Fall and Spring 2009-2010
Close Up and Deep Down.
Welcome to Hampden and Central Galleries.
This year Hampden and Central Galleries will feature a select roster of artists who reside within a 100 mile radius of the campus. Seven solo shows and five group shows will take you deep into the individual practices of painters, sculptors, installation artists and writers
Some of the artists who are located within the 100 mile radius arrived over the years as students within the 5-College system of Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Amherst, Hampshire and The University. These students stayed on for graduate studies, in some cases ultimately joining the faculties of these very same institutions. Others were born here, raised here and find endless inspiration in the Connecticut River, the Berkshires and other local landmarks.
These artists too could be called “local”, yet within the fertile artscape of Western Massachusetts the connotation of “local” expands and reverberates. These artists are indeed global citizens who act on universal impulses to dig deep, touch the core of being alive, and express it through their unique processes.
Those of you who live or who have visited here will understand how one can succumb to the intoxication of the natural beauty and the cultural exuberance of the area. New students, faculty and community members are especially invited to attend opening receptions were you can meet the artists and get some insight into their work and influences.
Between our two galleries you will find artists whose work addresses topics from the sacred to the profane, you’ll see exhibitions organized by several University alumni artists stepping into new roles as curators, you’ll see work by the late Robert Mallary who was a noted innovator with plastics and you’ll also see work by emerging artist, Maggie Nowinski who takes on the impact of plastic bottles on the environment. Check the calendar listings to see what resonates with your sensibilities and consider yourself personally invited to all talks, exhibitions, and receptions – free of charge.
See you in the galleries,
Anne LaPrade Seuthe
Gallery Director
HAMPDEN GALLERY
Hampden Gallery is one of two Fine Arts Center Galleries located in Residential Areas at the University of Massachusetts Amherst .
(The other is Central Gallery) (http://www.umass.edu/fac/central)
Hampden Gallery has a reputation as a launching pad for emerging artists working in all disciplines. Its active programming schedule runs throughout the academic year and features solo, group, and thesis exhibitions which are enhanced through opening receptions, artist talks, and workshops.
Hampden Gallery, located in the heart of the Southwest Residential Area, sports 14-foot high ceilings and a 32-foot running wall of glass that looks out to the pedestrian thoroughfare of the most populated residential area on campus. This unique architectural feature allows students and visitors a 24-hour view into an ongoing roster of intriguing new works by up and coming artists.
The Hampden Gallery Lobby houses Hampden Gallery's Incubator Project Space - an intimately-scaled venue well suited to showing electronic media works and site specific installations. This venue brings new works even further into the public arena and underscores the laboratory aspects of the galleries.
HAMPDEN AND CENTRAL GALLERIES
CORE PROGRAM
Hampden and Central Galleries mission is to facilitate understanding and participation in the ongoing cultural dialogue through the presentation of visual art exhibitions and through the implementation of in-depth adjunct programming. The main focus of this programming is on new work by emerging artists in the fields of painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, video and new media. Hampden and Central Galleries recognizes the importance of its viewing audience and is continually attracting new viewers to its audience base through vibrant programming which includes artists in residence events, lectures, slide presentations, life drawing, workshops, gallery talks and receptions.
Located in the nexus of two campus residential areas Hampden & Central Galleries often are students' first point of contact with the visual arts on campus. With this in mind, the galleries program an active roster of exhibitions throughout the academic year that reflect current practices in contemporary art across all genres in order to engage students, as well as the University and surrounding communities, with challenging and diverse contemporary visual art exhibitions that speak to issues being discussed in the arts community and throughout the larger culture.
LINKS TO Partners/Collaborators
http://www.transculturalexchange.org/
http://www.umass.edu/fac/central
http://www.umass.edu/fac/augusta/index.html
NEW DIRECTIONS
In addition to its ongoing exhibitions in the gallery spaces, Hampden and Central Galleries are also developing concept driven exhibitions which do not rely on the physical space of the gallery. More and more artists are recognizing the need to bring their work to new audiences by breaking through the notions of what "gallery" means. Through on going relationships with artists across the country and internationally Hampden and Central Gallery will be implementing exhibitions outside of its physical venue, thus keeping in step with contemporary practice while broadening the scope and reach of the Galleries' programming.
NEW PROGRAMS
GO! (Global Opportunities in the Visual Arts) based at the University of Massachusetts Amherst was founded in the Spring of 2007 by artists/curators Klaus Postler and Anne LaPrade Seuthe.
Together, they are intent on exploring what's possible in today's rambunctious global visual arts culture by working with artists, curators, and organizations to create a vital matrix which provides residencies and exhibition opportunities inside and outside the conventions of the white cube.
2007
GO!'s debut exhibition:
The American Dream/When Worlds Collide
Curated by Postler and LaPrade Seuthe
Takt Project Raum in Berlin , Germany , 28 July-11 August, 2007.
GO!'s second exhibition:
White Paper
Curated by Marcus Ahlers
University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Central Gallery
25 October to November to 20, 2007.
2008-2009
Deutschland on Parade: A Traveling Exhibition of Works on Paper
Curated by Postler and LaPrade Seuthe
International Artists Residency Exchange in Partnership with Transcultural Exchange Project and Augusta Savage Gallery
2008 July/August
MUZEUL DE ARTE
Satu Mare, Romania
Skin Deep
Eileen Claveloux andd Kristin Nason
Curated by Anne LaPrade Seuthe
2008 December
ZENDAI MoMA
Shanghai, China
Intrude 366
Eye to Eye
A collaboration between:
Lola Baltzell, Deborah Garner, Alicia Hunsicker, Anne LaPrade Seuthe
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N.E.x.T .
New Exhibition Trends
A two part approach to providing opportunities to artists transitioning from student to career status. N.E.x.T also connects audiences with new exhibition practices and trends.
Part One:
A Curatorial Opportunities Program for UMASS students:
Students are afforded opportunities to curate exhibitions of fellow students work in Central Gallery. The program takes students through all facets of exhibition planning and implementation from development of concepts, to interacting with artists, to grant writing, through the process of publicizing the exhibitions, to installation and finally to project evaluation.
Part Two:
Solo and Group Thesis Exhibition for Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Candidates:
Hampden and Central Galleries also serve as an essential resource for MFA and BFA candidates who produce thesis exhibitions as part of their academic program requirements. Each spring semester, Hampden and Central Galleries set aside exhibition slots for MFA and BFA exhibitions. These exhibitions provide an essential service to the students and provide the campus community with unique opportunities to view fresh bodies of work in all disciplines.
T.E.A.C.H. ART EXHIBITION PROGRAM:
Teachers Exhibiting At Central and Hampden
Working with representatives from the UMASS Art Department and other institutions, Hampden and Central Galleries provides exhibition opportunities for Certified Massachusetts Art Teachers (K through 12) who in some cases are alumni and who may also be continuing their professional development at the University of Massachusetts, This program provides professional development opportunities to alumni artists and builds a bridge from the University to often underserved communities.
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