Mass Cultural Council believes that the work of individual artists is essential to a thriving society. We are excited to announce the launch of the 2021 grant cycle of the Artist Fellowships to support Massachusetts artists and the excellence of their creative work. The Artist Fellowships are unrestricted, anonymously-judged awards, with grant decisions based solely on the … [Read more...]
Pushing Boundaries: Using Needlework to Express What it Means to be Human
Jodi Colella, of Somerville, is an artist, teacher and community builder. She uses needlework to infuse renewed power to craft practices. The resulting works convey both whimsy and threat, as they capture that place where anxiety and beauty can co-mingle. She pushes the boundaries of traditional techniques to create works that imply an inner vitality and a self-awareness of … [Read more...]
Debra Weisberg: Large-Scale Installation at Facebook
Using tape, paper, and other unexpected materials, Debra Weisberg (Drawing Fellow '08) explores the boundaries of drawing. Here, she discusses a recent commission to create a large-scale installation as part of the Facebook Artist in Residence Program. I recently completed a 22-ft long commission for Facebook Cambridge Office, done mostly on-site over a 10 day period. … [Read more...]
Matthew Mazzotta: Cloud House
Matthew Mazzotta's (Sculpture/Installation/New Genres Fellow '11) new project CLOUD HOUSE, is a "cloud" that rains on a tin roof when you sit in the rocking chairs (location: Farmer’s Park – Springfield, MO). CLOUD HOUSE is a unique rain harvesting system that creatively reuses the rainwater it collects to provide a deeper look into the natural systems that give us the … [Read more...]
Myrna Balk: 50 Year Retrospective at Piano Craft Gallery
Mixed media artist Myrna Balk is exhibiting at Boston's Piano Craft Gallery (5/5-5/28, opening reception 5/7, 3-6 PM, artist discussion 5/21, 3 PM) in Connecting the Dots, encompassing 50 years of her artistic output. Here, she discusses the exhibition, how a life of social work affected her art, and highlights and surprises from 50 years of working in clay, steel, wood, … [Read more...]