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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.


2024 Art School Scholarship Application

  • Monday, May 06, 2024
  • 11:59 PM
  • Salem Arts Association, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Registration


Registration is closed


$3000 in Awards Sponsored by Salem Arts Association Salem Arts Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who are pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall.

Three scholarship awards will be offered

  • Creative Collective Innovation Award: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative innovation in visual arts, performance, or multi-media.
  • Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative achievement in visual arts, performance, or multi-media.  
  • Paula Beaulieu Memorial Scholarship: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative achievement in the visual arts.

Application process:

Applicants do not apply for a specific scholarship. Our Scholarship committee will review all scholarship applications and award based on eligibility and other criteria.

  • Please complete the application form.
  • Provide a personal artist statement.
  • Provide at least 5 samples (JPG images or media files) representing your creative work.
  • Recommendations from your faculty, instructors, or advisors are welcome but not necessary.
  • Apply online, via email, or postal service.
  • Applications Due Monday May 6, 2024


Application Forms:

Apply Online:

Click the button below to complete the online application form and upload images of artworks and other attachments.

Apply Online

(preferred method)


Download Application form to email or send via US Mail.


Apply via email: 

Email your completed application to scholarship@SalemArts.org. Please include all required files as attachments to your email:

Emailed application must be received on or before Monday May 6, 2024.


Apply using Mail: 

Mail your application form and examples of your artwork to: 

Mailed application must be postmarked on or before Monday May 6, 2024.


Salem Arts Association 

Art School Scholarships

159 Derby Street

Salem MA 01970



Creative Collective Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is sponsored by Salem Arts Association, and provided by Creative Collective. Creative Collective was created to support the critically important intersection of economic development and the creative workforce. It is a community of makers, artisans, creators, small businesses, and economic development strategists. The Collective fosters growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Be Bold! This award encourages inclusive innovation in any creative effort and celebrates student achievements that take their talent to new places through interdisciplinary work, collaborations, breaking systemic boundaries, and creating outcomes beyond the traditional.

Award Purpose and Eligibility:

The Creative Collective Innovation Award will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall. Visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, music, acting, or other areas of creative expression will be considered.



The Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship

Ellen Gibson Hardy (May 18, 1952 — June 18, 2017)

An artist at heart, Ellen forged a career in the Art, Graphic Design, and Publishing world. She founded her own company, Hardy House, which was a full-service Art and Design business of which she was the proprietor for over 19-years working with the likes of MIT, Harvard, Yale, and many other educational and professional organizations. During the years as president of Hardy House she began to exhibit her own artwork at galleries throughout New England and taught Graphic Arts at the Cambridge Adult Center for Education and at Phillips Academy where she also served as Director of Publications for over 14 years.

Ellen Hardy was a profound influence on the Salem artistic scene through her involvement with the Salem Public Arts Commission, the annual Salem Arts Festival, and Salem Arts Association, which she advocated heavily for. Ellen served for several years as a member and president of Salem Arts Association. She was also a prolific artist and performer herself. We are honored to offer this scholarship program in her memory.

Award Purpose and Eligibility:

The Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall. Visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, music, acting, or other areas of creative expression will be considered.


The Paula Beaulieu Art Scholarship

Paula Frances Beaulieu (May 28, 1947 - January 24, 2014)

Paula obtained her B.S. degree from Lowell State University before obtaining her M.S. in Arts & Education at Florida Atlantic University. Her career included teaching grades 2 and 5 at Pearl St. School in Reading, Mass., author of children’s educational books, counselor, and educational toy developer to name a few. Most notably, Paula was an art educator, running her own business teaching people of all ages to “Connect with Their Creativity” for over 15 years. Paula was an artist throughout her life, a legacy she brought forward from her mother Rita Casey.

After growing up in Methuen, Mass., Paula resided in Hollywood, Florida and Reading, Mass. (where she raised her two sons Dan and Matt) before moving to Salem, Mass., where she spent her remaining years. “Creativity occurs in the moment, and in the moment we are timeless.”

—The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

Paula Beaulieu was an active artist in the Salem Arts Association and taught young and old alike through her program “Connect with Their Creativity.” Her family has chosen Salem Arts Association and Salem High School as beneficiaries of any donations made in her honor.

Award Purpose and eligibility:

The Paula Beaulieu Memorial Scholarship will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall.  All visual arts media will be considered.

 

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