"What's Going On?" : : Violence Transformed Juried Exhibition Inspired by Marvin Gaye's Historic Anthem

The Piano Craft Gallery is pleased to present:"What's Going On?"

 January 6, 2023 through January 29, 2023Opening Reception: Friday January 13, 2023 6-9PMOpen gallery hours weekly:Fridays 6pm - 8pm, Saturdays Noon - 5pm, and Sundays Noon - 5pm 

What’s Going On is a juried, multi-media arts exhibit of works responding to Marvin Gaye’s 1971 song of consciousness raising and protest. The exhibit will focus on the art and activism of socially engaged artists both in and beyond Boston.The beauty of Marvin Gaye's song is its gentle, lyrical celebration of the power of personal, internal change; its embrace of love and understanding:“...War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate,” he sings.“Come on talk to me, so you can see what's going on.”Our invitation for artists to submit their work to What's Going On encouraged their interpretation in the broadest terms possible: a call for imagery that reflects on, responds to, generates, and celebrates a spiritual awakening that will displace violence and heal our communities. Our aim was to attract artists from diverse communities throughout the country, and from Boston neighborhoods including Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Dorchester.As curators, we sought to achieve Violence Transformed’s overall desire to document and celebrate the transformative power of art and the ways in which art, artists and art-making can foster resistance, resilience, healing and recovery.Ellen Jacob and Hakim RaquibViolence Transformed is an annual series of visual and performing arts events that celebrate the power of art, artists and art-making to confront, challenge and mediate violence. Violence Transformed events include visual arts exhibits and music, dance and theatrical performances hosted by multiple venues in Boston and beyond. Since 2015, Violence Transformed events have also included artist-led workshops for health care providers and provider-led, trauma-informed workshops for artists and activists working with individuals, families and communities impacted by violence and the risk of violence.Based primarily in the central and surrounding neighborhoods of Greater Boston, and drawing upon the creative energies of artists throughout New England, Violence Transformed documents the ways in which our diverse communities harness art’s potential to effect social change and materially transform our environments. Violence Transformed represents a vibrant collaboration among artists, activists, museum professionals, academics, and community service providers from diverse segments of the greater Boston area. Our work is made possible by the tremendous volunteer energy and creative gifts of our participants, by grant-funding for many of our workshop initiatives and, primarily, by donations from those who support our mission.The Piano Craft Gallery, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit is located in a historic Boston landmark and works to eliminate common barriers to accessing the arts such as race, education level, and class by guiding our operation through an anti-racist and inclusive lens.  The Piano Craft Gallery, Inc. does this by sharing, promoting, and celebrating the work of racially, culturally, and socio-economically diverse artists of all abilities with the public. This results in diverse networks of individuals accessing the gallery space and experiencing the arts.  The Piano Craft Gallery, Inc. provides a free, handicapped accessible venue in Boston where people can enjoy and learn about the diversity of art-making and performing in the Greater Boston area.  Additionally, the Piano Craft Gallery, Inc. provides an affordable community venue for public and private events.Follow the Piano Craft Gallery, Inc. on social media to learn more about our programming.Facebook   Twitter   Instagram