We are Loving First Fridays in Nyack

Hello there. Don't forget that "First Friday" is just around the corner. We are just loving the art-themed evenings that bring so many people out on the first Friday of each month.

For Nov. 1, we'll be featuring an opening reception for our next exhibition. Artist Cynthia Shaw, whom you may remember from her participation in our boutique during ArtWalk, will be featured during November. Shaw, who is a founding member of the Nyack Art Collective, is a mixed-media artist. Make a plan to stop by and meet her, see the show and join us for the usual mix of refreshments, good fun and great conversation from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 1.

Treat or Treat! and NYACK'S HALLOWEEN PARADE

Of course, Nyack is always buzzing when it's time for the famed Halloween parade, which will step off and fill the downtown streets starting at 5 p.m. If you've been before, you know it's a major happening; if not, plan to come to the event that will surely surprise you with its creativity and scope.

Did I mention the participating captivating high school marching bands? Yeah, you don't want to miss it.

And at Maria Luisa, the celebrating will be all day Saturday - but for us, it's "ONLY TREATS, NO TRICKS" - !! Stop by during all hours between 10:00am and 5:00pm Saturday when we are offering 20% off any one item priced at $25 or more. That's right - 20%. It's a great opportunity to get that item of clothing, jewelry or furniture/home accessory you've been coveting. Just say "Treat or Treat" while smiling for your discount TREAT.

And since we like to extend the celebrating, we will also offer the same deal - 20% off any one item priced at $25 or more - all day on Halloween itself. Stop in - and remember, we always have treats on hand for the little "trick-or-treaters" on Halloween day.

THE ARTS, IN FULL BLOOM

The lower-level gallery of ML by Maria Luisa has hosted a number of arts-related events over the past couple of years. There have been nights filled with music, others with spoken word. And many have been devoted to the visual arts. Some presented works of simple beauty, others pieces that truly made you think. We’ve enjoyed it all, especially the opening receptions that gather the most interesting people who come together to chat, sip a glass of wine and simply appreciate the wealth of talent in our own backyard. Combine the best of those previous events with the enthusiasm of Nyack’s growing “First Friday” series and that gives you a hint of what a lovely – and lively – event we hosted Oct. 4 as our latest edition of the monthly themed nights. You may already know – and enjoy – Maria’s sponsorship of the Local Arts Index, a regular feature on the Nyack News & Views site.

Well, this new exhibition put the spotlight on the first 11 local artists profiled in the feature, each contributing a work to this one-of-a-kind group show. We were thrilled to showcase paintings and photographs, sculptures and mixed-media work, even a musical effort.

The diverse talents led to the most eclectic of evenings, as people wandered in and out, meeting the artists and plenty of old (and new) friends. The show’s broad range put the spotlight on artists you may know (a number have shown with Maria before) and others whose work might be new to you. No matter, there was no denying the creativity on display – and we thank Bill Batson of Nyack News & Views for his invaluable partnership and own talent.

Thank you to the participating artists who include Janice Baragwanath, Anita Brown, Peter Cheney, Trine Giaever, Shawna Handke, Ed Kirkland, Ann Oppenheim, Laurie Peek, Lauren Rudolph, Elaine Schloss and Dan White and of course, we thank Suzanne O’Brian, Maria Luisa’s events coordinator/ display manager and Kris Burns for a flawless event. If you missed the opening, be sure to stop by as the exhibition continues through Oct. 27 at ML by Maria Luisa (Gifts & Accessories), 75 S. Broadway, Nyack. Marialuisaboutique.com. And don’t forget to mark your calendars, as Part II, a companion exhibition, is already being planned for December. – Mary Shustack, Maria Luisa newsletter editor

It's Hard to say Good-Bye

Our beloved team member Denise Sharpe will soon be leaving the Northeast to start the next chapter of her life, relocating to Texas. Of course, we wish her all good things in her new adventure, but we can't help but feel a bit wistful. Denise has brought something very special to Maria Luisa, both in the boutique and at ML by Maria Luisa, in her years here. You know her for her personal style. You know her for her honesty. You know her for her compassion and good ear. You know her for her always suggesting the perfect item for you to try on - or the ideal gift when you're shopping for someone special. Most of all, you know her for that infectious laugh and her wonderful spirit. It's no surprise that Denise herself wanted to share a few words with you, our preferred customers, herself, which we are proud to pass along: ***

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU & GOOD-BYE Well, the time has come to say good-bye to everyone that has made me smile during my time here. Maria Luisa is more than just a workplace, it is a family, and it is "YOU" the customers that give it soul. I've become friendly with so many of you, and I truly appreciate the love and respect you've shown, while trusting me to find the best selections with you. It has been a pleasure to work here, but more than that, it has been a privilege to have met and mixed with such nice people.

There have been great teammates that have made the job truly enjoyable, too. It's not often that you look forward to going to work, but I got to spend time with a group of friends. I'm proud to have been a player on this team. Lastly, I want to send a special thank you to Maria for the opportunity and tremendous support she's always shown. I've learned so much and certainly from the BEST.

My path is taking me to Austin, for warm weather and new beginnings. I'm not sure what the future will bring, but I know it will involve lots of fond memories. If anyone would like to stay in touch, finds themselves traveling to Austin or would like to contact me, my email is: denise.sharpe@gmail.com Love & hugs, Denise" *** We know you join us in wishing Denise the very best. Stop by, if you can, to wish her well in person before her Maria Luisa career wraps up Sept. 28. ML

A Magical Evening of Storytelling

The back garden of ML Gifts & Accessories was transformed into an intimate club of sorts on the evening of July 31 as we hosted “There’s Magic in the Art of Storytelling.” It was yet another of our special events designed to offer both something unique for our customers and something to foster a sense of community. And we think those in attendance – and we thank the several dozen who joined us – would agree it was quite a success. Maria Luisa Whittingham met writer Jayme Rudolph Cooper when ML Gifts hosted an exhibition of the stunning portrait work created Jayme’s sister Lauren Rudolph (her work, in prints and cards, continues to be on sale at ML Gifts). Maria and Jayme got to talking, an evening was suggested and as Maria said “We set a date, finally, then Jayme ran with it.” It was, in Maria’s eyes, another way to tap into the wealth of local talent. “We have such a wonderful artistic community,” she said. And Jayme surely helped turn the spotlight on that talent. In the outdoor space so artfully styled by Kris Burns (you’ve probably seen her work in Maria’s windows), the evening got under way with more than a few laughs as Michelle Churchill, author of “Flashes: Adventures in Dating through Menopause,” shared a bit of her background. She then read us a chapter on a date that included a former athlete, candy kisses and a gift set of Lady Stetson perfume. (You have to hear it to believe it!) The evening’s well-paced variety continued with Jayme then sharing a few selections of her own work that touched on universal themes of love and family. Emmy Laybourne took us along on a fast-paced glimpse into her latest thriller, “Monument 14: Sky on Fire.” Amy Clarke then shared a chapter of a nonfiction book. While it’s designed to teach children how to find their passion, it also tapped into something everyone can remember: “Keep going and don’t stop until you have the life that you want.”

The evening’s diversity was continued with the remainder of the lineup. Anupama Amaran shared poems that took us from horseriding in Vermont to a stroll down the evening streets of Slovenia. Kim Purcell, author of “Trafficked,” shared the drama of a new immigrant standing in line at customs; and Diana Wilkins capped the evening with poetry that in its truth and beauty transcended its personal nature. It simply resonated, as did the whole event. As Maria said, “Everyone deserves an audience to hear their stories. Jayme, in her opening remarks, had also touched on the power of the women and their words. “That’s really what it comes down to in life, sharing our stories.” And on a mid-summer evening at ML Gifts, that sharing proved something magical indeed. ~ Mary Shustack Editor, Maria Luisa Newsletter

A Night of Storytelling and shopping for a cause

Wednesday July 31, 2013 6:00-9:00pm Come join us at Maria Luisa Boutique on Wednesday July 31st for a Night of Storytelling and giving. The night begins with some after-hours shopping, with 10% of the evening’s proceeds to benefit children’s literacy. We will be serving light refreshments and wine for your pleasure, come peruse our beautiful merchandise, meet our friends long-standing customers, and enjoy yourself on a beautiful summer evening. The more we sell the more we donate to children’s literacy—so buy that dress you have been pining for, or get some new work or vacation clothes; just treat yourself to something gorgeous! “Live your life from your heart, and your story will heal other peoples souls.” Melody Beattie We will begin storytelling at 7:00. Our intention in hosting this beautiful evening is to gather together to ignite that spark in one another and honor the transformational act of storytelling. To experience that magic however, someone has to stand up and speak—to offer up a piece of themselves, to tell their story. And that’s just what we will be doing at Maria Luisa Boutique this Wednesday, July 31st. We hope you will join us for this lovely evening. Maria We are also asking for donations of your favorite gently used books that will be given to the local community center. 75 -77 South Broadway, Nyack NY 10960 845-353-4122

There's magic in the act of storytelling.

Forget about slowing down for summer. Things have really been heating up at Maria Luisa Boutique and ML Gifts with exhibitions, sales and all kinds of special events. Next up is a special evening devoted to storytelling. We're really looking forward to it, so mark your calendar for 7 p.m. July 31. Here are the details, as provided by event organizer Jayme Cooper, who shares that published novelists Emmy Laybourne and Kim Purcell will be among the participants: "Live your life from your heart, share from your heart, and your story will heal other people's souls." -Melody Beattie

Magic, in the sense that it transforms right on the spot. A plot, a concept, sometimes even a word spoken out into the atmosphere has the power to reach down deep into our souls and ignite that often elusive spark that lives in all of us. To experience that magic, however, someone has to stand up and speak-to offer up a piece of themselves, to tell their story. And, on July 31st at 7 pm at ML Gifts & Accessories, a group of women will do just that. In the spirit of living and sharing from the heart, we offer a night filled with what we know will be magic. The intention for this beautiful evening is that we gather under the balmy, star-filled summer sky to ignite that spark in one another and honor the transformational act of storytelling." We're really looking forward to the artistry that this event will surely spotlight. And when you come, be sure to catch the closing days of our current exhibition, a series of collaborative art works inspired by the life of Frederick Douglass. The work, which teamed up students from the Blue Rock School and St. Thomas Aquinas College, has proven memorable. As always, the evening will offer a chance to catch up with friends, perhaps do a bit of shopping and of course, have some refreshments. We hope to see you there, and please RSVP via the link below. ML RSVP Link ALSO, this Saturday, July 20 Walk to the Beat NYACK. Read details HERE.