Monthly Roundup
Housatonic Community College Unveils New Sculpture
Be There When You Return by Jongil Ma at Housatonic Museum of Art. Photographer: Paul Mutino.
Housatonic Community College has commissioned a permanent installation by South Korean artist, Jongil Ma. Near the entrance to the college’s Burt Chernow Galleries, Ma’s work Be There When You Return (above) features a vibrant network of stained wood that alludes to the history of Bridgeport.
In a press release, Ma explained, “I could see some similarity between what happened in China and what happened here in this city, and it is time to revisit how we move forward. Learning about the rich development and beautiful architectural detail here, I was really shocked that we’re forgetting about this valuable perspective. I can’t bring all that back, but I want to reflect that part.”
Visitors can make an appointment to experience the artwork at the Housatonic Museum of Art website.
Jennifer Terzian Gallery opens in Litchfield
Art consultant Jennifer Terzian has opened a new gallery space in Litchfield, focusing on drawing, works on paper and small paintings by emerging and mid-career artists with an emphasis on Process art. The inaugural exhibition is a solo show of cyanotypes and other form works by Fritz Horstman opening May 28.
YUAG Opens to the Public
The Yale University Art Gallery has announced that it will open to the public beginning on Friday, May 14 — with timed visits and limited hours on Fridays from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Visitors can reserve tickets online.
Closing Soon
May 23 | Helen Frankenthaler: Late Works, 1990–2003
As part of the New Britain Museum of American Art’s yearlong celebration of female artists, this exhibition is the first museum presentation focusing on the artist’s career during her late life. In partnership with the Judy Dworin Performance Project, and the Frankenthaler Foundation the NBMAA will present ColorFields, a dance performance on the museum grounds that will take place on Thursday, May 13, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 6 - 7 p.m. Register here.
May 30 | The Things That Haunt Me Still
Connecticut artist Felandus Thames targets the intertwined issues of race and gender in his solo show at Real Art Ways. Read a profile of the artist here.
May 30 | Legacy and Rupture
Curated by New Haven-based artist Howard el-Yasin, this exhibition at New Haven’s City Gallery includes seven artists — “each reimagining how Black Americans are viewed and understood,” as Jaime Ernestina Ransome writes in the curatorial essay. Read a profile of the curator here and the review of the show here.
Ongoing
Through June 26 | W.E.B. DuBois, Georgia & His Data Portraits & Theaster Gates: Lights of Progress
Two exhibitions at New Haven’s Artspace bring light to racial politics. W.E.B. Du Bois, Georgia, and his Data Portraits centers the work of the Civil Rights activist and writer through a series of data visualizations detailing the socioeconomic conditions of Black Americans in Georgia. Contemporary artist Theaster Gates responds to these works using neon lights. Listen to the podcast Outlines of Color, an 8-part series featuring accounts by scholars, authors, and experts of Du Bois. Read Lucy Gelman’s review on the Arts Paper.
Through Sept 12 | A Face Like Mine
The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury collaborated with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on this exhibition celebrating 100 years of African American figurative art. The show comes from a series of American art exhibitions created through a multi-year, multi-institutional partnership formed by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as part of the Art Bridges + Terra Foundation Initiative.
Events
Joy Harjo & Madeline Sayet | Thu, May 20, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
As part of the impressive roster of programming for the 2021 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo will be in conversation with playwright and director Madeline Sayet in an online (free!) event, streamed live on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch, and the Virtual Stage for Arts & Ideas. More information available here.
Artists in Conversation: Cecily Brown | Fri, May 21, 12 p.m.
The Yale Center for British Art continues its at-home artist talk series with Cecily Brown in conversation with Francine Prose, Distinguished Writer in Residence at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Register for the online event here.
Outdoor Crafts Festival, Bruce Museum | May 22 & 23
The 36th Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival in Greenwich features fine contemporary hand-made crafts in jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, glass, furniture and housewares, pottery, and much more, all available for purchase. Admission is $10, and the festival hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Opportunities
Jobs
Museum Assitant, Fairfield University, Fairfield
Executive Assistant to the Director, New Britain Museum of Art
Art Preparator, Wesleyan University, Middletown
Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Programs, Artspace, New Haven
Visitor Services and Operations Manager, Creative Art Workshop, New Haven
Second Look
On the occasion of Alyse Rosner’s sixth solo exhibition with Rick Wester Fine Art in New York, take a second look at this essay about her work and process. Trusting the River continues through June 26, 2021.
The Monthly Roundup is a list of curated events, exhibitions, and opportunities published near the beginning of the month.
Send press releases, job openings, information about opportunities, and event details to jgleisner@gmail.com
