OPENING RECEPTION: Photography Center of Cape Cod’s “The Big Picture” and “Life is a Cabaret” at Cotuit Center for the Arts

Photography Center of Cape Cod’s “The Big Picture” and “Life is a Cabaret” at Cotuit Center for the Arts

Cotuit Center for the Arts will host “The Big Picture,” an open juried photography show of large photographs (at least 24 by 30 inches) from across the country, from July 28 through September 2. The opening reception is Saturday, July 28, from 5 to 7 PM. All are welcome to attend.

The exhibit is juried by Alison Shaw, renowned professional photographer from Martha’s Vineyard; Paula Tognarelli, director of Griffin Photography Museum in Winchester; and Cindy Vallino, owner of Focus Gallery in Chatham.

“The Big Picture” is presented by the Photography Center of Cape Cod, a program of the Cape Cod Art Association of Barnstable. The center was created to help photographers develop their skills, share their passion, and to promote a greater appreciation of photographic arts. The center offers classes, workshops, exhibits, and other activities for photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and for children as well. It is located at the Cape Cod Art Association, at 3480 Route 6A (Main Street) in Barnstable.

Also on exhibit July 28 to September 28 is “Life is a Cabaret,” an installation inspired by the production of “Cabaret,” which will be presented August 2 to 26 at the center. The show, on display in the art center’s upper gallery, is part of a program by Lenore Lyons, arts education coordinator for the arts center, to connect performances, exhibits, and classes.

“The way I interpret ‘Life is a Cabaret,’” said Lyons “is that life is an adventure, not necessarily a  nightclub.”

The show will feature full-size body portraits in fabric collage by Lyons, 14 of her students, and a special memorial piece.  The pieces represent the life experiences of the artists, mostly women in their 40s to 70s.
Most of the exhibitors are artistic, but not primarily artists. Represented are writers, musicians and music lovers, bead artists, realtors, administrators, people in the medical field, and retirees, all sharing an interest in art and self-expression.

“Collage can be a wonderful expression of women’s individuality,” Lyons said. “It is a forgiving art form; people can change things, and not get too stressed about. It is an organic process; the pieces are created in many layers that may be added or taken off.”

The portraits include bits of fabric that have meaning to each woman, as well as beads, yarn, sparkly objects, photographs, and other items, arranged in creative and often surprising ways.

“These pieces show the women’s exuberance for life, their different interests, dreams, disappointments, joys, and pains. Some of the women have come to terms with devastating illness and loss, and they move on,” said Lyons. “Some of the pieces express a passion for music, for service to the community, for family, for writing, for love of other people.”

Lyons has reached out to the community to ask for keys—house keys, car keys, any type of keys—from the community to work into her body portrait, and each of the other artists have added a key or keys to their own pieces.
“Keys are so personal,” said Lyons. “They are something we hold and touch and carry with us. They open doors and are symbolic of starting new things. The keys seem to hold the energy of their owners, providing the sense that people can come together in new ways and enjoy that sense of community.

Guided by poet/writer/performer Christine Rathbun Ernst, who also created a body portrait for the show, each woman will also include a written statement about her portrait.
“This project is a chance for people to come together in a supportive community, express themselves in a creative way, and make something that is pleasing to them and enjoy the process,” said Lyons. “Being creative feeds a different part of your soul than other activities. It is exciting to present these beautiful pieces together and make a dramatic and personal statement.”

Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. The galleries are open For more information, visit www.artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.
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What:
The Big Picture photography exhibit; Life is a Cabaret fabric collage exhibit
Where:
Art Galleries, Cotuit Center for The Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit
When:
Opening Reception, Saturday, July 28, 5 to 7 PM; exhibits on view through September 2. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM and may also be seen during events at the center.
Admission:
Free and open to the public