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C.J. Blackthorn says we’re living in the “era of AI slop,” when it seems like every image on the Internet, in advertisements, illustrations, or elsewhere was AI-generated. Some of it isn’t great, so “slop” might be the word for it.
Blackthorn is presenting a class called “Understanding AI: A Primer for Artists,” at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To demonstrate how “real” art compares with AI-generated imagery, Blackthorn created the above image from Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting at the Van Gogh Museum, using the AI generator, Dall-e.
AI is “churning out massive amounts of content,” says Blackthorn, who teaches at the Plymouth arts center, and when one of her young students used an AI image of a human body for reference, she discovered it had seven toes. Blackthorn said that wasn’t surprising because AI builds off associations – the machine doesn’t “know” what a foot looks like. She doesn’t encourage students to use AI creations as references because AI often builds on content that other AI has made – so how accurate can it be?
Artists have a reasonable concern about their work being used for AI training, or about AI appropriating their artistic style. Blackthorn’s workshop will try to help them understand – in a broad way – how AI works, as well as what its ramifications are. (She mostly creates sculptural pieces, making her less susceptible to having her art hijacked.)
The reality is that if you post your art on social media, it is probably going to be used to train AI. Whether there is copyright infringement involved is a complicated issue, Blackthorn said. Knowing that our data is constantly being harvested when we’re online has become a fact of life, especially for Americans.
“We kind of accept it,” Blackthorn said.
But there are ethical issues involved, especially when someone (or some “thing”) is intentionally duplicating another person’s style.
“There’s the ethics of it, and the reality of it,” she said.
Much like the technology challenge of trying to stay ahead of hackers, Blackthorn said, AI is adjusting speedily to efforts to fend it off. It’s almost like an “arms race,” she said.
She also finds that AI sometimes reinforces biases –for example, if you want to generate a picture of a doctor, you often get an image of a male, and a nurse might automatically be depicted as a female. With more images being created by AI – from AI – a lot of these hackneyed biases get reinforced.
For some, it only about whether AI can create an aesthetically pleasing image. Blackthorn has a different take.
“When we look at art, what is the reason for it?” she said. “For me, it’s about human connection, and the skill and effort and everything that was put into a piece by a person. I find value in that.”
And AI is changing almost by the day. For instance, with the emergence of DeepSeek, the Chinese app that has caused a recent buzz for being comparatively cheap and still effective, Blackthorn said she’s curious to learn more about how it’s working.
Blackthorn said she hopes that understanding AI technology on a broad level will help artists and art lovers to differentiate “real” from “fake,” and to find ways to protect their own creations.
The class costs $5, or $4.50 for Plymouth Center for the Arts members. You can register here.
(photo of Sunflowers Van Gogh and AI created – referenced in the body – Blackthorn put this image together)
Monday, February 3
Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., welcomes “gals” celebrating Galantine’s Day. During its Sip & Pour Candle Making Class from 7 to 8:30 p.m. you’ll pour your own non-toxic candle while sipping wines from around the world. If candle-making makes you hungry, you can build your own charcuterie board. Tickets are $50. You can get them here. Food and wine are not included.

“The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody and directed by Brady Corbet, is showing at Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The almost four-hour movie (counting the intermission) follows visionary architect László Toth, who arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage. Toth settles in Pennsylvania where he becomes connected with a rich industrialist who recognizes his talent. Film times are 2 and 6 p.m. Mohammad Rasoulof‘s award-winning Iranian thriller, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” is also showing at 2 p.m. The Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet, returns with film times at 4:30 and 7 p.m. All three films continue through Thursday, Feb. 6. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Tuesday, February 4
Hone your strategic skills by joining the Chess Club at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Experienced chess instructor Bill Petrillo will be available to provide guidance, along with Jim Pritchard. The club meets in the Nook Road Room. Everyone, no matter their skill level, is welcome. The library will provide chess sets, but you can also bring your own.
Wednesday, February 5
Sustainable Plymouth will be hosting a public forum on EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis), mosquito spraying, and the environment from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Plymouth Town Hall, 26 Court St., in the 1620 Courtroom. Three experts will present information about EEE, the program to control its spread, and how to limit its effects on pollinators.
Thursday, February 6

