The Context of Community
May 9, 2015 – July 27, 2015
Harvard Ed Portal Art Gallery, Allston
224 Western Ave., Allston, MA 02134
curated by Julia Ryan
July 27, 2015 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free Sumi-e Painting Demonstration by artist Tsun Ming Chmielinski RSVP here»
See the Public Opening Reception from May 9th, 2015 here
See and buy any of the original artwork in this exhibition here
See The Context of Community Exhibition Program Guide – pdf
“This program is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administrated by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events.”
Tsun Ming Chmielinski, Family Time, sumi-e on paper, 12 x 17 inches
Unbound Visual Arts, Inc., and the Harvard Ed Portal are pleased to announce the opening of The Context of Community, a curated contemporary art exhibition by Julia Ryan at the new Harvard Ed Portal Art Gallery in Allston. “There is a delicate balance we aspire to when trying to construct a quixotic community. In assembling, we can’t help but affect each other, for better and for worse” wrote curator Julia Ryan. The exhibition features 25 artworks from nine UVA artists carefully selected by Julia Ryan to encourage visitors to consider what “community” means to them. There will be 2 & 3 dimensional artworks and audio-video components that address several different artistic perspectives. The opening reception on May 9th will also include live music to complement and help inspire creative thoughts. During the opening, guests will be invited to assist in creating the “We Are All Connected” installation, designed by artist Ruth Rieffanaugh. Guests will be able add words about what they enjoy, are part of or value and then see how they connect to and have things in common with others. The installation will be started at the opening reception and run throughout the exhibition period. In addition to Ruth Rieffanaugh, the other UVA artists are Sarah Berry, Marian Dioguardi, Brenda Gael McSweeney, Tsun Ming Chmielinski, Francis Gardino, Heidi Lee, Susan Loomis and Sarah Smigliani. Prior to the opening reception, guests can visit the Harvard Ceramics Studios Spring Show, adjacent to the Art Gallery, to see an amazing array of sculptural and functional ceramics.
The exhibition, an ArtWeek Boston event, opens on May 9th and runs through June 30th. A public reception with the artists and curator will be held on Saturday May 9th, from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The hours of the exhibition are Mondays – Thursdays from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Fridays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Avenue, Allston, MA. Free on-site parking, MBTA buses: 64,66,70,70A,86, Hubway Station, handicapped accessible and free wi-fi.
Julia Ryan, of Jamaica Plain, has strong experience and knowledge in art history, visual arts, performance art, and education access. She has worked in both the curatorial and education departments at The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in the History of Art from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Ryan is also a visual artist and musician. Starting in September, she will will be pursuing a Masters Degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education focused on Arts in Education.