Mark and Angie Setevdemio, founders of Creative Connections Gift Shop & Gallery in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, have known Vermont artist Susan Wahlrab since she was their art professor at Framingham State College 30 years ago. Fast forward, and they are now hosting her exhibition, “Garden in the Forest,” in their second-floor gallery space. “We’ve been admirers of Susan’s work since we were in college,” Mark said. “We were taken with her printmaking at the time, and later her dramatic use of light and overlapping swirls of color in layered concentric circles that use an unusual visual technique of varnished watercolor on archival clay board.” It’s a labor-intensive method that Wahlrab developed over time, requiring a good deal of patience, as layer upon layer dries before each subsequent layer is added. The result is engaging color and form on works that range in size … [Read more...] about LIGHT & LAYERS: SUSAN WAHLRAB’S “GARDEN IN THE FOREST” OFFERS RESPITE

To experience the dream of another is something that many regard as an impossible feat. The closest we may come is by being immersed in the extraordinary video installations of Cuban-American interdisciplinary artist Allison Maria Rodriguez at the Nesto Gallery at Milton Academy. “There is power in creativity, there is strength in imagining,” Rodriguez said, noting that imagination is a force encouraged in childhood and suppressed in adulthood. Her exhibition, “Worlds Within,” is comprised of several digital animations from Rodriguez’s ongoing series, “Legends Breathe.” The subjects of Rodriguez’s stunning installations are female-identified and nonbinary creatives in her community, invited by the artist to share visually detailed descriptions of their childhood fantasies. These fantasies are dreams and stories her subjects created during childhood in order to overcome traumatic … [Read more...] about INSTINCTIVE, PLAYFUL, METICULOUS: RODRIGUEZ USES HER ART TO OVERCOME PAST TRAUMA

I first discovered Kim Triedman’s multi-layered work in ArtSpace Maynard’s 2018 exhibition, “Waste Not,” in which most of the work engaged the feelings of discourse taking place in the United States at the time. Having loved old buildings and old things, I was immediately drawn to her use of old window frames as frames for her collages. It took several close looks – some of those not taking place till I had returned home to review photos I had taken as a reference for my notes — to realize how much else was going on in her pieces — and what their true intention was. “I think that every act of art-making is an act of throwing out a line for someone else in the universe to catch," Triedman said. “Anytime we as viewers approach a piece of art, we come at it with our own set of experiences and emotional history – but essentially blind as to the artist’s own intentions and processes. So, … [Read more...] about MAKING A STATEMENT: TRIEDMAN’S WINDOW FRAMED COLLAGES ARRIVE IN CONCORD

The Cambridge Art Association (CAA) is saluting the new year by presenting the art of today and providing an opportunity for viewers to join a critical culture dialog about timeless issues that concern us all. Its first exhibition of 2022, “Vernacular Glamour,” is part of the Platform Curatorial Opportunity series launched in 2019 by the CAA for curators to explore new curatorial and exhibition concepts. It will be on view in its Kathryn Schultz Gallery from January 6 through February 5. Curated by contemporary art curator Juan Omar Rodriguez, “Vernacular Glamour” presents works in painting, photography, new media, drawings and textile. Rodriguez, a Latinx born in Phoenix, Arizona, currently based in Philadelphia, is committed to making the art world more expansive by supporting artists of color, Latinx, and queer artists. He selected eight contemporary artists who have been shaping … [Read more...] about RAISING THEIR VOICES: RECLAIMING SPACES AND CELEBRATING IDENTITIES AT CAA

Attleboro Arts Museum’s Executive Director, Mim Fawcett, made an insightful decision inviting gallerist LaiSun Keane to jury the prize awards for the museum’s current Members’ Show. LaiSun Keane Gallery opened with a real freshness in Boston’s SoWa Arts District in September 2020 and since then has presented a roster of innovative exhibitions. Her gallery has participated in art fairs “SPRING/BREAK” and “Art on Paper” during New York City Art Fair Week and most recently participated in “Untitled” during Miami’s Art Fair Week. Keane focuses on developing opportunity for under-recognized artists and she is informed about the latest art trends. Kudos to Fawcett for making such an excellent jurist choice. The Members’ Show is an eagerly anticipated yearly event at Attleboro Arts Museum. Members may submit up to three artworks. The promise made by the museum is that all artworks delivered … [Read more...] about A GREATER INTENSITY OF VOICES: LAISUN KEANE JURIES ATTLEBORO’S PRIZE-WINNING SHOW