Ozspirations: New art inspired by the Wizard of Oz

Featuring the work of: Ilona Anderson, Rick Berry, Michael Bewley, Laurinda Bedingfield, Louise A. Bishop, F. Lennox Campello, Lisa Costanzo, Laura Davidson, Angela Deane, Katie DiChiara, Mary Anne Galvin, Jennifer Bennett Gubicza & Brian Gubicza, Sanasi Gunes, Darrell Gune-McCalla, Shawna L. Handke, Charlotte Kaplan, Caroline Keem, Elizabeth Kellogg, Kathleen Kneeland, Jennifer Lewis, Todd Little, Lina C. Marks, Anthony Lobosco, KD Mernin, John Preusch,Terry Rooney, Ruth T. Segaloff, Donna M. Socha and Gail Smuda

when: November 16th through December 21st
Reception Friday November 16th from 6-8pm

where: The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University
75 Arlington Street Boston, MA 02116
Gallery Phone (617) 573-8785
http://www.suffolk.edu/nesad/gallery

Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 12-5
Enter from 10 Saint James Street after 7pm and on weekends
This exhibit is free and open to the public.
The NESADSU Gallery is accessible by the MBTA Arlington St. Green Line stop.

The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University (NESADSU) presents, Ozspirations: New Art Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, a thought-provoking exhibit to honor the 100th anniversary of L. Frank Baum's classic series of books. The exhibit will run November 15th through December 21st at the NESADSU Gallery at 75 Arlington St., 2nd Floor, Boston MA. There will be a public reception on Friday, November 16th from 6–8pm

The exhibit features a wide range of interpretations of the classic novels by more than thirty artists — some local and others from as far away as Istanbul, Turkey. The interpretations range from the literal to the abstract and metaphorical, exploring such major themes of Oz as self-discovery and navigating one's way through life. The exhibit will feature original videos, illustrations, paintings, sculptures, and more.

James Manning, the interim NESADSU Gallery Director, and Jennifer Fuchel, an Associate Professor of Graphic Arts at NESADSU, organized and juried the exhibition. Fuchel, who also conceived the exhibit, notes, "I wanted to put on this show because I felt people had been so swept up in the whirlwind of tragic events unleashed by Sept. 11th that the Centennial of Oz had passed largely unnoticed. It's a shame, especially since the story of Oz seems more pertinent now than ever. We are all trying so hard to find the heart, courage, and intelligence to confront the 'wicked witches' and 'flying monkeys' of a world in turmoil and make our way safely home — even though that home may no longer feel as secure as it used to." With that in mind, Fuchel made, via Internet and arts groups, a call for submissions resulting in this unique show. As Fuchel put it, "I think if Mr. Baum were alive today, he would be very pleased to discover that his stories continue to inspire."

(pictured above right: Todd Little 'Judy in d'; Skies Nylon Kite 30” x 36” )