Art gallery’s Covid exhibition features work by STCC faculty and visual artist

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery at Springfield Technical Community College presents “The Covid Series” by STCC art faculty member Paul Bloomfield through March 31.

Bloomfield, who teaches painting and drawing at STCC, started his series of paintings in the spring of 2020, the early days of the pandemic, and has continued working on the art.

“It was really a way to process all the news and some information that was coming in,” Bloomfield said. “It was disturbing for everybody. As a visual artist, my instinct was to find some way to put this on paper essentially as an image.”

He will discuss the series on Monday, March 21, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m., as part of “Carberry Conversations,” a live virtual event hosted by art gallery coordinator Sondra Peron.  To register for the free ZOOM event, visit stcc.io/conversations.

The public can view the work in the campus gallery in Building 28. Due to the ongoing concerns about COVID, the gallery will be open by appointment only at this time. Face masks are required. Please email gallery coordinator Sondra Peron directly to schedule a timed-entry visit. speron@stcc.edu  

Bloomfield of Wilbraham has taught at STCC for about 16 years. He started teaching English as a Second Language courses before moving into art instruction.

Bloomfield masterfully chooses colors, gestures and patterns that not only reflect his personal struggle in the face of incomprehensible pain and loss, but the series allows the viewer an opportunity to reflect on the reality of our collective pain and suffering caused by Covid-19.

The somewhat disturbing imagery of lungs and droplets build from painting to painting, reflecting the fear and the struggle many people felt throughout much of the past two years. Despite the rawness found in some of the images, there are glimmers of hope.

It was really a way to process all the news and some information that was coming in Paul Bloomfield, STCC faculty and visual artist

Bloomfield holds a master’s degree in art history from Boston University, where he focused on contemporary printmaking and selected works of the late master printmaker Michel Mazur for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

His undergraduate studies in Fine Arts at the University College of Wales (UK) helped direct his interest in painting, printmaking and photography, and he continues working in these media. He has exhibited his photography throughout Massachusetts, including Gallery Kayafas, Boston, and the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield.

While teaching advanced and introductory studio and photography courses, he has published articles and reviews in Art New England, New England Concert Review, and Jazz Times.

He is  a regular contributor to Glide Magazine, a music and culture magazine. Bloomfield serves as chair of the Fine & Performing Arts Department and school photographer and Tai Chi instructor at Wilbraham & Monson Academy and is on the art faculty at STCC.

Visit paulbloomfield.artspan.com to see his work.

The exhibition and associated events are supported in part by the School of Liberal and Professional Studies (LAPS) and the Fine Arts (A.A.) program.

About the Gallery

The Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery at Springfield Technical Community College features works by artists of local and national repute as well as STCC student work. The gallery is located in Building 28, first floor, on the Pearl Street side of the STCC campus. The gallery is supported in part by funding from the School of Liberal and Professional Studies. Find the Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery on Facebook or follow on Twitter @STCCArtGallery.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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