Natalie Brescia: Roadside Remnants
Originally from California, Brescia relocated to the Boston area to attend MassArt as a Master’s of Fine Art candidate in Photography. They describe their practice as “encompassing photographic narratives rooted in the dissection of identity, environment, ascribed meaning, and memory.” The series of works on view reflects the artist’s interest in black and white, the dichotomy of light and darkness existing side by side, through stark images taken while driving through California.
Natalie Brescia: Roadside Remnants is on view from June 29 - August 30, 2023, with a reception to be held on June 29, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the summer, we present a selection of photographs by Jamaica Plain-based artist Natalie Brescia.
Originally from California, Brescia relocated to the Boston area to attend MassArt as a Master’s of Fine Art candidate in Photography. They describe their practice as “encompassing photographic narratives rooted in the dissection of identity, environment, ascribed meaning, and memory.” The series of works on view reflects the artist’s interest in black and white, the dichotomy of light and darkness existing side by side, through stark images taken while driving through California. Using an alcohol transfer printing process, Brescia brings out a textural, spontaneous quality to the photographs, revealing frayed borders, random drips and splatter, and drooping, wetted sections. The result is a body of work that feels unstuck in time, with compositions featuring run-down, abandoned buildings and industrial exteriors, on the verge of disappearing into the watery edges of the frame.
Natalie Brescia: Roadside Remnants is on view from June 29 - August 30, 2023, with a reception to be held on June 29, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? nataliebrescia.com
This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Christine Brown: Motherhood is Perennial
A multidisciplinary artist and educator, Brown credits her sewing skills to the local 4H club, an experience which led to her commitment to teaching sewing to the next generation of artists through lessons and workshops. Her new body of work on view titled "Motherhood is Perennial" explores the quilt as an object that provides warmth and comfort, similar to the ways a mother does. Saved and mended through generations, quilts transform as they age, and gain personality through their owners.
Christine Brown: Motherhood is Perennial is on view from May 4 - June 28, 2023, with a reception to be held on May 4, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For late spring, we present a selection of textile works by Worcester-based quilter Christine Brown.
A multidisciplinary artist and educator, Brown credits her sewing skills to the local 4H club, an experience which led to her commitment to teaching sewing to the next generation of artists through lessons and workshops. Her new body of work on view titled "Motherhood is Perennial" explores the quilt as an object that provides warmth and comfort, similar to the ways a mother does. Saved and mended through generations, quilts transform as they age, and gain personality through their owners. As the artist notes, “They keep us warm and comfort us. Utilitarian and functional, they are often overlooked as objects with little value. Yet, throughout time, they are ever present, ever faithful.” Themes of regeneration, pruning, and consistent growth no matter the season are apparent in her vibrant designs, featuring floral motifs representing the mother and daughter figures in her life. Incorporating a combination of Modernist and more traditional visual styles, each of Brown’s works is a unique, tactile assemblage of color, shape, and material, as intricate as the women who inspired her.
Christine Brown: Motherhood is Perennial is on view from May 4 - June 28, 2023, with a reception to be held on May 4, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? fawnhandmade@yahoo.com
This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Yana Nosenko: I'm Glad You've Left
Currently pursuing her MFA in Photography at MassArt, Nosenko first studied design in Moscow and worked for an urban planning company before turning to event photography and portraiture. Her series on view in this exhibit explores immigration, displacement, nomadism, and familial separation, reflecting on her own experiences growing up within a Kazakh family living in Russia, and now living in the United States for the past few years with limited ability to travel outside the country.
Yana Nosenko: I’m Glad You’ve Left is on view from March 2 through May 3, 2023, with a reception to be held on March 2, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. This spring, the library presents a solo exhibition by photographer Yana Nosenko.
