Sept. 2-27: Anchor House Artists
Hampshire College is proud to announce its opening show for the fall 2013 gallery season: An exhibition by the Anchor House of Artists will run September 2-27, with an opening reception on Thursday, September 12, 6:30-8 p.m.
Established in 1997 by artist Michael Tillyer, Anchor House of Artists works to subsidize and promote the interests of artists living with mental illness. Not always, but many times, these artists work from outside of the academic tradition, producing indubitably authentic works that are visually engaging and emotionally evocative.
The artwork of many members of Anchor House, over many years, is included in the Hampshire exhibition. Some artists will be represented by a number of works; in particular, the paintings of Genevieve Mae Burnett and Kevin Bouricius will be featured.
Under the guidance of founding director Tillyer, the artists at Anchor House have realized opportunities and exposure for their work far beyond the Pioneer Valley, including Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, Boulder, Colorado, and in New York City at the prestigious Outsider Art Exhibition.
Says Tillyer: "Anchor House of Artists opens opportunities for artists who have not had or have lost access to show opportunities, studio lives, or career equity by reason of persisting mental illness that, in effect, compromises the competitive thrust required of artists in the mainstream art world. Yet even more importantly, the stable of artists here have found each other and have been supported as they emerge, redefined as the artists they always were."
The reception on September 12 will also serve as a fundraiser for the organization, which is supported entirely through grants and donations. Music will be provided by a trio of Anchor House musicians. This event is free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 2-5 p.m. For further information, contact Carolyn Arnold at 413.559.5544 or carnold@hampshire.edu.
Image credit: Genevieve Burnett, "Portrait of Me as a Little Girl," oil on canvas, n.d.