2023 Artists on Fire ushered in 61 wonderful submissions. We chose as many as we could paying close attention to those that deserved a seat at the table. From this call, we discovered many new artists and we hope you have a chance to check them out in our online catalog of the show. We would love to feature a few outstanding selections here.

Krikorian Gallery at Worcester Center for Crafts

Contemporary artists are often abstracting something—a portrait or figure, a sea or landscape, a photograph—and we see artists today also working to complete realistic commitments. We view suggestive or representational objects in artworks that we group into a category called “abstract,” while “figurative” works are usually containing more than just the figure they intend to depict. Abstract paintings are widely collected for their versatility. Often, the colors attract people in droves from the door. It was interesting at the opening of Artists on Fire to see where people went first, while reports started streaming in about how pleased people were with the vibrant colors and exquisite mastery, like Dana Nacer’s sublime portraits and Isaiah Rivera’s extremely delicate woodcut prints and Mark Mullholland’s vibrant Moroccan patterns with showcasing rockstars, King Tut and his late brother in vans with a VW Beetle and a limo, whom he paid homage. We are over the top for Jackie Liu’s Non-Fungible piece, with the world burning around it.

This collection of almost 100 artworks from artists all over North America represent their perception of “work that sizzles” as it was phrased in the call. We wanted artists to submit work that was representational of their practice, while staying in line with the given title of this annual show at Worcester Center for Crafts, during their Hot Night in the City event.

All art is subjective, but when you view an outstanding painting, no matter what genre, it takes some time to wrap your head around it, to figure out the materials and what is happening. Reading the catalog, and understanding the artists’ statements about the work, brings it to another level and you may have to go back around several times, some people return to the show to view it again. Others, may not be able to leave it behind and bring it home to hang on their wall. Artworks like this scream for more attention and hold you in their grasp. Often, many people feel the same way about the same paintings. When this happens you know that the magical piece of them that called to you to choose “accept” instead of “decline” is working on other viewers. These pieces have a soul and communicate to many. We’d love to share a few with you.

er Motherhood II, portrait of a dark skinned daughter with an aqua jacket, Mom is behind her, but only 1/2 her face is painted into the canvas. — Motherhood II, Dana Nacer

Mark Mullholland, Run Tut Run — Mark Mullholland, Run Tut, Run

Rebecca McGee Tuck, Altering course, reclaimed bags collected and sewn into alphabetic maritime flags that spelled out a secret message.

ARTISTS ON FIRE

A collaboration with Worcester Center for Crafts

ARTISTS ON FIRE is an exhibition curated by Juniper Rag at the Krikorian Gallery at Worcester Center for Crafts that takes place annually, with an opening reception on Hot Night in the City, which is their hottest night of the year! This event brings in thousands of people every year with an outdoor art festival for vendors. Open studios, food trucks, wine trucks, local breweries, live music inside and outside and cash bars. Discover all of the amazing facilities at the Craft Center that is the most historical craft teaching facility in America.

Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester

Show runs July 21- August 17, 2023

Gallery & Store Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 am – 5 pm
Wednesday: 10 am – 5pm
Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm

CLOSING RECEPTION

Thursday, Aug 17, closing party—artists in attendance may take their art at the end, 8 pm.

or

Pick up at Worcester Center for Crafts

25 Sagamore Road, Worcester

on Aug 21 or 22nd

9 am - 4 pm

View the entire show catalog here.

A few submissions came in with nudity that was a little too risque for the family-friendly audience at the craft center. We are cool with that but wanted to honor them in an online feature. The whole conversation about restricting nudity in public spaces is also a hot topic, what with The David in the news and all. Restricting art with nudity struck a cord with us in general, triggered by a religious upbringing, we can admit.

As curators and co-founders of Juniper Rag we definitely want to honor submissions that we could not hang in the gallery at Artists on Fire. A nerve was struck, not about this exhibition but about the very essence of nudity in art and our relationship with the world we try to make art for, after all, artists have stories to tell. Creatives connect with their inner selves and are vulnerable as they share any work they do. Both of the artists featured Joshua Croke and Chelsea Amato use nudity in their work to express themselves. When referring to this work, please note that Joshua uses they/them pronouns.