Currently pursuing her MFA in Photography at MassArt, Nosenko first studied design in Moscow and worked for an urban planning company before turning to event photography and portraiture. Her series on view in this exhibit explores immigration, displacement, nomadism, and familial separation, reflecting on her own experiences growing up in Russia, and now living in the United States for the past few years with limited ability to travel outside the country. Her color photography reveals quiet interiors with unexpected details, nostalgic portraits, and a wistful atmosphere. Introducing the project, she says, “I’ve been told that no one leaves home from an excess of happiness and comfort. One leaves, because it’s not possible to remain.” Viewers will be moved by the artist’s introspective, intimate works.
Yana Nosenko: I’m Glad You’ve Left is on view from March 2 through May 3, 2023, with a reception to be held on March 2, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? https://yananosenko.com/
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Quenby Bucklaew: Winter Landscapes
Often inspired by her world travels, Bucklaew’s work is characterized by bold shapes, limited use of color, and tactile qualities resulting from a mixture of printmaking techniques. She seeks to capture on paper her own ephemeral impressions of place and time, as well as the emotional impact they can have. To achieve this, her practice “often explores variations on a visual theme in order to capture just the right mood, or to reflect our own changing perspectives.”
Quenby Bucklaew: Winter Landscapes is on view from January 5 through March 1, 2023, with a reception to be held on January 5, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. To bring in the new year, the library presents a solo exhibition by Jamaica Plain printmaker Quenby Bucklaew.
Often inspired by her world travels, Bucklaew’s work is characterized by bold shapes, limited use of color, and tactile qualities resulting from a mixture of printmaking techniques. She seeks to capture on paper her own ephemeral impressions of place and time, as well as the emotional impact they can have. To achieve this, her practice “often explores variations on a visual theme in order to capture just the right mood, or to reflect our own changing perspectives.” The pieces on view in Winter Landscapes represent both travel-inspired prints from 2019 as well as new pieces created since the pandemic when she found inspiration in her own neighborhood, exploring the natural beauty of Jamaica Plain–especially Jamaica Pond. These multilayered compositions feature stark, snowy expanses punctuated by spindly tree branches, blurry city skylines, and the calm, reflective spread of the pond, all marked by the textured detail of woodblock and collagraph printing. The artist will also display some of her printing plates and blocks along with the finished works, offering insight into her process and stylistic approach.
Quenby Bucklaew: Winter Landscapes is on view from January 5 through March 1, 2023, with a reception to be held on January 5, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? https://qbucklaew.com/
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Forged in Isolation
About the Exhibition:
March 2020 disrupted our daily lives and left us to navigate the feelings of loneliness and confinement. As artists this was exceptionally challenging taking a toll on our mental health while our resolve to create waned. As time went on, the constraints of life under lockdown eased up for some and we began to venture forward. Artists in this exhibit pay tribute to their personal determination to overcome a challenging situation through art.
Exhibiting Artists:
Jenny Bergman, Rachel Bingham, Alex Blaisdell, Shari Caplan, Sarah Deckro, Kathleen Dunn, Steven Edson, Fernando Fula, Weiying Huang, Jared Katsiane, Maggie Loh, Lydia Mullan, Anne Nydam, Iris Osterman, Robin Radin, Katarina Romanik, Rani Sarin, Stacy Shorr, Lyasya Sinkovski, Benjamin Stalnaker, Eric Taylor , Christine Tierney, and Towana Wright.
Forged in Isolation is on view from November 4, 2022 through January 4, 2023, with a public reception to be held on November 10, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. To close out 2022, the library presents a group exhibition of 24 New England-based artists.
About the Exhibition:
March 2020 disrupted our daily lives and left us to navigate the feelings of loneliness and confinement. As artists this was exceptionally challenging taking a toll on our mental health while our resolve to create waned. As time went on, the constraints of life under lockdown eased up for some and we began to venture forward.
Artists in this exhibit pay tribute to their personal determination to overcome a challenging situation through art.
