Turley Gallery presents ‘The Long Season,’ the work of Edward Merritt
Hudson, N.Y.— From July 19th through September 1st, the Turley Gallery presents ‘The Long Season,’ the work of Edward Merritt.
Part social practice, part painting, Merritt’s works evoke a garden formed from detritus and climate anxiety. In addition to the exhibition inside the gallery, Edward will be placing works from his “End of the Day” graffiti series within a casual walk to the gallery. When found, observers are encouraged to enjoy the works in public space or to take the graffiti works home with them.
Edward Merritt’s recent work draws awareness to social and environmental issues through the use of recycled and repurposed materials. He developed an innovative process to excavate peeling paint in and around urban locations such as old warehouse buildings, train tunnels, bridges, roads, and dump sites. His practice involves collecting graffiti debris, shards and swaths of fallen paint, one hundreds of layers thick, that has succumbed to time and gravity.
He said, “Exploring the fundamental challenge of creating without destroying in return, I place great value on the environmental impacts of my artmaking process. The destructive forces of time unlock gates of opportunity to create work with elements that would have otherwise become contaminants. I celebrate the fact that the material that was at once charged with its own rich history can become part of my personal expression. My pieces are carefully constructed narratives about human and environmental conditions, introspection, interpersonal relationships, social politics, and unexpected beauty.”
The exhibit runs from July 19th through September 1st at the Turley Gallery at 609 Warren Street in Hudson. There is an opening reception on Saturday, July 20th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. More information can be found online.
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David M. Hunt Library presents ‘Sarah Martinez & Ali Gibbons: Serial Works on Paper & Ceramic’
Falls Village, Conn.— From July 20th through August 16th, David M. Hunt Library presents “Serial Works on Paper & Ceramic,” an exhibition of small paintings and ceramics by local artists Sarah Martinez and Ali Gibbons.
In this exhibition, serialism is the focus for both artists. Sarah Martinez’s most recent paintings are whimsical, brightly colored acrylic gouache portraits of imaginary women’s faces, some of which she gives names and personalities. The artist said, “Each time I begin to paint one of these washy, whimsical portraits, I can’t imagine what she’ll look like at the finish. With each little brush stroke her look changes, yet once she’s complete her face reveals a definite vibe.”
Ali Gibbon’s work in the exhibition includes delicate monotone watercolors of draped, patterned textiles, and wood-framed ceramic tiles depicting patterns or still life of fruits and other objects. “I create paintings and porcelain tiles as a vehicle for pattern, color, and texture. Repetition in composition connects the subtlety, smallness, and traditions referenced in my work. The textiles, both found and made, offer a pliability that I use to construct and interrupt patterns while referencing the classical structures of still life painting. The tile still lifes stem from an ongoing painting series of “snacks”, and in their simplified porcelain form are similar to the traditional quilting technique, applique.”
The exhibit runs from July 20th through August 16th at the David M. Hunt Library at 63 Main Street in Falls Village, Conn. There is an opening reception on Saturday, July 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., there is an artist talk with Gibbons on Thursday, July 25th at 5:30 p.m., and there is a workshop with Martinez on Saturday July 27th at 10 a.m. Those wishing to attend the art workshop should RSVP at 860-824-7424 or write to dmhuntlibrary@gmail.com. More information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute presents ‘The Writing on the Wall,’ a celebration of theater, art, and the written word
Williamstown— On Sunday, July 21st at 2 p.m., The Clark Art Institute hosts “The Writing on the Wall,” a literary celebration featuring a quartet of award-winning actors performing short fiction readings.
The program includes Maria Tucci presenting “A Dog in Dürer’s Etching” by Marco Denevi, David Strathairn reading the Willa Cather story “A Wagner Matinee,” Jessica Hecht offering Jean Rhys’s “Goodbye Marcus, Goodbye Rose,” and Joe Grifasi performing John Sayles’s comic masterpiece “At the Anarchists’ Convention.”
Maria Tucci debuted on stage in 1964 at Joe Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival and has since appeared on Broadway in such productions as “A Lesson from Aloes,” “The Substance of Fire,” and “The Rose Tattoo.” She played lead roles in Chekhov and Tennessee Williams productions, among many others, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and recently starred in “4,000 Miles” at the Berkshire Theater Festival.
David Strathairn portrayed Edward R. Murrow in the film Goodnight, and Good Luck, for which he won an Oscar nomination for best actor. His other films include “Matewan,” “Passion Fish,” “Nomadland”, “Godzilla,” and two Bourne action thrillers. He starred in the Syfy television series “Alpha.”
Jessica Hecht is widely known for her television appearances in “Breaking Bad,” “The Sinner,” and “Friends,” for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. She earned a Tony Award nomination for her work on Broadway in “A View from the Bridge” and she has spent twelve seasons at Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Joe Grifasi has appeared in over fifty feature films, including “The Deer Hunter,” “Presumed Innocent,” and “Matewan.” His many Broadway credits include “The Boys Next Door,” for which he won a Drama Desk Award. His television work highlights include “Law and Order,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and “The Bronx is Burning.”
The readings are on Sunday, July 21st at 2 p.m. at The Clark on South Street in Williamstown. Tickets are $5 to $10. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Garden Grove Music Festival at Ski Butternut
Great Barrington— On Saturday, July 20th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Ski Butternut presents the Garden Grove Music Festival, a one day music festival with live music on two stages.
Bands include Ballyhoo, Bumpin Uglies, Tropidelic, Joe Samba, the Ries Brothers, Sunday, Crooked Coast, Over the Bridge, and headlining the festival is the Sublime tribute, Badfish.
The phenomenon known as Sublime, arguably the most energetic, original, and uniquely eclectic band to emerge from any scene, anywhere, ended with the untimely death of lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Brad Nowell in May of 1996.
Encompassing the sense of place and purpose long associated with Sublime’s music, Badfish continues to channel the spirit of Sublime with a fury not felt for some time. What separates Badfish from other tribute bands is that they have replicated Sublime’s essence, developing a scene and dedicated following most commonly reserved for label-driven, mainstream acts. Badfish make their mark on the audience by playing with the spirit of Sublime. They perform not as Sublime would have, or did, but as Badfish does.
The festival is on Saturday, July 20th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ski Butternut at 380 State Road in Great Barrington. There will be beer and wine available for sale and food trucks will be on site. Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the gate. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Fisher Center presents Sam Reider & The Human Hands
Annandale-On-Hudson— On Thursday, July 18th at 8 p.m., Fisher Center presents Sam Reider & The Human Hands.
Led by Latin Grammy-nominated accordionist, pianist, and composer Sam Reider, The Human Hands features some of the brightest names in bluegrass and jazz. Irresistible melodies, joyful improvisation, and otherworldly sounds collide in what Songlines Magazine has dubbed a “mash-up of the Klezmatics, Quintette du Hot Club de France, and the Punch Brothers.”
The group returns to the Spiegeltent to perform music from their new album, “The Golem and Other Tales.” which features an original suite of music based on the medieval Jewish legend of the golem, a magical clay man who is brought to life.
The concert is on Thursday, July 18th at 8 p.m. at the Fisher Center on Manor Avenue in Annandale-On-Hudson. Tickets start at $25. Tickets and more information can be found online.
