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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.


Call for Art: "Member Showcase 2022" - February 27, 12-4pm

  • Sunday, February 27, 2022
  • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Salem Arts Association Galleries at 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA

Registration

  • Use this form to provide artwork information and photos online.

Registration is closed


Call for Art “Member Showcase 2022”

Salem Arts Association is excited to open our 2022 exhibition schedule with a showcase of our member artwork. All current Salem Arts members are invited to exhibit their best work showing the community what we have to offer in all of our diverse styles and artistic disciplines.  

The artwork in this exhibit will be on display in our galleries at 159 Derby Street, our virtual online gallery, our online shop, and social media.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Drop Off Submissions:  Sunday, February 27, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
  • Notification of inclusion/exclusion:  Notification by email by Thursday, March 3, 2022. 
  • Pick up of unaccepted work: Any work not accepted will need to be picked up Saturday, March 5, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
  • Exhibition Dates: March 5 to April 2.
  • Gallery Hours are every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
  • Pick Up of Artwork: Sunday, April 3.

In order to insure the safety of our members during the Covid-19 pandemic we are requiring that all artists follow these guidelines:

Be Sure to Have all of your paperwork and payment ready at Drop Off.  If you are a member, make sure your membership is up-to-date.

Be sure to email your forms to Gallery@SalemArts.org in advance for pre-processing to speed up your take in time. 


Gallery Take In Form Download


Exhibition Jurying: 

Exhibit Chairpersons and Salem Arts Gallery Committee will curate this exhibit. Criteria will be based on execution quality and space available. Every effort will be made to include as many submissions as possible.

Juror: TBA 

Location: Salem Arts Association Gallery, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970, our Virtual Online Galleries and Online Shop

Submission Criteria: This exhibit is open to current Salem Arts member artists who may submit work in any medium for the juror’s consideration. This exhibit encourages artists to submit artworks that adhere to our theme. Work created at any time is eligible for display. 

Salem Arts Gallery Committee representatives will curate this exhibit. Criteria will be based on execution quality, presentation/framing, and space availability.

Submission Fees:

  • Current Salem Arts members fee is $10.00 per item submission.
  • First Item FREE for "Masters Circle" Artist Members
  • All artists may submit up to three items per exhibit.

Submission Form:

Please download the gallery submission form and provide all required information requested, and follow instructions on the form. Printed copies must be submitted with your submissions at drop off. Part of the form must be attached to your artwork.

Artwork Presentation MUST adhere to our framing guidelines for acceptance. Please review all gallery submission guidelines.

Rules & Regulations

Please be sure to read the Salem Arts Association Artist Agreement and ensure you accept the agreement on your online member profile page. Non-members must also agree to our agreement provided at the gallery.

Sales and Volunteer Requirements

Exhibiting Salem Arts member artists are required to volunteer 3+ hours per month when your artwork is on display in the gallery or the gallery shop. Please sign up for a gallery host time slot or make arrangements for alternate volunteer opportunities. Click here for volunteer information and sign up.

Please contact Gallery@SalemArts.org with questions.

Photography Guidelines

Submit images of your work to be included in our online shop.

We request you also submit your artwork information along with photos for online use in our shop and social media using our online form or email photos with a copy of your forms to Gallery@SalemArts.org . 

Instruction for submitting images can be found below.  


Submit Artwork Info and Images Online


Salem Arts now has an online shop. Appropriate inventory will be included online if we receive good quality photos of your work. See the Salem Arts Online Shop for examples of what looks best. 

    • Images should be square.
    • Most smart phones or digital cameras will make sufficient images using the square photo option.
    • Background should be neutral or dark color, White, Grey or Black are preferred. 
    • If your items are framed include the frame in your image so people can see what they're buying
    • Name your files with your inventory ID that corresponds to each item. Append with A, B, C when submitting multiple images (up to three) for each item. e.g. ABC-123.
    • Size should be greater than 1800 pixels wide or tall
    • file format must be JPG (JPEG), or PNG
    • Focus on framed artwork, jewelry, clothing, 3D items such as ceramics, glass, sculpture, etc. Cards and matted prints will not be made available online

For tips on photographing your work here's a few helpful links.


FRAMING AND PRESENTING YOUR ARTWORK:

All submissions must be properly framed, matted, appropriately wired (no saw tooth hangars), and ready to hang. Wired images must have a tight wire positioned within the top quarter of the image height. All submissions will be inspected at take-in to assure they adhere to gallery standards. Submissions not meeting our standards will be rejected. Read our framing guidelines

Salem Arts Galleries and Shop utilizes a hanging system consisting of a wire or rod suspended from a rail near the ceiling. We rarely use nails in our walls. Because of this it's very important to frame and present your work properly by following these rules. 

Submitted items will be inspected at take in. We're having a lot of issues with poor framing. 

  • All work MUST be properly framed or otherwise presented for hanging. 
  • No wet paintings will be accepted
  • Works on paper must be under glass (Not Plastic).
  • Plastic clip frames, Table frames (with leaning back), and document frames will NOT be accepted in the gallery. Don't use them. 
  • Framed items must include a taught wire properly fastened to the top quarter of the frame back. 
  • Artwork framed using sawtooth hangars, triangle hangars, and holes as part of the frame will be rejected.
  • Loose wires or wired below the top quarter will be rejected. If you can see the wire above the frame it's wrong.


          


THIS IS PERFECTION

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