less’ considers it an ongoing process of decision-making. Each artist determines what is necessary, what can be suggested, and when an image, form, or structure has said enough. The result is a thoughtful conversation among four distinct artistic voices — one that invites viewers to look closely at what is present, as well as what is deliberately left unsaid,” according to an exhibition statement.
Gallery hours and information may found at rockyneckartcolony.org.
An artist’s homecoming
Jane Deering Gallery presents “Katherine Downey Miller: Waterborne,” with a public opening reception Saturday, Sept. 26, from 3-5 p.m. at 19 Pleasant St., Gloucester.
“…It was at Halibut Point…that she first absorbed the raw energy of the Atlantic as a child; and it is that coastline — its beauty, its violence, its vast unknowability — that she has spent a career translating into paint. The exhibition brings together works on canvas and paper in oil and acrylic, tracing the arc of a practice rooted in landscape and drawn, inevitably, toward the sea,” according to an exhibition statement.
For hours or an appointment, visit janedeeringgallery.com.
Short Film Festival returns
The Manhattan Short Film Festival returns to Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center for several day next week. The annual festival takes place in 400 venues across six continents, and includes screening venues in all 50 states. The audiences vote to determine the winning film. The dates this year are Sept. 27 and Oct. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at rockportmusic.org.
Around Cape Ann is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-675-2706 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com at least two weeks in advance.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.