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There’s lots of art going on in Lowell and Concord these days and since Eye on Art must pick and choose what to report on, we occasionally miss a reception or show.

That happened last week, but you can still catch David Martsolf’s the “Last Picture Show” at the Arts League of Lowell’s Greenwald Gallery, 307 Market St., through Oct.18. Call 978-221-5018 or visit www.artsleagueoflowell.org for hours and info.

Artistic quilts

At the New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell, new exhibits include “Precision Paper Piecing.” Curated by Linzee Kull McCray, it explores the art, precision and modern techniques of paper-pieced quilt design.

Also on view through Dec. 31 are selections from the permanent collection including “Applique Masters,” “The Age of Blossoms” and “Hexagon Quilts.” Visit www.neqm.org for details.

‘Eccentric Collectors’

The Concord Museum opens “Eccentric Collectors Like Us,” a new immersive exhibition created by internationally renowned conceptual artist Mark Dion in collaboration with the museum. The exhibit opens tomorrow, Oct. 9 and runs through March 7.

Inspired by eccentric 19th-century Concord collector Cummings E. Davis, the exhibition gives Dion access to the museum’s collection of more than 45,000 objects and brings dozens of its quirkiest and rarely seen pieces out of storage.

Rather than traditional gallery labels, visitors navigate the installation using a Field Guide, creating a playful, unconventional exploration of why we collect, what museums choose to preserve and how objects acquire meaning over time.

Longtime Concord Museum curator David Wood has known Dion for decades, and their friendship offers a unique lens into how the exhibition came together.

They speak about their shared history, how their conversations about collecting and museums have evolved over the years, and what it was like to collaborate on an exhibition that places Dion’s contemporary practice in dialogue with both Davis and the museum’s historic collection.

There are several opportunities to experience the exhibition on Oc. 9.  At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., join Dion and curator and director of exhibitions Christie Jackson for a walk through the exhibit and hear about the unusual objects he selected from the collection.

Then, from 7-8 p.m., there is a Concord Museum Forum, in which Dion explores his practice and collaboration with the museum with Ruth Erickson of the ICA/Boston.

The exhibition is also notable as the first special exhibition under the leadership of  Amanda Lahikainen, who joined the Concord Museum as Edward W. Kane executive director in March.

Coming on the heels of the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, it signals an exciting next chapter for the museum — bringing contemporary art into conversation with Concord’s nationally significant history and encouraging visitors to look at familiar ideas and historic objects in unexpected ways. Visit https://tinyurl.com/53bmk27u for info, hours and events.

Nancye Tuttle’s email address is [email protected].

Original article