'breaking open' is OPEN!!!!!

I have so much to say about these works,

 but for now the photos will tell the story . . .

'to have and to hold', 'womb wrap (uterus), 'raw' and 'random' 

with paintings by Anne Wright Gilson

 'random' (detail) organic crocheting

metamorphosis' - collaborative sculpture 

created with the Dana Hall student body 

in the spring of 2013

'to have and to hold' (detail) 

press release

'tethered and torqued' and 'this is me, a work in progress' 

'to have and to hold', 'metamorphosis' and 'dear jeff'. 

paintings on the wall by Anne Wright Gilson 

'this is me, a work in progress' embroidery on vintage slip

'shiva' acrylic and pencil on arches watercolor paper. 

this painting was started in 2011, at Vermont Studio Center

and finished about hour before delivering it the gallery

'tethered and torqued' and 'breaking free' 

' to have and to hold'  sculptural dress made mostly out of white rubber gloves.

And here is a favorite dressdrawing/quote 

that has motivated me during these past months ~

peace

'for the love of ...' thank you Bobbi Gibb

Me and Christina Zwart who's piece, 'Fearless'
is a show stopper.  See photo below of Zwart
installing the piece. 

One of the biggest crowds to ever attend an opening reception at the museum, about 175-200, according to Director Mim Fawcett, did so Tuesday evening to check out Fawcett’s latest brainchild, “A Long Distance Relationship: The 26.2-Mile Journey. ”http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/runners-high-attleboro-arts-museum-features-marathon-themed-art/article_4f7ea9b0-6155-5137-9804-0bd2055e4ac8.html

 The opening for 'A Long-Distance Relationship' was a success as noted in the Sun Chronicle's article, and I will concur.  The high spirits and festive energy of the evening were appropriate for the exhibition celebrating the many aspects of the Boston Marathon.  At the bottom of this post you can find the links to the numerous articles and reviews, as well as an excerpt from the Artscope article in which J. Fatima Martins talks about the different pieces from the exhibit in thematic duets.


It was an honor to see my newest sculpture, 'for the love of ...' (created for this exhibition) greeting all museum visitors at the entrance of the exhibit.  It was even a greater thrill to witness museum visitors reading my statement about the piece.

After doing much research about the marathon and particularly women in the Boston Marathon, I was greatly moved by Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon is 1966.  Besides the fact that she was a trailblazer and ran the marathon even though her application had been denied because 'women cannot run the distance of a marathon', it was her love of running and her passion for life that really captured my interest.  Here is the longer version of my artist statement about 'for the love of ...'

