‘Dressed in Shadow’ opens May 13

WATERBURY — “Dressed in Shadow: Joan Ryan,” an exhibition of her lushly colored paintings, will be on display at the Mattatuck Museum May 13-June 17.

The exhibition will be celebrated with a free public reception on Sunday, May 13, from 1-3 p.m. “Dressed in Shadow” is a solo exhibition featuring the work of Ryan, a contemporary American painter. As the winner of the 2018 Mixmaster Juried Members Exhibition, Ryan was selected for a solo show at the museum that will feature her paintings that offer narratives about gender, race, violence and class. She is an associate professor of drawing at the Art Institute at Lesley University in Boston and is affiliated with A.I.R. Gallery and The Drawing Center in New York City.

Before the opening reception, Ryan will present a talk, previewing her new exhibition, from 12-1 p.m. Tickets are free for members and $7 for guests.

Also opening May 13 is “Frágil Maneje Con Cuidado: Bienvenido a los puertorriqueños a nuestra comunidad,” a collection of three shows that use contemporary Puerto Rican artwork, Santos figures, Taíno artifacts, historical postcards and videos of the island during and after Hurricane Maria to explore sense of place, culture and the human experience of natural disasters.

Community Free Day will also be held May 13. Visitors can explore the museum at no charge.

For tickets and more information, visit mattmuseum.org or call 203-7530381, ext. 130.