Worcester Historical Museum to Debut Guggenheim Fellow’s New Film

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Monday, October 22, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Worcester Historical Museum will debut Guggenheim Fellow, and Worcester resident, Stephen DiRado's new film "Summer Spent" this Thursday.

DiRado has lived in Worcester for the past 27 years, and first came to prominence as an artist and photographer in the 1980's. DiRado relentlessly documented the lives of friends family and the Worcester community at large in photo series such as 1984's Bell Pond and 1986's Worcester Galleria.

The longtime Worcester resident gets self-reflective in "Summer Spent," depicting a photographer obsessed with artistic perfection. Worcester Historical Museum Executive Director Bill Wallace says that the museum is thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of DiRado, and of the Worcester art community as a whole.

"As the only institution dedicated to celebrating Worcester past, present and future, we are happy to host Stephen's new artistic adventure," Wallace said. "As Stephen continues to make a name for himself as an artist he also makes a name for the Worcester community. WHM is happy to celebrate Worcester and Stephen's accomplishments as a Worcester-based artist."

Kirk, Aquinnah, a photo from DiRado's Beach People series.

DiRado was named a Guggenheim Fellow for his Beach People series of photos. Hoping to explore a new mediam, film, DiRado began creating "Summer Spent." The film is four years in the making, and almost a spin-off of his long-going photographic work.

The film begins in Worcester at DiRado's studio, then moves on to Martha's Vineyatd where DiRado captures the subculture of a clothing optional beach has been photographing for over two decades. Through his photos, DiRado hoped to produce revealing portraits of a diverse group of beachgoers. Now, in his film, he hopes to show his artistic process and the relationships involved in that process.

Doors open to the program at 6:30 pm with the screening set to begin at 7 and a reception to follow at 7:45. The film is free with museum admission. For more information, click here. Worcester Historical Museum would also like to caution any possible attendees that the film does contain some nudity.