The post Worcester Windows Announces the Wonder Women of Worcester Exhibit, Opening October 7, 2021 appeared first on WCC.

WORCESTER, MA – March 23, 2021 – In the Worcester Cultural Coalition’s ongoing work to support a walkable downtown filled with local art, Worcester Windows announces its next public phase: PULP. After a series of COVID-conscious opening nights at the Worcester PopUp, PULP has been restaged in storefronts throughout downtown Worcester. The storefront window iteration, in collaboration with local business, will remain in place until the end of summer 2021.

PULP represents a new phase of Worcester Windows in its embrace of non-traditional definitions of art. The work on display represents Worcester’s vibrant community of alternative artists: indie comic and zine creators, tattoo artists, graffiti writers, and fashion designers. “This exhibition of incredibly talented local work collectively demonstrates themes of community and revolution through subversive mediums; themes that have been on nationwide display recently,” said Hank von Hellion, Managing Director of the Worcester PopUp and the Worcester Windows program.

Von Hellion says PULP is unique in that it is, “the first Worcester Windows exhibit to provide prize money to artists whose work was deemed ‘Best of Show’ by a panel of JMAC staff and members of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District.”

“The Downtown Worcester BID is thrilled to support the Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Worcester PopUp in the Worcester Windows PULP exhibition,” said Evelyn Darling, executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID). “By showcasing local artists’ work in Downtown windows, this exhibit helps them gain more exposure and enlivens our sidewalks.”

The Downtown Worcester BID provided $1,000 in prize money for PULP. The top three prizes were awarded to artists Naama Commander, Aqua Carter, and Luca Colizzi. Honorable mentions were given to artists Chris King and Ted Lilley. For a full list of artists and locations of Worcester Windows displays, click here.

The Worcester PopUp at the Jean McDonough Arts Center, or JMAC, is a unique creative and local incubator space that operates under the JMAC umbrella. Alongside its sister space, the BrickBox, it is a community-minded multi-space venue directed by a team dedicated to cultivating diverse creative engagement and access for all.

About Worcester Windows: Worcester Windows is a program of the Worcester Cultural Coalition. It is currently managed by the staff of the Worcester PopUp. If you own a storefront and would like to participate in this program, contact the PopUp at popup@jmacworcester.org.

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 twelve cultural organizations. Today membership stands at 80 organizations, accounting for more than 2.7 million visitors to Worcester in calendar 2015, up from 1.5 million in 2006. Its mission is to draw on Worcester’s rich and diverse cultural assets to foster economic revitalization, support active, creative engagement for all and promote a strong cultural identity for Greater Worcester. Learn more at WorcesterCulture.org.

About the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District: Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District is a nonprofit organization established in 2018 to sustain momentum in the heart of Downtown Worcester. The result of a comprehensive community-based effort, the organization represents the owners of 140 properties and seeks to create a unique sense of place through enhanced investment and development, establishing and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming, and economically viable district for all. Learn more at DowntownWorcester.org.

The post Worcester Windows unveils its newest public showcase: PULP appeared first on WCC.

EXHIBITION OPENS IN MASSACHUSETTS FOCUSED ON THE OLDEST CARNIVAL OF THE AMERICAS

Guardians of Traditions & Cojuelos’ Productions Announce Exhibition Opening & Programming for “Dominican Carnival: A Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage”

Vanessa Joga of Guardians of Traditions and Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, founder and principal of Cojuelos’ Productions, bring to the local public the work of famed Dominican photographer Arismendy Ferreras, winner of Best Carnival Photo in Dominican Republic, as well as images captured by Troy B. Thompson, founder of the No Evil Project, as part of a curated experience about the history of Dominican carnival.

The exhibition will feature a curated collection of color printed photographs and carnival costumes presented in sequence to take the audience through a journey of the vibrancy of the Dominican carnival.

“It brings us so much pride and honor to have the opportunity to present aspects of the history and culture of the Dominican Republic and to educate others about our rich roots and traditions, especially our younger generations,” says Joga.

Dominicans in Massachusetts account for the fourth largest Dominican population in the country, behind New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Considered the oldest carnival in the Americas, with historical sources dating as far back as 1510 and 1700, the Dominican carnival represents the cultural history of the island of Hispaniola and the Dominican people.