Exhibiting Artists:
Jenny Bergman, Rachel Bingham (Samantha Valentine), Alex Blaisdell, Shari Caplan, Sarah Deckro, Kathleen Dunn, Steven Edson, Fernando Fula, Weiying Huang, Jared Katsiane, Maggie Loh, Lydia Mullan, Anne Nydam, Iris Osterman, Robin Radin, Katarina Romanik, Rani Sarin, Stacy Shorr, Lyasya Sinkovski, Benjamin Stalnaker, Eric Taylor , Christine Tierney, and Towana Wright.
Forged in Isolation is on view from November 4, 2022 through January 4, 2023, with a public reception to be held on November 10, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? Please contact the artist directly.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Eli Portman: A City in 7 Years
Portman specializes in detailed, studied renderings of city- and landscapes in ink and watercolor, exploring what he describes as “the dissonance between perceived unique individual solitude in a crowded environment, and the commonness and sameness of such feelings.” Often drawn from his own photographs, his images of familiar Boston landmarks like the Boston Public Library and the Gardner Museum tap into shared experiences of those who live in or visit the city, while offering quiet, reflective interpretations of these environments.
Eli Portman: A City in 7 Years is on view from September 2 through October 28, 2022, with a public reception to be held on September 8, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. This fall, the library presents a solo exhibition of Boston artist Eli Portman.
Portman specializes in detailed, studied renderings of city- and landscapes in ink and watercolor, exploring what he describes as “the dissonance between perceived unique individual solitude in a crowded environment, and the commonness and sameness of such feelings.” Often drawn from his own photographs, his images of familiar Boston landmarks like the Boston Public Library and the Gardner Museum tap into shared experiences of those who live in or visit the city, while offering quiet, reflective interpretations of these environments. Soft washes of color and subtle effects of light are often paired with thin linework creating sketchy shadows or intricate details. As the artist states, “I manipulate the openness and tightness of visual spaces and interiors to reflect the claustrophobia of society's open spaces,” offering a view of urban architecture simultaneously personal and universal.
Eli Portman: A City in 7 Years is on view from September 2 through October 28, 2022, with a public reception to be held on September 8, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.eliportman.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Dawn Colsia: Preserving Nature in the City: A Daily Walk Around Jamaica Pond
Her recent series captures the diversity of Jamaica Pond, both its natural wonders of flora and fauna like turtles, herons, and the movement of the water, as well as the people and pets who frequent the space, walking, exercising, reading, fishing, and relaxing. Serene and introspective, rich in detail and color, the photographs invite viewers to pause and reflect on the spectacular beauties of nature and their own connection to the natural world.
Dawn Colsia: Preserving Nature in the City: A Daily Walk Around Jamaica Pond is on view from July 11 - August 31, 2022, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. This summer, the library presents a solo exhibition of local photographer Dawn Colsia.
Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Colsia practiced law, was a mediator, and worked to improve policy for people with disabilities. She has since combined her passion for social change with her life-long love of photography, using her work to create awareness and foster dialogue about important political and cultural issues. Her recent series captures the diversity of Jamaica Pond, both its natural wonders of flora and fauna like turtles, herons, and the movement of the water, as well as the people and pets who frequent the space, walking, exercising, reading, fishing, and relaxing. Serene and introspective, rich in detail and color, the photographs invite viewers to pause and reflect on the spectacular beauties of nature and their own connection to the natural world. Colsia says, “Every morning I walk around Jamaica Pond with my camera in one hand and my dog in the other. What started as a daily walk has become my morning meditation and reflection on the role nature has played in my life.” The work also acts as a call to protect and preserve such environments, which offer a respite from bustling city life.
Dawn Colsia: Preserving Nature in the City: A Daily Walk Around Jamaica Pond is on view from July 11-August 31, 2022, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.dawncolsia.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Jan Donley: Reading & Riding
Her compositions explore connections between people, nature, public spaces, and the written word, especially relevant now during our recent experiences of isolation. A teacher as well as a writer and artist, Donley says, “My students come from all over the world, and they remind me that home is fragile and varied and elusive. Just the word ‘home’ can bring a smile or a tear… I write and draw in an attempt to locate home, some center point that grounds me.”
