How does one curate a show that marks 200 years of statehood? One that honors place, people and history most authentically as possible? Assistant Curator of American Art Diana Greenwold and her collaborators from the Portland Museum of Art and the Maine Humanities Council (MHC) might have an answer. In pushing against the trap of a master narrative, “Stories of Maine: An Incomplete History” is inclusive in scope and content, breaking the barriers of traditional museum exhibitions in more ways than first meet the eye. The museum’s partnership with MHC, and ultimate inclusion of community voices alongside the curated works, have ensured a powerful result — the show juggles its many tasks well. It acknowledges the near-arbitrary marking of statehood; the long and varied histories; and the traumas and dreams that continue to shape the state. It knows there is so much left to say and that … [Read more...] about STORIES OF MAINE: TIMELY, RICH AND MEANINGFUL
September/October 2020
REPLENISHED ENERGY: GUILD OF BOSTON SHOWS ITS RESILIENCE
During the downtime forced by COVID-19, the Guild of Boston Artists, longtime mainstay of Newbury Street, renovated its entire gallery space with new furniture, carpets and LED lighting – features that have always allowed collectors and buyers the opportunity to see what an artist’s work would look like in their own home or office. On the eve of the opening of its 2020 New England Regional Juried exhibition that opened on August 29 and continues through September 26, Artscope Magazine’s managing editor, Brian Goslow, checked in with Guild of Boston Artists director Alexander Ciesielski to talk about the show and how the gallery adjusted for the current guideline restrictions. The gallery is now open to the public for its regular operating hours, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WORK IN THE SHOW AND DOES SOME OF IT REFLECT THE SOLITUDE OF … [Read more...] about REPLENISHED ENERGY: GUILD OF BOSTON SHOWS ITS RESILIENCE
A VERY DIFFERENT SEASON: PTOWN GALLERY STROLL FEELS LIKE HOME
Going live on May 29 as the traditional summer season would have normally begun, the Ptown Gallery Stroll website has provided a weekly rundown of exhibitions and artwork in town, serving as a helpful guide for those who’ve made the trip to Provincetown as well as those who’ve chosen to remain home this time around, keeping galleries and artists in the eyes of potential buyers. With a goal to “foster a sense of community and mutual support among gallery owners, as well as explore strategies for promoting Provincetown as a thriving art and design community both today and into the future,” the participating galleries’ “immediate objective is to work collectively to bring awareness to art collectors and buyers that Provincetown galleries are open and accessible in safe and thoughtful ways during this current health crisis.” As Massachusetts’ tax-free and Labor Day weekends neared, … [Read more...] about A VERY DIFFERENT SEASON: PTOWN GALLERY STROLL FEELS LIKE HOME
THE TINIEST UNIVERSE OF ALL: STAY HOME/STAY SAFE BREAKS THE QUARANTINE
The most captivating thing about the arts scene these days is that in all its many ways it centers on that very root word, captive — and its opposite, free. Art, because it is art, does not exist inside boundaries. For artists, there will always be the impulse to create, the need to find a voice and speak, the need to share a vision, the need to engage within a social network. When museums and galleries and coffee houses were closed, art moved to balconies (who can forget the Italian arias?) and became part of protests (who can forget George Floyd’s portrait on boarded up windows)? Art will not be silent. Burlington City Arts has mounted an exhibition called “Stay Home/Stay Safe [Executive Order 01-20],” inspired by and sharing the title of the Executive Order signed by Governor Phil Scott that defined Vermont’s quarantine restrictions. The show, installed in the gallery’s second … [Read more...] about THE TINIEST UNIVERSE OF ALL: STAY HOME/STAY SAFE BREAKS THE QUARANTINE
UNFINISHED WORK: GORDON D. CHASE IS FAR FROM RETIRED
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many galleries are keeping artists’ work in the forefront by converting exhibitions to a virtual format. Not viewing Gordon D. Chase’s exhibition of charcoal drawings, “High Contrast,” at the Lamont Gallery, in person was a disappointment, but it was amply compensated for with an engaging conversation with the artist. Chase, a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy (class of 1966), recently retired after 40 years as an art teacher and administrator. The text and artist’s statement on Chase’s website set the stage for the visual appreciation of his beautifully rendered drawings. Evocative, metaphoric and unsettling imagery steers us to the intellectual content of the works, conveying Chase’s view of the artist as seer, messenger and witness... … [Read more...] about UNFINISHED WORK: GORDON D. CHASE IS FAR FROM RETIRED
SOME DAY IS NOW IN NEW BRITAIN: MODERN WOMEN ARTISTS HONOR SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
“Some Day is Now: Women, Art and Social Change,” which opens on October 1 at the New Britain Museum of American Art, is an exhibit that is uplifting visually and resplendent in slogans. The show contains works by 21 women artists and ephemera from the Women’s Suffrage movement. The show opens with print ephemera from the Women’s Suffrage movement borrowed from the Harvard Art Museums, the Smithsonian and Connecticut Historical Society. It then unfolds into a contemporary exhibition, featuring women artist activists, each with a unique vision for creating social change. Curated by Lisa Williams, the exhibition is weighted toward print mediums as a link to popular culture. Paintings are also featured, as is mixed media, intermedia and installation art. Williams has brought together excellent examples of text-based artwork and narrative art to achieve a vibrant, meaningful and inspiring … [Read more...] about SOME DAY IS NOW IN NEW BRITAIN: MODERN WOMEN ARTISTS HONOR SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT