Marblehead photographer Rick Ashley’s exhibit, “Michael,” is one of four new exhibits running from Jan. 14 through Feb. 26 at the Marblehead Arts Association, located in the Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead. An opening reception for all four exhibits will be held on Sunday, Jan. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m., and the gallery’s regular hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Ashley has been photographing Michael, his brother-in-law with Down syndrome, since 1975. Their collaboration challenges viewers to reevaluate their assumptions about Michael and, by extension, others.
“Michael” is a group of individual portraits meant to be seen together as a single portrait and includes oil paintings, historic photographs, and multiple photographs.
In 2017, one of the “Michael” portraits was chosen by curators at the National Portrait Gallery for their exhibit “The Outwin 2016: American Portraiture Today.” “Michael” has traveled to museums across the country until August of 2018.
New England Sculptors Association
The MAA is also pleased to be offering an exciting exhibit of three-dimensional work by the New England Sculptors Association in its January line-up.
Founded in 1948, NESA is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023 and includes over 170 professional sculptor members, emerging sculptors and Friends of NESA from all six New England states and New York.
Since the Association has no brick-and-mortar presence, NESA partners with local galleries, museums, historical sites and communities to bring sculpture in all its amazing forms to the public.
The MAA said it is happy to partner with NESA and bring this exhibit to the Hooper Mansion.
Swampscott Arts Association
The MAA will be exhibiting the assorted works of its neighboring art association, the Swampscott Arts Association in the Shrage Gallery of the Hooper Mansion.
Started in the 1940s when a group of well-known professional artists came together at the Swampscott Public Library to meet and create exhibits, the SAA currently has about 70 members.
Each year the SAA offers non-juried shows for artists and photographers as well as workshops and demonstrations.
MAA New Member Exhibit
Each year, the MAA juries in new artist members in the spring and the fall. Those accepted artists have traditionally been introduced and invited to exhibit samples of their work in its January New Member Exhibit.
With the disruption to the exhibit schedule caused by COVID, the January 2023 New Member Exhibit will include work from artists accepted in 2020, 2021 and 2022!
The MAA said it welcomes its new artist members and is thrilled to have their works exhibited on its walls.
