Artist Ruben Natal-San Miguel is a September 11 survivor. He escaped from the North Tower while working as a financial controller. Like it was for millions of New Yorkers, that day was a turning point for Miguel, who began photographing portraits afterwards, as if to soothe a collective memory or freeze moments in time that once were beautiful. Fast-forward 20 years, and Ruben is now a prolific photographer — and still based in New York City. “Some things you just can’t look away from,” he said about the city. “New York is like that. It’s a city of layers.” Indeed, the metropolis is chock full of layers — visual, auditory and physical — and they continuously renew. For Ruben, this richness made him curious about people. He began to seek them out, eventually photographing them as part of a larger attempt to understand his own place in the world. The subjects of his fascination are … [Read more...] about UNPEELING NEW YORK’S LAYERS: NATAL-SAN MIGUEL’S ATYPICAL BEAUTY

Works by Charles Hawthorne (1872-1930), Hans Hofmann (1880-1966), Edward Hopper (1882-1967), and artists taught and inspired by them, are on exhibit at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum through August 29. Curated by Christine McCarthy, the show pulls from the museum’s collection. She said “It has always been a passion of mine to showcase PAAM’s permanent collection... The holdings of local and regional art are extensive and dynamic, comprising 4,000 works by over eight hundred 20th Century and contemporary artists who have worked in Provincetown and Cape Cod.” (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about PROVINCETOWN’S LASTING LIGHTS: HAWTHORNE, HOFMANN & HOPPER CONTINUE TO INSPIRE

“Essence” at 13FOREST Gallery in Arlington brings together 15 Boston-area artists in celebration of Juneteenth. Being the first year that Juneteenth is officially recognized on both state and federal levels, the show sends an especially powerful message about diversity to the wider art community. Curated by artist Cedric “Vise1” Douglas, “Essence” celebrates the joy, spirit and resilience of the Black community while simultaneously honoring the many Black artists who live and work here. (To read more, pick up a copy of our latest issue! Find a pick-up location near you or Subscribe Here.) … [Read more...] about THE ESSENCE OF JUNETEENTH: 13FOREST EXHIBITION GIVES BLACK ARTISTS VISIBILITY