Artspace openings this Saturday in New Haven

Artspace
50 Orange St, New Haven, (203) 772-2709
Agit Crop
May 5—31, 2012
Opening Reception: Sat., May 5, 5—8 p.m.
Pre-reception Gallery Talk with Hudson Valley Seed Library Founder Ken Greene, 4:30 pm
Summer Apprenticeship Program alumni show: (Art)iculate
May 5—31, 2012
Opening Reception: Sat., May 5, 5—8 p.m.
Saturday "happening": Colleen Coleman: Ode to Walter Benjamin
May 5, 2012, 6—8 p.m.

Press release

• Join us where art meets ag for Artspace’s new exhibition, Agit Crop, on view from May 5 to 31, 2012. Agit Crop will showcase 23 original works of art commissioned by the Hudson Valley Seed Library for their annual Art Pack collection. The seed packet artwork—from the powerful Cosmonaut Volkov Tomato to the stately and serene Early Summer Crookneck Squash—displays a wide range of media and artistic styles (in the case of the aforementioned tomato and squash, think comic book art and landscape painting!) Each artist imaginatively and uniquely captures the essence of the Seed Library's heirloom varieties. Warning: you may feel moved to purchase some potting soil and a watering can.

Also on display will be edible terrariums by Britton Rogers, “Garden Voices” a video and multimedia documentary project by Amy Coplen, “cropoganda”: works created by students at Common Ground High School. Common Ground, an environmental charter school and urban farm in New Haven, will partner with Artspace this spring to produce original artwork that plays with the notion of food branding. Agit Crop will showcase the original fruit-and-vegetable-themed artwork, along with posters, packaging, and clothing based on students’ design.

• (Art)iculate is a show of work by Artspace alumni whose artistic ventures and processes were supported by their involvement in the Summer Apprenticeship Program. The show invites past participants to return and share new artwork in a space to which they have a close relationship.

Artspace's Summer Apprenticeship Program was founded in 2001 to provide a unique opportunity for New Haven high school students to work intimately with a master artist for a few weeks every summer. Each year, the Apprentices complete a major group project, which is displayed prominently in Artspace's gallery (or in The Lot, our outdoor exhibition space) and is celebrated by the public.

• We will be kicking off a series of Saturday “happenings” throughout the month, beginning with Colleen Coleman’s (Web) drawing performance, “Ode to Walter Benjamin" this Saturday, followed by the Illuminated Universe Artist Workshop on May 12 (cost TBA), Night Picnic (May 26), and a live music performance. Come spend your weekends in May at Artspace!