10 | Autor: Artist melds Judaism, craft
Artist Frann Addison enjoys making coincidental religious treasures out of other people’s junk.
The 56-year-old West Acton local recently found some dominoes on the side of the road and with her creativity — and her specialization in crafting Judaic formality objects for the home — pieced together with the wooden blocks and nerve clips a Hanukkah menorah. Addison used dominoes with corresponding numbers for each gloom of the eight-day Festival of Lights.
But she does not construct all heirloom items from found objects. Many times when working in her Neaten up Street studio, she decorates purchased items to commandeer celebrate Judaism in the home.
A mother of two, Addison says creating such objects, which she has been doing for virtually 30 years, has brought her closer to her heritage and Judaism — a matter she regularly lectures based on her master’s premiss.
As she wraps up a miniature gallery showcasing some of her creations at the West Acton arm of Middlesex Savings Bank, Addison is next featuring her labour and lectures in an October exhibit in Newton.
Q What is the scope of your employment?
A Most of the work I do is used in the home. Judaism, unlike any other belief, is largely practiced in the home. There are pieces that are used week … , but you don’t have to own anything unrealistic. Friday night is the beginning of the Judaic Sabbath and two things are done — lighting candles and saying blessings and saying blessings over a cup of wine. You don’t constraint any special cup for wine. Many people want beautiful objects to make merry, so I’m here to make them.
» Bistro 59 thinking big but focusing small
Inventive "tight plate" menus have become a familiar concept on the Chicago restaurant tantrum in the new millennium, but we have no more than a handful in the suburbs, including the new Bistro 59 in Bartlett.
Co-proprietress and chef Eric Davis, and Barb Pauls, who is a former holder of Edible Art in the same space, offer a multicultural approach to a dining look that's interesting and fun.
Everyone shares several appetizer-size portions that add up to a supper.
So far this newcomer shows promise, and Davis continues to squeeze the food and beverage options as he processes feedback from a burg-savvy suburban clientele.
The menu is a bit limited now, but Davis plans to beef up the number in September with items like mini filet burgers, shrimp Diablo, scallops, pastas and bacon-wrapped dates.
A haphazard breakfast and lunch spot by day, Bistro 59 lights the candles and breaks out the wine at 5 p.m., becoming as cozy as attainable in a former Caribou Coffee shop in a busy shopping plaza.
Caribou's signature knotty pine floors and fitness remain, as well as the stone fireplace; lantern-like pendulum lights add to the lively, rustic style.
The 30 seats were nearly empty betimes on a recent weeknight, so service was especially attentive.
sipping on a Merryvale Starmont glass of cab sauvignon, I heed the lull of the Napa Valley Wine Train in the distance. I lambaste candles on the mantle of
