Stiched

by Danielle Festa

Opening Reception:
Saturday, August 7, 7-9:30 PM

Gallery Hours:
Saturdays from August 7-28, 12-4 PM

As an artist I am driven to create, to take on challenges and do delve into the personalities of the subjects I do not know. I let the material embrace and overwhelm the characters that become mummified in my pieces. Since my thesis at the University of Massachusetts, I have been continually inspired to tell the tales of entrapment, capturing the way we let fabric decide our personalities to those we encounter. In all of my paintings, I am experimenting with the transition between paint and fabric, questioning the need for canvas and allowing my subjects to transform into the characters I create. I like for the viewer to enter through my realism, color use and the distraction of material, and then leave with a better understanding of how we constantly pass judgments through observations. I start with a source that brings me somewhere else, a place that the person never believed they would end up as they got dressed, but inevitably will be forever trapped in a stereotype. In no way do I mean to preach that we should not judge people by what they wear, it is human nature. In addition, I certainly do not wish for my subjects to stop calling attention to themselves. I am merely bringing to the surface that the choices in what we wear really do decide the way we are seen. More of my work can be seen at www.DanielleFesta.com/art.

"The Steve GutenBAND" comes to the Washington Street Art Center

During the exhibition

Opening "Rhythm Collision" starts at 8PM. Listen to live music and enjoy the artwork.

Darkroom and Studio Space at WSAC
Now Interviewing For New Members

The Washington Street Art Center is currently interviewing for new darkroom members, and also have studios available. Call 617 623-5315 if you are interested. Darkroom membership is $71/month with 24-hour access; available studios are $228 and $241/month.