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Despite this week’s gloomy weather, spring is here in all its glory. And several area art shows reflect the green season.
Art in Bloom celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Fitchburg Art Museum this weekend. Opening today and running through Sunday, April 30, it features floral arrangements crafted by local florists and garden club members inspired by works of art in the museum.
Several special programs and events are planned throughout the weekend. Highlights include 1 p.m. performance by Fitchburg State University Chamber Choir and the 6-8 p.m. Art in Bloom Champagne Reception, both on Friday, April 28. Other events include an Ikebana floral arrangement demo, 1-3 p.m., Saturday, April 29, and an artist talk with May Babcock, 1-2 p.m., Sunday, April 30. Call 978-424-4506 or email [email protected] for reservation assistance or questions.
Starting next Wednesday, May 3-Tuesday, May 30, Lowell-based photographer and artist Sally Chapman will exhibit 25 framed pieces from her “Mythic Nature” series, along with her sculpted art books in the gallery at the Concord Public Library, 129 Main St., Concord.
Chapman makes photo-based art that gravitates toward tactile methods of printing and shaping her photographic work.
Her “Mythic Nature” series features imaginary worlds created by removing statuary from their pedestals and placing them in landscapes created from formal gardens, farmlands, and watery hideaways. She then prints the imagery with cyanotype, a 19thcentury process, and adds her hand by drawing and hand-coloring them with pastels.
Her artist books are sculptural and transform as the piece is unfolded or opened. Some are inspired by her imagery, and the shape evolves from that idea. Others start with a given shape — a wooden block or a cigar box — and the imagery is sculpted, cut, and folded around that shape.
Chapman has a BFA in ceramics and photography from Michigan State University. She worked and exhibited as a ceramic artist for over 20 years but returned to photography in 2010.
Her solo shows include the Soho Photo Gallery, New York City; The Halide Project, Philadelphia; Three Stones Gallery, Concord; and the Arts League of Lowell.
A reception is 2-4 p.m., Saturday, May 6, and a hands-on experience with the artist books is 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. For more info on Chapman and her art, visit http://www.sallychapmanphoto.com/.
Also opening next Wednesday, May 3 is “May Showcase: 43.7623°N, 69.3203°W” at Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios, 133 Western Ave., Lowell. The colorful show runs through Sunday, May 28. Look for more details in “Eye on Art” next Thursday, May 3.
GALLERY NOTES
FUNDRAISER FUN: ‘Tis the season for fundraisers. Lowell’s Brush Art Gallery and Studios holds its annual spring fundraiser tomorrow, Friday, April 28 at Lenzi’s in Dracut. It starts at 6 p.m. and includes cocktails, a buffet dinner, raffle, and cabaret-style performance headlined by Michael Lally, with Matt Descoteaux at the piano, Erin Noonan-Descoteaux, Greg Descoteaux, Jerry Bisantz, Camille Bedard, and special guest Lura Smith. For tickets, visit www.thebrush.org…Concord Museum holds its annual gala 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at the American Heritage Museum, 568 Main St., Hudson, Mass. Proceeds benefit the Paul Revere’s Ride Fund, which provides free visits to students in underserved communities in the area. Visit concordmuseum.org/events/2023-concord-museum-annual-gala/ for tickets and info.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is [email protected]
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