‘for the love of …’ was inspired by the spirit and courage of Roberta ‘Bobbi' Gibb; lawyer, neuroscientist, artist, single mother and the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1966.  Not only has Bobbi Gibb been a trailblazer for women’s running and women’s rights but she has a love for life and a passion for life that needs to be celebrated. 
"I have always had a vision of a world where men and women can share all of life together in mutual respect, love and admiration; a world where we find health through exercise and through the appreciation of the spirit and beauty of the world and of each other; a world based on love and individual integrity, where we all have a chance to do what we most passionately love, to help others, and to become all we can become."http://runningpast.com/gibb_story.htm
Since Bobbi entered this world, in the elevator of the hospital, she has been on the move.  As a girl, she loved to move and to run, however, in the 1950's and 1960’s the expectations for women were to get married and start a family. As Bobbi approached adolescence, she saw her girlfriends stop running and playing:
“As soon as you became an adolescent, everything changed,” Gibb told Women in the World. “You started to become a woman and suddenly there were all these incredible constraints. I could see coming down the line that I was going to have to live in a box as a woman—literally, locked up in the house. We were expected to be housewives, and that’s all … We weren’t expected to have minds, and we weren’t expected to have bodies that ran.”“[Running] was sort of a spiritual thing, and I could get away from society and its rigid ideals,” she said. “It had nothing to do with sports. I knew nothing about the sporting world. I never stopped running when normal girls would stop running and settle down. I never became a normal girl.”https://womenintheworld.com/2015/04/20/the-incredible-story-of-bobbi-gibb-the-first-woman-to-run-the-boston-marathon/
In 1964 Bobbi’s father took her to see the Boston Marathon for the first time.  As a spectator, she felt a kinship with the runners.  She didn’t notice that it was only men running, what she saw were others who understood her love for running. Witnessing the marathon was a spiritual experience for Bobbi, one that she wanted to participate in. 
“I knew these people felt the same way I felt when I ran. I was reconnecting with some ancient potential almost lost in modern society, some deeply moving fundamental core of what it means to be human. And I felt that they were too--that we shared this bond.” Bobbi recalls.  Interview with Bobbi Gibb April 2011; http://www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com/inwibogi.html
After watching the marathon, Bobbi began to train and to test the distances that she could run.  One time she was running on the beach in Southern California and ended up running into Mexico.  She had no ID and her appearance caused some alarm among the border guards, they did not believe that this woman was just out for a run.  Fortunately, the confusion was soon resolved and Bobbi returned to North of the border.  Needless to say, Bobbi knew that she could run distances and at the beginning of 1966 she sent in her application for the Boston Marathon.  What she received in response to her application was a rejection, telling her that women were not physically capable of running marathon distances, that under the rules that governed amateur sports set out by the AAU, women were not allowed to run more than a mile and a half competitively. 
To Gibb, her rejection emphasized the ridiculousness of the situation,
"It was a catch 22; how can you prove you can do something if you’re not allowed to do it? If women could do this that was thought impossible, what else could women do? What else can people do that is thought impossible?” http://runningpast.com/gibb_story.htm
So even though her application was rejected, nevertheless, she persisted,  Bobbi decided to run the Boston Marathon. On marathon day, while waiting to run Bobbi hid in some forsythia bushes near the starting line because she was afraid of how people would respond if they discovered that she was a woman, fearful that she would be physically removed and/or arrested.  In 1966 many thought it was life-threatening for a woman to run anything longer than 1.5 miles, it was believed that a woman’s uterus would fall out harming a woman’s reproductive capabilities which were thought to be the main raison d'être for women, it was not proper for a woman to be seen exerting herself, it was not lady-like for women to sweat.  Bobbi knew that she would be threatening many societal norms for women.  But she felt like it was time to challenge these beliefs.  Also, Bobbi loved running and wanted everyone, men and women, to be able to experience the nirvana that she experiences when she runs, 
"It (running) came naturally to me. When I ran, all the stresses of the day disappeared. I felt like myself, like a bird flying, free and happy. I felt close to something spiritual, close to the mystery of being, you might say. I felt connected with the creative power of life. I feel most alive when I run. I feel the energy of the whole universe pouring through me and I feel grateful to be alive here on this planet in this world.” Interview with Bobbi Gibb April 2011; http://www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com/inwibogi.html
Bobbi ran and won the ‘unsanctioned’ women’s division of the Boston Marathon in 1966, 1967 and 1968.  After 1968 her energies and interest turned to her studies.  She applied to medical school and was denied because of her gender, but she wasn’t deterred she went to Law school.  Bobbi Gibb is a champion of women’s rights, her action on April 19, 1966, added fuel to the Women’s movement of the time which was challenging many of the restrictive beliefs that held women back from contributing to the world and discovering their authentic selves. Bobbi knew that she was making a political and social statement when she jumped into the marathon, and as much as she was happy to shatter many of the prejudices against women, she ran because she loved to run, she wanted to be part of this primitive fundamental experience of running en masse and she wanted to share this experience with women, half of the population.  
Thank you, Bobbi. 
from the official Boston Athletic Association’s website:    Pioneer Era of Women’s Participation 1. Roberta (Bobbi) Gibb (MA) 3:21:40http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/boston-marathon-history/race-summaries/1966-1970.aspx

THEMATIC DUETS: 

