What a feeling of freedom! Two Covid vaccine shots, a beautiful spring day and an opportunity to see, in person, inspiring works of art at the South Shore Art Center (SSAC). Hopefully, you will all be venturing out soon to share in the joy that art brings to our lives. Katherine French has selected 65 excellent works created in a wide variety of recognizable media, and some created in ways that will never be replicated. Subjects range from abstract to detailed realism, from joy to death. “PIVOT,” a juried exhibition, was put together in a whirlwind fashion. Calls for art went out February 1 and the exhibit opened April 8, which must have set a record. Each accepted work of art is worthy of a written accolade and three themes stand out: Anxiety, Beauty and Nature. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about A NEAR-PERFECT PIVOT: ANXIETY, BEAUTY AND NATURE ON DISPLAY AT SSAC
Current Issue
CAREFUL RAYS OF COLORFUL LIGHT: NEWBURY STREET RETURNS TO WHAT THEY DO BEST
On the day after Patriots Day, 14 months after my last visit to Newbury Street, there’s a small sign of pre-Covid life as outside restaurants are busy and visitors are entering galleries, albeit in ones and twos. But the street feels alive. “We’ve had a nice April,” said Guild of Boston Artists gallery director Alex Ciesielski. ”We’re seeing a nice turnaround. It’s tentative, but you can feel it.” Visitors to the gallery have been appreciative. “People felt we were producing substance here and thanked us for being open,” Ciesielski said. “One woman told us she saw us as essential because we were providing a spiritual essence. She hadn’t seen any fine art in a year because of Covid.” May will see the Guild holding its Annual Members Exhibition. “I asked my artists for as much new work as possible for our spring show as it felt like a renewal,” Ciesielski said. “Right now, I … [Read more...] about CAREFUL RAYS OF COLORFUL LIGHT: NEWBURY STREET RETURNS TO WHAT THEY DO BEST
Welcome May/June 2021: From Brian Goslow
Welcome to our May/June 2021 issue, which I hope finds you in good health. When we started planning this issue, our team was in full self-protection mode, going out, at most, a few times a week, rarely for anything other than acquiring life essentials or visiting an exhibition if restrictions allowed. Then, as our copy and production deadlines neared, we found ourselves working around vaccine appointments and the added protection of a few extra days for any residual effects. And now, as this issue arrives in your hands, we’ve carefully returned to what we and our writers love doing most — going out and seeing art and interacting with the people who make it, sell it, promote it and purchase it. During these 14 months of solitude, I’ve especially enjoyed the online presentations by Rhode Island’s Hera Gallery and how it managed to curate and share art and images from around the … [Read more...] about Welcome May/June 2021: From Brian Goslow
FULL-THROTTLE CREATIVITY: CONNECTICUT VENUES KEEPING ART LOVERS ENGAGED
The pandemic dealt crushing blows to artists and arts instructions alike over the past year, with long-anticipated and installed solo exhibitions put on hold, and temporary building closures. But despite cancellations and staff furloughs, many museums in Connecticut have used this somnolent time well, continuing to plan for exhibitions that will better reflect Connecticut’s historic and ethnic populations, and keeping arts lovers engaged and wanting more with marvelous virtual programming. As many moved to soft openings, and mass vaccinations are underway, exciting exhibitions are planned this spring and fall. Here are just a few of them. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about FULL-THROTTLE CREATIVITY: CONNECTICUT VENUES KEEPING ART LOVERS ENGAGED
INTENSIFIED SOUL SEARCHING: PHYSICAL FEEDBACK OF GALLERIES GREATLY MISSED
Suzanne Volmer joined the Artscope staff in spring 2012; what follows are portions of recent discussions she’s had with New England artists she’s covered during her nine years with the magazine. A sculptor, painter and installation artist in her own right, her art will be on view from March 24 through April 25 at the LaunchPad Gallery at Boston Sculptors Gallery. WITH KENNY COLE (MONROE, MAINE) YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MONUMENTAL GOUACHE DRAWINGS, HAVE COMPLETED A BOOKLET ILLUSTRATING TRUMP’S HISTORY OF TWEETS, AND HAVE BEEN SELLING ARTWORK THROUGH INSTAGRAM STEADILY IN 2020/21. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE ALIVE SO ODDLY, HAS THIS BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR YOU? No, it has not been a good year! Increased online sales are a great show of support for my work, but not significant in terms of a measurable income. These sales are indicator[s] of people spending time online. My work is being seen … [Read more...] about INTENSIFIED SOUL SEARCHING: PHYSICAL FEEDBACK OF GALLERIES GREATLY MISSED
A QUALITY OF SPACIOUSNESS: TRANSFORMING THE TOXINS OF OUR TIMES
In this year of existential stress, Antoinette Winters, Laura Evans and Roya Amigh, all Boston artists, can teach us ways to endure the pervasive disturbances that threaten our personal psychic well-being as well as that of the culture. They bring to bear a quality of listening and clarity of response — above all, a spaciousness — that can support us in the face of outer burdens and inner needs unmet. Each artist’s minimalist sensibility — in installations, drawing and sculpture — focuses awareness to a higher pitch and hones a delicate balance between means and message. Through their eyes and ears we become attentive to words and wordlessness; to voices that testify, hold back, or are silenced. Their measured forms hold, tolerate and transform the toxins of our times. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about A QUALITY OF SPACIOUSNESS: TRANSFORMING THE TOXINS OF OUR TIMES