Ari Montford’s Freedom Arrows

Now on view

Ari Montford’s Freedom Arrows amplifies the arrow’s symbolism as tool, weapon, and message to explore Indigenous Black themes through the lens of the Native American experience of genocide. Within the museum lobby, a volley of hand-beaded arrows is suspended midair (as if just unleashed from unseen bows) and embedded in the walls. Dual concepts of protection and service, aggression and power blend with the arrows’ spiritual presence to create a space that provokes conversation about racial justice and narrative-making. Montford’s installation engages with the impact of structural racism, Indigenous trauma, and the process of creating safe spaces for restorative justice through their own voice as a Black Two Spirit Indigenous cultural practitioner.

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Rania Matar: Oceans at My Door

Now through August 3

The Fitchburg Art Museum is thrilled to present an exhibition celebrating its recent acquisition of Rania Matar’s stunning portfolio SHE. Matar is a Lebanese-American photographer internationally renowned for her explorations of cross-cultural identity and femininity. The arresting, intimate portraits in SHE evoke the transitional states of Becoming, what Matar describes as “the fraught beauty and vulnerability of growing up” as a young woman. This portfolio is shown alongside other works from Matar’s subsequent series Where Do I Go?, an ongoing project that focuses on Lebanese women at a crossroad as they navigate national crises of corruption, inflation, lockdown, and shortages.

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Paper Town

Now through June 4

Paper is ubiquitous in everyday life, but is rarely considered beyond its flat functionality. This exhibition takes paper out of the two-dimensional into a world that is fantastical, intricate, colorful, and personal. Inspired by the materiality of paper and the metamorphic quality of the papermaking process, Paper Town explores paper in pulp, cast, folded, and cut forms. Paper Town is part of a series of FAM exhibitions that connect contemporary artmaking with our region’s industrial heritage. Paper Town is sponsored by Can-Am Machinery Inc. of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and the Simonds Lecture Fund.

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In the Eye of the Beholder: Gender through the Camera Lens

Now through September 10

In the Eye of the Beholder delves into the Fitchburg Art Museum’s permanent collection to explore how photographers have used the “gendered gaze” across the 20th and early 21st centuries. This exhibition highlights some of the museum’s iconic favorites and recent acquisitions—including work from Sir Zanele Muholi, Cindy Sherman, and Yasumasa Morimura—to examine how power is embedded in the male and female gazes. In the Eye of the Beholder further explores artists who experiment with or outright reject the gender binary, questioning and complicating methods of perceiving gender and its performance.

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Community Gallery

Material Girls Quilt Guild
Now-May 14

Material Girls Quilt Guild show, Quilted Masterpieces, represents 60 years of experience and knowledge in working with textiles and other embellishments. Each quilt is an artful expression of an artist’s love of textiles and what they can do with fabric and a few tools.

Fitchburg Public Schools
May 17-June 5, 2023

Elementary and middle school students from Fitchburg will be displaying paintings, drawings, and 3-dimensional work in this upcoming show. Come and see what Fitchburg's brilliant young artists have been working on!

The Community Gallery is supported by a generous gift from
Dr. Roderick and Donna Lewin.

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Last Chance

Becoming John O’Reilly

Closing May 14

John O’Reilly was a Worcester-based artist and beloved friend of the Fitchburg Art Museum until his death in 2021. FAM is the grateful recipient of a large posthumous gift of O’Reilly’s artwork, courtesy of his partner Jim Tellin and Howard Yezerski Gallery.

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Programs

Film and Panel Discussion: The Art of Social Activism

Sunday, May 7
2:00-4:00 PM

Film Screening of Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000 followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ralph Baker, Board, Nashua River Watershed Association. Panel includes Marion Stoddart, May Babcock, Sue Edwards and Nick Capasso.

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Yoga in the Galleries

Tuesdays, through June 6, 2023
6:15–7:30 PM

Take care of yourself and reap the health benefits of yoga led by Dianne Tousignant in the beautiful setting of the FAM galleries.  Beginners or advanced participants are welcome. $15 drop-in per class. If you prefer to register in advance call 978-345-4207 or email [email protected]

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Free First Thursdays
Fitchburg Farmers Market

Thursday, May 4
12:00 – 7:00 PM

Every first Thursday the museum is FREE for all visitors. Shop at the Fitchburg Farmers Market from 3-6 PM from February-May.

Free First Thursdays is supported by an endowment given to the Fitchburg Art Museum in memory of Martha Malm.

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Hidden Treasures

Thursday, May 18
1:00-3:00 PM

Hidden Treasures is a specialized art appreciation program for individuals with early to middle stage Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and their caregivers. Programs are limited to 16 participants and require a caregiver with each individual adult with Alzheimer’s and professional staff with a group. Hidden Treasures is free, and participants must pre-register with the Fitchburg Art Museum by calling 978-345-4207 or by emailing [email protected]

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Bringing Creativity and Community Together, Now and Always

Please consider a gift to the Fitchburg Art Museum’s Annual Fund. Exploring art and creativity opens windows to new ways of thinking, new ways of dreaming, and new ways of seeing that last throughout the year and beyond. Your support of our Annual Fund helps us to share creativity with our community and the world. Thank you to our members and friends for your ongoing support.

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