2. Abby Rovaldi’s “My 26.2 Miles,” composed of 20 etchings, and “Virginia Fitzgerald’s” rock tied ribbon dress installation, “Torqued and Tethered,” offer a conversation about struggle and endurance. To create the 20 dark etchings that depict her personal 26.2-mile marathon journey, Rovaldi attached a 5” x 9” zinc plate to the bottom of each of her shoes and walked 2.62 miles to create the aggressive lines necessary for printing. Fitzgerald’s beautiful cream colored ribbon dress in held to the floor with over two dozen found rocks of various sizes and weights arranged into a circle. This piece offers a puzzling shamanistic energy; it’s remarkably graceful and buoyant and yet contains a vexed tonality communicating a women’s struggle to break free from what’s holding her in place — she is twisting upward while fixed in place.
https://artscopemagazine.com/2018/04/thematic-duets-in-a-long-distance-relationship-the-26-2-mile-journey-at-attleboro-arts-museum/

In the News

NBC WJAR-TV previews the Attleboro Arts Museum’s “A “Long-Distance Relationship: The 26.2 Mile Journey”  – http://turnto10.com/news/local/attleboro-arts-museum-opens-boston-marathon-exhibit

The Sun Chronicle previews the exhibition in the “GO” section: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/features/stories/attleboro-arts-museum-goes-the-distance-with-exhibition-on-marathon/article_60056499-5dbf-547a-9924-fbf8ea62d254.html

MassLive Media: http://www.masslive.com/expo/erry-2018/04/4ec11ed2365466/see_artworks_from_attleboro_ar.html#incart_m-rpt-2

The Sun Chronicle coverage of exhibition opening reception: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/runners-high-attleboro-arts-museum-features-marathon-themed-art/article_4f7ea9b0-6155-5137-9804-0bd2055e4ac8.html

Artscope Magazine review: https://artscopemagazine.com/2018/04/thematic-duets-in-a-long-distance-relationship-the-26-2-mile-journey-at-attleboro-arts-museum/

Boston.com: https://www.boston.com/news/boston-marathon/2018/04/13/boston-marathon-bombing-anniversary

Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/boston-strong-city-honors-victims-and-survivors-5th-anniversary-boston-885609

Providence Journal review: http://www.providencejournal.com/entertainmentlife/20180414/attleboro-arts-museum-exhibit-examines-art-of-marathon

'dailydresses' go to the mall ....

top left: 'beach muse ...' ; top right: 'from the ground up...'

lower left: 'wedding dress...' ; lower right: 'on thin ice ...' 

Last week I did the finishing touches to my window display at Uni-T at the Natick Mall. I dropped off a number of photographs from my #dailydressseries.  Each photo is in a 8x10 mat, and can be shown as is or popped into a frame for yourself or as a gift.

These are smaller version of the #dailydresses that are accompanying 'torqued and tethered ...' in Uni-T's shop window.

Uni-T also has a good selection of notecards from my dailydress series, the ever growing collection of ephemeral dresses made during my everyday journey.  Click here to purchase these notecards from Uni-T's online shop and to see more more of my #dailydresses, as they are created, check out my instagram feed, virginiacreates.

peace 

David Lee Black, Katie Moorhead, the Attleboro Arts Museum and 'flirt...' all walk into a bar ...

'flirt...' exhibited at the Mother Brook Art Center, Dedham, MA

Melanie Moore and 'this is me, a work in progress...'

Start your weekend off with a burst of inspiration and creativity!!  and exhale all that nasty mojo from doing your taxes!!!

Kaya Alexandria Wadsworth Worthington modeling her beautiful work

Kaya Alexandria Wadsworth Worthington, owner of CapeCod Gypsea, with 'lilith in blue ...'

Join me and a wonderful group of talented and fun photographers for the tenth of David Lee Black's Creating Your Vision Photography Workshops.

Katie Moorhead with 'torqued and tethered ...' from the last workshop.

Tomorrow we are meeting at the lovely Attleboro Arts Museum and we will be photographing the amazing Katie Moorhead Owner of EBB & FLOW and Artist at Island Moving Company!!! and my sculpture 'flirt ...' 

