BREAKING: The Fitchburg Art Museum has officially reopened its doors following a brief closure, just in time to kick off its centennial celebrations! Visitors can explore the captivating exhibition “Tara Sellios: Ask Now the Beasts,” which runs through May 24, 2025.
Tara Sellios, a renowned Boston-based artist, showcases her monumental photographs that delve into the striking beauty of the grotesque. Utilizing organic materials like animal bones, insect specimens, and dried flowers, Sellios creates intricate still life vignettes captured through a large format 8 X 10 camera. Her work draws inspiration from Christian devotional art, engaging with the rich traditions of still life painting, particularly the Dutch vanitas genre.
The title “Ask Now the Beasts” is derived from the Book of Job, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of harvest and apocalypse. Sellios’s new series intertwines symbols of death and life, exploring the cyclical nature of Earth and the beauty found in decay.
Additionally, the museum features the exhibition “FESTIVAL: A Celebration of African Art,” which is set to run for the next year. This exhibit marks the first in a series honoring the museum’s centennial and presents significant pieces from FAM’s African Art collection. Visitors will experience a rich tapestry of universal themes such as life, death, power, and celebration, organized around masquerades, ceremonial life, and domestic life.
From ancient terra cottas to contemporary sculptures, “FESTIVAL” showcases the impressive breadth of FAM’s collection and highlights the diversity of cultures across the African continent.
Join the celebration TODAY from 5:30 PM to 8 PM as FAM kicks off its centennial festivities! The event will feature a special 100th Anniversary Toast and a visit from FAM founder Eleanor Norcross, portrayed by actress Sally Cragin of Stratton Players. Guests will also receive an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming Centennial Exhibition.
Enjoy drinks and appetizers provided by Finicky Fork as you celebrate this historic milestone. While event sign-up is encouraged for planning purposes, attendance is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome!
For more information on the event, museum hours, and admission details, visit fitchburgartmuseum.org.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to engage with art that reflects deep cultural narratives and to be part of a historic celebration that honors a century of creativity and inspiration. Share the news and bring your friends along to witness the magic of art at the Fitchburg Art Museum!
