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Franklin - Local Town Pages

Reproducing Rembrandt (and Other Artists)

Franklin Art Association Welcomes Artists from Franklin Area to Join “Fakes & Forgeries” Exhibit at Franklin Historical Museum, June 7 – 22. 
Calling all artists! 
Have you ever wanted to create your own interpretation of a famous, or not so famous, artist’s work? The Franklin Art Association is collaborating with the Franklin Historical Museum to present the 1st Annual Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit. The exhibit, open to all artists, including student artists from Franklin and surrounding areas, will open at the Franklin Historical Museum on the same day as Franklin Porchfest, June 7th, 2025. 
“Spring Bull Gallery in Newport has been hosting a Fakes and Forgeries exhibit for many years now, and so I’ve been aware of the idea, and I think the Foxboro Association did it a few years back as well,” says Sue Sheridan, President of the Franklin Art Association, who thought the Franklin Art Association could give it a try.
That led to the question of where to do it.
“First of all, we don’t have a gallery anymore, who we can collaborate with,” says Sheridan. The Franklin Historic Museum seemed a good venue to approach, she says, because “if we do Fakes and Forgeries, we’re going to have historic works.”
She brought the idea to Alan Earls, chair of the Franklin Historical Commission, who was very receptive.
“We’re delighted to be cooperating with the Art Association on this, not only because we like working with members of the creative community in town, but also because this particular exhibit has a historical component in that the artists are being invited to look at an existing work of art, many of which will likely be historical or important, and they’re bringing that in their own way into a modern context, which is part of our mission, to connect people to history in relevant ways,” says Earls.
This is the first time the Franklin Art Association will collaborate with the Franklin Historical Museum, and because it’s the Art Association’s first endeavor of the sort, Sheridan says, “We’re going to be flying out of our seat a little bit, but I think it’s going to be a great thing, a lot of fun. We have a broad swath of people we’re inviting to participate, including Franklin High School students. I’m thinking we can probably support 60 works, and it (opens) on the same day as Porchfest.” The exhibit will be open from 12-6 p.m. that day, and attendees can vote on a “People’s Choice” award, which will be announced at 5 p.m.
The displays planned will have a small historical biography of the original artist being interpreted as well as a short bio of the artist doing the reproduction.
“And these will be for sale as well,” says Sheridan, “There’s no commission charged for anything and no entry free. It’s completely free.”
Sheridan feels fortunate to have received a grant from the Franklin Cultural District, which receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. “They were very generous in approving a grant to cover some costs, for example moving thedisplay panels from a storage unit to the Historical Museum.” says Sheridan, “I’m very grateful for the support we have received from the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council over many years.”
So far, Sheridan has found a lot of support for this fun new project, from the Town of Franklin’s Cory Shea to Lisa Piana at the Franklin Downtown Partnership.
“It’s going to be a lot of work, but I have a great team,” she says, “There are so many creatives out there in the area who this might appeal to who are not in the Art Association. I’m hoping we can draw some of those folks in,” says Sheridan, who plans a lot of local promotion.
Artists must register by May 23rd, and there is no entry fee to participate. Those interested can request a prospectus with a Google registration form by emailing the Franklin Art Association at [email protected] .
“They need to submit a digital image of what they’re reproducing,” says Sheridan, who hopes that getting the word out early enough will give creative folks a chance to consider and create a piece they’re proud of.
The Franklin Art Association’s “Fakes & Forgeries” exhibit will run will at the Franklin Historical Museum from June 7th  - June 22nd.