Jan Donley: Reading & Riding is on view from May 6 through July 6, 2022 with a virtual artist meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. This spring, the library presents a solo exhibition of New York-based artist Jan Donley (formerly of Jamaica Plain).
Though she studied traditional techniques, Donley has unexpectedly found the iPad to be her main canvas, believing that digital art is an important disruption to the art world. Her works on view display a distinctive collage style, combining digitally painted figures with text from various literary sources, including Lorraine Hansberry, Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, and James Baldwin. Her compositions explore connections between people, nature, public spaces, and the written word, especially relevant now during our recent experiences of isolation. A teacher as well as a writer and artist, Donley says, “My students come from all over the world, and they remind me that home is fragile and varied and elusive. Just the word ‘home’ can bring a smile or a tear… I write and draw in an attempt to locate home, some center point that grounds me.” She is represented by Stewart Clifford Gallery in Provincetown and has exhibited in Massachusetts and New York.
Jan Donley: Reading & Riding is on view from May 6 through July 6, 2022 with a virtual artist meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.jandonley.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity 2.0
With a steady hand and an incredible eye for detail, Jain is known for her delightful collage compositions featuring all manner of flora and fauna, with rabbits, frogs, birds, and snakes hidden among flowers and forest greenery. Using bright colors and a range of found imagery, her constructions are playful, textured, and often enlightening.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity is on view from March 6 through April 30, 2020, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, March 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is proud to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the second show in 2020, the library presents a solo exhibition of Jamaica Plain-based collage artist Marnie Jain.
With a steady hand and an incredible eye for detail, Jain is known for her delightful collage compositions featuring all manner of flora and fauna, with rabbits, frogs, birds, and snakes hidden among flowers and forest greenery. Using bright colors and a range of found imagery, her constructions are playful, textured, and often enlightening. Boasting a selection of primarily new works, In Close Proximity highlights insects, reptiles, and animals that inhabit Jamaica Plain, along with some imaginary creatures. The artist elaborates: “This show is a recognition that there is more to our environment and neighborhood than we visibly see, that the natural world is abundant with co-existing species, and that all of it holds beauty.” Though she has exhibited in numerous spaces, including the Attleboro Arts Museum, the Loring-Greenough House, the Concord Center for Visual Arts, and Uforge Gallery, this is Jain’s first solo exhibition.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity is on view from March 6 through April 30, 2020, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, March 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.marniejain.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Garrow Throop: The beauty of light
A graduate of RISD, Garrow Throop brings over 40 years of design experience to this series of mixed media works inspired by the natural beauty of Cape Cod. His illusionistic landscapes feature soft, loose brush strokes depicting idyllic scenes of the beach and nearby locales, but upon closer inspection the use of photographs becomes apparent even as the two mediums blend seamlessly. The resulting works are colorful and wistful, evoking the movement of cool sea breezes as well as the stillness of a quiet day.
Garrow Throop: Imagination: The Beauty of Light is on view from January 7 through March 2, 2022, with an artist meet-and-greet to be held on Thursday, January 20 from 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5 (closed Saturday & Sunday. The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is thrilled to announce the return of their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the first show of 2022, the library presents a solo exhibition of Newton-based artist Garrow Throop.
A graduate of RISD, Throop brings over 40 years of design experience to this series of mixed media works inspired by the natural beauty of Cape Cod. His illusionistic landscapes feature soft, loose brush strokes depicting idyllic scenes of the beach and nearby locales, but upon closer inspection the use of photographs becomes apparent even as the two mediums blend seamlessly. The resulting works are colorful and wistful, evoking the movement of cool sea breezes as well as the stillness of a quiet day. Of his process, the artist says, “I love the combination that the realism of photography and the fantasy of watercolor and acrylic painting gives me. My journey has slowly morphed from one to the other and it has given me an insight into what we actually see and what we think we see.” Throop is represented by Jobi Gallery in Truro and has shown throughout Massachusetts.
