Marking the Attleboro Arts Museum’s Centennial
Art is Love. Love is Artby Ania Gilmore. Celebrating art with 100 Wycinanki pieces. Wycinanki is a Polish Folk Art where the ornament is intricately cut out of paper. Traditional techniques were passed down through generations
In 1923 ten Attleboro, Massachusetts women formed a local chapter of the American Federation of Art.
This visionary group, and many other dedicated individuals that followed, recognized the positive impact that art and culture have on our lives and community. 100 years later, the Attleboro Arts Museum honors these wise foremothers*and commemorates its centennial with an exhibition featuring the work of artists from the Surface Design Association (SDA) – New England Region.
The Surface Design Association’s exhibiting artists were charged by Museum Executive Director and Chief Curator Mim Brooks Fawcett with creating art that either directly spoke to the Museum’s centennial or followed a more conceptual, but related path.
For instance, artists could represent the calendar years of 1923 – 2023through historical reference, art movements of the 1920s, ways ofvisually markingten decades of time, the process of aging, oralternative approaches to experiencingunits of 100.
The results tie into long-standing societal concerns, reveal personal connections to wear and tear vs. wisdom, and push viewers to take in far more than a history lesson on the organization. Fawcett states, “The Surface Design Association was selected for 100 for its innovative approach to textile media and fiber arts. This was a nod to the textile hand-work often created by women of the 1920s.
She continues, “Much like the bold move of our ten founders, who stepped beyondthe norm to cultivate an arts organization from the ground up, the SDA artists selected to exhibit work in this show – who arbitrarily all happen to be women – push the boundaries of their art practice. Viewers are drawn to their work for its unexpected approach, thought provoking content and imaginative artmaking techniques.”
100 Years The Attleboro Arts Museum has evolved from its grassroots beginnings as a chapter of the American Federation of Art, into an arts organization that serves close to 50,000 individuals each year.
Supported by private funding since its inception, the Museum maintains a “no admission fee” policy to its exhibitions, ensuring easy access for all visitors and upholding its credo of “Arts for Everyone.
” When the organization was founded in 1923, Attleboro, Massachusetts was home to major manufacturing companies, and many wealthy residents supported the organization by providing artwork for exhibits. Early on, meetings and exhibitions were held in the Attleboro Public Library.
Later the Museum moved to Attleboro’s courthouse, followed by a presence in downtown Attleboro’s Bronson Building, and as of October 1951 the former Casino Building at Capron Park served as its home.
With an increasingly active role in the community, the Museum outgrew the Casino Building’s800 square feet of classroom and gallery space. In 1994, it relocated to its current home at 86 Park Street – the former home of London’s Department Store
The name of the organization also underwent many changes through the years. Launched as the Attleboro Chapter of the Federation of Art it evolved into to the Attleboro Museum. Subsequent names were Attleboro Museum of Art and History, Attleboro Museum, Inc., and Attleboro Museum Center for the Arts.
In 2006, a new visual identity, created by renowned graphic designer, Malcolm Grear, was developed to reflect the Museum’s modern vision of encompassing not only its emphasis on the visual arts, but introduction of music, language arts and other forms of creative expression through related programs.
The new branding included updating the nameto the Attleboro Arts Museum, as well as the logothat is used today. Currently, the Museum refreshes exhibitions8-10 timesper year. It prominently displays the works of both promising and professional artistsbased throughout New England and the United States, in 3,500 square feet of gallery space.
Many special events are hosted throughout the year, includinga signature Art Auction in the fall and Flower Show in the spring.
Selections from the organization’s permanent collection are shown annually and are incorporated into downtown Attleboro’s Winter Night Festival.
This event drives 1000s into the city and through the Museum’s gallery.
The Museum’s art classes serve children, teens and adults in a range of disciplines and welcome all levels. Art classes take place throughout the year and are taught by seasoned art educators that are passionate about the wonders and challenges of artmaking. A dedicated cadre of volunteers supports the Museum’s staff and brings talent and warmth to all initiatives. *
The foremothers: Donna D. Baer, Nancy P. Baker, Ida W. Bushee, Caroline S. Holden, Eva L. Kent, Clara E. Perry, Tilda B. Stone, Gertrude H. Sweet, Nellie C. Valletteand Harriet L. Wilmarth.
100: Marking the Attleboro Arts Museum’s Centennial Exhibition Demonstrations Select exhibiting artists will be providing complimentary artmaking demonstrations.
See below for a list of offerings:
On Saturday, April 15th: 12:00pm-12:30pm: Katy Rodden Walker – Sewing Plastic
Jellies Katy Rodden Walker is an interdisciplinary artist interested in exploring complex relationships and interconnectedness between humans and nonhumans, challenging perceptions of boundaries between humans and the environment at a micro and macro scale. 12:30pm-1:00pm:
Adrienne Sloane – IcordKnitting Simplified A mixed media artist with a focus in fiber techniques, Adrienne Sloane uses iconic imagery to address the frayed places around her as she responds to current events. 1:00pm-1:30pm:
Sarah Haskell – Stone Cozies: Crocheted Rock Coverings As a native New Englander with a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design, Sarah Haskell’s medium is most often thread, investigating the mystery of encoded fabrics and the hidden language of cloth. The above demonstrations will lead into the exhibition’s Opening Reception held from 2:00pm-4:00pm on April 15th.
Live music from guitarist Andy Solberg will be featured (performance sponsored by The Ray Conniff Foundation) . April 15th events are free and open to the public.
Reservations for any and all programs on that day are not required, but are appreciated by April 14th: 508-222-2644×10 or office@attleboroartsmuseum.org
Additional Demonstration: Friday, April 28th 2:00pm – 2:30pm: Gunta Kaza – Keeping it Together – One Map at a Time. Gunta Kaza is an artist and designer who teaches at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and has relied on upcycling old and used maps to create new 3D objects.
The April 28th event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated by April 27th: 508-222- 2644×10 or office@attleboroartsmuseum.org Attleboro Arts Museum
The Attleboro Arts Museum involves audiences of all ages and backgrounds in the visual arts through diverse educational programs and engaging arts experiences. We work to support the creative and artistic development of both promising and established artists.