VISUAL ARTS

This exhibition is the work of three artists: Kat Ely’s sculpture captures the essence of the artifact and the environment from which it was found. She uses the permanence of glass and metal to juxtapose the temporal quality of these objects. Each piece is a reliquary, in which she attempts to illustrate the sacredness of the natural world by housing, protecting and showcasing the things most people ignore and overlook. Kat is the 2011 recipient of the NICHE Award currently Working and Living in Boston Massachusetts. Leah Meleski is a Contemporary Jewelry Artist aiming to create objects that synthesize nature directly onto the body. She is preoccupied with ideas of how one’s body can form the jewelry rather than using a general structure for everyone. One’s body contour is an integral way to incorporate perceptions from nature: She can alter and integrate ideas about impermanence, permanence, growth, decay and preservation. Leah Creates her Jewelry in her home studio located in Jamaica plain and Works as an Art teacher in the Wellesley school system. Monique Rancourt is a Contemporary Jewelry Artist Creating wearable sculpture that is inspired by historical references specifically traditional body adornment of the pacific Islands and Africa. Keeping these traditions in Mind Monique Pushes the limits of Traditional metalsmithing and Jewelry techniques exploring Form, Pattern, and texture from nature. Monique Currently spends much of her time participating in fine Craft Fairs across the country creating works and teaching in her studio at the Washington Street Art Center in Somerville, Mass. The Washington Street Art Center houses Gallery 321, hosts studio space for more that twenty visual artists, and presents exhibitions, concerts, film series and other art initiatives. The center participates in Somerville Open Studios each May and an annual open studios in December. The Washington Street Art Center is between Union Square and Beacon Street, a five minute walk from Union Square and a ten minute walk from Harvard Square (two blocks from Beacon Street). The Center is near or on the following bus routes: 83,85,86,87,91 and CT2. Parking is free and ample.