Inspirational Exhibition Includes Youth Art from The Rockwell Museum, Local Heroes, and More

Newburyport, MA -- The PEG Center for Art & Activism presents "Heroes Among Us" to close out 2023, an art exhibition which promises to inspire and elevate those individuals and ideals that make a difference. Through museum-quality work by 11 professional artists, youth artists, and community art participants, the Heroes exhibition was curated to spark discussion on issues, expand understanding, and spur positive action.

"This is a multifaceted show. In the front gallery, we have an incredible marionette and carved sculptures by C.A. Stigliano, Terry Rooney’s Liberty Series touts the possibilities of American democracy, Linda Pearlman Karlsberg’s gorgeous charcoal portraits of heroines (like Anita Hill and Rachel Carson) in She Spoke Up, and Keith Francis’ simple, elegant modern art take on the way we view caste in our society. Lisa Goren’s portraits of healthcare workers during Covid and Jeanne Williamson Ostroff’s 54 Scars, 54 Donors shows a visual interpretation of the scars of living kidney donors," said PEG Center Executive Director Paula Estey. "The power of caring, resiliency and hope shine through the whole exhibition."

The PEG Center is showcasing its first traveling art exhibition from The Rockwell Museum in Corning, NY. The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, strives to ignite visitors’ imaginations while representing the America they live in. The Alley Art Project: Heroes, which highlights the significant impact of young people empowering and influencing society, is on display in PEG’s Sitting Gallery, alongside The Truth Tellers Corner, featuring portraits of Americans Who Tell the Truth on loan from artist Robert Shetterly.

"We are so very grateful to have the beautiful paintings of artist, cancer survivor and philanthropist Rebecca O’Toole," said Estey. "The feeling of coastal peace and calm gives hope to those who need it during an otherwise dark time. As a breast cancer and leukemia survivor, Rebecca sells her landscape paintings and gives the proceeds to both Dana Farber Cancer Institute and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in support of patients and families. Due to the efforts of PEG Curatorial Team Member Debbie Hart-Klein, Becky has donated all of her paintings at the PEG Center to help us continue our mission of amplifying the need for good change in the areas of human rights and climate justice. We thank both women, from the bottom of our hearts," Estey said. The PEG Center will donate 10% of the paintings with a purpose sale to the Karen Wellington Foundation to help them continue their mission of bringing joy to cancer patients.

In the newly revamped Vault room at PEG, there is a tribute to Local Heroes we are blessed to have in our community, plus a retrospective of community art projects. Estey explained: "It was no small task to choose who and what to highlight. We selected these six Local Heroes as an example of rich and generous community support. We hope that you will learn more about each one and decide to dive into helping them."

The exhibition will be open from Saturday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, December 30 at the PEG Center, 3 Harris St. in Newburyport. Visitors are welcome to see the artwork on Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., and Fridays through Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.

The in-person opening reception and Artist Talks will be held on Thursday, October 19 from 6-8 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the artist talks run from 7-7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, November 16 from 6-8 p.m., there will be a special Online Meet-Up with the team from Alley Art Project: Heroes with Amy Ruza, Youth and Family Programs Educator from The Rockwell Museum; student artist Salem Estrada; Guest Artist Sarah C. Rutherford; and Lead Teacher Dave Quackenbush.

On Thursday, December 14 from 6-8 p.m., the PEG Center will host "An Evening with Our Local Heroes" at The Newburyport Senior Center, 331 High St, Newburyport, MA 01950, to celebrate some of our Local Heroes with short talks, tables of information, and light refreshments to stir your Holiday Spirit.

For details https://www.thepegcenter.org/art-exhibitions.