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Artist Talk: Is That Another Ghost by Vanessa R. Thompson

Join lens based artist, Vanessa R thompson for an in-person discussion about her exhibition, "Is that another Ghost"


Saturday, July 20 | 10:30 AM

Salem Arts Association

159 Derby Street

Salem, MA 01970

There will be fresh donuts and coffee.

A photographic series of multi exposure self-portraits is an exploration of the haunted memories of eating disorders, sexual harassment, death and the shadows of family alcoholism, depression and anxiety all stirred back up by the hormonal whirlwind of aging.

There is no predetermined map to my photographs, just my camera, a pile of props, my body, and sheets of film ready for my thoughts to spill out on to light-stained, ground up bones. It is not until I am standing in my darkroom that I can begin translating the story the film has to tell me.

About the Artist 
Vanessa R. Thompson is a lens bases artist. She never listened when her mother she told her to stop playing with her food. She grew up in the suburbs of Connecticut on a steady diet of 1980s horror films and feminism, seasoned with a dash of disordered eating and splash of punk. Now working out of Salem, MA, she uses items of consumable comfort; food, ephemera, and toys, in her analog photographs that range from abstraction to absurd.

Thompson received an MFA at the Lesley University of Boston, MA, where she studied under Carrie Moyer and Julia Scher. Her work has been shown at Governs Island art fair in NYC, in bait/switch magazine. She is member of Salem art association and Cambridge art association. She uses a collection of vintage film cameras in her home studio populated by an army of creepy dolls, and cranky black cat. 

There will be fresh donuts and coffee.


Exhibit: ArtoberFest, September 16-November 11, 2023

  • Saturday, September 16, 2023
  • 12:00 PM
  • Saturday, November 11, 2023
  • 6:00 PM
  • Salem Arts Association, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970


Salem Arts Association announces our annual Artoberfest Exhibition

Salem Arts Association is proud to present our annual exhibit exploring Salem’s history with Autumn, Halloween, Witchcraft, occult, and the Spirit of the season. The resulting exhibit represents diverse interpretations of the theme and how, by bringing them together, we create a collective understanding of the themes.

Visit our website for Artoberfest Exhibit Information

https://salemarts.org/Artoberfest-Exhibit-2023


Reception:  Friday, September 15, 6:00-8:00PM

Exhibition Dates: September 16 - November 11, 2023

Gallery Hours are every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Jenova 7 along with Laurel Driskill will be performing original music at the Artoberfest reception. 

Jenova 7 is nom de plume of Michael J. Sirois. His genres include trip-hop, downtempo & chillout. He was featured on DJ MarkFarina's Mushroom Jazz 8. He is influenced by pioneering trip-hop artists of the early 90s such as DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, DJ Cam & Portishead. He releases with Cold Busted Records & Dusted Wax Kingdom. He is a member of trip-hop trio Wax Triptych (with Mononome and Mr. Moods). 

Visit https://jenova7.bandcamp.com/ 


Thank you to our Guest Juror, John Andrews.

John Andrews, the founder and managing director of Creative Collective, firmly believes in the transformative power of creativity. John is an expert at bridging divides, uniting diverse groups of people to work towards a common goal. John Andrews is a dynamic force for organizations and cities looking to enhance their performance and community engagement through creativity. His rich experience in the arts and his interaction with business communities and city leaders give him a unique perspective on creative problem-solving.

We'd also like to thank the Peabody Essex Museum, and Pampelmousse Salem for sponsoring this exhibition.


Exhibition Dates: September 16 - November 11, 2023

Gallery Hours are every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Please contact gallery@salemarts.org with questions.


This exhibition kicks off our Autumn season and includes our annual Artoberfest Art and Music Festival to be held on Saturday September 30 from 12-6 PM. We hope you’ll join us on the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for this full-day festival of art and entertainment. 

See our website for bands and activity details.

https://salemarts.org/artoberfest-2023


Salem Arts Association
159 Derby Street 
Salem, MA 01970  
Phone: 978-745-4850 
Email: info@SalemArts.org


Hours 
Weekends 12-6pm

Closed: Christmas, Thanksgiving
and New Years Day 
Parking: on street when available

              

© 2007 - 2024,  Salem Arts Association is a 501(c)(3 )non-profit organization

159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970