You can pluck the string at the 'Last Chance Slippers' exhibit at Gallery 321.

By Amanda Rhodes

Saturday night marked the opening of Jill Comer’s new exhibit, Last Chance Slippers. The event was held at Gallery 321, the exhibition space of the Washington Street Art center. The nonprofit arts organization is located between Union and Inman Squares at 321 Washington Street. The center provides studio space for members and includes a darkroom for processing black and white film.

The space is intimate and allows the visitor to get close to the sculptures. Comer’s sculptures for this show are primarily made of smooth concrete and finished wood. Jill took inspiration from her hobby, the ukulele, to make musical instruments. One even had a note with instructions on what to do: “Pluck the string. Pull gently on the handle.” The string was attached at one end to a recycled, corrugated can. Pulling on the string produced a note and pulling back on the handle attached to the can modulated the note, like an instrument.

In addition to the musical instruments, there were carefully crafted concrete shoes and coffee mugs, in addition to objects that combined wood with concrete. The concrete has a warm glow in the studio light and forces the viewer to reexamine a common object through a different frame. As the painter Chuck Close says “Sculpture occupies real space like we do… you walk around it and relate to it almost as another person or another object.” Although the sculptures were connected to the wall, there was still an opportunity to see a three-dimensional object and interact with it at different angles.

The opening was lively, in part because of the small space, which concentrated the conversations in the room. In addition to being an artist, Comer is also a musician who plays in the Somerville band, Cargo Cult. The group played on Saturday evening while people examined the art, socialized, and consumed beverages and snacks.

The Washington Street Art Center has frequent exhibits. In addition to sculpture, paintings, and photography, they show films and performances by local artists. Each month they also unveil a new exhibit which can be viewed on Saturdays from 12-4 p.m., in addition to the shows, exhibits, and events that happen frequently.

The center also hosted another event last weekend: The Spring Zine Thing. A “zine” is a small circulation publication that is typically self-published and often reproduced or photocopier. This event allowed participants to meet with many local zine makers, purchase new zines, and swap their zine for someone else’s.

Many of the local artists involved with the Washington Street Art Center are also involved with the Somerville Open Studio 2012. The event is held on May 5-6 and lets visitors connect with over 400 artists in their homes or studios. The free showcase allows enthusiasts to meet emerging artists in the area and provides an opportunity for local artists to exhibit and sell their work. The events are held throughout Somerville, and Somerville resident parking restrictions are lifted for the weekend event, though metered parking is still required.

The Washington Street Art Center accepts inquiries from artists looking to exhibit or perform their work. More information about the center and is available on its website: http://www.washingtonst.org. An updated listing of events and exhibitions is also maintained on the website.