VISUAL ARTS

The Jamaica Plain Arts Council presents On Green, an exhibition with 20 artists exploring the concept of what green means in the context of Jamaica Plain. The exhibition runs June 19 – July 12, 2010 at the Maliotis Cultural Center at Hellenic College and was juried by Randi Hopkins, Associate Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.

Green is everywhere these days – in the news, politics, fashion, and pop culture. More than ever, products and services are touting their eco-consciousness, foods are organic or natural, and companies are staking claims that they support sustainability. In plain terms, Green is simply a color found in minerals, chemicals, and plants. Green also has broad and sometimes contradictory cultural implications – symbolizing hope and wealth on the one hand, or sickness and envy on the other.

Jamaica Plain, often referred to in the 19th century as “the Eden of America,” is literally one of the greenest neighborhoods in the city of Boston. Residents have access to over 800 acres of verdant space at their doorstep around Jamaica Pond, and at the Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park, Olmsted Park, and the Forest Hills Cemetery.

On Green features: Kasey Appleman, Laurie Bloom, Maggie Carberry, April Clay, David Coen, Rob Festa, Erik Gehring, Amy Joyce, Annie LeMonde, Nancy Marks, Marilyn Mase, Matt McKee, Paula Metcalf Lazar, Karen A.V. O'Brien, Jeremy Ogusky, Robin Radin, Juergen Roth, Sloat Shaw, Ann Turley, and Richard Youngstrom.

On Green is also designed to raise funds for the JP Arts Council, which supports the cultural community in Jamaica Plain through Open Studios, exhibitions, and education. The reception opens with a Special Preview from 6 – 7 p.m. with live jazz featuring Tom Duprey on trumpet and David Hawthorne on guitar, fabulous food by local restaurants, culinary treats prepared by personal chef Lester Esser, and a silent auction of amazing artwork by Stephanie Cramer, Thomas Durand, Rob Festa, Barney Levitt, Dawn Nelson, Rachel Paxton and more. The reception from 7 – 9 p.m. is free and open to the public. Tickets are available through jpopenstudios.com/tickets. $20 tickets purchased for the Special Preview support the ongoing cultural work in Jamaica Plain of the Arts Council.