Sunday, June 21, 2009

3rd Friday at Fithian House Gallery











We had a nice gathering and Tim Shannon treated us to his yummy shrimp! Love that shrimp! Folks enjoyed the backyard and the art. Below is an article in the AC Press in the Sat june 20 editon




Millville celebrates its beloved pirate
Third Friday memorializes noted local artistPrint this Article
By EDWARD VAN EMBDEN, Staff Writer, 856-
MILLVILLE - On the porch, beneath a black flag with skull and crossbones, a pirate pulled on his groaning accordion and sang a sea chantey about a treasure lost.
A crowd gathered - many dressed in their fine pirate wear, some in bandanas, and others wearing bemused looks - and enjoyed tales about the high seas and good times at this Third Friday celebration.
A year ago, Millville's own pirate, the Pioneer Artist affectionately known as Don the Pirate, died. Referred to as "the conscience of the Arts District," Donald Cossaboon-DeGregorio was memorialized Friday with a night dedicated to the most seaworthy.
Mayor Tim Shannon and his wife, Leslie, came dressed in their own pirate clothing for the affair. Shannon, wearing a pin that read "What would Don do?" remembered the man who once brought a sledgehammer to city hall and asked the commission to tear down a blighted apartment complex.
"You think about a wild spirit, someone that really cared more about the city than anyone, that was Don," Shannon said. "I'm sure he's looking down, wearing his pirate garb, probably with a bottle of rum by his side."
Cossaboon-DeGregorio was an outspoken leader for the downtown's revitalization. Millville's last Pioneer Artist, number 13, Cossaboon-DeGregorio died at the age of 28.
A metalsmith by trade, Cossaboon-DeGregorio owned a shop downtown and was known for making both fine and pirate jewelry. The idea of honoring his life on Third Friday started soon after his death.
Third Friday is a monthly event that showcases the artists and merchants of Millville's Glasstown Arts District. The event always features live entertainment with musicians on nearly every block of High Street in the center of the city's downtown and typically hosts thousands of people.
At the Fithian House Gallery, members of Cossaboon-DeGregorio's pirate crew talked about their good friend. Captain Joe Pantilione of Vineland said Cossaboon-DeGregoiro's personality and friendship will be missed most.
"He's left a big hole in our crew," he said. "There was always something interesting going on whenever he was around."

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