Break Away

In honor of both Women’s History Month and the Boston Marathon, artists Chelsea Bradway and Bobbi Gibb joined together to present Break Away in the Lotvin Family Gallery.

Bobbi Gibb is known to many as an icon of women’s empowerment as the first woman ever to run and complete the Boston Marathon in 1966. She exhibited a selection of her bronze figurines of the human body in motion, impressionistic paintings, and abstract paintings. The exhibit also included historical photographs and articles about Bobbi and her barrier-breaking 1966 run.

Chelsea Bradway is an award-winning New England photographer drawn to photograph people in situations that bring the viewer’s awareness of their strength, beauty and everyday struggles. Bradway presented over 200 photographs of women of all ages, displaying different views of female empowerment. This exhibition was featured on WBZ and WCVB television.

HCA was pleased to feature the painting of Spencer the dog by Tom Mosser. We were grateful to Spencer’s family Dorrey and Rich Powers for loaning us the painting.

Spencer gained worldwide fame as an enthusiastic spectator along the Boston Marathon course. Rain, shine, or “freezing deluge,” Spencer dutifully held a “Boston Strong” flag as tens of thousands of runners streamed by, and hordes of fans stopped mid-race for hugs and photos. In 2022, he was honored by the Boston Athletic Association, the race’s organizer, as the official dog, the “Grand Barkshal” and a “V.I.P., Very Important Pup.”

Spencer unfortunately past away February of this year and will be remembered by Boston Marathon runners, spectators, and Golden lovers for years to come.

HCA took the opportunity of the Break Away exhibition to draw attention to Dignity Matters, a non-profit organization that collects, purchases and supplies feminine hygiene products, bras and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or disadvantaged, in order to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity. Visitors to the gallery were encouraged to make donations of such goods.