When visiting Concord this summer, between stops at the Emerson or Alcott house, visit some of the art museums and galleries that dot this historic city. The Umbrella Arts Center and Concord Art are presenting poignant shows that explore the past and present of the human experience. The Umbrella Arts Center’s “Dazzleship” is a homage to seafaringvessels from the first World War that were painted with bold stripes and patterns meant to confuse onlookers. These “dazzle” patterns obscured the direction and velocity of ships on the water. The term finds renewed meaning with “Dazzleship,” a group exhibition curated by Michael MacMahon that – like dazzle paintjobs — aims “to toy with our perception.” Along with MacMahon, who also has a painting in the show, “Dazzleship” brings together 13 artists: Julia Csekö, Gage Delprete, Maya Erdelyi, Laura Fischman, Sarah E. Jenkins, Cody Justus, … [Read more...] about A Day in Concord: ‘Dazzleship’ and ‘(un)seen’
Visual Arts
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SOUTH COAST ARTIST’S OPEN STUDIO TOUR’S FIRST WEEKEND
On Saturday, July 17, the weather in the South Coast was hot, humid and it did not let up through the weekend. Even so, art lovers came out in droves to attend the 18th annual South Coast Artist’s Open Studio Tour. Approximately 75 galleries and studios across Dartmouth and Westport, Massachusetts, and Tiverton and Little Compton, Rhode Island opened their doors to the public. Some opening for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with the stunning artwork on display, the real charm of the South Coast Artist’s Open Studio Tour was seeing the variety of workspaces used by artists across the region and learning about the behind-the-scenes processes that go into creating artwork. According to some artists participating in the tour, visitor turnout was equal to the last in-person open studio tour in 2019. Kelly Milukas, a multimedia artist based out of … [Read more...] about HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SOUTH COAST ARTIST’S OPEN STUDIO TOUR’S FIRST WEEKEND
EMBRACE THE UNUSUAL AT THE ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM
“Real or Imagined” at the Attleboro Arts Museum has something for everyone — paintings, sculptures, even 3D printed artwork. The 95 pieces in the show were selected by guest juror Clare Bell, exhibition director at the Guggenheim Museum. She narrowed down the selection from 756 pieces submitted by 416 artists from across the country. Of those 95, she selected six favorites which won jurors choice awards. The sheer variety in “Real or Imagined” is striking and is evident from the moment one enters the gallery. Immediately, the eye is drawn in different directions. Left are two large black herons sculpted from found objects, right is a bronze-colored 3D printed sculpture of a man emerging from a foot, and on all the surrounding walls are paintings and photographs – some abstract canvases of bright engaging colors and others that play upon childhood memories of toys and Halloween … [Read more...] about EMBRACE THE UNUSUAL AT THE ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM
A WILD NOTE OF LONGING: ALBERT PINKHAM RYDER RETURNS TO NEW BEDFORD
“The only American master who interests me is Ryder,” said Jackson Pollock, and he was not alone in that sentiment. Generations of artists took inspiration from Albert Pinkham Ryder. Now, for the first time in 31 years, Ryder’s work is once again on display. “A Wild Note of Longing: Albert Pinkham Ryder and a Century of American Art,” on display in the Wattles Family Gallery at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, bridges the gap between past and present by showing Ryder’s paintings alongside contemporary artists inspired by his work. Ryder has not been seen on this scale since a 1990 retrospective at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Elizabeth Broun, director emerita of the Smithsonian, had a hand in curating both shows. “It was all meant to be, it felt cosmic,” said Broun at a press conference, describing the exhibit’s opening night, a homecoming for the New Bedford-born … [Read more...] about A WILD NOTE OF LONGING: ALBERT PINKHAM RYDER RETURNS TO NEW BEDFORD
IT STARTED IN WORCESTER: PAUL PEDULLA ON HIS CREATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH ARTSCOPE MAGAZINE
What bright and welcoming colors! That’s what I was thinking in 2010 when I received photos of three adjacent homes in Worcester from Brian Goslow, Managing Editor of Artscope Magazine. I knew there was a painting waiting for me in these photos. Why was Brian sending me photos? The answer goes back to 2008, when he first appeared in my designated space in the juried group show at South End Open Studios. I had no idea who he was. And I was a new artist with little experience showing my work. Brian had an intense look on his face as he examined each of my paintings. Thoughts swirled in my head. Should I talk to him? Maybe leave him alone? Finally, the conversation went something like: “Hi, I’m Paul. Happy to answer any questions. I’m also happy to just leave you alone to look.” “I’m Brian Goslow, Managing Editor of Artscope Magazine. I really like what you’re doing here.” I … [Read more...] about IT STARTED IN WORCESTER: PAUL PEDULLA ON HIS CREATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH ARTSCOPE MAGAZINE
ACTIVATING SPACE: WATER 2021 COMES TO DOWNTOWN NEW BEDFORD
Underneath the usual sound of honking cars and seagull calls in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, a soft rumbling can be heard from Swain Gallery at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The source of the noise is one of three exhibits in “WATER 2021,” the latest show by the Massachusetts Design and Technology Institute (DATMA). DATMA, a non-collecting contemporary art institute in New Bedford is known for bringing public art displays to the city. With “WATER 2021,” DATMA shows three exhibits that explore the role of water in the histories, cultures and economies of several countries and the South Coast of Massachusetts. “WATER 2021” consists of “280 prepared dc-motors, cotton balls, cardboard boxes 13″ x 13″ x 13″, 2011/2021,” by Swiss artist, Zimoun; Hyung S. Kim’s, Phil Mello’s, and Craig Easton’s photo series in “Harvesters of … [Read more...] about ACTIVATING SPACE: WATER 2021 COMES TO DOWNTOWN NEW BEDFORD