Virtual Galleries

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM STUDENT EXHIBITIONS, COURTESY OF WORCESTER ART MUSEUM

ART FINDS NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SHINE AMID PANDEMIC

GRAVITY/LEVITY ARTSWORCESTER WEST GALLERY, COURTESY OF ARTSWORCESTER

MOLLY PRIOR For thousands of years, art has been treasured. When the pandemic hit earlier this year, almost all aspects of entertainment, arts and culture were put on hold. Many companies and institutions are still trying to find ways to adapt to the changing circumstances. For museums and art galleries, this has been a particularly challenging time. However, technology and social media has allowed them to find new ways to connect with the public. For art museums here in Worcester, creativity has been the key to navigating the changing circumstances.

ArtsWorcester, a smaller art exhibition gallery, had to rethink and innovate how it would conduct its exhibits for the rest of the year amidst the pandemic.

“It has been an extraordinary experience and an interesting challenge for a small organization,” said Juliet Feibel, the executive director at ArtsWorcester. “We were just about to open a new gallery before the pandemic began. We then had to come up with a plan with how to proceed with things.”

The plan included releasing one piece of the collection at a time through the organization’s social media pages and interactive exhibits online, including artists’ talks, with artists holding informative chats about their artwork. “The public reaction has been much more successful than we expected,” said Feibel. “Social media has really been a revelation. We have discovered so many more unexpected opportunities through the virtual world, such as individualizing different artists and their work.” Feibel also talked about how she feels that the organization can reach a much wider audience in the digital sphere. “We recognize that much of our core audience does not want to go out during a pandemic, and it’s important that we respect that,” Feibel said. “It has really allowed people to be able to see and interact with art, even if they can’t in real life.” As for reopening, ArtsWorcester has reopened and is operating under strict social-distancing measures. Its hours are noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. “We are only allowing 10 people at a time in for right now,” Feibel explained. “It’s been nice because we have been able to open slowly and at our own guidelines and parameters.” Though the virtual galleries have been successful, Feibel does not think that they will permanently replace museums, galleries or the desire to see art in real life. and seeing art in real life. Art has been through pandemics and so many other world-changing events before, and it will continue to be something that people still appreciate.”

Similarly, the Worcester Art Museum is running a number of programs while waiting to reopen. The museum is hosting online classes for both children and adults, including Art Together and the WAM Art Challenge, which is a social media challenge for participants to create their own art.

Much like ArtsWorcester, the staff at the Worcester Art Museum also feels that social media and technology has played an important role in the museum’s sustainability during the pandemic.

“It has really given us a great opportunity to revamp our social media and reach new audiences,” said Marnie Weir, the director of education and experience at the museum.

Weir also talked about the future of museums during this time, including the

Worcester Art Museum. “We highly encourage people to try and support their local businesses and museums during this time if they value them,” said Weir. “The more that people can support their local institutions, the more that this will help both the public and the economic standpoint. Now is the time to work together.”

Unlike ArtsWorcester, the Worcester Art Museum is not open yet, as it is a much larger institution. As of now, there are plans to open the museum to the public again in October.

“Of course, we will be following state and local guidelines when we do reopen,” Weir said. “It’s going to be a challenge, and we will have to rethink things setup-wise, but we want everyone to feel safe and comfortable.”

In the end, community and love for the art is what drives the museums to keep going, even through tough times. Weir explained that has been the driving force for the museum throughout the pandemic.

“This situation has allowed us to engage with the public in new ways,” she said. “It’s all about engagement and connection.”

For more information about what Arts Worcester (artsworcester.org) and the Worcester Arts Museum (worcesterart.org) are doing, visit their websites. For a listing of events (including virtual events!) at numerous Worcester museums and galleries, visit discovercentralmass.com.