The 2015 Portland Museum Of Art Biennial by Jamie Thompson You can’t get there from here. This timeworn Maine saying has become a kind of cultural touchstone for the state, like blueberries or lobster. But Alison Ferris, curator of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, found a decidedly more artistic application for the adage. Ferris, who curated “You Can’t Get There From Here: The 2015 Portland Museum of Art Biennial,” was inspired by how the saying seems to sum up the indirect, challenging and at times frustrating creative process. Visual artists often follow winding routes to go from inspiration to final product, guided by a combination of creativity and craft. The 32 artists in this year’s Biennial the museum’s ninth represent established and emerging talent in contemporary art with strong connections to Maine. This is the first year that … [Read more...] about You Can’t Get There From Here
November/December 2015
Land Ho!
Fitchburg Pairs Historical with Contemporary by Donna Dodson “Land Ho!,” the impressive new show at the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM), is a must-see. Mary M. Tinti’s sixth curatorial project is the result of nearly one year of extensive research on FAM’s permanent collection utilizing her keen eye for contemporary New England art. Koch Curatorial Fellow Emily M. Mazzola, whose knowledge of 19th and 20th century American Art brought to light the personal stories behind many of the treasures that FAM owned, assisted Tinti. The results are surprising and wide sweeping, pulling into focus the evolution of landscape painting, mark-making and myriad contemporary approaches to this genre. The exhibition is installed in nearly all of the newly renovated galleries on the second floor and bridge of the museum. Nick Capasso joined FAM nearly three years ago, and with his appointment as … [Read more...] about Land Ho!
Team Players
Art League Rhode Island Members' Exhibition by Suzanne Volmer As a clearinghouse, the mission of Art League Rhode Island (ALRI) “is to provide a venue for the growth and encouragement of artists, to promote high standards in the visual arts, and to encourage community participation and appreciation of the greater Rhode Island arts community.” Among their stated objectives is to sponsor an annual exhibition of Rhode Island artists. This year’s “Art League Rhode Island Member’s Exhibition,” on view at Newport Art Museum’s first floor hallway and main Ilgenfritz Gallery through January 3, highlights works by mid- and late-career artists. Newport Art Museum curator Nancy Grinnell strengthened the connectivity of the 75 artworks in the show by installing the offerings as well considered visual groupings. By clustering related artworks, Grinnell has managed to make some … [Read more...] about Team Players
Heading South to See and Be Seen
Artscope and New England Artists Prepare For Art Basel Miami Beach by Suzanne Volmer (Editor’s note: artscope magazine is proud to have been selected to be included at this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach’s Magazines section, where we’ll be displayed amongst other leading international art magazines in its stands and collective booth. In this article, Rhode Island correspondent Suzanne Volmer provides a preview of what to expect and how some New England galleries are preparing for this year’s festivities.) Art Basel Miami Beach, sponsored by UBS and held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the world’s leading art destination during the first week of December with adjunct fairs, including Art Miami, CONTEXT, Aqua Art, Miami Projects, NADA, Pulse, Red Dot, Scope, Untitled and Satellite, scheduled to operate that week in the surrounding area. The adventure is in the … [Read more...] about Heading South to See and Be Seen
November/December 2015 Issue
Article Excerpts: Welcome |Heading South to See and Be Seen | Team Players | Land Ho! | You Can't Get There From Here | Hassan Hajjaj’s Rock Stars | Putting Out Feelers | Olitski and McCullough In NH | Wood At Montserrat | Nora Valdez: Relocations | Drawing On, In, Out | Newly Renovated | Bunny Harvey At Wellesley | Cut.Paper.Fold | Richard Heller | Gabrielle Rossmer | Robin Frisella | Following A Call to The Sea | Let There Be Light |Through The Lens of History | Katrina Then And Now: Artists As Witness | Boston Printmakers 2015 Biennial |Lynsey Addario's Veiled |Head At Umass Amherst | Carol Gove At Regis |Water, Water Everywhere? | Artup | Capsule Previews … [Read more...] about November/December 2015 Issue
Welcome
Welcome to artscope magazine’s final issue of 2015, an issue we’re proud to be sending to Art Basel Miami Beach, where it will be exhibited and available in the Collective Booth. Any expanded issue is a challenging enterprise for our editorial staff, even more so with the responsibility of putting New England’s visual arts community in front of a national and inter- national art audience and collector base. As was the case this past June at Art Basel Switzerland, artscope will be in attendance at Miami Beach. I encourage you to download our “artscope Universe” mobile app that surveys all of our social media offerings in one place on your smartphone, iPad or reading tablet so that you don’t miss a post. You can get it in your App Store or on Google Play. With our attention firmly on Miami Beach, Suzanne Volmer talked to a cross- section of regional galleries, artists and collectors … [Read more...] about Welcome