Contact: Anita Thomas: 508-852-9007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 4, 2017
Bob Armstrong to Exhibit “The Wonderful World of Wood Puzzles: An Exhibition of Hand Cut Wood Jigsaw Puzzles”
At the Gallery at Briarwood Sept. 3 through Nov. 2
Opening Reception: Sunday, Sept. 3, 2PM-4PM (Gallery at Briarwood)
Music Provided by Guitarist Peter Clemente
Worcester, MA The Briarwood Community will feature an exhibition of hand cut wood jigsaw puzzles dating back nearly 200 years from the private collection of Briarwood resident Bob Armstrong. The exhibit is entitled “The Wonderful World of Wood Puzzles: An Exhibition of Hand Cut Wood Jigsaw Puzzles”. The puzzles will be on display Sunday, Sept. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 2.
An opening reception will take place Sunday, Sept. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to meet Mr. Armstrong in person. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Music will be provided by Peter Clemente.
The Gallery at Briarwood is located at 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Briarwood Circle, Worcester. Groups and those wishing to visit on weekends may make arrangements by contacting Anita Thomas at 508-852-9007 or by e-mailing amthomas@briarwoodsl.com.
The exhibit is divided into 6 groups of puzzles: pre-1900, 1909 era, 1930/40’s, Pastime, Par and modern era. Approximately 60 puzzles will be on display, all restored by Armstrong. Group tours and those wishing to visit on weekends may make arrangements by contacting Anita Thomas at 508-852-9007 or by e-mailing amthomas@briarwoodsl.com.
While Bob grew up with wood puzzles and they were an important part of family life after marriage to his wife, Hildegard, it wasn’t until the early 1990’s he became serious about puzzles, first trying to cut new puzzles and then collecting and restoring old puzzles. After his retirement from the full-time practice of law in 1995 at The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, he was able to devote more time to this avocation: joining the Board of the Association of Games & Puzzles International (AGPI); writing articles about puzzles; putting on displays and exhibitions (including Worcester Public Library and WPI); organizing “puzzle parleys” of over 100 attendees ; maintaining a major website devoted to information about puzzles and display of his collection puzzles; and holding once a year sales of his extra restored puzzles through this website.
In 2007, he was unexpectedly honored with an incredible 3200-piece puzzle titled “Full of the Dickens”, secretly cut by 14 puzzle colleagues across the country and incorporating his research, interests and ideas about puzzles. This puzzle will be on display. In 2013, he became the fifth recipient of the Spilsbury Award from the AGPI for his contributions to the advancement of jigsaw puzzles.
Briarwood is a non-profit senior living community that includes Independent Living cottages & apartments, Assistance in Living services, and Knollwood Nursing Center for skilled nursing & rehabilitation services.