Wellesley art round-up: Some of Us Were Brave at Jewett; Environmental Justice at Dana Hall; Goce Davidov ceramics coming to library

January 23, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

New art exhibits in Wellesley, Mass.

Some of Us Were Brave by Toisha Tucker at Wellesley College’s Jewett Art Gallery, Jan. 20-March 6

From Wellesley College:

What can art do in a time of political, societal, and actual violence? In Toisha Tucker’s practice, art and activism are two sides of the same coin. With an acute awareness of issues surrounding race, gender, economic disparity, and the institutionalization of prejudice and hatred in America today, Tucker’s work speaks up and speaks out. Tucker makes use of a variety of media, including sculpture, installation, found objects, text, photography, collage, and printmaking to address subjects that they hold close to their heart…Tucker is the recipient of the 2018-19 Alice C. Cole ’42 Fellowship, which provides funds to support one year of unimpeded time and space to experiment, develop a body of work, and focus on future artistic goals.

This exhibition will be on view in the Jewett Art Gallery from January 20 – March 6, 2020. A closing reception with the artist will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Friday March 6. The Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Jewett Arts Center at Wellesley College, is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and 12- 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays (but not Jan. 25-26z). The Gallery is free to visit and open to the public.

ToishaTucker-History101 — Toisha Tucker’s History 101

Dana Hall Art Gallery presents State of the Environment/Fate of the Earth: The Art of Environmental Justice

From Dana Hall:

This exhibit runs through Feb. 7. The show features the work of Boston-area artists Sue Hammerland (painting), Gordon D. Chase (drawing), Allison Maria Rodriguez (assemblage and video) and Michelle Lougee (sculpture).

“Using a variety of different materials and approaches, these artists are not only creating beautiful, frightening, and challenging images and objects, but through these artworks, they are telling stories and confronting issues surrounding the effects of climate change and other man-made disasters on plant and animal life on earth,” said Michael Frassinelli, director of the Dana Art Gallery and Visual Arts Department Head. “Some whimsical, some more serious, but all inspired by what is happening to the natural world around us and what might happen in the future.”

Located in the Classroom Building, the Dana Hall Art Gallery is open to the public Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is closed weekends and school holidays.

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This is a gift having ceramic artist Goce Davidov showing his work right down the street.

A post shared by Juniper Wellesley (@juniperwellesley) on Jan 21, 2020 at 10:10am PST

Wellesley topiary: A seahorse, of course?

January 17, 2020 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

Some say it’s obvious that the topiary in front of One Hollis St., at the intersection of Linden Street in Wellesley, is a seahorse.

topiary linden st wellesley

But that topiary is also different things to others, as we recently learned when posing a question on our Facebook page about it: “Here we are in 2020, still asking: What is this Linden St topiary supposed to be?”

My gut has told me it’s a seahorse. Why a seahorse in the middle of Wellesley? Why not.

But I’ve also wondered if it might be a cat.

Linden St topiari

Others who responded to the photo shown above suggested it might be an elephant spinning. Or more specifically, Babar the Elephant’s head.

“It was a seahorse – now it’s a badly groomed show poodle,” wrote one Swellesley regular.

#Wellesley #topiary what is it? pic.twitter.com/lQzRkLIavO

— swellesley (@swellesley) January 16, 2020

A guy straddling an elephant and wearing boxing gloves, chimed in another. A Twitter follower asserted: “Lobstah of course.”

We reached out to the property manager of One Hollis St.. to see if they might have any particulars on the ornamental shrubbery and what it’s future might hold. We haven’t heard back, but will update this post if we do.

While less ambitious than the postcard-worthy topiary on Hunnewell property abutting Lake Waban, the Hollis Street landmark has a wider audience given its proximity to the Wellesley Square train station and Linden Square shopping center.

As for what the Hollis Street topiary is supposed to be, one reader offers this viewpoint: “Anything one imagines.”

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More: Wellesley’s Outdoor Art Gallery

Wellesley Theatre Project presents Impact! Throwback

January 5, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Theatre Project (WTP) presents Impact! Throwback!, a concert presentation of classical musical theater, Jan. 10 – 12 at the WTP Studios at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St.

General admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors in advance or $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors at the door.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.wellesleytheatreproject.org or by calling the box office at 781-235-1550

Senior IMPACT! will perform selections from classical musical theatre including favorites from Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate, Guys and Dolls, Peter Pan, My Fair Lady, and many others.

Junior IMPACT! will present a selection from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which they will perform at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, January 17th-20th.

[Read more…]

Wellesley’s sweet Parthenon on display at library

December 17, 2019 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

wellesley parthenon — The Wellesley gingerbread-and-candy Parthenon

I felt fortunate to see the centuries-old Parthenon in Athens back in 2008 when the Swellesleys went abroad as a family for the first and only time to date. The Swellesley juniors were deep into the Percy Jackson books at the time, and their enthusiasm for all things Greek enveloped the family.

parthenon athens 2008 — Having a swell time at the Parthenon in Athens

More recently, I plotted a run while visiting Nashville to view the full-scale Parthenon replica near Vanderbilt College. The structure was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Athena would have been proud.

nashville parthenon — The other Parthenon, in Nashville

But little did I realize that my Parthenon studies were incomplete until Wellesley Free Library made us aware that it was displaying a deliciously spectacular gingerbread-and-candy replica of the temple this season thanks to the efforts of Wellesley resident Grant Brown, family and friends, who have a history of gingerly building such elaborate structures. I rushed right over to see it, being careful not to touch or snack on it, for fear of leaving it in ruins. It’ll be there until the end of this year.

