Gratitude & Solace

Exhibition of work by Laurie Simko

Exhibit Runs: March 6 to April 18, 2021
Reception: Saturday, March 27, 2:00 to 4:00 PM (Snow Date March 28)
(Following state guidelines for limited crowd size)

Thank You Heroes VIDEO
ONLINE EXHIBIT
After receiving her personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 surge last spring, Laurie’s daughter Shevaun Assini, who is a nurse, sent her mother a selfie. She was inspired to paint the striking image of a frontline worker in the war against COVID-19. She went on to paint nineteen more portraits of her daughter’s coworkers, all nighttime COVID-19 nurses at a small community hospital. “I felt it was important to honor them, show gratitude and chronicle this time in our history,” said Simko. Exhibiting their faces and sharing their stories is a way to affirm their struggles and recognize their humanity. Each painting will be displayed with a brief story next to it.

Simko recently received a Juror’s Prize from Concord Art for two of the portraits in the Heroes series that were exhibited there.

She has also added to her nature-inspired series, Lush Life, which she’s worked on over the past twelve years. She explains, “I’ve always found that observing and drawing from nature brings me solace, meaning and purpose.” Both bodies of work will be exhibited at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios this spring.

Image: "Thank You Shevaun," oil on canvas

This exhibit is supported in part by a grant from the Lowell Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Brush Art Gallery and Studios
256 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-7819

We are located in the building behind the Visitor Center on Market Street.
Parking is available in the lot at 304 Dutton St, Lowell, MA 01852 (follow signs for Visitor Center)

HOURS:
April 1 to December 31:
(Tues - Sat) 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Sun) 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

January 1 to March 31:
(Wed - Sat) 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Sun) 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm