May 17 – July 15, 2019: RALLY POINT: BRAVERY + ACTION
Presented in partnership with the Photographic Resource Center
The famous signal lanterns of April 18, 1775, displayed in the steeple of Old North Church, activated a network of riders who rallied their neighbors and fellow patriots to action and ignited the American Revolution. The bravery of those riders, who are largely uncelebrated today, demonstrates a defining pillar of the American spirit in times of trouble. This exhibition investigates what that caliber of teamwork and courage looks like in the 21stcentury, particularly how collective action and courageous fellowship can promote active citizenship.
What does it look like when one sacrifices personal desires and recognition in pursuit of a common goal? How do we as local, national, and global citizens overcome ourselves for the greater good of our communities? What does it mean to work together synergistically to effect change? The artists featured in this exhibition answer these weighty questions in different ways as their photographs demonstrate bravery in its many facets: it’s an idea, it’s an action, it’s a feeling, and it’s a symbol.
Featured Artists
Todd Bradley
Matt Conti
Maggie Loh
Leah Ramuglia
Austin Soares
Ellen Shub
Steven White
In the gallery, share your own story of bravery and join a larger conversation with our visitors about what teamwork looks like today.
#RallyPoint
PAST PROGRAMS & EXHIBITS
March 1 – May 7, 2019: PIECE-FUL VOICES
Presented in partnership with the New England Quilt Museum
In honor of Women’s History Month, this exhibit celebrates quilting as an expression of community, one that has provided American women a social outlet for centuries. By finding their voices and a sense of sisterhood in quilting circles, women broke free from societal constraints, even if only within the walls of their homes. During the American Civil War, quilting took on new importance as the U.S. Sanitary Commission provided quilts to ailing Union soldiers in hospitals.
The quilts featured in this exhibit were made in honor of post-9/11 fallen soldiers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the same manner of those Sanitary Commission quilts. But these quilts are not just replicas. They represent the continuum from the Civil War to the greater War on Terror. They represent the thousands of women grieving for, caring for, and loving the thousands of soldiers who have fallen for the sake of our country. We honor the fallen soldiers, yes; but we must also honor the artists whose voices and gratitude speak for us all.
In the gallery, browse through the Quilter’s Toolbox to get a sense of what items are necessary to make a quilt, and then make your own quilt block with origami paper and contribute to our community quilt!
#PiecefulVoices
May – December 2018: Dear Professor Longfellow
The Professor is in! Discover how to make your voice heard and create meaningful change through this new & exciting interpretive program.-
- Craft a simple poem using magnetic poetry
- Test your penmanship with our cursive primer
- Contribute a line to a growing collaborative group poem
- Decorate and write a postcard about something you want to change in your community
- Mail a fan letter to the Professor himself
#BeLikeLongfellow