History.com describes the Parthenon as being “a symbol of the power, wealth and elevated culture of Athens,” and so this version of the architectural masterpiece could be said to be doing the same for our fair town, on a more modest scale.

The artist speaks

Brown says this year’s creation was inspired by a family trip to Greece this summer where they toured the Acropolis and the Parthenon. “We thought that amazing structure would be a fun inspiration. I had contemplated building the mountain and collection of temples at the top, but that seemed too aggressive given my day job and work-related travel,” he says.

Brown said he and his wife had many friends and family over on Sunday to help decorate the gingerbread house.

“My parents asked me last week to calculate the dollars and time spent on the preparation. I have steadfastly refused to do so. (Mainly because I’d introduce a bit of depression into the mix!),” says Brown, whose family has been hosting gingerbread parties for 18 years to help kick off the holidays.

“As for anyone tempted to disobey the Library’s signs, I speak from a position of authority when I say: Obey the Do Not Touch request! Some of the candy on every house is leftover and saved from prior years. It’s possible that the gummy bear that looks so enticing on the lawn of the Parthenon is circa 2016!”

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A post shared by Swellesley Report (Wellesley) (@theswellesleyreport) on Dec 16, 2019 at 7:38pm PST

5 unique finds at Wellesley Marketplace

November 19, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club’s Wellesley Marketplace will host the 43rd Annual Wellesley Marketplace on Saturday, November 23rd at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St. Open from 9am – 4pm, Marketplace is an annual retail favorite for those seeking unique holiday gifts for family and friends. With over 240 vendors and artisans from New England and further afield, it’s the perfect way to cross off plenty of items on your holiday shopping list, with style.

Premium Admission

Be the first to gain access to shopping when the doors open at 9am. Only those with premium admission may shop from 9am – 10am. Then stay to shop until 4pm. Your Premium Admission ticket is good for entry at any time during the day. Please note that these tickets are only available for purchase in advance of the event. No child/senior discounts. Premium Admission tickets are $20 each and are available online now.

General Admission

Shop anytime between 10am – 4pm. General Admission tickets are also available at the door on the day of the event. General Admission tickets are $15 each and are available online now.

Senior/Student General Admission Tickets

Shop anytime between 10am – 4pm. Senior/Student General Admission tickets are also available at the door on the day of the event. Senior/Student General Admission tickets are $5 each and are available online now.

Here are 5 unique finds to be had from Wellesley Marketplace merchants:

Fishaye Trading Co., Natick — Maroon striped bass print by longtime Marketplace-favorite Fishaye Trading Company. Fishaye creates Gyotaku fish prints from real fish to create stylish and functional art for the coastal home. Fisherman-artist John Doherty of Natick catches all of his own fish by rod and reel right here in the USA.

Dean's Sweets — Dean’sSweets of Portland, Maine, crafts little snowmen in dark, white, and milk chocolate. Dean’sSweets combines the highest quality chocolate with the best of local ingredients! All natural and always nut-free.

Liza Curtis Studio of Natick is new to Marketplace this year. Inspired by the ocean and fusing stained glass, 22k-gold, resin and stoneware clay, Liza Curtis “makes pots with love in small batches.” And it’s all food-safe!

WHJWC Marketplace, Wellesley — In this tide clock created by Tidepieces of Westport, Conn., a whimsical sandcastle is revealed as the tide recedes, along with its resident crab. Artist Alan Winick designs and builds more than 70 tide clocks in which sea level changes to match the actual local tide. The images are from original watercolor paintings.

Anyone lose your art in this Wellesley park?

November 4, 2019 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

art in perrin park

Gloves, pacifiers, water bottles. Yeah, used to seeing those left behind at Perrin Park in Wellesley. A more unusual site: This artwork, seen today at the park by Swellesley reader LF.

If it’s yours, hope it’s still there.

More: Wellesley’s electrical boxes to become works of art

There’s an art to supporting Swellesley: Here’s how to Advertise and/or Contribute to support our independent journalism venture

Wellesley says: Our graffiti artists are smarter than yours

October 25, 2019 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Not that The Swellesley Report condones the tagging of National Register of Historic Places such as the Waban Arches along the Sudbury Aqueduct of course, but I have to admit I learned a new word (Polymerase) from this STEM Week special. I’m afraid I know most of the other words I’ve seen over there…

science graffiti in wellesley — Photo courtesy of PC

More: Here in Wellesley — graffiti at the Farms train station, a commentary

There’s an art to supporting Swellesley: Here’s how to Advertise and/or Donate to support our independent journalism venture

Save the date: Wellesley Marketplace is Saturday, November 23

October 24, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

SPONSORED POST: The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club will host the 43nd Annual Wellesley Marketplace on Saturday, November 23 at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St. Buy tickets online here. Organized by The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, proceeds from the show are given back to the community in the form of need-based scholarships and grants.

Marketplace is an annual retail favorite for those seeking unique holiday gifts for family and friends. Shoppers have access to over 200 vendors and artisans from New England and afar. Wellesley Marketplace is the place to find unique hostess and teacher gifts, hand-made note cards, one-of-a-kind jewelry, home accessories, dog toys, ornaments, delicious food treats, or that special, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork for the person who has everything.

Complimentary gift wrapping will be available to all shoppers courtesy of Sustainable Wellesley, so be sure to swing by their table on the first floor to have your gifts wrapped in beautiful Japanese Furoshiki wraps.