From the Publisher – March 2024

Dive In, Rise Up

Sometimes the greatest act of rebellion is to speak the truth. — Alexei Navalny

Or paint it. Sing it. Write it. Dance it. Sculpt it. Print it. Like, in an art magazine.

When I learned of Navalny’s murder, I froze. I was not surprised, perhaps, on one level, yet absolutely crushed. And then I cried—for his family, his followers, for all who looked to this incredible human being for hope. Then I went back to work. I’m lucky. I was able to turn to this issue for a sense of hopefulness. I’m reminded every day of how grateful I am to witness the work and the intellect and the artistic ferocity of everyone covered in Art New England’s pages. And in this Emerging Artists Issue, in particular, where we share with you ten stunning, burgeoning, funny, intense, inquisitive artists—of all ages—who are rebelling in the best possible ways. The word rebellion does not always carry a violent connotation. It can simply mean the action or “process of resisting authority, control, or convention” (Oxford Languages). These artists resist convention in extraordinary ways. Spiritual, physical, intellectual. They are in their twenties and their seventies. I write in the feature’s intro that they are outrageously hopeful; at least they make me feel that way through their fearless self-expression. We’re honored to highlight Simon Montalvo, Lydia Kern, Elise Whittemore, Elisa Vanelli, Ngoc-Tran Vu, Ewa Chrusciel, Jenna Gross, Jay Stern, Donald Langosy, and our cover artist Sophie Cangelosi. We are honored to offer a small window into their work, their goals, and what art means to them. Navalny also wrote, “A person becomes truly free only when they are able to think and express their own thoughts.” This is a privilege we’re rapidly losing sight of in this world—even in America. Never thought I’d write that. 

Where else but in an art magazine can we find, in addition to these emerging artists, stories on an expedition with Cynthia Close to the Hall Art Foundation for cocoa in the café and a tour of the Warhol exhibition? Cynthia also takes us to the Red Dress exhibition at Fuller Craft Museum, a fourteen-year global collaborative embroidery project. Abbi Kenny discusses On Her Terms: Feminine Power Embodied at Fitchburg Art Museum where New England artists use the human body as a catalyst for dialogue around women’s rights. Autumn Duke shares WREN Gallery’s plans for its Total Eclipse of the Art exhibition in honor of April 8th’s total solar eclipse and New Hampshire’s astral position in the path of totality. Jack Curtis honors MassArt’s 150th anniversary. Charles Bonenti introduces us to Troy Amuso, whose medium is conservation, preserving history by restoring paintings that would otherwise be lost. Shanta Lee takes us deep into a fascinating realm where art and the metaphysical meet. This piece is expansive, so mesmerizing and offers a profound understanding of making art as a sacred, magical practice. And Amy Lilly walks us through In the Garden, The Current’s immersive, multi-platform installation whose description reminds us that “Paradise comes from a Persian word for ‘walled garden,’ traditionally a place for calm and reflection. In this setting, one is free to create anything imaginable, where truly anything can grow.” 

The freedom to create anything imaginable. This is the message I want this issue to leave you thinking about. I am beyond inspired by the artists featured here; by the strength and urgency behind the themes of the exhibitions found both in the editorial and the Exhibition Listings section. Incredible work is happening across New England. And in the spirit of the cold plunge bravery of Sophie Cangelosi’s Quarry Diver on this cover, dive into it all. There are others in the water with you. Discuss the work, support the work, meet the artists. Celebrate our ability to speak our truth through art.

In gratitude,

Rita A. Fucillo
Publisher

---