MEDFORD — Well-known local artist and children’s illustrator Jennifer DesAutels headlines a group of nine artists whose works will be displayed in an exhibit at City Hall beginning Jan. 17.
The upcoming exhibit is called “Nine for Nine,” and the artists are Laurinda Bedingfield, Marilyn Davidson, DesAutels, Linda Dolph, Sarah Gerould, Sophie Glikson, Judy Kaplan, Tamara Major and Lisa L. Sears.
All of the artists are affiliated with the Works-in-Progress Artist Group, based in Medford and founded by Medford resident DesAutels in 2008. The group has flourished since then and now includes some 15 artists who meet monthly and share resources.
The group also links up with other groups and community-wide projects or events. Much of this mutual activity is done through the Medford CACHE (Coalition for Arts, Culture and a Healthy Economy) program.
The display will be featured through Friday, Feb. 9. All are invited to an artists’ reception at Medford City Hall to open the exhibit, on Jan. 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The concept of the Works-in-Progress Artist Group was to provide a platform to allow independent artists to support each other by sharing resources they might not have access to when working in studios alone. Examples are funding and exhibition opportunities they might not have access to or even be aware of.
The founder of the Works-in-Progress Artist Group, DesAutels, has been involved in a number of activities, such as leading creative workshops for kids and assisting with adolescent literacy research at Harvard University.
She also coordinates the Medford Children’s Art Showcase, which exhibits the work of Medford Public Schools students in a citywide, annual event.
