NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' (MCLA) Gallery 51 will host "Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative," featuring artwork from students in the Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, with an in-person opening reception at the gallery from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022.  

 

This event free and is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.  

 

This exhibition will feature three graduating senior artists: Kennedy Sobon, Nhi Lam, and Ana Sheehy, all from the Class of 2022, as well as the work from from the 2020 and 2021 classes.  

 

According to a press release, the artists explore how art can re-tell and re-shape common narratives. From mental illness to fairytales and culture, this exhibition shows how artists use their mediums to explore the different facets of storytelling by telling their own personal stories or the stories from their cultures.  

 

About the Artists 

 

Kennedy Sobon '22 is an artist who uses fashion as a vehicle to explore her relationship with mental illness and self-love. She states that "my artwork is an extension of myself. It gives meaning to what my words cannot." 

 

Nhi Lam '22 works primarily in digital art, and through her large poster illustrations she explores her Vietnamese culture and the experiences that come from growing up with both American and Vietnamese influences.  

 

Ana Sheehy '22 uses an array of traditional mediums. Through the image of the unicorn, they explore how different mediums affect the ways that we experience art, stating that "every medium has its own baggage that comes from the social biases we impose on it, and we cannot look at a piece of art without acknowledging that social baggage."   

 

This exhibition will also serve as a celebration of returning to in-person exhibitions. 

 

"The past two years have really taken a toll on our art students. It's hard to make art in a remote situation! As a result, the class of '22 will be inviting alumni from the past two years to join the show to re-exhibit their student artwork, or some of their most recent endeavors," said Professor of Art Melanie Mowinski, advisor to art students, along with Professor of Art Greg Scheckler.   

 

For additional information on "Stigmas and Stories: Changing the Narrative" contact (413) 662-5324 or go to https://www.mcla.edu/mcla-in-the-community/bcrc/mcla-gallery-51/index.php.