Garrow Throop: Imagination: The Beauty of Light is on view from January 7 through March 2, 2022, with a virtual artist meet-and-greet to be held on Thursday, January 20 from 5:30-6:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5 (closed Saturday & Sunday. The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.gtvisual.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity
With a steady hand and an incredible eye for detail, Marnie Jain is known for her delightful collage compositions featuring all manner of flora and fauna, with rabbits, frogs, birds, and snakes hidden among flowers and forest greenery.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity is on view from March 6 through April 30, 2020. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is proud to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the second show in 2020, the library presents a solo exhibition of Jamaica Plain-based collage artist Marnie Jain.
With a steady hand and an incredible eye for detail, Marnie Jain is known for her delightful collage compositions featuring all manner of flora and fauna, with rabbits, frogs, birds, and snakes hidden among flowers and forest greenery. Using bright colors and a range of found imagery, her constructions are playful, textured, and often enlightening. Boasting a selection of primarily new works, In Close Proximity highlights insects, reptiles, and animals that inhabit Jamaica Plain, along with some imaginary creatures. The artist elaborates: “This show is a recognition that there is more to our environment and neighborhood than we visibly see, that the natural world is abundant with co-existing species, and that all of it holds beauty.” Though she has exhibited in numerous spaces, including the Attleboro Arts Museum, the Loring-Greenough House, the Concord Center for Visual Arts, and Uforge Gallery, this is Jain’s first solo exhibition.
Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity is on view from March 6 through April 30, 2020. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.marniejain.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Robin Radin - The Nearness of Us: Photographs from the Neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain
An established photographer, Radin has exhibited throughout the United States since the 1980s. In the work on view, she stays close to home for inspiration, capturing portraits of Jamaica Plain residents. Rendered in stark black and white, her figures often confront the camera directly, though others are pictured more casually, spending time outdoors in the parks, streets, train stations, and other public spaces of the historic neighborhood.
Robin Radin - The Nearness of Us: Photographs from the Neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain is on view from January 10 through February 28, 2020, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, January 16 , 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is proud to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the first show in 2020, the library presents a solo exhibition of Jamaica Plain-based photographer Robin Radin.
An established photographer, Radin has exhibited throughout the United States since the 1980s. In the work on view, she stays close to home for inspiration, capturing portraits of Jamaica Plain residents. Rendered in stark black and white, her figures often confront the camera directly, though others are pictured more casually, spending time outdoors in the parks, streets, train stations, and other public spaces of the historic neighborhood. She observes relationships between family members, friends, partners, and their surrounding environment, looking for quiet moments occurring within the more frenetic experience of city life. She elaborates, “My work examines the intricacies of human relations: a visual acknowledgement that we are both together as community and family, and alone, as individuals.”
Robin Radin - The Nearness of Us: Photographs from the Neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain is on view from January 10 through February 28, 2020, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, January 16 , 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? rradinphoto@hotmail.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Andrew Stearns: Always on the Camino at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library
With a BFA in Printmaking and History of Art from MassArt, Andrew Stearns explores the continuously shifting narratives of time and space through the investigation of historical moment, with a particular interest in how history is recorded, or simply fades away.
Andrew Stearns: Always on the Camino is on view from November 8 through December 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, November 14, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is proud to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. For the final show of the year, the library presents a solo exhibition of Jamaica Plain-based printmaker Andrew Stearns.
With a BFA in Printmaking and History of Art from MassArt, Andrew Stearns explores the continuously shifting narratives of time and space through the investigation of historical moment, with a particular interest in how history is recorded, or simply fades away. A mixture of woodcuts and lithographs, the work on view reflects his journey along the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in northwestern Spain. Stearns employs a graphic, at times-collagelike style, with bold lines and bright hues of orange and chartreuse, mixing architectural, landscape, and figural motifs. The resulting series is an eye-catching journey through the artist’s own memories.
