Interconnected: A Fiber Show

February 2, 2023

A note on Interconnected: A Fiber Show as written by the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery at Worcester State University…

“The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Department of Worcester State University is set to showcase the work of 61 area fiber artists in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery’s upcoming juried exhibition titled “Interconnected: a Fiber Show.”

As part of the winter exhibit, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy more than 100 works of fiber art at a free opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 or by visiting the gallery located in the Ghosh Science and Technology Center at 486 Chandler Street during gallery hours or by appointment through March 18, 2023.

“Often, those who work in fiber aren’t considered as ‘artists’ who show in galleries, or their work is labeled as ‘craft’ and not art,” said Stacey Parker, VPA professor of Fine Art and Interdisciplinary Studies and Director of the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery. “We wanted this show to open up those definitions, allow the fiber community to be highlighted and their work shown in a gallery as the art that it is. It is our goal to open up the arts to all creative communities and break down the barriers that have divided artists. We’re beyond thrilled with the tremendous variety in the responses we received from Greater Worcester’s arts community, and we’re excited to showcase the stunning work for our guests.”

Gallery hours for “Interconnected” are Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, visit wsuvpagallery.weebly.com or contact the Gallery at 508-929-8651 via phone or gallery@worcester.edu via email.

Below you will find the online gallery for the show. Please check back often as we will add new images through the run of the show culminating in a complete online show by March 18th.”

To view the complete online show, please visit: https://www.wsuvpagallery.com/interconnected.html

Publication:

Worcester State University Visual and Performing Arts Department, “Interconnected: A Fiber Show,” Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery, August 2nd, 2023. https://www.wsuvpagallery.com/interconnected.html

Black Lives Matter Mural: Worcester, MA.

September 1, 2020

“WORCESTER - A team of artists and volunteers were out early Wednesday setting up to paint a Black Lives Matter mural at the intersection if MLK Jr. and Major Taylor boulevards.

The work continued through the day as large letters spelling out Black Lives Matter were sketched, then painted with a base coat and then under the direction of local artists each letter became an individual piece of artwork.

Worcester City Councilor Sean M. Rose said 500 people volunteered to help artists paint the mural, which can be seen along Major Taylor Boulevard. It was a community-wide effort, he said, with people from all walks of life joining in.

‘Two months ago it was taboo to say Black Lives Matter. They thought you were anti-police, anti-government, and in some cases, anti-white," he said. "Now you have people making themselves vulnerable from not just the Black and brown communities, but the white community and others, saying racism is an issue. We need to do something about this.’

This mural and others created around the country grew out the the tragedy of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police and the protests that erupted afterward, including several in Worcester. It has sparked discussions not only of police treatment of African-Americans, but of systemic racism.

‘This artistic expression, this mural, is a symbol of just that, of people coming together in solidarity to support anti-racism, and coming together as a community and recognizing that all lives matter, for sure, but Black lives are in danger right now,’ Rose said. ‘We need to do something about that.’

By: George Barnes, Telegram and Gazette Article

Artist/Designer of the Letter A: Rush Frazier @breakupsauce