FITCHBURG — A dozen unique, vibrant, and thought-provoking creations by nine local artists featuring themes related to love and togetherness are currently on display up and down Main Street as part of Gallery Marquee’s “Unity in the Community” exhibit.
The artists’ original works were turned into large scale vinyl decals and adhered to participating businesses, retail places, and organizations’ ground floor windows. The opening for the exhibit that will up for a minimum of six months was held on Aug. 21 at Canvas by CoFF33 Corp.’s event space at 326 Main St. and attended by Mayor Sam Squailia and many others, including the artists themselves.
Gallery Marquee Board Treasurer Bridie Wolejko said they are thrilled to see the project come to fruition.
“‘Unity in the Community’ means so much to Gallery Marquee as it’s a way for us to continue our mission of showcasing the amazing art by artists in Northern Worcester County,” she expressed. “As we find ourselves without a physical gallery space at the moment, this highly public display of large-scale art by local artists is like a dream come true for both our mission and the community.”
Gallery Marquee is in the process of relocating to a new home. While they are doing that, people can follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest news on that and other art opportunities they are planning.
Wolejko said being able to put together “Unity in the Community” while they are in transition means a lot to the team.
“At a time when both our nation, and the planet as a whole, are hurting and full of divisiveness, we at Gallery Marquee decided that an art exhibit about respecting one another despite our differences was paramount in this moment,” she recently shared.
Wolejko went on to say they “couldn’t have done it without our project partners,” including the Mass Cultural Council, who gifted them a $5,000 Creative Experiences grant, the Arc of Opportunity “who not only lent us their windows but also gave us a very generous donation towards the project,” the Fitchburg Cultural Council and Fitchburg Cultural Alliance, Fitchburg State University, and Fitchburg City Hall, among other supporters.
“It is these types of partnerships that keep community spirit and activism thriving in Fitchburg and are the essence of ‘Unity in the Community,’” Wolejko conveyed.
When they put out a call for artists for the project earlier this year, they had a clear vision in mind as to what they were looking for when it came to the literally and figuratively larger than life exhibit.
“We challenged artists to think about the theme in unique ways and to express outside the box ideas about how community, love, and understanding could be presented visually,” Wolejko imparted. “What we received are very creative displays — everything from unique groups of items to unlikely friendships, back to more traditional symbols of love and peace but rendered in interesting ways.
“This project was a lot of hard work, but when I see the finished exhibit on display it fills me with joy,” she continued. “So many individuals and groups came together to make this happen, which is the true meaning behind ‘Unity in the Community.’”
More information on the interactive and inspiring half mile “Unity in the Community” art walk loop including an online map can be found by visiting gallerymarquee.com/unityinthecommunity.
Comments