By Newlin Tillotson Mystic, CT- The Mystic Arts Center in the seaport town of Mystic, Conn. has had a long-standing history as an influential home for the arts. Its newest exhibition, “Mystic as a Muse: 100 Years of Inspiration,” explores a history that began with founder Charles Harold Davis, a landscape painter and impressionist, who settled along the Mystic River to capture the area’s marine beauty. The exhibit features work from the past 100 years up to the present day. The center perches on the edge of Mystic River and is just around the corner from the downtown shops. There are small boutiques, independent art galleries and jewelry stores, including The Art Garden, where visitors can find beads from around the world and a friendly pug named “Buddha.” At the top of the street, adjacent to the arts center, is the famous Mystic Pizza, the place Julia Roberts worked at as “Daisy” … [Read more...] about Mystic as a Muse: 100 Years of Inspiration at the Mystic Arts Center
Exhibits
Transformed Volumes at the Hera Gallery
By Newlin Tillotson Wakefield, RI - In “Transformed Volumes” at the Hera Gallery, the work of an artist is juxtaposed with the work of an author. Curated by Paul Forte, the exhibit includes six artists from around the country who work with books as a medium. Forte himself specializes in artist bookworks, and several of his pieces are on display, including “Map of Chaos,” a collage of a shredded atlas on canvas and “John Brown’s Body,” a book on a white pedestal that was unearthed after being buried in the ground for almost a year. Both pieces include details that add context to the work. “Map of Chaos” has jagged red, blue and green lines mixed throughout. Gallery director Dora Szekely said it reminds her of a T.V. gone static. Similarly, “John Brown’s Body” is weathered and worn from the elements; new roots are growing through the cover of the book. “Forte found it … [Read more...] about Transformed Volumes at the Hera Gallery
Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion” exhibit at the RISD Museum
By Newlin Tillotson Providence, RI- Proving men’s fashion to be more than just the basics, the “Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion” exhibit at the RISD Museum in Providence shows a swanky and trend-focused side of men’s clothing. This timeline exhibit takes a look at the origin of the “dandy,” a man who is style-minded, artistic and bold. It starts with Beau Brummell, the “pioneer” of dandyism in London, who introduced society to fitted, tailored clothing. With Brummell, men’s fashion parted from breeches and stepped into full-length trousers and the modern men’s suit. Garments such as the coat of Edward Carrington from 1820 reveal opulence in the silk lined collar and silk covered buttons. The broadcloth used in men’s suits at the time was luxurious and allowed tailors to achieve a well-formed fit. The dandy faced ridicule however, with unfavorable depictions cropping up in … [Read more...] about Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion” exhibit at the RISD Museum
Elibekians: Three Generations of Artists at Providence’s Gallery Z
By Newlin Tillotson Providence, RI - For the Elibekian family, artistic talent is a trait that is passed from one generation to the next. Vagharshag Elibekian, his son Robert and grandson Areg share an aptitude for painting and theater, fortes that have allowed them to capture cultural traditions, fantasy and beauty in their work. “Elibekians: Three Generations of Artists,” an exhibit that opened June 6 at Gallery Z in Providence, showcases paintings by each of the artists. Though the paintings are the work of three family members, the artists have their own distinct style, letting the work of each Elibekian stand on its own. Born in 1910 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Vagharshag worked as a director for Tbilisi’s Armenian Theatre and practiced painting. His work represents the traditions of Armenian culture and captures family values through portraits. “Armenian Family,” does just this … [Read more...] about Elibekians: Three Generations of Artists at Providence’s Gallery Z
Percy Fortini-Wright: The Spray Can and the Brush at Nesto Gallery
By Brian Goslow Milton, MA - “Percy Fortini-Wright: The Spray Can and the Brush” opens on May 3 with a Friday evening reception from 6-8 p.m. at Milton Academy’s Nesto Gallery. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow “cornered” Fortini-Wright, who teaches at the Art Institute Of Boston at Lesley University and Montserrat College of Art, to talk about the exhibition, how he fell in love with graffiti, the four-decade long hesitation by the art establishment to accept the genre, and who’s buying his work. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK THAT’LL BE IN THE SHOW … The show consists of approximately 30 paintings with multiple subject matters ranging from cityscapes to portraiture all the way to 3-dimensional graffiti pieces; some are a melting pot of all the above. Working primarily as a traditional oil painter and a traditional graffiti artist, a portion of the works are more … [Read more...] about Percy Fortini-Wright: The Spray Can and the Brush at Nesto Gallery
Cornered: Rachel Mello, Somerville Open Studios
Somerville, MA - The Boston area will see a series of Open Studios Weekends in the month of May. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow cornered Rachel Mello, Coordinator, Somerville Open Studios (May 4-5); to discuss event preparations, what makes the open studio experience special and what they offer to the arts community. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OVERSEEING YOUR OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND? I am only serving as coordinator for one year, starting in May after SOS 2012, and finishing my term this May. Before that I served on the Board of Directors for two years. WHAT – OR WHOM – BROUGHT YOU ABOARD? Just wanting to be a part of SOS. I came to some volunteer meetings in 2007, after wanting to help for several years. Then I just kept getting more involved. WHAT DOES THE JOB ENTAIL? The SOS Coordinator oversees the event, manages budgeting and planning, keeps the various departments … [Read more...] about Cornered: Rachel Mello, Somerville Open Studios