The Wolff Sisters will perform their gritty folk-rock music in the laid-back atmosphere of the Lobby Series at the Spire at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The sisters grew up on Dylan and Springsteen blended with the Rolling Stones. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
Friday, February 7
Lisa Polizzi’s Janis Joplin Experience comes to the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Polizzi recently performed twice at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Tickets are $36 and $40. You can get them here.
Saturday, February 8
A community workshop on the Downtown Resiliency Project will be held at 9 a.m. at the 1749 Courthouse, 2 Town Square. As a part of Plymouth’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, climate-ready solutions are being built into a redesign of downtown Plymouth. The project will encompass Main Street Extension to Samoset Street. The town is seeking input from the public about what steps should be taken to mitigate climate change.
“Understanding AI: A Primer for Artists,” a class led by C.J. Blackthorn, will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St. See the lead item in this column for more details.

The 1620 Winery, 55 Cordage Park Circle, invites the public to “The Vintner’s Experience,” at 4 p.m., a winery tour and tasting hosted by 1620 Winery’s Robert Mullaney. Guests will sample several varieties of wine throughout the tour (including straight from the barrel in the winery’s private aging room). The tour will be followed by a tasting of six wines paired with hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $95. You can buy them here.

British guitarist Mike Dawes will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Dawes is known for composing, arranging, and performing multiple parts simultaneously on guitar, and is regarded as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle guitarists. His repertoire includes original viral videos and popular arrangements. He’s also performed with Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. Tickets are $31.50 and $35. You can get them here.
Sunday, February 9
The 1620 Winery, 55 Cordage Park Circle, will hold its ninth annual Bridal Expo, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re planning on a wedding – or know someone who is – you can register for a free ticket and dance to music from a live DJ, enjoy hors d’oeuvres made by the winery’s executive chef, and browse local vendors or patronize the cash bar. Registration is required -you can sign up here.
The Shady Roosters take their perches back at the Spire’s Lobby for another of its “Sunday Fundays” presented by IndieFerm Brewing from 2 to 5 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30. The Roosters’ music is a blend of roots rock, rockabilly, and blues. IndieFerm’s craft beers will be on tap along with bottles of the brewery’s kombucha and a selection of wine and other drinks. Tickets are $5, cash only at the door,
Monday, February 10
The True Crime Book Club at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., will meet in the Board Room from 6 to 7 p.m. The new library-led book club will discuss a different true crime selection each month. This month the selection is the spookily titled “We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence,” by Becky Cooper. Copies of each month’s book are available at the circulation desk four weeks in advance. Contact Maureen Coleman at 508-830-4250, ext. 230, if you have any questions.
Take the “This New Old House,” tour and learn about how replica houses are constructed in the 17th Century English Village at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for museum members, $15 for others. You can get them here.
Wednesday, February 12
The Plymouth Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Chiltonville Congregational Church, 6 River St., at 1 p.m. Russell Norton will present a program on “Diseases of Trees and Shrubs.” Norton is a horticulturist for the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and an educator for the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry. A traditional English tea will be served after the program. Guests are welcome to join for a $5 fee.
Friday, February 14
Krisanthi Pappas will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors open at 7 p.m., in a Valentine’s Day show featuring (what else?) love songs from Burt Bacharach and the Beatles. Pappas will sing and play piano. She will be joined by Steve Forrest on guitar and vocals, Steve Skop on bass, and John DiSanto on drums. Tickets are $28.80 and $32. You can buy them here.
The 1620 Winery at 55 Cordage Park Circlewill host a Valentine’s Day experience for couples at its Tapas & Cocktails Lounge. The ticketed event will offer a special menu of tapas and cocktails, as well as the 1620’s wines. Reservations are required. You can make them here.
Have a romantic dinner and movie at Plimoth Cinema, in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., starting at 5:30 p.m. for the meal, and followed by a 7 p.m. showing of the classic romantic comedy “P.S. I Love You.” Tickets are $75 for museum members, $80 for non-members. You can buy them here.
Saturday, February 15
Join other crafters at a Lotus Lantern Craft Workshop in the Fehlow Meeting Room from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Make your own lotus lantern to take home. Younhee Shin of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project will accompany participants via Zoom Space is limited and registration is required. You can register here.