FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2008

Contact: Gregory Liakos, Communications Director 617-727-3668 x343
or Marcia Lomedico, Simmons College 617-521-2268

MCC and Trustman Art Gallery present
Uncommon Denominator: Photography by Award-Winning Massachusetts Artists

April 28 – May 30, 2008

Panel Discussion with artists Rania Matar and Anne Rearick: Tuesday, April 29, 4:30 – 6 pm in the Kotzen Meeting Center at Simmons College

Opening Reception to follow in the Trustman Gallery

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and Trustman Art Gallery will present Uncommon Denominator: Photography by Award-Winning Massachusetts Artists from April 28 – May 30, 2008 at Trustman Art Gallery at Simmons College. The exhibition showcases some of the Commonwealth’s most talented photographers.

A panel discussion with artists Rania Matar and Anne Rearick and moderated by Trustman Gallery Director Barbara O’Brien will take place from 4:30-6 on April 29 in the Kotzen Meeting Room at Simmons College. A reception with many of the photographers whose work will be on view will be held in the Trustman Gallery at 6 p.m. following the panel discussion. All events are free, open to the public and accessible.

Uncommon Denominator features 10 photographers recognized by MCC’s 2007 Artist Fellowship Program: Ri Anderson, Claire Beckett, David Bookbinder, Stephen DiRado, Barry Goldstein, Adam Lampton, Rania Matar, Anne Rearick, Joshua Winer and Tom Young. Capturing a variety of subjects and settings, these artists take us from South Africa to Fort Benning to Beirut, and were selected from a pool of 285 applicants. The jurors included photographers Elinor Carucci, Albert Chong and Richard Sandler as well as curator Toby Jurovics.

“An important aspect of our programming is the connection of art to the life of a community,” says O’Brien. “The panel discussion scheduled for April 29 will emphasize the bridge between ideas and action; between reflection and advocacy.”

Last year, the Trustman Gallery featured an exhibition of MCC Artist Fellows and Finalists in drawing and printmaking. “We’re excited to be able to return to Simmons College to exhibit the work of these outstanding photographers,” says Anita Walker, MCC’s Executive Director. “These artists challenge us to find new ways to see the faces, landscapes and objects that reflect our world.”

MCC Artist Fellowships provide direct assistance to Massachusetts artists working across a range of disciplines, to recognize exceptional work and to support the further development of their talents. Artist Fellowships give individuals the financial ability to hone and deepen their craft.

Samples of the artists’ work can be found on Gallery@MCC, the MCC’s online showcase of Artist Fellowship awardees and finalists, available at www.massculturalcouncil.org/gallery.asp.

Trustman Art Gallery
Simmons College
300 The Fenway, Boston, MA
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4:30 pm

About the Trustman Art Gallery
Given in honor of Julia Myerson Trustman (Simmons ’24), by her husband, Benjamin, the gallery exhibits the work of professional artists and has yearly exhibitions of student work. More than 150 exhibits of paintings, drawings, installations, prints, photography, sculpture, collage, and fiber art have been represented in the gallery. In April of each year, the students enrolled in Arts in the Community organize an exhibition as part of the departments’ arts administration major. Exhibitions are scheduled monthly from September through May.

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

MCC is a state agency committed to building a central place for arts and culture in the everyday lives of communities across the Commonwealth. It pursues this mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. MCC receives an annual appropriation from the state Legislature and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources.

## Media Note: Please contact MCC Communications Dept at 617-727-3668 x343 or greg.liakos@state.ma.us for high-resolution images, or to arrange interviews with the artists.