David Curtis, June, 2020, oil on linen, 14" × 18".

Although The Guild of Boston Artists is currently only open by appointment, their online exclusive exhibit, Nature's Refrain, is available for all to view on Artsy through July 31. Nature's Refrain is a reflection and celebration of the restorative power of nature. Throughout history, artists have been inspired by nature during times of stress, just as the members of The Guild of Boston Artists have during this pandemic. Although the country is slowly reopening, many are still self-isolating and staying away from parks and other outdoor places. Nature's Refrain offers a way for viewers to get the healing power of nature in their own homes. The wide variety of artworks, from depictions of neat potted plants to wild landscapes, emphasize resiliency and regrowth. By now, these ideas are familiar to us as we persevere through this pandemic. Nature's Refrain reflects them back to us and offers comfort and calm through the beauty of the natural world. For more information about The Guild of Boston Artists, visit guildofbostonartists.org. To check out Nature's Refrain, visit artsy.net/the-guild-of-boston-artists-natures-refrain.

Avery Forbes, Hey Siri, I'm Alone screenshot.

UMass Amherst's Hampden Gallery currently has two shows available to view online while the gallery space is closed. SOS (Summer On-screen Series) is a response to COVID-19 by various artists, each one exploring the complicated emotions that the pandemic has instilled. Many of the artworks are video experiences, like Abbey Paccia's thoughtful essay Those Who Plant Trees and Claire Sianna Seaman's longing-filled short film, Italianeggiare. Technology plays a significant role in several works, particularly Avery Forbes's haunting video Hey Siri, I'm Alone. In this short video, Forbes repeatedly calls on Siri to speak about feelings of loneliness and ask related questions. With every new conversation, more and more screens appear, until connection issues render Siri inoperable and both the artist and the viewer are left without closure or answers. In juxtaposition to SOS is A Horse Walks Into A Bar, a much more humorous exhibit featuring contemporary and modern art intended to make the viewer laugh. Fine art has a reputation for being very serious, but the work featured in this virtual exhibit pushes the boundaries of fine art and reminds us that humor can be found anywhere. The vast difference of theme between SOS and A Horse Walks Into A Bar helps them compliment each other. Where one is an honest–yet harsh–reflection of our emotional response to COVID-19, the other is a witty, fun examination of contemporary art. Both exhibits offer valuable experiences for viewers to enjoy from the comfort of their homes. To check out SOS (Summer On-Screen Series) and A Horse Walks Into A Bar, visit https://fac.umass.edu/hampden-gallery/current-exhibitions.

Sachiko Akiyama, Deeper Than You Imagined, 2012, wood and paint.

Phillips Exeter Academy's Lamont Gallery's current show, Being & Feeling (Alone, Together), is on view online through July 31. Being & Feeling features the work of multiple artists as they examine emotions and intimacy through the lens of the human condition. The artists question what it means to be human along the lines of hope and regret; longing and memory; solitude and togetherness. Lamont Gallery Director and Curator Lauren O'Neal admits that, "It was impossible to know that when this exhibition was finally realized, that it would become eerily prescient, that it would forecast a felt and lived experience, rather than merely a curatorial one." The artwork on view encompasses a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture and photography, even extending to visual and audio performances. Viewers can not only view the work of artists Sachiko Akiyama, Andrew Fish, Lauren Gillette, Katya Grokhovsky, Stephanie Misa, Tobias Rud, Jon Sakata, Riikka Talvitie, Christina Xiao, Brooke Ottoway, Khinezin Win, Kara Fili, Ann Elliott, Shannon Humphreys and Chris Engles, but also read interviews with them and learn more about their perspectives and artistic methods. While we all hope to soon be physically together with others without fear, Being & Feeling (Alone, Together) provides us with cathartic emotional release, instilling hope and appreciation for our humanity even at the worst of times. To check out Being & Feeling (Alone, Together), visit exeter.edu/lamont-gallery/being-feeling-alone-together.

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