Andrew Stearns: Always on the Camino is on view from November 8 through December 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, November 14, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? astearnsart@me.com | www.astearnsart.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Annie Cardinaux: On Softer Ground: Patchwork Landscapes
First learning quilting techniques from her aunt, Annie Cardinaux has turned her longstanding passion for textile crafts into a series of vivid wall hangings. She employs traditional sewing and quilting techniques to create contemporary patchwork landscapes of rolling hills, expansive fields, quiet lakes, and stately tree groves, pulling inspiration from the natural world while working with uniquely saturated fabric color palettes.
On Softer Ground: Patchwork Landscapes by Annie Cardinaux is on view from September 6 through October 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, September 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff has chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2019. This fall, the library presents the first solo exhibition of Jamaica Plain-based fiber artist Annie Cardinaux.
First learning quilting techniques from her aunt, Cardinaux has turned her longstanding passion for textile crafts into a series of vivid wall hangings. She employs traditional sewing and quilting techniques to create contemporary patchwork landscapes of rolling hills, expansive fields, quiet lakes, and stately tree groves, pulling inspiration from the natural world while working with uniquely saturated fabric color palettes. The result is slightly abstracted and at times playful, made all the more personal for the clear presence of the artist’s deft hand in each composition’s lines of thread. The quilted texture of the work offers an aesthetically engaging experience reminiscent of a familiar domestic setting, often evoking nostalgia and surprise from viewers.
On Softer Ground: Patchwork Landscapes by Annie Cardinaux is on view from September 6 through October 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, September 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? https://www.anniecardinaux.com/
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Summertime: A Youth Photo Exhibition
The works on view in Summertime include a mixture of subjects and styles - from color to black and white, from still life to portrait, capturing locations like Old Orchard Beach, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Lynch Family Skate Park in Cambridge, and Narragansett, RI. Many reflect the vivacity of contemporary life in the city, while others focus on quiet, reflective moments. The young artists range in age from 11 to 15 years old, hailing from Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Newton, and other Boston-area towns.
Exhibiting artists: Emily Ball (15), Newton; Mini Burell (14), Dorchester; Kayleigh Clancy (14), Dorchester; Claudia Cortell (15), Boston; Jesse Eliot (14), Jamaica Plain; Mia Finnan (12), Brookline; Karianna Franklin (12), Chelsea; Vera Judkins (13), Matunuck, RI; Jamie Leslie (12), Brookline; Mary Matero (13), West Roxbury; Jaire May (12), Roslindale; Celia Meranus (14), Brookline; Gabriel Nigrovic (12), Brookline; Anna Parisi (14), Nahant; Argi Protopapadakis (11), Brookline; Isobel Salemo (13), Roslindale; Annabella Valle (15), Braintree; Tandin Ward (14), Jamaica Plain; and Sofie Wise (15), Braintree.
Summertime: A Youth Photo Exhibition is on view from July 5 through August 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, July 11, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff has chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2019. The next exhibition, and our first group show features photographs by students in the Big Picture Art House program.
Founded in 2011 by Boston-based photographer Jennifer Connelly, Big Picture Art House trains middle schoolers on DSLR cameras, traveling around Boston to places like Copley Square, the North End, Castle Island, and Chinatown to snap photos. Classes are structured around themes like Storytelling or Street Photography, and some focus on movie-making and documentary. The works on view in Summertime include a mixture of subjects and styles - from color to black and white, from still life to portrait, capturing locations like Old Orchard Beach, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Lynch Family Skate Park in Cambridge, and Narragansett, RI. Many reflect the vivacity of contemporary life in the city, while others focus on quiet, reflective moments. The young artists range in age from 11 to 15 years old, hailing from Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Newton, and other Boston-area towns.
