artscope magazine
Class, Craft, and Culture.
April 14, 2011
Greetings!

A new month brings fresh air and fresh shows. From reuniting a class, to crafting with hands, to cultural combinations, each event featured in this blast is sure to complement the nicer weather that's on its way. Also, don't forget to check out our new blog on the artscope website. It is equipped with updated headlines and rotating featured content -- a great way to stay connected to art and culture news in between artscope issues and email blasts!

As always, you can send information on upcoming exhibitions and performance events for both the magazine and these e-mail blasts to info@artscopemagazine.com; reach us to advertise.

To forward this blast, please use the link provided at the end of this email - Lacey Daley

MFAConnects@POSTAIB.edu at St. Paul's School
in Concord, New Hampshire now through April 30th


Sorry You're Gonna Miss the Show by Keith MacLelland, 2010, embellished digital + mixed media collage.

In January of this year, The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University hosted its first exhibition featuring MFA alumni. AIB accepted its first class in 2003 and at the start of this calendar year, the institute was able to gather over eighty of its graduates from the low-residency Masters in Fine Arts in Visual Arts Program for this eclectic show. MFAconnects@POSTAIB.edu was organized by the dedicated committee of Kate Farrington '08, Mike Finnegan '08, Greg Kitterle '08, Carolyn Latourelle '07, and Keith MacLelland '08. Didn't get a chance to see this distinctive show? No worries because the Art Center at Hargate Gallery of St. Paul's School will be hosting this show of culturally diverse artists and talents now through April 30th, in celebration of the growing global AIB MFA community. A show like this allows current students of the program to create conversation and discourse with talented graduates that have been through the same program, and gives alumni the opportunity to share their work and reconnect with each other and the university. MFAconnects@POSTAIB.edu features a 12 x 12" work by each contributing artist, giving some uniformity to the assorted talents of the show. In the spirit of reunion, these 12 x 12" pieces are set up to resemble yearbook portraits, but they also serve as windows to each individual artist's dynamic practice, crafted views, and their thoughts on the importance of an MFA education. A statement accompanies each work, given by the alumni's advisors, which was written specifically for each MFA thesis catalogue. Some of the works in the show feature drawings, paintings, photographs, collage, videos, and three-dimensional pieces. As you know, second chances don't happen often in the world of the arts, so if you missed this show in January, make sure you get out and see it by the end of the month. These works of almost a decade of MFA graduates demonstrate the quality of the AIB program and add to its increasing recognition from the Boston arts community.

Sponsored by: Richard Kattman



Richard Kattman



Scale: Experiencing Size, Surface and Story

April 15, 2011 - May 7, 2011 (gallery closed Saturday April 23rd)
Opening reception 2-4pm Saturday, April 16th

Exhibiting Artists:
Rick Kattman: www.richardkattman.com
richard.kattman@gmail.com, 508-893-6232
Juan Jose Barbosa Gubo: barboza-gubo.com Jodi Colella: www.jodicolella.com

Attleboro Arts Museum
Mim Fawcett, Executive Director
86 Park Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
attleboroartsmuseum.org

The Functional and the Aesthetic at Lamont Gallery
in Exeter, New Hampshire now through May 7th


             Abacus by Joseph Pintz, earthenware, wood, 2010.

Hypnotized by the beauty of finished artwork, we oftentimes forget the different styles, crafts, and techniques that go into creating such astonishing pieces of work. Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy is hosting a show that both displays and celebrates the use of the hands in art. The Functional and the Aesthetic: Works by Joseph Pintz and Alison Williams is an exhibition of handmade ceramics, mixed media, and installations that all speak wonders for the talented hands of both of these artists. Joseph Pintz crafts and creates ceramic pieces that denote the simplicity of everyday life. Some of his works include plates, bowls, cups, bakeware, utensils, and toolboxes-all of which come together to create a sense of usefulness and service. When viewed, these pieces often illuminate a relationship between family, culture, and history, a combination that isn't all too common in such honest, humble work. The theme of the functional stems from his hardworking parents who filled Pintz's upbringing and memories with the notion of self-sufficiency. Pintz explained how this tradition lives on today: "Three generations of my family recently picked sour cherries in Michigan and then turned 120 pounds of sour cherries into jam, which is quite a bit of work. But the product that can be enjoyed all year is well worth the effort. The physicality of this time-consuming process always has a way of bringing (the family) together. Through experiences like this, my parents taught me the values of working with your hands and being self-sufficient." Alison Williams also explores "handy art," but with a strikingly different approach. Williams crosses materials of the human and natural world to create a sphere of liminality in which these materials can converse and create a new, heightened piece of art. By actions like burying canvases and letting rain stain her works in progress, Williams pushes the boundaries of traditional art, creating a new and beautiful tension. Through her new monotype printmaking works, an installed glass house, and a terrarium, Williams demonstrates the influence of nature in her crafting process. The Functional and the Aesthetic: Works by Joseph Pintz and Alison Williams is a show that juxtaposes feeling and doing in a way that is sure to connect with each and every viewer. The show is on view now through Saturday, May 7th and is open to the public. The Lamont Gallery is in the Frederick R. Mayer Art Center on Tan Lane.

Day of Russia at "From Russia With Art" Gallery
in Cambridge, Massachusetts May 1st


Grand opening reception of "From Russia With Art" Gallery this past summer in Porter Square, Cambridge.

One of art's greatest powers is its ability to unite individuals from all countries, cultures, and walks of life in the common language of expression. In an attempt to harness this capability and to educate Americans on established and contemporary Russian artists, Olesya and Jerry Koenig started their "From Russia With Art" Gallery. Blossoming in its new Porter Square location, the gallery stands as a notion of culture, appreciation, and friendship. Commuter and artscope contributor Jim Foritano said the following of the gallery: "My connection with the gallery is as a place to stop in on my way towards the Porter Square T station, with the pleasant expectation of meeting a wide range of Russian art and craft and even the artists and craftsmen themselves." On May 1st, the gallery will open its doors and arms even wider to host Day of Russia in Boston, a celebration that embraces not only Russian art, but the culture as well. The purpose of this event is to encourage cultural exchanges and intersections between the distinct Russian and American communities that flourish in the Boston metropolitan area. A focal point of this celebration will be Stass Shpanin's Age of Empires. This exhibit will feature paintings on the Silver Age in Russia, complete with Stass' visual journalistic qualities, vivid colors, and bold strokes. His paintings help to recreate a time period in Russia that will never be fully revisited again. Stass himself is more than just a talented artist. In 2002 at the age of twelve, Stass was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest professional artist in the world. His exhibit at the "From Russia With Art" Gallery is on view now through May 22nd, so make sure to see this established artist who gives light to the future of art and expression. On the actual date of the Day of Russia in Boston event, the Russian American Cultural Center Boston will sponsor a book sale of Russian books and English books about Russia. To add to the rich, cultural environment there will also be Russian snacks, chocolate, and a real Russian samovar for tea. Entertainment, live music, and a Russian chess master seeking a challenge will also be at the event. All the festivities will be held at the "From Russia With Art" Gallery on Sunday, May 1st from 12-7pm. Other sponsors that are making Day of Russia in Boston possible are the Russkiy Mir Foundation, MIT Russian Club, Cambridge Arts Council and several other local organizations. Mark this day down on your calendars because this is sure to be a cultural combination you will not want to miss.

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Lacey Daley
artscope
phone: 617-639-5771