Two items of artwork have been stolen from an exhibit that was about to open in Somerville, Massachusetts.
“I simply can’t think about wanting one thing and simply entering into and yanking it off the wall,” stated Adam Leveille, one among two artists who had a portray taken. “You watch ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ learn concerning the Gardner heist, it is all type of enjoyable and cloak-and-dagger, however when it really occurs, it is actually upsetting.”
Leveille has been informed about safety video that reveals the crime.
“Carrying a hoodie, carrying a masks, protecting most of their face after which simply strolling as much as the work, they usually have been hung up with wires as much as the ceiling, and simply reduce these two wires down and walked off with the items,” he stated.
Somerville Open Studios was about to unveil the “Visions of Somerville” exhibit — positioned in a gallery area off the foyer at an residence constructing subsequent to the Union Sq. MBTA cease — when the incident occurred.
Leveille, who focuses his artwork on Somerville cityscapes, had spent a couple of month engaged on the piece and hoped to promote it for $2,000 on the exhibit.
“I am primarily based in Somerville and love portray Somerville,” stated Leveille. “This was the outdated Nissenbaum junkyard, it was a giant portray 38 inches by 20 inches.”
Somerville Open Studios determined to postpone the exhibit after the theft.
“We have been saddened and shocked to study that such an incident came about, however it doesn’t change our willpower to proceed to present native artists alternatives to exhibit their work,” it wrote in an announcement.
“As artists we would like individuals to see our work,” stated Leveille. “We would like some individuals to purchase our work, and when anyone comes alongside and does this, neither of these issues are potential.”
Police say they’re investigating.
