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"Piecing it Back Together" Mural Opens at Galleries @ WORK_SPACE

The latest collaboration between the Town of Manchester and RiseUP for Arts will be on display at the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE from August 26 – September 23, 2022. Titled, “Piecing It Back Together,” this collaborative exhibit and mural project brings together 4 Connecticut-based artists who were each given a large puzzle piece to create an original piece of artwork that will inspire smiles. When the exhibit, which also includes additional work by each of the artists, comes down, the four puzzle pieces designed to fit together in a variety of ways, will move to its ‘forever’ home adorning a local building and adding to the growing presence of public art in Manchester.


Both RiseUP for Arts and WORK_SPACE understand that art and artists are critical for our healing as our country continues to deal with the impact of COVID-19, systemic racial inequities, and current economic pressures. This project demonstrates how 4 unique artists can stay true to their distinct styles while coming together with a shared vision.


The goal of this exhibit is twofold, first to give artists the freedom to create a message that is meaningful to them and fosters positivity in the community, and second, to start a mural that can be expanded by other artists inspired to add their own piece to the puzzle. WORK_SPACE Manager, Stacey Zackin, says, “We are thrilled to have RiseUP, which is a member of our coworking community, premier the pieces of this mural in our Galleries. This is what WORK_SPACE is here to do, be a launching pad for growth…to create an environment where ideas come to life and are nurtured until they outgrow our space and evolve into what they are meant to be. Matt Conway, Executive Director of RiseUP for Arts, agrees, stating that “this project organically came out of our membership at WORK_SPACE and the variety of work we’ve already done in Manchester. Just as those relationships have grown, so too will this mural and its impact on the community.”


We thank Tao LaBossiere for crafting the 4”x6” plywood puzzle pieces and his three fellow artists who so readily embarked on this journey.


Founding Artists

Candyce “Marsh” John: @marshunart: https://www.marshunart.com/

Jaii Marc Renee: @jaii_marc_art: https://www.jaiimarcart.com/

Tao LaBossiere: @taolabossiere: http://www.artoftaolabossiere.com/

Traé Brooks: @traesart: https://www.traebrooksart.com/


Exhibit Information - the exhibit is free and open to the public:

Weekdays Mon. - Friday | 10AM-4PM

Silk City Fest Sat., Aug. 27th | 1PM-7PM

2nd Saturdays Sat. Sept. 10th | 10AM-2PM

We welcome groups to call 860.647.3168 to arrange a tour.


About RiseUP - www.theriseupgroup.org:

Started in 2015 by the non-profit, The RiseUP Group, RiseUP creates public art that is inclusive and accessible for anyone and thrives due to donations, grants, and community goodwill. We have completed over 100 murals and place-making projects (and counting) throughout Connecticut, work with 40+ local artists, partner with 100's of communities and organizations and host 1,000+ volunteers per year to help paint our murals. We support artists, cities, other nonprofits, companies, and local community by helping to create the vision and manage the entire process to make their mural projects come to life and beautify communities through public art.


About the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE - https://workspacemanchester.com/art-culture/

The Galleries make up 1/3 of WORK_SPACE, the Town of Manchester’s Coworking, Meeting & Gallery space in the heart of Downtown. The Galleries consist of the Main Street Gallery (a traditional gallery space), the Loop Gallery (the space connecting the offices and meeting rooms on the first floor), the Creative Commons (a community space for members and guests with private offices, open spaces, kitchen, multi-purpose meeting rooms and a digital story studio) and a Gallery Shop. Believing that art is a tool for social change, our mission is to explore and celebrate diversity, promote and foster inclusion, showcase and inspire creativity, provoke and challenge thought, highlight and expand perspectives and create a network of people that would not otherwise share ideas, outlooks, resources and relationships.


Contacts:

Stacey Zackin, Manager, WORK_SPACE, direct #: 860.647.6022, main: 860.647.6029, szackin@manchesterct.gov

Matt Conway, Executive Director, The RiseUP Group: 860.874.2114, matt.conway@theriseupgroup.org

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