Festivals that marked the start of Lent were a European tradition that made their way to the Americas in the sixteenth century and transitioned into the carnivals we know of today. The Dominican Republic’s carnival is held on the 27th of February. Carnival is held in other parts of the Caribbean and Latin America in either February or March in the days leading up to the start of Lent. The timing of the declaration of independence was then a good fit with that of carnival.

“Its celebrations, costumes, traditions, dances and folklore define the Dominican Republic’s remarkable ability to combine and integrate all the different immigrant groups that make up its population, with each element providing a now-integral part of a culture that (due to its immigration to the East Coast of the United States) plays a very significant role in the general culture of the Latino community around the country,” says renowned Dominican writer and archeologist Leonardo Nin, a guest expert invited to contribute to the programming.

The programming will include a panel presentation about the history, evolution, and influences of the Dominican carnival by experts Joga and Nin and a live performance of carnival characters. All programming is free and open to the public and is suitable for families and children. This event is a collaboration between Guardians of Traditions and Cojuelos’ Productions with support from the Worcester Pop-Up, the City of Worcester, and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

About Cojuelos’ Productions: Cojuelos’ Productions proudly celebrates all artistic expression through creative, innovative, diverse, and culturally oriented programming. It is a social enterprise that thrives on creating curated experiences for private, corporate, and community settings with an  emphasis on cultural & educational programming. In addition, it offers consulting services for effective community engagement, cultural awareness, and audience development strategies and uses arts and culture as tools for engagement. Cojuelos’ Productions specifically focus on creating a platform for elevating under-represented cultures and communities of color. It develops opportunities for showcasing art, passion, and creativity and contributes to the professional and creative growth of creatives and their communities.

About Guardians of Traditions: Guardians of Traditions creates entertaining and culturally relevant events that reflect the region’s diversity and engages the youth from underserved communities. The Carnival costumes displayed as part of the exhibit are from Guardians of Traditions’ private collection.

Worcester Windows: Worcester Windows is a community gallery program that uses storefronts throughout downtown Worcester as exhibit space to enhance the City’s downtown area and to provide opportunities for local emerging and established artists.

Worcester PopUp: The Worcester PopUp is a collaboration between the City of Worcester, the Worcester Cultural Coalition, the Hanover Theater, and the Worcester Business Development Corp., in partnership with The Barr Foundation. This “permanent popup” space offers a place for local artists, organizations, and creatives to create, display, and develop a variety of creative-based events ranging from art shows, open mics, music performances, and more.

Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC): The Worcester Cultural Coalition is a public-private partnership established in 1999 between the City of Worcester and local cultural organizations. Its mission is to draw on Worcester’s rich and diverse cultural assets in order to foster economic revitalization, support active, creative engagement for all, and promote a strong cultural identity for Greater Worcester.

“Dominican Carnival: A Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage”
Exhibition Schedule

All programming is free and open to the public.

Now on view until March 10, 2020 at the following locations, in conjunction with Worcester Windows:

• Worcester City Hall: The most important characters of carnival, as per historic meaning, that go from colonial, religious syncretism, and immigration, many of which have been named Intangible World Heritage by UNESCO.
• Hanover Theater: A fantasy Lechon (piglet) costume from the renowned Dominican carnival group Los Guazones (The Jokers), a colonial character that used to be called the Gatekeeper, as they used to open the parade and with the crack of their whip and keep the crowd away from their masters. This character is from the province Santiago De Los Caballeros, a former Spanish colony, located in the northern part of the Dominican Republic.
• Bay State Savings Bank (Franklin Street): Pepinero Lechon from the renowned carnival group Los Guazones (The Jokers). Unlike the fantasy Lechon, this one has smooth horns and is from the borough of Los Pepinos, which gives name to the costume, as it represents this area located in Santiago.
• WICN Public Radio (Portland Street): Carnival photograph and exhibit description.

Upcoming Events

• February 25 | Exhibition Opening at the Worcester PopUp: Curated exhibit of photos and carnival costumes featuring photographs by artists Arismendy Ferreras, Dominican Photographer, and Troy B. Thompson, founder of the No Evil Project. Carnival Costumes are from the Guardians of  Traditions’ private collection. Opens on February 25 and runs until March 10th at the Worcester Pop-Up (20 Franklin St, 1st Floor, Worcester, MA).
• February 29 | Opening Reception at the Worcester PopUp: Includes a children’s art-making activity (1:30-2:30 PM), a panel on the history of Dominican Carnival (3-4 PM), a performance with carnival characters (4:30-5 PM), and an opening reception celebration with appetizers and signature cocktails (5-6 PM).

