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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.


Artists' Residency: 12th Annual “Works En Plein Air at The House of the Seven Gables”

  • Monday, May 13, 2024
  • Tuesday, May 28, 2024
  • The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970

Registration

  • En Plein Air Artists Residency registration is only open to current Salem Arts members.

Registration is closed

Works En Plein Air at The House of the Seven Gables” 
12th Annual Artists’ Residency with Salem Arts Association Members
FREE - For Salem Arts Members Only, Painting Only!

REGISTRATION REQUIRED


Monday, May 13 - Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during regular business hours at the House of Seven Gables (10am-5pm daily).  

We invite our members to set up on the grounds during the peak season of the Spring flowering at the Gables; to be inspired, and reflect that inspiration in their paintings. 

Plein Air inspiration is a way we can interact with all  the elements,  we as artists will represent Light and Air.  

We will also be working among the visitors from all over the world which lends a lot of spontaneity to the authentic Plein Air experience. 

At the residency's end, we will have a public, one night exhibit of the works of this year's residency at The House of the Seven Gables.

  • The residency will be held on the grounds of The House of the Seven Gables From May 13th until May 28th during their hours of operation 10 a.m. until  5 p.m.
  • Artists must be cleaned up and exiting by 5 p.m. and adhere to the guidelines made by the H7G events coordinator. 
  • The House of the Seven Gables is located at  115 Derby Street, Salem, MA.  Parking is available
  • There will be a one night reception and exhibition of the art work created on Friday, May 31 from 6 - 8 pm at The House of the Seven Gables. 
  • There's a list of guidelines that need to be reviewed and adhered to for the duration of the residency.

Work Sought:  

Only painting done during the 2024 residency at the House of the Seven Gables will qualify and be accepted for the exhibit at the Gables.

Eligibility:

  • You must be a current Salem Arts member.
  • Artists MUST register to participate.
  • Registration is FREE using the button on this page 

Register Now


Important Dates

  • Residency: Monday, May 13th until Tuesday, May 28th during their hours of operation 10 a.m. until  5 p.m.
  • Exhibit and Reception: Friday May 31st  from 6 - 8 PM at The House of the Seven Gables
  • Drop of Works for the Exhibit/Reception: Friday, May 31 at The House of the Seven Gables at 5:00 PM


Art Exhibit and Reception at The House of the Seven Gables:

There will be a one night reception and exhibition of the art work created on Friday, May 31 from 6 - 8 pm at The House of the Seven Gables.  Artists MUST stay for the entire reception and take their work when they leave the reception.

  • Art drop-off: Participating registered artists may drop off for the The House of the Seven Gables for the reception on Friday, May 31 at 5:00 PM
  • ABSOLUTELY no work will be accepted after 6:00 PM on Friday, May 31
  • All submissions must be dry and ready to display.  
  • All exhibiting artists need to supply table easels and free standing easels to exhibit their work for the evening of the exhibit since their will be no hanging of art work in the exhibit room.  Salem Arts will bring a limited number of easels. 
  • We ask all participants to bring something to eat or drink for the reception. 


The following guidelines will apply:
  • You will need to sign in at the H7G each day we attend and wear name tags.
  • Salem Arts Stickers will also be available to wear proudly to identify yourself as a member. 
  • You will need to protect the grounds from our art materials with drop cloths.
  • You will be able to use provided tables, but not the iron tables which are for H7G visitors.
  • You may use your own easels or other tools.
  • You will be able to show & sell our work during the exhibit and reception, and be able to participate in our reception at the House of the Seven Gables.

Insurance:  

The House of the Seven Gables and Salem Arts are not responsible for any property loss or damage.  Artists must provide their own insurance if they wish additional coverage.



Questions?

Please refer your questions to our event committee. events@salemarts.org

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