“Who We Are: Celebrating Diversity” remains on view through July 31 at the Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Ave., Lowell, Massachusetts. The exhibition “is a showcase of art from those who are traditionally overlooked in New England and Greater Lowell including BIPOC, LGBT+ and non-binary communities” as selected by juror Gwendolyn Lanier, an artist at Lowell’s Brush Art Gallery and Studios and a teaching artist at the Essex Art Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts, whose artwork has been exhibited at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Painted Bride in Philadelphia. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon-5:30 p.m. and on Sunday from noon-4 p.m. The show’s opening reception takes place on July 2 from 3-5 p.m.
Joe Caruso’s “Movers and Shakers” will be on view from July 9 through August 20 at HallSpace, 950 Dorchester Ave., Boston. “In this show, I use the notion of power or spirit figure to explore some of the contemporary issues facing our society today, particularly issues of equality and self-determination. I work in three major areas, found-object sculpture, painting and ceramics,” said Caruso. “My sculpture, somewhat crude and primitive, is made mostly from objects reclaimed from the street, from bins on trash day and from thrift shops. My ceramic pieces are adorned with found objects as well. Materials in my collage paintings include paper and plastic products used in packages delivered to our homes on a daily basis. These were made during the early days of Covid when art supply shops were closed and we rarely left our homes.”
The New England Sculptors Association has teamed up with LexArt to present “Summer Surprise,” an exhibition featuring 35 works by 23 artists that were juried by local sculptors and LexArt patrons, Alison Lauriat and Molly Nye, along with LexArt president, Matthew Siegel that will take place from July 16 through August 7. Founded in 1948, NESA has over 150 professional sculptor members, emerging sculptors and Friends of NESA from seven states. “Although the Association has no brick and mortar presence, they partner with local galleries, museums, historical sites, and communities to bring sculpture in all its amazing forms to the public, living up to their tagline of ‘bringing sculptures to communities.’” An early look at some of the work suggests this will be a spectacular event. The show’s opening reception is scheduled for July 17 from 2-4 p.m. at LexArt, 130 Waltham St., Lexington, Massachusetts.
The 89th Annual NH Craftsmen’s Fair takes place from August 6 through 14 at the Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury, New Hampshire. Nearly 200 juried League craftsmen and invited guest artists will provide a great opportunity for shopping for fine art and craft and to learn about the techniques and inspirations behind this exceptional work. There will be daily demonstrations and curated exhibitions to deepen fairgoers’ appreciation for handmade items, workshops that will allow guests of all ages to experience the joy of creating and a new scavenger hunt for children and youths to enjoy exploring the entire fairgrounds. More details can be found at nhcrafts.org.
The 25th Annual North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (NBOSS)remains on view through November 12. “In addition to sculptures by over 40 artists scattered throughout the village of North Bennington, Vermont, an additional 25+ artists will display their work on our beautiful 10-acre Bennington Museum property in Old Bennington for the third consecutive year, including many who have contributed to NBOSS since the exhibition’s early years.” An artist reception, screening of a short documentary film on NBOSS’ past, present and future, and rare performance of sculptor John Umphlett’s “Flipping One Over a Bush” will be held on August 25 from 5-7 p.m. Plan your visit by downloading a postcard map showing where all the works are located at benningtonmuseum.org.