Using the second chapter of author Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice in Wonderland” as a starting point, “because of its tumultuous activity, the frenzied movement of the figures of Alice and the crowds of birds, and the allure of the small sea created by her tears of anger and frustration,” Patty Adams created her “On the Strangest Sea: Alice and the Pool of Tears” series of paintings that will be on view from May 3 through 28 at Bromfield Gallery, 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, Massachusetts. “As I went on with this theme of chaos and new rules ordering her reality, the scene began to be infiltrated by the new social reality around me,” wrote Adams in her show statement, noting, “To add to the drama and meaning of the confrontation, I used devices from the practice of abstract painting.”
“Soaring,” the third solo exhibition of works by Ani Babaian, will be on view from May 13 through May 26 at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., Arlington, Massachusetts. The show is dedicated to her late parents, “who inspired, encouraged and provided a rich background for her creative life” that includes having earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Alzahra University in Tehran, Iran, a career as an independent researcher, artist and art conservator, and exhibitions in Iran, Armenia and the United States. “Untold Stories of Grandma’s Quilt,” “More than Words” and “Legacy” are amongst her warm abstract paintings that will be on display. “I am thrilled to share my latest works, defined by my identity, thoughts, personal experiences and the beauty around me with art lovers,” said Babaian, who grew up in New Julfa, “a historic Armenian community in Isfahan known for its strong culture, traditions and manners.” Viewing hours are weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. “I hope viewers will find meaning and inspiration in my art. I have always believed that art has the power to connect people, and I am excited to connect with the audience through this exhibition.”
With a goal of providing free art and music education, opportunities, and experiences to under-served students through its Resident Artist program for them to “learn about art and activism, collage, color theory, character design, drawing as meditation and installation art,” teachers at the Norwalk Art Space make an invaluable contribution to their community and their own lives. The students “not only learn artistic skills, but they also learn how to think creatively and find their own voice.” In its current exhibition, “The Meaning of Us?” that’s on view through June 1 at Norwalk Art Space, 455 West Ave., Norwalk, Connecticut. resident artists Greg Aime, Lily Morgan and Tiara Trent and visiting teachers Tim Cronin, Darcy Hicks and Aisha Naliah are joined by volunteers and students in a show that for many of the artists will be the first time they’ve shown publicly, an invaluable life experience.
Kyle Browne has reactivated a dormant gallery space — with help from the Chelsea Cultural Council — with her new exhibition, “Seaworthy Seductions: A Taste in Intimacy,” that remains on view through June 11 at the Gallery at Spencer Lofts, 60 Dudley St., Chelsea, Massachusetts. Browne’s paintings are “inspired by seafood platters, sailors’ valentines and the enduring imagination of the sea.” The basis of Browne’s mixed media work is reconnecting to an innate wildness that she believes exists within us all. Her pieces, ranging from intimate sculptures to large-scale paintings, are her love letters to the ocean. While gallery visits are by appointment with the artist (through her website, kylebrowne.com), there will be a reception on June 4 from 3-7 p.m., with an artist panel including Browne, Darlene DeVita, photographer and founder of “The People of Chelsea;” and Marlon Oo, media artist and educator at the ICA/Boston and Loop Lab, at 4 p.m.
Featuring a site-specific installation of the “¡Battenkill!” project, including large-scale paintings that feature distinguishing natural elements of the Battenkill, a nearly 60-mile-long river that runs from southern Vermont to the Hudson River, “Alberto Rey: Cultural Landscapes” will be on display through June 25 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Dr., Manchester, Vermont. “This project is one of many that Rey has created in response to the growing disconnect between people and the natural world as well as the increasing vulnerability of our climate. He hopes the work will renew a sense of connection between the viewer, nature and culture.” The installation will be complimented by Rey’s drawings, notes, maps and photographs taken during his site visits to the Battenkill over the last 18-months, during which his research has included “investigations into local history and entomology, biological cycles and history of regional salmonids (trout), stream restoration, Native American history and the role of the Battenkill in culture.”
Alpers Fine Art, 8 Dock Square, Rockport, Massachusetts (“where Zen and Wow converge”), recently reopened for its third season at its current location. While closed for the winter, owner Peter Alperswas engaged recruiting new artists for the gallery and increasing the inventory of works of artists that he’s shown over its 25-year existence. Indeed, even after he opened for the year, he closed for a few days to retrieve “carloads of new artworks.” Expect plenty of turnover in the months ahead. “The group exhibit, ‘Letting in the Light’ will run for the entire season, April through December, changing incrementally — and perhaps daily — as I deploy new paintings to replace those that have sold,” Alpers said. “During May and June, visitors to Alpers Fine Art will find vibrant and charismatic contemporary paintings in a group exhibit by our core roster of 20 artists. Our bedrock commitment is to offer a kitsch-free, gimmick-free, pretension-free, pressure-free, thoughtfully curated eclectic mix by artists whose powers of execution do justice to their decades-long experience and distinctive visions.”