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A traveling exhibition with newly commissioned artworks, site specific installations, and public programs focusing on natural and cultural ecologies of Eastern Massachusetts.

September 2019–March 2020

Artists:

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½ûÂþÌìÌà the initiative:

Local Ecologies is a series of exhibitions, commissioned artworks, and programming co-organized by UMass Boston, ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ, and UMass Lowell, the system campuses spanning the state’s eastern coastal region. The initiative aims to spark transdisciplinary and cross-institutional exchange through place-based artworks and public discussions that respond to environmental and ecological issues specific to the region’s natural, social, and economic histories and futures. This expansive project brings together artists, scientists, historians, and activists engaged with our diverse coastal and river ecosystems, as well as layered indigenous, colonial, and industrial histories.

Multidisciplinary works by leading contemporary artists will bring into focus our region’s diverse ecosystems and land use histories, from the postindustrial Merrimack Valley and New Bedford regions to the evolving urban ecologies and environs of Boston. A traveling exhibition presented in Boston, Lowell, and New Bedford throughout the fall of 2019 and spring 2020 will be accompanied by public talks and events specific to each campus, course offerings, and a scholarly online publication.

The exhibition will debut at the University Hall Gallery at UMass Boston in September 2019, travel to ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ, and conclude at UMass Lowell.

For program updates, please visit our .

Traveling Exhibition Schedule:

University Hall Gallery
September 3, 2019 – October 26, 2019
Reception: Thursday, September 19th, 5-8pm

½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

University Art Gallery
November 7, 2019 – January 10, 2020
Reception: Thursday, November 14th, AHA! Night, 6-8:30 pm

University Gallery
January 21, 2020 – March 6, 2020

Lead Curators:

Local Ecologies is organized by Kirsten Swenson, Art History, UMass Lowell; Sam Toabe, Gallery Director, UMass Boston; and Rebecca Uchill, Art Education, Art History, and Media Studies, ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ.

Organizing Curators of the traveling exhibition:

Viera Levitt and Rebecca K. Uchill at ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ, Deborah Santoro and Kirsten Swenson at UMass Lowell, and Sam Toabe at UMass Boston

½ûÂþÌìÌà the galleries and the schools:

The University Hall Gallery at UMass Boston is a center for visual arts, presenting original and traveling exhibitions for the Art Department, the campus, and the region with an aim to make exhibitions and public programming accessible. Our mission is to serve as a community forum for cultivating pluralism, fostering dialog, and enhancing educational opportunities for the enjoyment of and interaction with original works of art.

University Hall, rm. 1220
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
uhgallery@umb.edu / 617.287.5707

The ½ûÂþÌìÌà University Art Gallery in historic downtown New Bedford presents inspiring curated exhibitions often of national and international relevance as well as its annual MFA Thesis Exhibition for graduating Art and Design students for the The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). The Gallery's programming includes artist talks, discussions, lectures, and other events that serve not only the ½ûÂþÌìÌà community, but also a diverse group of interested residents living in New Bedford and throughout the South Coast region.

University Art Gallery
Star Store Campus
715 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Contact: Viera Levitt, Gallery Director
gallery@umassd.edu / 508.999.8555
www.umassd.edu/cvpa/galleries

The University Gallery at UMass Lowell is a contemporary art gallery that serves the Art & Design Department, ½ûÂþÌìÌà Lowell, as well as the city of Lowell and the greater Merrimack Valley Region. The gallery hosts 4-6 major exhibitions each year, including the biannual B.F.A. show featuring the senior projects from the Art & Design studios. From emerging artists to seasoned practitioners with national and international reputations, the University Gallery's exhibition program showcases a broad variety of artistic approaches, media and content reflecting the curricula of the Art & Design program and enhancing the cultural environment of the community and surrounding area.

1st floor of Mahoney Hall
870 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA, 01854
Contact: Deborah Santoro, Gallery Director
Deborah_Santoro@uml.edu / 978.934.3491