With summer almost here (even though it feels like it is), Worcester Art Museum and Loading Dock Gallery at Lowell’s Western Avenue Studios celebrate two beloved seasonal traditions — baseball and marriage — in their latest exhibitions.
“The Iconic Jersey: Baseball X Fashion,” running at WAM from June 12 to Sept.12, explores ways the baseball jersey has become an emblem of American culture over the past 170 years, a trend that extends beyond a sports uniform to inspire fashion trends and serve as a means of everyday, individual self-expression.
The show, the first museum exhibit to focus specifically on the design evolution of baseball jerseys and their impact on the wider national culture, features 37 garments in such sections as The Modern Jersey, Experimental Design and Off the Field.
They include historic and contemporary jerseys, runway looks, two one-of-a-kind jersey chairs and other ephemera that capture the phenomenon of the baseball shirt, both on and off the field. An extensive catalogue accompanies the exhibition.
“The Iconic Jersey” coincides with and celebrates the construction of the new Polar Park baseball stadium in the city’s Canal District and the arrival to the city of the Worcester Red Sox — the Woo Sox — the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate.
On Thursday, June 17, at 6 p.m., Todd Raddom, author of “Winning Ugly: A Visual History of the Most Bizarre Baseball Uniforms Ever Worn,” will give a talk that explores baseball’s graphic designs, aesthetics and brand loyalty between consumers and professional sports franchises.
Registration and other info are available at www.worcesterart.org.
The Loading Dock Gallery’s “Just Married,” a cheerful, elegant, art-inspired celebration of love, opened last week and runs through June 27.
It features Carolyn Lee Cook’s art prints and a handmade quilt, inspired by her son and daughter-in-law’s wedding, that she made from fabric she originally purchased for her son when he was in middle school.
Betsy Keeney created jewelry suitable for weddings and other joyous events. Her pieces feature elements inspired by nature — lotus, cherry, dogwood blossoms — and are made of precious metals and often accented with pearls or gemstones.
An animal lover, Vivian Rosalee’s pieces feature animals all dressed up for the wedding. Painted in ink, they are whimsical and elegant and look pretty darn cute all dressed up.
For info, call 978-415-9889 or visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.
Gallery notes
MAKE SPACE FOR ARTSPACE: “Objects/Process/Response,” a retrospective of artworks by Massachusetts artist Catherine Evans, is on view now through Aug. 7 in the West Gallery of ArtSpace Maynard, 63 Summer St. A multitalented feminist artist for four decades, she works in fabric, plastic, paper, wood and found materials. The show is presented in four groupings: early work, work on paper, installation and recent work. “My art is a pullback reaction to a chaotic world, an effort to make peace and order,” she said. For info, visit www.artspacemaynard.com.
SUMMER UNDER THE STARS: Concord Museum hosts a three-part outdoor movie series in conjunction with its current exhibition “Every Path Laid Open: Women of Concord and the Quest for Equality.” Featuring movies made by and about women, the series addresses historical and contemporary issues of women’s rights, reform and activism. It starts Thursday, June 10, with the 2019 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women,” filmed locally and nominated for several Academy Awards. On Thursday, June 17, is “Harriet,” a biopic that celebrates Harriet Tubman and her heroic efforts to free enslaved people through the Underground Railroad. The series concludes Thursday, Aug. 19, with “Captain Marvel,” the first female-led superhero movie to gross over $1 billion. The movies will be shown on the museum’s lawn from 8:15 to 10:15 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation. Advance registration required at www.concordmuseum.org.
JUNETEENTH JUBILEE: Museum of Fine Arts Boston will offer free admission to all on Saturday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. Free timed-entry tickets, including general admission and special exhibition tickets to “Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation” and “Monet and Boston: Legacy Illuminated” will be available to reserve online starting Tuesday, June 15, at 10 a.m. Visit www.mfa.org for info.
MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM: Peabody Essex Museum launches PEM Presents, a new performance series, with a free virtual concert, Wednesday, June 23, 6-7 p.m. It features the pop/indie folk duo Damon & Naomi performing songs from their new album “A Sky Record.” Trevor Smith, PEM’s associate director of multisensory experience, hosts. Visit www.pem.org/events/pem-presents-damon-naomi-from-plummer-hall for info and registration.
Nancye Tuttle’s email address is [email protected].
