BELLOWS FALLS-Canal Street Art Gallery, 23 Canal St., hosts "Free Self-Expression"on Bellows Falls 3rd Fridays, every month from 5 to 8 p.m.
Beginning Dec. 20, the public is invited to celebrate open and accepting community by sharing performance, music, reading, speaking, dancing, and take-home art and writing. Everyone is welcome to join in, to add what they will, when they will, throughout the evening of "unconditional and free-spirited creative revelry."
Since 2017, Canal Street Art Gallery's mission has been to provide an open space where all creative voices may be heard. Director Mike Noyes said in a news release that he believes that as a cultural institution, the gallery has a responsibility to its community.
"Art galleries have a unique place in modern culture. They can be gathering places, safe havens. Places where being different and standing out can be welcomed and encouraged. New ideas as well as old favorites can be given a voice, and the audience can become participators by taking it, leaving it, or adding to it," Noyes said. These events offer the opportunity to "celebrate creativity and critical thinking in everyday life, with every person throughout every culture. Even under the most dire of circumstances, the arts endure. Now find your self-expression and use it freely," he added.
The guidelines for the evenings are "carry in, carry out," and "please respect your fellow humans." Those wishing to share performance, music, reading, or speaking are asked to take turns. Those who are offering take-home art and writing are asked to add their creations to the provided shelves and pedestals. Canal Street Art Gallery also holds receptions on 3rd Fridays for artists who are opening solo shows.
For more information, visit canalstreetartgallery.com or email artinfo@canalstreetartgallery.com. All gallery events are free; for wheelchair accessibility, call 802-289-0104.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.