fires + flowers (and the meaning we make)
Pasqualina AzzarelloJune 8 - 14
SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 9, 4-5pm • Live painting
WED June 10, 4-5pm • Live painting
THR June 11, 4-5pm • Live painting
FRI June 12 • Arts Night Out Reception: 5-8pm; w/live tarantella music at 6pm
GALLERY OPEN HOURS
TUE June 9 - SAT June 13, 12-5pm
SUN June 14, 12-3pm
"flowers + fires (and the meaning we make)" is a series of paintings that demonstrate and explore the physiological practice and process of healing. Working with core imagery of volcanoes and the endemic flora that grow in the wake of eruption – also called fire followers – the paintings serve as a vital, embodied inquiry into regenerative and restorative practices.
Each piece is made either partly or entirely through bilateral painting – a process that involves the application of paint to a surface with both bare hands at the same time. The physical experience of making the paintings influences their visual presence as well, as each piece holds and embodies the ‘reverb’ of this practice. When experienced all together, the paintings create a space of quiet yet active reflection while calling the viewer into presence.
Furthermore, this body of work was made while listening to tarantella music – an ancient Sicilian and Southern Italian healing ritual that consists of earthen, rhythmic drums, flutes, and strings. Live and recorded tarantella music, along with live painting sessions, will be offered daily throughout the duration of the exhibition.
ARTIST BIOS
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Pasqualina Azzarello is a painter, public muralist, educator, and community advocate. Working within grassroots, nonprofit, and academic channels, she works with others to cultivate generative spaces, initiatives, and partnerships that are innovative, collaborative, and inclusive of all participants. Throughout her unique professional path, each experience has been driven by core values including a profound belief in the creative potential of individuals and communities. Pasqualina serves as the Arts & Culture Program Director at Easthampton City Arts in Easthampton, Massachusetts and is a part-time faculty member at Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
POTTER
Michael Medeiros is a writer, artist, and teacher living in western Massachusetts. He holds MFAs in Creative Writing and Studio Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches art foundations and college writing. The founder of Poesia Pottery and a certified instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, his teaching, art and writing are grounded in mindfulness and flourishing practices that encourage community, curiosity and creative engagement.
MUSICIANS
Alessandra Belloni is the Artistic Director, Founder and Lead Performer of "I Giullari di Piazza", an Italian Music, Theatre, and Dance Ensemble and is Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. With 45 years of fieldwork experience studying and preserving Southern Italian folk music, dance, drumming, theatre, and healing/ritual traditions, she is an internationally-renowned percussionist, singer, dancer, and author of the book ‘Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna”.
Sarah Michel’s musical journey began at the age of 4 when she started violin lessons and by the age of 6, she was introduced to fiddle music and began competing in fiddle contests all over New England, going on to win hundreds of competitions. Combining her influences of Old-Time, Irish, World and Classical music, Sarah takes her audiences on a musical journey from old-time sing-alongs, to lively polkas and rousing reels.