New Hera Gallery exhibition shines a light on work that challenges, comforts and inspires

The gallery has two national juried exhibitions every year, often exploring socio-political issues to spark dialogue and create awareness. Alison Meyer, Hera Gallery’s gallery director, said Hera Gallery asked artists in this exhibition’s open call to use the concept of “care” as a noun, verb or imperative into their artistic practice.

“‘CARE’ offers a timely and deeply resonant exploration of how we give, receive, and understand care in its many forms: personal, communal, environmental, and beyond,” Meyer said. “In a world where care is often undervalued or overlooked, this exhibition creates space for reflection, dialogue and connection.”

“CARE” opens this Saturday and will run until Saturday, June 14. There will be an opening reception free and open to the public Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m.

The exhibition was juried by Priya N. Green, artist, painting faculty and Central Connecticut State University Chen Art Gallery director. Green selected 37 artistic works from 30 participating artists from across the country. A range of nine different mediums will be on display in the exhibit, including fiber art, photography, painting, visual arts, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, textile and sculpture.

“Her artistic practice, curatorial experience and thoughtful engagement with contemporary themes made her an ideal choice to jury an exhibition centered on the concept of care,” Meyer said.

Green wrote in her juror statement that the selected work in the exhibition ranges in types of mediums and approaches, but every piece engages with the concept of care in a unique and thoughtful way.

“For the participating artists, care is not just a subject — it is deeply rooted to the creative process itself,” Green said. “One cannot create without first caring about something: for an idea, a material, a story, a world. The time, attention and perseverance required to make art are quietly embedded in every piece on display.”

The participating artists for “CARE” are Marianna Baker, Shweta Bist, Rora Blue, Maren Brown, Sammy Chong, Hannah Cole Dahar, Debra Disman, Mark Goodmanson, Susan Harmon, Kelly Hickey, Joanna Hoge, David Johnson, Catherine Lavoie, Frantz Lexy, Nicole Maloof, Caroline McAuliffe, Michael McFadden, Angie Meche Kilcullen, Filipe Miguel, Christine Mitchell Adams, Liana Owad, Alison Plump, Malaika Ross, Anra Rowley, Emily Roztocil, Jennifer Rybicki, Luba Shapiro Grenader, Christina Strachoff, Joanne Vena and Li Zhang.

As part of the exhibition, there will be a “Mix and Mingle: Art and Health” event hosted by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) at the Hera Gallery presented by the Rhode Island Arts and Health Partnership. The free event is taking place on Thursday May 22 from 6-7:30 p.m.