gallery timeline
initial proposal
Created in October 2021, this proposal outlined the rough idea of what I wanted this show to be about. The description talks about what the show subject will be, what it looks to do, who it looks to highlight, and the prompt that the art should follow. The purpose talks about why I want to create the exhibit and why I am choosing the artists that I want: high school students. Research talks about what areas I have and will look into in order to make this show effective and understanding. Finally, elements discuss what areas of this senior project cover my two majors: Art & Art History and Graphic Design.
beginning of outreach
In November of 2021, I began to contact various high schools throughout the Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire area. In total, 13 high schools were contacted. This email contained the title and subject of the show, what type of art I am looking for, the meaning behind the show, and a request to have a meeting with the recipient of the email to discuss the art exhibit further.
final paper
At the end of December, I completed a 22-page paper for my art exhibit. The research included information about the history of self-portraiture, important self-portrait artists, the use of art as a mode of therapy, and the use of art therapy for teens in today’s age. It also included information about my show, such as who I have reached out to, what I look to do with the show, and why this show would be a beneficial senior capstone project for myself. To read the essay, please click here.
continued outreach
As of early January, I had only 2 schools that scheduled and held a meeting with me. In an effort to gain the attention of the schools that had not responded, I replied to them all with an email that stated the deadlines that I had put in place for the show, a blurb that they can share with their students, and information on how the students can submit their work for the show.
submission poster
As of mid-January, I had only 10 art submissions for the show. I decided to open up submissions to college-aged students. I created a poster to post on social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as hang around Merrimack College. This poster was also resent to the original 13 high schools that I reached out to, in hopes that it would motivate them to share with their students.
final stretch
With a total of 15 pieces by the original due date for submissions, I reached out to one more school: Essex North Shore Agriculture and Technical School. Within a day, I had 20 more pieces of work to add to the gallery. With this result, I closed the submission form and began collecting the works of art.
installation begins
After various trips to different towns, multiple nights spent in the gallery, and endless Dunkin’ runs, the show was ready to be installed. The main concerns were making sure that all pieces, both 2D and 3D, were being shown and highlighted the best way they could be.
show posters designed
The poster for the show was finished and sent to print. They were later hung around Merrimack College and the surrounding community. Along with that, they were shared on all platforms of social media.
“i am” opens
March 25th was the opening day of the exhibit. The gallery doors were officially opened for all to see.
closing reception
After 2 months of planning, the Closing Reception was held on April 22nd. This involved coordinating refreshments (snacks and drinks), police security, and making sure all guests had security clearance to enter campus. Along with that, I gave a dissemination of my project. I began by talking about how I first became interested in art and art galleries, and then moved toward the artists that inspired the show: Frida Kahlo and Cindy Sherman. I then discussed how the gallery was laid out and talked about the work; how the shared prompt resulted in a variety of thought-provoking responses, how works shared similar yet original points of inspiration, how the works differ with abstraction and literal representation, and more.
deinstall
On April 25th, the show officially and sadly came to a close. I began the deinstall period and worked on delivering the artwork back to the artist. During this time, I met a lot of the artists one on one, and was able to speak to them and congratulate them all on their amazing work.
