THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY THROUGH JORDAN KESSLER’S LENS
by Pam Ellertson

Jordan Kessler Photographed by Pam EllertsonIn his exhibition running through November 12 at The Umbrella Arts Center, fine art photographer Jordan Kessler creates beauty with everyday objects in the three series featured in the show: Death of Print, Zero Toys, and Battery.  In it, magazine shreds metamorphose into abstract compositions; filing cabinets and fax cords archive a bygone era; and AA batteries align into geometric, visually pleasing patterns.

“With a camera you can make almost anything interesting,” says Kessler, who earned his MFA in photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2013.

In Death of Print, images are presented in large scale format measuring 40 inches by 60 inches, but it was Kessler’s close observation to detail late one summer day that sparked the idea for the series...

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Umbrella Board Chair Ellen McHale and Artist Jordan Kessler

Kessler’s first solo exhibit at The Umbrella opened on October 3 with a celebratory reception and a discussion with the Artist led by Umbrella Board Chair Ellen McHale.

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ON THE NAMING OF THE GALLERY

The Umbrella Arts Center celebrated the official opening and naming of the main gallery earlier this month. Though construction was completed some time ago, the hope was to be able to bring everyone together in person to honor Allie Kussin, former Board Chair of The Umbrella, in whose honor the gallery is named.

Friends and family gathered in advance of the Jordan Kessler opening to remember and recognize the profound impact Allie had on the organization and our greater Concord community. Gregory Maguire and Andy Newman penned a tribute for the occasion, sharing “Allie was gifted with unusual capacities of openness, of curiosity, of willingness to be swayed, of ability to listen. ...she steered the Board of the Umbrella through the treacherous months and then years of advocacy, fund-raising, construction, negotiation, peace-keeping. She kept to her mission with a smile and a steadiness .... It is in that memory that the Main Art Gallery at The Umbrella is being named the Allie Kussin Gallery at The Umbrella Arts Center.” Please come by and join us in perpetuating the support and spirit of its namesake.

"This [show] tells a different story...people will be surprised by some details that they didn’t know were always part of it."

Thanks to the Boston Irish Magazine for their feature on LIZZIE's Nora Sullivan! Hear what our very own 'Bridget' had to say about the crimes, her castmates, and who she thinks is the guilty party.

Read the full article here!

PLUS...LIZZIE FEATURED ON WERS "SPOOKY WEEK"

Listeners of WERS public radio will get to know its cast in a preview interview with musical selections on its popular "Standing Room Only" this weekend, and have a chance to win tickets throughout the station's special "Spooky Boston"-themed Undead Music Week drive from October 13 to October 22nd!

And Alexandra De Collibus, founder and publisher of Halloween New England, shouted out Lizzie as a Halloween highlight in the popular America's Hometown Horror podcast!

Make your ghoulish plans now! Did we mention that you can really get into character and add-on a try at Ax Throwing for select upcoming performances? Check out the details and make your reservations now.

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CERAMICS THROWDOWN SUCCESS

It was all smiles at our recent Ceramics Throwdown event - celebrating the completion of our ceramics studio renovation and the community that made it possible.

And you can help us achieve our goal by helping us raise the matching funds required to receive our grant from the MCFF. We have just under $40,000 to go!

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