Exhibiting artists: Emily Ball (15), Newton; Mini Burell (14), Dorchester; Kayleigh Clancy (14), Dorchester; Claudia Cortell (15), Boston; Jesse Eliot (14), Jamaica Plain; Mia Finnan (12), Brookline; Karianna Franklin (12), Chelsea; Vera Judkins (13), Matunuck, RI; Jamie Leslie (12), Brookline; Mary Matero (13), West Roxbury; Jaire May (12), Roslindale; Celia Meranus (14), Brookline; Gabriel Nigrovic (12), Brookline; Anna Parisi (14), Nahant; Argi Protopapadakis (11), Brookline; Isobel Salemo (13), Roslindale; Annabella Valle (15), Braintree; Tandin Ward (14), Jamaica Plain; and Sofie Wise (15), Braintree.
Summertime: A Youth Photo Exhibition is on view from July 5 through August 31, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, July 11, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by Optical Designs, Inc., a family-owned and operated business located in the heart of Jamaica Plain, www.opticaldesignsgroup.com.
Ruth Lague: Landscapes
A graduate of RISD, Ruth LaGue credits her childhood in Alaska as well as her later travels through India for her interest in landscape, where she sees both the limitless interior universe that lives within us and the outer vastness of our physical environment. Working with palette knives on canvas, she strives for economy in her work, combining textures, colors, and patterns. Her large-scale paintings capture various seasons and environments with energetic marks and an abstract ambiguity, seeking to welcome her viewers into her landscapes, perhaps jogging a memory or a simple moment of introspection. They are visual reminders of the concept that everyone is a small part of something larger, more expansive than our individual selves.
Ruth LaGue: Landscapes is on view from May 3 through June 30, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, May 9, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library will host LaGue for a free artist talk as part of ARTWEEK Boston on Saturday, May 4, 10:00 - 11:30 AM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff has chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2019. The next exhibition features the work of Needham-based painter Ruth LaGue.
A graduate of RISD, LaGue credits her childhood in Alaska as well as her later travels through India for her interest in landscape, where she sees both the limitless interior universe that lives within us and the outer vastness of our physical environment. Working with palette knives on canvas, she strives for economy in her work, combining textures, colors, and patterns. Her large-scale paintings capture various seasons and environments with energetic marks and an abstract ambiguity, seeking to welcome her viewers into her landscapes, perhaps jogging a memory or a simple moment of introspection. They are visual reminders of the concept that everyone is a small part of something larger, more expansive than our individual selves.
Ruth LaGue: Landscapes is on view from May 3 through June 30, 2019, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, May 9, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library will host LaGue for a free artist talk as part of ARTWEEK Boston on Saturday, May 4, 10:00 - 11:30 AM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Mass Cultural Council, and administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
Stacy Friedman: Repeated Remembrance
A graduate of Mass Art, Stacy Friedman merges a variety of printmaking techniques for a layered, textured style that incorporates photographs and family history to explore lineage, memory, and identity. Rendered in antique browns and faded greys, her silhouetted figures are both anonymous and familiar. They blend and fade into one another, hinting at complex relationships and curious connections. Speaking about her medium, Friedman says, “Printmaking’s inherent capability to preserve traces of previous images, and the ability to print ghosts of a matrix, make it an ideal medium to explore both the parallel and interwoven realms of past and present.”
Stacy Friedman: Repeated Remembrance is on view from March 8 through April 30, 2019, with a public open house to be held by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library on Saturday, April 6, 2:30-4:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff has chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2019. The next exhibition features the work of Jamaica Plain-based printmaker and educator Stacy Friedman.
A graduate of Mass Art, Friedman merges a variety of printmaking techniques for a layered, textured style that incorporates photographs and family history to explore lineage, memory, and identity. Rendered in antique browns and faded greys, her silhouetted figures are both anonymous and familiar. They blend and fade into one another, hinting at complex relationships and curious connections. Speaking about her medium, Friedman says, “Printmaking’s inherent capability to preserve traces of previous images, and the ability to print ghosts of a matrix, make it an ideal medium to explore both the parallel and interwoven realms of past and present.”
