Working Titles: Andrew Houle ’00

Reception: Thursday, March 24th, 5–7pm

Public Artist Talk: Thursday, March 24 11:30am–12:20pm. Room H201

Gallery Hours
M,T,W,F, 10am–5pm
Th, 10am–8pm
Sat., 12–5pm

Montserrat College of Art is proud to present Working Titles, a solo exhibition featuring paintings by alumnus Andrew Houle’00, in the Carol Schlosberg Alumni Gallery. Houle’s oil paintings present detailed views with a compelling specificity of place. The artists gravitates towards subjects that include storefronts and streetscapes in Beverly, where Houle has lived since graduating Montserrat, Gloucester, and other North Shore cities.

Even those who do not reside in the area may feel a sense of familiarity in the scenes of residential streets, criss-crossing power lines, and laundromats, due to the way that Houle balances precise forms and lines with atmospheric colors and textures. Gallery visitors will find stunning sunsets and rows of houses that powerfully continue the tradition of American Realism. Houle cites the influence of twentieth-century master artists including Edward Hopper and Norman Rockwell, along with the light of Cape Ann and his own personal connections to the community.

The title of the exhibition, and the artworks themselves, are of autobiographical significance to the artist. Houle says, “Working towards a career as a professional artist is ever-evolving, challenging and at times confusing. My current show represents roughly the last five years, consisting of the landmarks and common spaces that take up our days and nights. The parking lots, sunsets, laundromats and side streets are those with different titles at various stages of our lives.” This exhibition enables Houle to share his accomplishments with a community that was formative to his career.

Houle graduated from Montserrat College of Art in 2000 with a focus in Illustration and oil painting. He presently divides his time between being an artist and the Creative Director of Tryptic Press. His studio space is located at Porter Mills, Beverly. Houle is the co-Chair of the Beverly Cultural Council and the lead promoter of Beverly Comic Con. He shares a home with his wife Melissa, Mila the overweight cat, and his comic book collection.