The installation will be on display in multiple locations across Worcester November 13-27, 2021.
Worcester, MA – The Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC), in collaboration with Creative Hub Worcester, announce Balloons and Bad Advice. This multi-gallery installation series is a collaboration between Massachusetts-based artist Hank von Hellion and Los Angeles-based artist Balloonski, and will be on display from November 13 through 27, 2021.
Using the context of an irreverent collection of art and experiences, Balloons and Bad Advice aims to inspire continued exploration of Worcester’s diverse downtown and tie seemingly disparate neighborhoods together through the shared experience of site-specific art. The main exhibits will be on display at the Worcester PopUp at the JMAC and the Creative Hub gallery at the Aurora, with immersive micro-installations at C.C. Lowell, ArtReach Worcester, a Downtown Worcester BID storefront, and other locations to be confirmed.
On November 13th, the opening reception for Balloons and Bad Advicewill feature interactive sculptural work, balloon installations, resin works, choreographed lighting, two live DJs, and an art crawl. By hosting the opening at two venues, the artists encourage attendees to experience the city in a way they might not get to in a single-venue event. “At 5pm, the opening begins at the PopUp with drinks and conversation,” said von Hellion. “At 7:30pm we close down the PopUp and usher everyone over to the Aurora to continue the festivities. We hope the six-minute walk will show the value and ease of walking between destinations, as opposed to driving.”
A percentage of proceeds from artwork sold will be used to fund a free creative workshop, led by Balloonski and von Hellion. “We are excited to help support access to creative expression for all communities, especially those that have been historically underserved,” noted Balloonski.
Von Hellion said he sees Downtown Worcester as, “representative of Worcester’s socio-economic makeup: a melting pot of business, politics, and art, as well as a mix of young professionals and vibrant BIPOC culture. We hope that areas like the Main South neighborhood are highlighted and can regularly be included in Worcester’s ongoing economic growth.”
Balloonski added that this collaborative effort is, “a contribution to building a better city, one space at a time.”
“Art brings people together, and exhibits like Balloons and Bad Advice support the vibrancy and development of the city as a whole, encouraging engagement with local businesses and community in the process,” noted Laura Marotta, Executive Director of the Creative Hub.
Venues interested in hosting a micro-installation of Balloons and Bad Advice can email the media contact. For more on Balloons and Bad Advice, as well as details on the upcoming workshop, visit the event page on Facebook. View the full flyer here.
Balloons and Bad Advice will be on display at the following locations:
Creative Hub Gallery at the Aurora: 600 Main Street, Worcester, MA
Worcester PopUp at the JMAC: 20 Franklin Street, Worcester, MA
C.C. Lowell Art Supply Co: 455 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA
ArtReach Worcester: 322 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA
Downtown Worcester BID storefront: TBA
The artists wish to thank the following organizations for their support: Creative Hub Worcester, C.C. Lowell, Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, ArtReach Worcester, Easterseals Massachusetts, and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.
About Hank von Hellion: von Hellion is a New England based multimedia artist, educator, creative director, and is the Managing Director of the Worcester PopUp at the JMAC. He has served on the boards of multiple arts-based organizations, and currently serves on the board of Guardians of Traditions and as a Corporator for the Worcester Art Museum. On view at the Worcester Art Museum through November 2021, von Hellion’s installation Bad Advice Club questions the authority and accessibility of the formal art world by combining photography, painting, sculpture, street art, and wood work. Keep up with von Hellion at @badadvice_club on Instagram.
About Balloonski: Los Angeles-based artist Balloonski encourages viewers to think outside the box with forward intentions, while riding waves of the latest trends mixed with retro nostalgia. His balloon-based works aim to create a deep reaction for enjoyment and to spark real conversations about our surroundings. Balloonski has been featured in multiple art festivals and stages across the globe including Coachella, POW! WOW!, Outsidelands, Bumbershoot, Illfest, and many more. Check out @balloonski on Instagram for more.
About the Jean McDonough Arts Center: Comprised of the ever-changing “permanent” PopUp and the intimate BrickBox Theater, the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC) is an initiative of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, and home to myriad creative events and cultural initiatives. Individuals and groups can present or develop a wide range of work at the JMAC, including but not limited to work in theatre, dance, film, music, performance art, visual art, fashion design and video game design. Learn more at JMACWorcester.org.
About the Worcester Cultural Coalition: The Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) is a public-private partnership established in 1999 between the City of Worcester and 12 cultural organizations. In 2021, membership stands at 80 organizations, which host over 2.7 million visitors annually, from Worcester and beyond. Its mission is to draw on Worcester’s rich and diverse cultural assets to foster economic revitalization, support active and creative engagement for all, and to promote a strong cultural identity for Greater Worcester. The WCC supports and encourages action that meets the creative goals of the Worcester Cultural Plan: promoting cultural equity and creative community engagement for all. Learn more at WorcesterCulture.org.
