Art Exhibit Balances Local Contemporary Work and City’s Historic Perspective

The New Bedford Art Museum announces the opening of the first “New Bedford Invitational: From Swain to Today”, a biennial exhibition that provides a view of the contemporary art community in New Bedford while offering a historical perspective of the influence of the Swain School of Design. The show runs from March 10 to May 22, 2010 and is sponsored by UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts and the New Bedford Economic Development Council.
Artists invited to show are all currently residing, working or exhibiting in New Bedford. The exhibition includes a number of works by Swain School Painters, both faculty and alumni, including the work of David Loeffler Smith who was the head of the painting department at Swain beginning in 1962. The work of 37 artists will be exhibited.
The show is curated by Kate Levin, a fine art photographer and proprietor of Crowell’s Fine Art Gallery and Fine Framing Studio, and Patricia Daughton, Creative Economy Development Officer for the New Bedford Economic Development Council. Mayor Scott W. Lang serves as the show’s honorary curator.
This inaugural exhibition represents NBAM’s renewed commitment to honor the rich history of art in the city of New Bedford, while actively engaging the contemporary arts community. The commitment to honoring New Bedford’s strong artistic community and the vital role it plays in the city’s economic success is echoed in the sponsorship of the exhibition by both the UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts and the New Bedford Economic Development Council.
The opening reception is Friday March 12, 2010 from 5:00- 7:30pm at the NBAM. Music will be provided by Andy McWain, a wine, champagne and beer cash bar by Cardozas, and hors d’heurves by MC Café.
NBAM was formed in 1994 and incorporated in 1996. Located in the historic downtown district of the City of New Bedford, the Museum is housed in the renovated Anthony J. Catojo, Jr. Building, formerly a bank. NBAM is an educational private non-profit (501 (c) 3) organization, which carries out its mission through two major areas of activity: mounting exhibits and conducting education programs.
NBAM hours: Labor Day through Memorial Day – noon to 5 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays: Admission: Adults $3, Senior Citizens & Students $2, Children under 17, free. The museum is located at 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-961-3072
www.newbedfordartmuseum.org