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In The Gallery Sundays, April 23 and 30, 12 to 2 p.m., Prof. George Seeley, “Vintage WW I Posters”
The April art exhibit recognizes the one hundredth anniversary of the United States’ entry into WW I. In order to develop national support for the war effort in an age without radio or television, the U.S. government turned to posters. From the iconic “I Want You” poster depicting a very stern-looking Uncle Sam pointing his finger at a potential recruit, to anti-German posters like “Stop the Mad Brute” showing a giant, club-wielding gorilla kidnapping a half-naked damsel, WWI posters soon became ubiquitous across the nation.
Posters encouraged Americans to seek employment in shipbuilding plants, support the work of important wartime government agencies, contribute to organizations such as the American Red Cross and the YMCA/YWCA, and plant “Victory Gardens.” Posters urged young children to eat “oatmeal, corn meal, hominy and rice” in order to “save the wheat for our soldiers, and families were regularly admonished to wipe their plates clean and observe Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays.
A great many professional artists lent their talents to this effort including James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, Harrison Fisher and Haskell Coffin, all well-known from their illustrations in books, magazines and advertisements.
One hundred years later these posters provide a vivid visual insight into the culture of the early twentieth century, both historically and artistically. This exhibit will feature over 40 examples of this work. The opening reception on Wednesday, April 12th at 7 pm will feature a talk and slide show by Professor George Seeley, owner of this unique collection, who for nearly fifty years has been an instructor of history and government at the Belmont Hill School and Bentley University. The exhibit will remain on display throughout the month of April.
Gallery hours are Sundays, April 16, 23, and 30, 12 – 2 p.m. or by appointment.
Harmonie Transverse Sunday, April 23, 3 p.m.
Flute ensemble, Harmonie Transverse, was formed in 2002 by flutists who performed with the New England Conservatory’s Metropolitan Flute Orchestra. These musicians, who are performers, teachers, parents, and artists, play a wide range of flutes. These include the piccolo, C Flute, G Alto Flute, Bass Flute and Contra Bass Flute, which provide a six octave range nearly covering the full range of a piano and an orchestra. Harmonie Transverse is part of the Artist in Residence program at Wachusett Regional High School and is supported by TEMPO (To Encourage Musical Performance Opportunities) the music booster’s group at the High School. The group takes its name from the word Harmonie for “wind band” and Transverse for “side blown flute”.
Concert is FREE. Email questions to HarmonieTransverse@gmail.com.
Chick Singer Night Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m., to benefit F.A.M.E.
The Parish Center for the Arts is located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. Call us at 978-692-6333; e-mail us at pca@westford.org; visit our Web site at http://Westford.org/PCA. The PCA is handicap accessible. “Like us” on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