'flirt ...' detail

I have been honored to participate in many of these workshop as a photographer and as a contributor, since David has used many of my sculptures as props/models. Here are some of my photographs from just a few of David's workshops!!! 

'flirt ...' detail

The photographs that result from these workshops blow my mind!!! It is always a thrill and a treat to attend and for tomorrow David has put together an awesome line-up!!!  hope you can join us!! XXXX

"Forever and After" is Ending . . . .

wonderful photo by Cynthia Ryan

As all good things must, the haunting and exquisite exhibit, "Forever & After" is closing next week. 

Presented by the South Shore Art Center, Cohasset, MA and curated by Bill Houser, this group show captures the duality, mystery and beauty of death, spirit and what may come after.  

'dear jeff . . . ' featured in the Boston Globe.

as seen in the current issue of 'artscope' 

I have two pieces in the show, 'dear jeff . . . ' and ' torqued & tethered . . .'.  I honored to be in the company of five outstanding sculptors; Benjamin Cariens, Gillian Christy, Rosalyn Driscoll, Sally Fine and Christopher Frost.  

The show has gotten much attention, from the media as well as personal commentary.  Here is a link to the ArtScope article and click here to see what Cate McQuaid said for the Boston Globe.  

photograph by Pamela Copeman

catalog of the exhibit.

And definitely check out Pamela Copeman's blog post about the exhibit, she shared some lovely pictures of the show.  

CLICK HERE TO READ PAMELA COPEMAN'S BLOG

And if you are able, definitely go see this exhibit!!! It is one of those shows that needs to be experienced!!! Well done Bill Houser and the SSAC!!  

this picture is for you Mom!!! :)

peace, va

Tonight!!! #DigOutArts at the South Shore Art Center

Here in Boston, we have been experience unprecedented snow and cold.  The mounds of snow and ice are incredible, towering over one's car or one's person at times.  I have found myself suddenly laughing at the surrounding landscape.  I am not sure if it is because I am slowly losing my mind?!?!? or (more likely) this massive world of snow returns me to a child-like wonder!!! It is magical!! 

However, magical or not, this weather is inconvenient and is causing serious bouts of cabin fever!

So a local arts organization, ArtsBoston, started a hashtag movement, #DIGOUTARTS, to encourage all to throw down their shovels and go see some art this weekend!!! here is their post:

We are all weary from our ‪#‎BOSnow‬ existence, but it is important that we get out and celebrate what makes ‪#‎Boston‬ such a vibrant place to live, and that's our arts and culture community. If you are going a play, concert, film, museum, or gallery this weekend post about your experience on instagram or twitter using ‪#‎DigOutArts‬ to help encourage others to go out and support the arts across the city. 

I LOVE this campaign!! Let's all go out and see the ARTS!!! AND it just so happens that I am participating in an artsy event tonight!!! Yes, tonight is the opening for the breath-taking exhibit, "Forever & After" at the South Shore Arts Center, Cohasset, MA.  The reception is 6-8pm.

If you can get out and join us I promise you that you will not be disappointed.  When I was installing 'torqued & tethered . . .'  I was able to see the exhibit in its nearly complete state;
I found it captivating!!

Here are the comments by Bill Houser, the curator of the show:

Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity. —William Shakespeare (Hamlet. 1.2.72–73)

Sculpture has been used to commemorate and honor the dead since before the Egyptians built the pyramids, to ensure immortality for the spirits of those buried within.
The essence of Forever & After is the exploration of the ubiquitous and prophetic themes of loss, commemoration, and belief in spirit with its uncertain evolution or transcendence, through the medium of contemporary sculpture.

Forever & After examines this essence through many contexts: life, death, evolution, transformation, transcendence and all that is after and in between. As society attempts to control and co-exist with these uncontrollable aspects of our humanity and nature, we must accept that through these experiences our lives are enriched and are given dimension and purpose. These universal themes and experiences cross the boundaries of cultural, religious, historic and societal norms and beliefs. Forever & After explores these themes through the artistic interpretations and expressions of six uniquely gifted and accomplished sculptors.