Stacy Friedman: Repeated Remembrance is on view from March 8 through April 30, 2019, with a public open house to be held by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library on Saturday, April 6, 2:30-4:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
Kevin Gillespie: Local Scenes
A resident of Jamaica Plain for over 30 years, Kevin Gillespie paints serene, closely studied scenes of his neighborhood’s many natural wonders, including Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum. His work, often done en plein air, captures the shadows of tree branches, the ripples of water, and the changes of the season observed along the well-trod paths of the region’s parks. The medium of watercolor allows for subtle gradations in color and texture along with small details like fallen leaves and footprints in the snow.
Kevin Gillespie: Local Scenes is on view from January 4 through February 28, 2019, with a public open house to be held by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library on Thursday, January 10, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff has chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2019. The first exhibition of the year will highlight the watercolor landscapes of local artist Kevin Gillespie.
A resident of Jamaica Plain for over 30 years, Gillespie paints serene, closely studied scenes of his neighborhood’s many natural wonders, including Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum. His work, often done en plein air, captures the shadows of tree branches, the ripples of water, and the changes of the season observed along the well-trod paths of the region’s parks. The medium of watercolor allows for subtle gradations in color and texture along with small details like fallen leaves and footprints in the snow.
Kevin Gillespie: Local Scenes is on view from January 4 through February 28, 2019, with a public opening reception on Thursday, January 10, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
2019 Exhibitions Announced
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library are happy to announce the following artists selected for the 2019 exhibition season. Over 50 proposals were reviewed by the 5-member selection committee, comprised of both library staff and members of the community.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library are happy to announce the following artists selected for the 2019 exhibition season. Over 50 proposals were reviewed by the 5-member selection committee, comprised of both library staff and members of the community.
January/February: Kevin Gillespie, Jamaica Plain, MA
March/April: Stacey Friedman, Jamaica Plain, MA
May/June: Ruth LaGue, Boston, MA
July/August: Big Picture Art House, Dorchester, MA (Group Exhibit)
September/October: Annie Cardinaux, Jamaica Plain, MA
November/December: Andrew Stearns, Jamaica Plain, MA
Thank you to everyone who had submitted a proposal. The next call for proposals will be announced at the end of the summer, so please stay tuned to the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library's website and/or social media outlets!
Sincerely,
Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library
Myles Dunigan: Is the Dark Going to Catch Us
A graduate of both RISD and the University of Kansas, Myles Dunigan combines different printmaking styles with photography and other media to produce layered, textured landscapes that straddle the line between abstraction and realism, equally reminiscent of the black and white photographs of Ansel Adams and the mixed media experiments of Anselm Kiefer.
Myles Dunigan: Is the Dark Going to Catch Us is on view from November 2 through December 31, 2018, with a public open house to be held by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library on Thursday, November 8, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge are pleased to announce a new exhibition as part of their rotating art program. After soliciting proposals from a range of local artists, a selection committee comprised of community members and BPL staff have chosen six exceptional artists to fill its gallery space over the course of 2018. The final exhibition of the year showcases the recent prints of Massachusetts native Myles Dunigan.
A graduate of both RISD and the University of Kansas, Myles Dunigan combines different printmaking styles with photography and other media to produce layered, textured landscapes that straddle the line between abstraction and realism, equally reminiscent of the black and white photographs of Ansel Adams and the mixed media experiments of Anselm Kiefer. Rendered in dark, antique hues, hints of scattered flora and mountain terrain weave in and out of more ambiguous motifs resembling cloud bursts or the surface of water. The artist intentionally merges a traditional subject with newer technologies, saying of his work: “In an era of technological saturation and cataclysmic weather, I draw upon the tropes of landscape painting to digitally forge new spaces that evoke the sublime and uncanny.”
Myles Dunigan: Is the Dark Going to Catch Us is on view from November 2 through December 31, 2018, with a public open house to be held by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library on Thursday, November 8, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.
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