As local summer seasons are coming to a close, the Valley holds unique opportunities. The influx of students to the area brings with it the beginning of the campus art season. Soon there will be countless exhibits, shows, films and performances. Whether you’re a new or returning student, now is the perfect time to get out and go see some art.
UMass alone has six art galleries. And with all of this art space, there will be multiple shows going on at any given point. While your workload is light, now is the time to see the various kinds of art that this campus attracts. Not only is this art close, admission is free and open to the public. The galleries also host closing and opening receptions, often with the chance to talk to the artist.
The Augusta Savage Gallery, located in the New Africa House in Central, exhibits multicultural works. It is dedicated to showing work by artists of color, whether they are nationally displayed or local. Beginning on Sep. 1, the paintings of West African artist Issek will be exhibited.
The Central Gallery is located in Wheeler, right across from the Augusta Savage. The dorm setting lends this intimate space a casual atmosphere. It holds many shows by student and local artists. This month, artist Jeanne Marie Wasilik’s paintings will be in an exhibit titled “Tableauz Silencieux.” They use a realist landscape tradition, and then add imagery of drapery, which causes the viewer to question the view. The show begins on Sep. 18.
The Hampden Gallery is another residential gallery, located in Southwest. It is a larger space than the Central, with one wall being entirely windows. This allows for both a great natural light view of the art inside, and a wonderful view of art from the inside. “Other Ways of Seeing,” an internationally exhibited show that features five Paris-based artists who have developmental delays, will be on display from Sep. 19 to 30.
The Student Union Visual and Performing Arts Space is located in the bustling intersection of The People’s Market and Earthfoods. Look for work by student and community artists.
Herter Gallery, located in Herter Hall, has two galleries. Like Hampden, one of its walls is comprised of glass, which infuses the space with light. Beginning on Sep. 6, the show “Shaping Up” will feature the work of first year students.
The University Gallery is the largest of the campus galleries and is located in the Fine Arts Center. It focuses mainly on contemporary art, with both its permanent collection and offerings of traveling exhibits. Two shows open on Sep. 15. “Space” is a showing of pieces from the permanent collection that examine the idea of space. Markus Raetz is a Swiss artist who works in sculpture, paint, drawings, wall installations, and more. This is a retrospective of 30 years of his work that deal with optical illusion.
After you’ve checked out campus art, just a short walk into town will take you to more. Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum has a permanent collection with a strong historical basis, featuring the work of Frederic Edwin Church and Winslow Homer, to name just two. And the Burnett Gallery, located in the Jones Library right on Amity Street, features local artists.
But if the performing arts are more your style, the next month holds exciting offerings. On Sep. 13, the Off Center Series presents the free performance “Wire Monkey,” at the Fine Arts Center plaza at noon and at Southwest at 7 p.m. Performed on towers of scaffolding by dancers, it breaks down the barriers of traditional dance. And on Sep. 20, New World Theater and Rennie Harris PureMovement present “Rome and Jewels” at the Concert Hall. This is an updated version of Romeo and Juliet, told through hip-hop culture and dance.
It’s time to get up and get out of your dorm room while the campus arts scene is on the upswing.
