Creative exhibition series launches at Fitchburg dispensary

FITCHBURG — A show currently on display at Green Meadows Dispensary features the talents of two seasoned artists who are thrilled present their oeuvre in the unique space.

Gallery Marquee Executive Director Dina Vazquez and Founding Manager Bridie Wolejko each have several though proving pieces in “Double Vision,” the exhibit up through the end of the year at the dispensary located at 50 Whalon St. The opening reception on Oct. 16 drew many community members who checked out the paintings and other compositions created by the two women.

“The opening of ‘Double Vision’ was an opportunity to bring our work into a space where art and community can intersect in unexpected ways,” Vazquez relayed. “For me, art has always been about creating something that makes people feel, question, or see the familiar through a different lens. I’m excited about the opportunity to share that perspective with a wider audience and contribute to a growing creative culture in our community.”

She went on to say that the exhibit marks the launch of Green Meadows’ Artist Series, “a collaboration that will create additional opportunities to showcase local artists in unexpected spaces” and an initiative that highlights “the continued growth of Fitchburg’s arts community.”

According to a press release, Vazquez is a multidisciplinary artist and creator of Static Halo, a visual world defined by saturated pastels, surreal imagery, femininity, religious iconography, and the tension between beauty and unease. The longtime Fitchburg resident studied design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and has spent nearly two decades as an independent artist and creative business owner. Her practice spans painting, digital art, tattooing, photography, poetry, music, and mixed media.

Wolejko, her creative counterpart, has been an artist for over 20 years and began as a self-taught artist exhibiting her work in the Boston area. The Lunenburg resident received a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in studio art from Fitchburg State University (FSU) and she is now a master’s in fine art candidate at Clark University in Worcester.

Wolejko won the 86th Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft at the Fitchburg Art Museum in 2022 and her subsequent solo exhibit at the museum was featured in WBUR’s Summer Art Guide. Her work has been exhibited all over the world including New Zealand, Zurich, SXSW, and the United Nations headquarters in New York City, to name a few, and besides helping to run the community-based Gallery Marquee in Fitchburg she teaches in FSU’s Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area program.

In addition to creating large-scale works of public art in Worcester County, Wolejko is an interdisciplinary artist who makes collages, mixed-media pieces, paintings, and sculpture, and she is also excited to have her pieces hanging at Green Meadows, their project partner.

“It was great getting to meet local residents and community members at the opening reception, a few of whom purchased some artwork on the spot,” Wolejko said. “That tells me that there is a real market for local artwork right here in Central Mass and people who want to support their community artists.”

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 events and opportunities they are planning.

Green Meadows Dispensary Marketing Manager Alex Arthur said they are excited to launch the Artist Series there and thanks those who are 21+ who have stopped by to check out “Double Vision” for their “continued support of our local arts community.” Pieces featured in the exhibits are available for purchase through the artists and Clay Tull will soon be joining Vazquez and Wolejko as part of the inaugural program, with his opening reception on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the dispensary.

“It’s an absolute pleasure and honor to bring the work of local creatives under the roof of Green Meadows,” Arthur said. “The purpose of this initiative from the start is to bring people together and to showcase the fantastic visions of our Massachusetts creatives. We believe that art in its many forms deserves to be displayed, recognized, and admired by the community in which they reside. With such an energetic response of participation, we have so much exciting work planned for the future, and we thank everyone involved for making this possible.”

For more information visit gallerymarquee.com and greenmeadows.com and follow them and the artists on social media.