ArtsWorcester, an arts association in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, has a member show each winter.  For 2012 – 2013 they are doing something different.  All autumn they have had on display a set of ten works of art and craft out of Africa, loaned by the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Art Museum from its collection.  The members of ArtsWorcester were invited to respond to these pieces with newly created works of their own.

The show is justly named "Call and Response".  Several dozen members have brought in art works which are now on display, filling ArtWorcester's main exhibit space, the Aurora Gallery on South Main Street.  The opening on December 7 was packed with visitors going from one piece to another, intent on puzzling out the obscure or obvious interweaving symbolisms of the works.  Down the big stairway, first thing on your left, there is a rather striking one, a tall narrow canvas on which two faces are intently speaking to each other.  Your eyes naturally start at the top and travel down then stop suddenly in shock.

The show closes at the Aurora on January 18 but is reborn again in Fitchburg in June.  Their museum will then display the original ten African works together with selected pieces from the Worcester artists as part of a regional arts show.

Below is a video explaining the African artifacts.  It was produced by the Fitchburg Art Museum for display on the ArtsWorcester website.