Eleven local contemporary artists will be featured in “Woo Town Funk,” an exciting, contemporary exhibition at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery Sept. 15 through Oct. 13.
The University’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Department will hold an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022 for “Woo Town Funk” at the gallery, located in Worcester State’s Ghosh Science and Technology Center.
As part of the opening event, acclaimed guitarist and VPA Professor Carlos Odria and tenor saxophonist Hans Betancourth will perform jazz music featuring edgy, urban styles to complement the exhibit’s art. All gallery events and exhibitions are free and open to the community.
“We’re thrilled to kick off this academic year’s gallery shows with this big bang of an exhibition,” said Gallery Director and VPA Professor of Fine Art and Interdisciplinary Studies Stacey Parker. “Through radical, unapologetic work by 11 incredibly talented local artists, Woo Town Funk is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience in the coming weeks for our gallery guests, and it also sets the stage for an incredible year of diverse, dynamic shows.”
Artwork by Nathan Clark Bentley
Woo Town Funk curator and Gallery Assistant Brad Chapman Bleau, a Worcester artist whose work will be featured in the exhibition, brings a dynamic, eclectic style to the show through experiences in skateboarding, collecting nostalgic items, and studying tattoo meanings — to name just a few passions.
“I feel very fortunate to exhibit my work amongst these other incredibly talented and prolific artists,” said Chapman Bleau. “I am excited for the students of WSU, as well as the general public, to engage with the collection, and see what subsequent questions arise from such thought provoking work. A goal of mine is to get the word out that this gallery is not only a viable space for local artists to showcase their work, but can provide different opportunities that may not otherwise present themselves in more traditional gallery settings. I want this gallery to become a practical teaching tool for professors and students alike, bridging gaps between departments, and breaking down barriers. Art sparks dialogue, and can be advantageous to all that have an open mind and are willing to reconsider preconceived notions.”
Joining Chapman Bleau are the following Woo Town Funk featured artists: John Vo, Nathan Clark Bentley, Ryan Gardell, Luca, Scott Boilard, Tess Barbato, Esther Clark, Helen Segil, Courtney Daly, and Lucy Marcigiliano.
Gallery hours for “Woo Town Funk” are Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit wsuvpagallery.weebly.com or contact the Gallery at 508-929-8651 via phone or gallery@worcester.edu via email.
The Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery is committed to recognizing the work of regional artists, Worcester State faculty, and students through three to four shows per academic year. Following “Woo Town Funk,” the Gallery is scheduled to feature “Unruly Bodies,” an exhibit focused on normalizing all bodies’ shapes through work by New York artist Lindsey Guile. For more information regarding upcoming performances and exhibitions visit www.worcester.edu/VPA
Top image: Detail of “Skall” by Brad Chapman Bleau
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