Art Opening: "knowing was half the battle" and "Outside In" October 4, 2008

"knowing was half the battle," an installation by vanessa r thompson, showing with "Outside In," an installation by Meredith Fitzgerald.

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, October 4, 2008, 6-9PM

ON VIEW: October 4-26, Saturdays 12-4PM and October 9 5-8PM

ARTIST TALK: Wednesday, October 8 at 7PM in conjunction with Main Street Union Square events

CONTACT: for hi-res photos for the press and interviews, please contact Vanessa Thompson via email at [email protected]

vanessa r thompson and Meredith Fitzgerald transform gallery 321 at Washington Street Art Center into a surreal landscape called forth from the collective memories of a generation's childhood.

Portraits of the morning cartoons that served as stand-ins for family and friends line the ornately wallpapered trophy room that thompson has created within the gallery; the warmth of the fireplace is palpable as you curl up on the pastel softness of a blue bear rug splayed out across the floor. thompson's work recalls a time of brightly colored heroes and fuzzy saviors who, sometimes with nothing more than a catch phrase, helped us through our day and rooted our imaginations in 30-minute Technicolor smiles.

Juicy roots in candy colors and electric telephone lines crisscrossing a lemon sky make up the other half of the battle. The functional and the fantastic come together in Fitzgerald's installation of electronically stimulated organic forms. Layers of the real and the unreal alike bring the outside into the gallery.

"knowing was half the battle" and "Outside In" are on display at Gallery 321 at the Washington Street Art Center during the month of October, with an opening reception on Saturday, October 4 from 6:00-9:00pm. Normal gallery hours are Saturdays 12:00pm-4:00pm with additional viewings available by appointment.

Somerville artist Meredith Fitzgerald works in a variety of media and has shown her art throughout New England, most recently at Somerville Open Studios.

vanessa Thompson received her MFA at Art Institute of Boston in 2005. She has exhibited her work through out Massachusetts, most recently at Somerville Open Studios; and in Washington DC and in Connecticut.

The Washington Street Art Center houses Gallery 321; hosts studio space for more than twenty visual artists; and presents exhibitions, concerts, film series, and other art initiatives. The Center participates in Somerville Open Studios each May and an annual open studios and craft fair in December.

The Washington Street Art Center is in Somerville between Union Square and Beacon Street: a five-minute walk from Union Square and a ten-minute walk from Harvard Square (two blocks from Beacon Street). The Center is near or on the following bus routes: 87, 83, 86, and 91. Parking is free and ample.