Enjoy two new summer art shows
Summer is here at the Fitchburg Art Museum, with the opening of two highly anticipated shows on Friday, June 24.
On view until Sept. 5 will be the “86th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft,” featuring the creative works by over 70 talented regional artists and fine craftspeople. One of the longest-running juried exhibitions in New England, the annual showcase at the FAM celebrates the artists and crafters of the region by providing a museum environment for artwork and connecting them with fellow artists, patrons and enthusiasts.
It is open to those working in any medium who live or work within 30 miles of Fitchburg. Participants were invited to submit up to two pieces of artwork that were created in the past two years.
Jameson Johnson, this year’s juror, is founder and editor-in- chief of Boston Art Review and the communications and development manager at the MIT List Visual Arts Center. Several modest cash awards are made, and the first prize winner earns a solo exhibition alongside next summer’s 87th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft.
Lunenberg artist Bridie Wolejko, last year’s first prize winner, has created works for the solo show, “Hypnagogia: Bridie Wolejko’s Mixed Media Fantasies.” It is also on view from June 24-Sept. 4.
Hypnagogia, the transitional state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep, gives many people involuntary and vividly imagined experiences. The artist has created handcrafted, mixed-media collages and objects that create dream- like images based on her interests in myth, magic, horror, popular culture, surrealism, architecture and nature.
Located at 185 Elm St., the FAM is open Wednesday to Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also, open from noon to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Call 978-345- 4207 or visit www. fitchburgartmuseum.org for more information.
Gallery notes
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE » Two summer exhibits feature water in all its wet glory. “Undercurrents: Water and Human Impact,” on view now to Aug. 16, at Concord Art, 37 Lexington Road, Concord, focuses on the effects of climate change on bodies of water as interpreted by the artists whose works are featured. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Tuesday to Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Call 978- 3692578 for more information. Also, “Space to Sea,” an exhibition of underwater photography taken at the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, is on view from now to Nov. 1 at the New England Aquarium. It features 50 of acclaimed underwater photographer Kevin Ellenbogen’s largescale photos taken to mark the sanctuary’s 30th anniversary. Visit www.neaq.org for more information.
HANDS- ON ARMOR » Knightly armor is nice and shiny, but how does it feel? How heavy is it? Is it comfortable? How and why did the knights who wore it decorate it? Discover the answers to these questions and more this weekend at the Worcester Art Museum’s “Art Cart: Hands- on Armor” activity. The freewith- museum- admission program takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a. m. and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26, in the Medieval Gallery. Visit www.worcesterart.org/events for more information.
AT THE GREENWALD» Lowell multimedia artist Walter Wright is featured in the solo show “Walter Wright Digital Media: Prints & Video,” on view from now to July 17 in the Greenwald Gallery at the Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market St. He’ll run a workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. A reception is set for 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 16. The gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m., from Wednesday to Sunday. Visit www.artsleagueoflowell.org for more information.