New England Newsbriefs
Dateline: 04/26/98
An
Adventure with Wallace & Gromit
Now through June 21, 1998, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts
hosts
"An Adventure with Wallace & Gromit." Never heard of this Oscar-winning
dynamic clay animation duo? I discovered a videotape of one of their early films in my
mailbox about a year ago--courtesy of my always-good- for-a-laugh pal Woody, and I've been
an adoring fan ever since. The Museum of Fine Arts hosts daily screenings of some of
Wallace & Gromit's best-loved adventures: A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers, and A
Close Shave. If you've not seen mad inventor Wallace and his canine sidekick, Gromit, in
action, this is a great way to get acquainted. Then, visit the museum's exhibit of
original production sets, plasticine figures, and storyboards, and take time to view a
short video in which Aardman Animation director and animator Nick Park demonstrates the
magic behind these clay animation masterpieces. Each visitor receives a free flip book
demonstrating the principles behind animation.
Now through July 26, 1998, you'll only have to journey as far as Hartford, Connecticut,
to view some of the premier works that draw many visitors each year to the Italian
National Gallery in Rome. This loaned exhibition will make its only U.S. stop at
Hartford's Wadsworth Atheneum.
This remarkable exhibition of works by Italian masters centers
around pioneering artist Caravaggio, and his numerous Italian followers, including
Gentileschi, Saraceni, Cavallino, and Preti. There's a great story behind the
exhibition--the Wadsworth Atheneum recently discovered that one of its best Italian
masterworks, Jacopo Zucchi's The Bath of Bathsheba, which it had purchased
decades ago, had actually been looted from the Italian Embassy in Berlin during World War
II. The exhibit has been loaned by the Italian National Gallery to the Wadsworth Atheneum
in thanks for the Connecticut museum's decision to return the painting to Italy.
"Northern Comfort: New England's Early
Quilts 1780-1850"
Old Sturbridge Village has just opened a rare exhibit of more than 40 quilts from its collection. Now through January 3, 1999, gain a unique appreciation for the ingenuity and craftsmanship of New England women, who often used scraps of cloth left over from clothing and curtains to create these magnificent pieces. The exhibit features colorful pieced "patchworks," whole-cloth quilts, appliques, embroidered quilts, and elegant white works, along with such quilted clothing as cloaks, hoods, and petticoats.
For the first time in 30 years, two mansions have been added to the list of those in Newport that welcome visitors. The Isaac Bell House, built in 1883, will be open Fridays and Saturdays only beginning July 1. Recently designated a National Historical Landmark, it is one of the best surviving examples of Shingle-style architecture in the country. The limited tour schedule will allow for ongoing restoration work. Chepstow, an Italianate-style villa built in 1860 is home to many original paintings from artists of the famed Hudson River School. The home will be open June through October by appointment only.
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