The post Worcester Windows: “Dominican Carnival: A Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage” appeared first on WCC.

What: The Worcester PopUp is seeking submissions for the next Worcester Windows Exhibit. “Clothing, Culture, Armor!” will showcase the clothing that defines you and the communities you identify with, whether born or chosen. The clothing and costumes we choose to wear relate directly to the aspects of ourselves we hope to either showcase or protect. What do you value? How does that present in the clothing you wear? We want to hear the stories of your clothing, culture, and armor. Let’s bring people together through the art of personal expression.

How: For consideration please email info@worcesterpopup.org  with “Worcester Windows, Clothing, Culture, Armor” in the subject line. Include a separate JPG for up to 3 pieces along with a brief one paragraph statement describing what they mean to you and your sense of personal/cultural identity. If included, you’ll have the opportunity to expand on your artist statement.

When: Open call period will extend to November 23rd, artwork will be collected after the submission period closes. Exhibition period is December 2019 to January 2020.

Where: Items will be on display on several levels of City Hall, The Worcester PopUp at the JMAC, and in the street side windows of several theater district businesses.

Send Submissions to: info@worcesterpopup.org

For inquiries:

Hank von Hellion

Worcester PopUp at the JMAC

Managing Director

(508)-304-8188

The post Call for Submissions: Worcester Windows “Clothing, Culture, Armor!” appeared first on WCC.

The Worcester Windows program is pleased to present UnWoven Journeys, which will be displayed July 2 through October 1, 2019 in downtown Worcester, MA.

Pieces from UnWoven Journeys were on display at the Worcester PopUp in June of 2019. Getting out of the gallery and into public space, multiple pieces from the show will be displayed at City Hall, Brew on the Grid, WICN Radio, The Worcester PopUp, and The Hanover Theatre as a part of the Worcester Windows program.

UnWoven Journeys is an exhibit of art and craft, addressing refugee and immigrant status in the United States. In the exhibit, local art initiatives Healing Fibers, Refugee Artisans of Worcester, and Sisters in Stitches are joined by the Cloth Quilt Guild, coming together to present a colorful exhibit of quilting and visual arts and crafts.

Worcester Windows is a community gallery program which uses City Hall and participating storefronts throughout downtown Worcester as exhibit space to showcase the City’s vibrant downtown and its rich culture of civic work, while providing display opportunities for local artists as part of Worcester’s new forward-thinking cultural plan. Managed and curated by Hank von Hellion, Managing Director of the Worcester PopUp, the program has been renovated to be more adaptable to the dynamic growth of the City in its renaissance.

Bayda Asbridge, founder and director of Healing Fibers, says that, “through a celebration of art, craft and performance, our event and collaboration is in recognition of individuals who have relocated to seek a better life.”

Maria Laura Ibañez, one of the exhibiting artists, reflects on her artistic process, saying that, “being able to express my feelings and struggles through Saori weaving [has] helped me so much these last years. Shortly after moving here I started to suffer from depression, and I struggled much more than I expected to adapt to this culture and my new surroundings. The philosophy of Saori weaving is that you weave what you feel at the moment, and you should let your inner creativity flow and lead you. It not only gave me a way to express myself, I also found a wonderful community full of creative and beautiful people. I still struggle with depression, but now I don’t feel so alone.” Her work, Bring Me Out of the Dark, can be viewed on the B level of City Hall.

Additional artists included in UnWoven Journeys exhibition are Sara & Susi Ryan, Bradley Chapman, Hiveen & Edris, Nir & Sheila Lutz, Christopher G. King, Donna Hamil Talman, Patrisiya, Hungma, Dhan & Sheila Lutz, Claribel & Sheila Lutz, Nir & Christle Rawlins-Jackson, and Toran created Bi Maya. UnWoven Journeys will be on display until October 1, 2019.

The post Worcester Windows: UnWoven Journeys Exhibit appeared first on WCC.