University News

Artist Reception with UMass Worker Artists

In January 2021, the UMass Amherst University Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA) invited a group of worker artists to take part in their current exhibition “We Are For Freedoms” - part of a national initiative - and to craft their own responses to the exhibition's call for art: “What does freedom mean to you?”

NEWS We Are For Freedoms Worker Artists

Over the past year, nine UMass worker artists developed art in conversation with the initial commissioned pieces in the exhibition and in dialogue with each other. During their time together, the group centered their identities as artists, grappled with critical social issues, and encouraged each other to create personally authentic artwork. These original art works joined the project in a pop-up exhibition at the UMCA from Nov. 3-7 and will now become a part of the online exhibition.

NEWS WAFF Worker Art

Join us on Thursday, Dec. 2 from noon– 1 p.m. for a virtual artist reception to hear from each artist about their work and this project.  Then, the artists will engage in a conversation with UMCA Education curator Amanda Herman, Building Bridges director Jacob Carter and audience members.

Participating artists:

  • Barbara Hastings, electrical and computer engineering
  • Donna Vanasse, social thought and political economy
  • Karen Hakala, retired, department of chemistry
  • Lisa Korpiewski, Institute for Applied Life Sciences
  • Malini Sinha, registrar’s office
  • Michelle St. Martin, physical plant custodial
  • Sarah Jarman, advancement
  • Shara Denson, human resources
  • Wayne Gagnon, information technology

Free and Registration required:

https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpfu6trzIvGdMOplCfHiwqBBa5fKeXFO9u

Pop-Up Exhibition Sponsors: University Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA), Building Bridges Public Art and Engagement Initiative, The Partnership for Worker Education

We Are For Freedoms Exhibit Sponsors: Women for UMass, Florence Bank, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Artists’ Resource Trust, UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, Applewood and Loomis Communities, and New England Public Media.

Co-Sponsors: The UMass Unions United Labor Chorus (UUULC)