The themes expressed by these artists, as well as the manner in which they are processed, offer a visual playground for us to explore. Some define them from an individual and personal perspective, while others may be derived from a collective ideology.
With the use of such diverse materials and mediums, each of these sculptors has masterfully created work that celebrates the essence of loss, memorializes feelings of permanence, and explores the concept of afterlife and spiritual renewal. The colors, textures, and forms used in creating these pieces are a testament to each sculptor’s unique individual artistic expression, yet collectively within the context of this exhibit, this collection embodies the interconnectivity of all of us.

William Houser, Curator                                              

 Click here to view the catalog

So matter how you do it or where you go . . .  

this weekend #digoutarts!!!

(hope to see you tonight!! :)

peace, va

dresses on the move and #fromthelandofdragons' blog . . . .

I am not one for letting a few feet of snow stop me! 

I grew up in the windy city and boy do we do weather there!!! 

So between forecasted snow storms got some my my art out into the world!!

 First, I delivered 'torqued and tethered . . . ' and 'dear jeff . . . '

to the South Shore Art Center.  They are part of a group show, curated by 

Bill Houser, called "Forever & After". (more info and link below)

Then after having some motivation issues I framed and delivered some 

#fromthelandofdragons photos to the Wellesley Starbucks, on rt 135.

Reminding us all what a few months will bring . . . 

And this installation prompted me to finally

create and publish a dedicated blog page for my

#fromthelandofdragons series!! (yay)

(link to blog below AND in dashboard) 

now these photos will be 

all in one place, more easily found,

 especially for those of you

who are not on FB or Instagram. 

show card for "Forever & After"

show catalogue 

Description and information about "Forever & After"
"Forever & After" at the South Shore Art Center

click here to view show catalogue

A dedicated home for my #fromthelandofdragons photos:
#fromthelandofdragons has its own blog!!!!! 

Since Starbucks doesn't want artists to post prices I have created this page with all $$ info:
link to pricing information for the work at starbucks

'breaking open' is closing this weekend ~

'tethered and torqued' works so well in the space

The count down has begun . . . 'breaking open' at Fountain Street Fine Art will close on Sunday! 

I am sad this exhibit will be closing because I am very proud of how the pieces came together.  

And there are some of my pieces that are more like installations and which work very well in this space, and I appreciate that they won't be exhibited like this again.  

But it has been a great run.  I have had heard lovely comments from those who have been able to make it to the gallery.  

In fact a fellow artist, Catherine Carter, brought her Framingham State classes to the exhibit, and then wrote an insightful review on her blog.

students making notes 

Here is a section from Carter's post:

The most impressive takeaway from our visit, and the one which I think will provide an ongoing memory for the class, is Virginia's creative approach to LIFE. It was apparent from this exhibit that every day is an adventure to her. New artistic ideas are always flashing through her mind, new expressive possibilities are always suggesting themselves to her, and she is always seeking new methods and materials to communicate her ideas and visions. Her open-mindedness and free spirit are inspiring, especially to these college students whose lives at this stage are increasingly suffocated by deadlines, requirements, and responsibilities. It's important to remind them that one of the reasons we are here (The Reason, in my book) is the need to savor the sensuous, impractical events in our lives, and our field trip experience today provided that example.

click here to read more

And besides Catherine's wonderful words about the show, she asked her students to pick one of the pieces and write their reaction to it.  I am so curious to reads their thoughts.

Also last night I hosted an evening gathering at the gallery, which, despite the cold and rainy weather was well attended.  It was a great group of visitors with great interest and wonderful questions, and I am all too happy to discuss the work, my thoughts and my processes.  

Thank you to all that stopped by last night.

So, if you want to experience the exhibit,

it will still be  up and open for to more days.  

The gallery's hours are :

Friday 11-5pm

Saturday 11-5pm

Sunday 11-5pm.

and by appointment

And if you need extra incentive ~ I am gallery sitting Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm.  

Then as of 5pm Sunday I pack it up and make room for Fountain Street's next exhibit: Natural Selection. Hope you can stop by . . .