This past year, Unbound Visual Arts showcased the artwork of over 100 artists through art fairs, curated thematic exhibitions, and celebrations, including UVA’s 5th anniversary celebration. UVA also moved into new larger headquarters/gallery in Brighton Center and advocated for Brighton’s first dedicated exhibition gallery at the rejuvenated St. Gabriel’s. See the full list below and what keeps UVA unique and “unbound.”
See what’s planned for 2018 here. Get involved with Unbound Visual Arts here.
2017 Accomplishments
February 28, 2017 – The 5th annual UVA Mardi Gras & Carnival Arts Celebration was held at The Green Briar Restaurant and Pub in Brighton, MA. It was supported in part by a Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Festivals Grant. The celebration includes live Mardi Gras jazz music by the 7 piece A Confederacy of Dumpsters, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, an art show, dancing, food, drinks and lots of decorations and masks for the enjoyment of the nearly 100 guests. Get tickets to the next celebration on Feb. 13, 2018 Here.
April 15, 2017 – Unbound Visual Arts moved into its new headquarters in Brighton Center which also serves as an exhibition space for member’s artwork from previous exhibitions.
March 8 – April 6, 2017 – The 3rd biennial curated UVA exhibition, Earned: Women in Labor and Business, was at Boston City Hall’s Scollay Square Gallery. There were 16 artists and 27 works of art featured in this thematic exhibition about the roles of women in business and labor and their sacrifices, challenges, leadership, and innovation. The opening reception, attended by over 125 people, featured food and drinks, live string music by the Sherri Zhang Trio and six short artist talks by Nancer Ballard, Linda Clave, Jennifer Costello, Maria Termini, Andrea Zampitella, and Tsun Ming Chmielinski. There also a panel discussion & presentation on “Global Perspectives on Women in the Workforce” featuring Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows from Boston University and MIT. Support for this Women’s History Month exhibition came from the Mayor’s Office for Women’s Advancement, the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, the Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program (WGS) at Boston University, and the Gender & International Development Initiatives of the Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Center (GaIDI/WSRC).
May 6, 2017 – The annual City Heart Art Show and Sale was presented by UVA at the Prudential Center, Huntington Arcade. 43 homeless and low income artists of all levels and abilities, including professionally trained artists, from 3 programs (St. Francis House, Boston Women’s Lunch Place, Common Art/Common Cathedral) participated in this official ArtWeek Boston event. In addition to the show and sale, there were artist demonstrations and a community art making project. Besides the participating artists, there were 40 volunteers to help make this event a huge success. There was a great deal of publicity especially from the Prudential Center, ArtWeek Boston, Improper Bostonian Magazine WBZ NewsRadio Jordan Rich and Spare Change Newspaper.
July 20 – August 22, 2017 – UVA’s 3rd curated exhibition, Rejuvenation, at the new Harvard Ed Portal Crossings Gallery was about the life cycles of historic landmarks. It involved 13 artists and 22 works of art. There were also educational collages for the Speedway and St. Gabriel’s created by Karen Smigliani. The opening, attended by over 100 guest, included jazz singer Beth Purcell and keyboardist Brian Friedland, food and drinks, three artist talks by Ruth Rieffanaugh, Christine Winship, and Heidi Lee, and a free raffle for popular gift cards.
August 23, 2017 – UVA at the Oak Square Farmers Market at the Presentation School Foundation parking lot, Brighton. At this popular weekly market, UVA presented artwork and information about its past and upcoming programs.
October 14, 2017 – UVA 1st Fine Art Expo and Sale on the Prudential Center’s Boylston Plaza. 18 artists participated under grey, drizzling and even an occasional rain shower. The expo also included live music by guitarist and acoustic singer Mike Rydock.
November 9, 2017 – UVA’s 5th Anniversary Celebration featured Danielle Legros Georges, the Poet Laureate of Boston, fine art, live music and refreshments. At the Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center at the Charlesview Residences, Brighton, MA. The celebration was both elegant and triumph. The large event room included 25 works of art created by UVA members from many of its past exhibitions. Ruth Rieffanaugh , UVA President and one of the founders, welcomed the audience. Susan Loomis-Wing, UVA Treasurer, another one of the UVA Founders, introduced Danielle Legros Georges, Boston’s 2nd Poet Laurette and Professor at Lesley University. The Professor read from several of her published poems and then a Q and A session followed, along with a book signing. There was also catered reception after the formal program.
November 16, 2017 – The St. Gabriel’s housing development was given final approval by the Boston Planning and Development Agency. The development preserves the historic landmark Monastery and adjacent church, The latter will include a secure dedicated and professional 1,000 s.f,. exhibition space for local art. UVA proposed the exhibition space in 2016 and actively supported the development and its approval.
December 9 & 10, 2017 – UVA participated in the 31st Allston Open Art Studios & Sale at 119 Braintree St. Allston, MA. In addition to the UVA booth, nine UVA member artists participated. Several hundred art lovers visited this two day event to see and experience art. Many works of art were also purchased and found new homes. This was UVA’s sixth year of participating.