July 26th, 2012
 
Thompson Gallery at The Cambridge School of Weston
(781) 398-8316 or (781) 642-8608
thompsongallery@csw.org
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
WESTON, Mass. – The Thompson Gallery at The Cambridge School of Weston is pleased to present “Collage at 100,” a three-part exhibition series that celebrates the centennial of the appearance of collage in painting.
 
The three-part exhibition will run from Sept. 7, 2012 through June 16th, 2013, and will highlight work from over 100 artists, including celebrated contemporary collage practitioner Michael Oatman, in the final exhibition of the series. “Collage at 100” will be unveiled with an opening reception with the artists on Friday, Sept. 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Thompson Gallery.
 
“There have only been a handful of exhibits that have celebrated the collage‘s centennial,” said Todd Bartel, Thompson Gallery Director. “We received over 500 applications for this show, and I reviewed over 3500 works of art. This exhibition is sure to be one of our most popular and densely concentrated shows. It is thrilling for our teaching gallery to take the pulse of contemporary collage after its inception 100 years ago.”
 
“Strange Glue, Traditional & Avant-Garde Collage,” the first show in the series, assembles the work of more than 100 contemporary artists as it traces the transition from traditional to avant-garde approaches to papier collé. The first show will run from Sept. 7 through Nov. 20, 2012.
 
The second part, “Strange Glue, Collage & Installation,” will showcase contemporary collage strategies that either border upon or require overt installation tactics. It will examine the work of 24 contemporary artists as it demonstrates the connections between the flatness of collage and the physicality of installation. The second show will launch with an artist’s reception on Dec. 19, running through Feb. 22, 2013.
 
Michael Oatman’s “Another Fine Mess,” the final show in the exhibition, assembles the work taken from his days as an emerging artist at the Rhode Island School of Design in the 1980’s through to his monumental “maximum collages,” a term he coined to refer to his installations, including work made specifically for “Another Fine Mess.”
 
In its first hundred years, collage has become ubiquitous within contemporary art and culture and its myriad of applications have expanded its original definition to become the most inclusive of artistic processes.
 
“Collage at 100”
The Thompson Gallery in the Garthewaite Center for Science and Art
The Cambridge School of Weston
45 Georgian Road
Weston, MA 02493
 
“Strange Glue” (Traditional & Avant-Garde Collage)
Sept. 7 – Nov. 20, 2012
 
“Strange Glue” (Collage & Installation)
Dec. 19 – Feb. 22, 2013
 
Michael Oatman (“Another Fine Mess”)
Apr 1, 2013 – Jun 16, 2013
 
The first two exhibitions in the series will include an artist’s reception on the first day of the exhibit from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. whereas Michael Oatman’s reception occurs later, on April 19 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
 
For more information on the exhibition and scheduled hours, contact Todd Bartel, gallery director, at 781-398-8316 or thompsongallery@csw.org
 
ABOUT THE THOMPSON GALLERY
The Thompson Gallery is a teaching gallery at The Cambridge School of Weston dedicated to exploring a single theme through three separate exhibitions, offering differing vantages of the selected topic, throughout the school year. Named in honor of a school trustee John Thompson and family, the Gallery promotes opportunities to experience contemporary art by local, national and international artists and periodically showcases the art of faculty, staff and alumni. The Gallery is located within the Garthwaite Center for Science and Art, The Cambridge School of Weston, 45 Georgian Road Weston, MA 02493. M–F 9–4:30 p.m. (school calendar applies) and by appointment. Visit Thompsongallery.csw.org to view exhibit art.
 
ABOUT THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF WESTON
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive, coeducational, day and boarding school in a Boston suburb for grades 9 through 12, and post graduate. Established in 1886, the school is dedicated to fostering individual strengths and deep, meaningful relationships through a wide range of challenging courses and a variety of teaching styles. csw.org
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