Newburyport, MA -- The PEG Center for Art & Activism is proud to present an exhibition of five established Boston-area women artists in its groundbreaking new show Burning Down The House: Women and Art in an Uncertain World. This exhibition, curated by artist Kim Triedman, debuted at the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, MA, before traveling to Newburyport and other cities. An opening reception and artist talks. The event is open to the public.

Using a variety of media – drawing and painting (Kathryn Geismar), photography (Tira Khan), fiber arts (Virginia Mahoney), assemblage (Lorraine Sullivan), and collage (Kim Triedman, Curator) – the artists address the enormity of this particular moment in history. With an emphasis on the backward slide in women's rights 50 years after Roe v. Wade was passed, the artists have all lived long enough to remember what was before – all with work relating to the ongoing struggle for dignity, visibility, independence, equality, and the power to make personal, sexual, and medical decisions. The timing is critical: As the U.S. Supreme Court falls increasingly out of step with the inclinations of the American public, the exhibit shines a light on where we have come from, where we are headed, and the price to be paid for political inertia. There is an opportunity for important conversation here – not just between the artworks themselves but also about this uncertain tipping point in our national story.

"Art is its own form of resistance," said curator Kim Triedman. "To the viewer, it offers a window onto the times we are living through. To the artist -- a release valve when that world veers into injustice and inhumanity."

"Honestly, this show knocks my socks off," said Paula Estey, Artistic Director of the PEG Center. "Presenting it here at The PEG Center is an honor. Our space is smaller than the gorgeous Brickbottom Gallery, so the PEG team had to hone the exhibition to live into our space. Every piece fits, tells a story, narrates a time in history. I feel the breadth of wisdom from ‘the before time' that artist Lorraine Sullivan speaks to in her assemblage sculpture. You can feel it in the room--when women, humanity was more honored, and wisdom prevailed. It's a stunner."

Date: February 16 through March 30, 2024.

Opening Reception and Artist Talks on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 6-8 p.m, Artist Talk - 7 to 7:30 PM.

Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday -- 12 TO 5PM
Friday and Saturday -- 12 TO 4PM

Venue:
The PEG Center
3 Harris Street
Newburyport, MA 01950

For more details 978-376-4746 or [email protected] or visit https://www.thepegcenter.org/current-exhibition.