A Nave Gallery exhibit, the Somerville Arts Space Risk Assessment, and a show at The Museum of Bad Art
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From the Inside Out Exhibition
The Nave Gallery will be hosting an exhibit, From the Inside Out, from Jan. 22 through Feb. 27. There will be an artists reception on Jan. 29 from 3-5 pm, with no food or drink and with masks required. The show is curated by Nave Gallery’s Director Susan Berstler, Somerville Arts Council Event and Public Art Coordinator Iaritza Menjivar, and the SAC.
“Our world shrunk during COVID,” reads a statement. “Like others whose work or schooling moved to their living spaces, many artists turned their focus inward. Some, fearing possible contamination of shared studio spaces or public transportation, moved their creative practice into their homes as well. It was a time of reflection. Relationships between interior and exterior shifted. New perspectives affected artists’ work and lifestyle.”
The exhibit endeavors to provoke some questions, such as, during COVID, how did your view of the outside world change? Is this reflected in your art? It also explores questions of support, such as, were new bonds created through members of your “pod?” Or were you isolated? Was your art impacted by your extended stay at home?
Featured artists include Ashley Craig, Billy Hickey, Callie Chapman, Cindy Weisbart, Claudio Eshun, Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, Emily Bouffard, Ethan Lassey, Francis Tadley, Gary Duehr, Hristina Tasheva, Jaina Cipriano, Jess Cohen-Tanugi, Jill Waterman, Joann Biondi, John Heymann, Joshua Sarinana, Julie Berson, Juliet Degree, Kerrie Kemperman, Kirsten Moran, Lee Kilpatrick, Maria Servellon, Marky Kauffmann, Nancy Brooks, Sarah Malakoff, Stan Eichner, Wonderland Spectacle Co. (Greg Cook, Kari Percival, Ulysses).
Somerville Arts Space Risk Assessment
On Jan. 19, the Somerville Arts Council will be holding a meeting where the public can learn about their Somerville Arts space Risk Assessment work. This work “analyzes the impact of development pressure on arts organizations across the city and makes recommendations for how to protect art spaces and support the creative economy,” according to SAC. At the meeting, people will be able to learn about policy recommendations, zoning, and planning. During the meeting, there will be a question and answer session and the opportunity to join break out rooms, where groups will discuss topics and have the chance to ask more questions.
Some aspects of the assessment include potentially forming a database of artists and arts organizations that are interested in finding building space. Another concern is how to reach out to BIPOC communities, when arts organizations in Somerville primarily serve white audiences. The assessment also recommends that the City of Somerville create a municipal fund to keep arts spaces affordable.
Register here for the meeting.
The Museum of Bad Art presents: Living in Tough Times
The Museum of Bad Art and the Somerville Public Library are presenting an exhibit on Jan. 20 — Living in Tough Times: From Having a Bad Day to Dystopian Apocalypse. It will begin at 7 p.m. The virtual presentation will be led by Michael Frank, MOBA’s curator in chief, and will “explore[s] some of the ways artists react to small and large, real and imagined, disasters.”
“The Museum Of Bad Art collects, exhibits, and celebrates art that will be seen in no other venue,” reads a statement. “Since 1993, they have collected art from thrift stores, yard sales, sidewalk trash, and even the artists who create it. They analyze, compare to classic art, and share with thousands of fans around the world.”
You may register to see the exhibit here.
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Shira Laucharoen is assistant director of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and assistant editor and staff reporter of the Somerville Wire.
