New art exhibit in Fall River to feature works by local Portuguese artist Filomena Botelho

FALL RIVER – After retiring from a 30-year career as an elementary teacher with the Fall River Public Schools , Filomena Botelho has found more time to explore and further develop her longtime passion for creating acrylic paintings and other artworks with rope, shells, glass beads and other materials.

About 55 of those works will be on display from July 5 to 28 at The Ignition Space , located at 44 Troy St, Unit 2 in Fall River. Titled ‘Bloom,’ the exhibit is being presented by the Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC) .

“Art has always been a part of my life,” Botelho told O Jornal. “Being retired has enabled me to nurture my creative soul and has granted me more opportunities to be involved with others who have similar interests.”

In the art world, she is known as ‘Menita,’ her nickname.

Many of her works are related to Portugal as she has maintained a deep connection with her birthplace in São Miguel, Azores, since moving to Fall River in 1970 at age 12.

“My love of different cultures and diversity has inspired many of my art pieces, but my art related to Portugal speaks to me the most,” explained Botelho, who recently received a $2,000 grant from the Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition to create the project at FRACC’s Ignition Space .

Although acrylic painting is her favorite way of expressing herself, she enjoys experimenting with various media, subjects, and colors.

“I like spreading my wings. I experiment with everything,” she admitted.

Her creative process began as a child in the Azores, spending many hours creating drawings and paintings.

“I’ve always enjoyed creating,” she said. “I did start a degree in Art, but I didn’t complete it. Life got too complicated.”

Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and a master’s degree in Portuguese Studies from Brown University.

“As a Bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language Teacher, art was a powerful tool to have my students process and understand our world,” she said.

She said exploring her creative side has been both exciting and therapeutic.

“By exploring and connecting with it, you not only develop a better understanding of who you are but also a deeper connection and appreciation of the world,” she said.

‘Bloom’ opening reception Friday, July 12

The community is welcome to join Botelho at the opening reception of ‘Bloom’ on Friday, July 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

She said her work will be displayed in several themed sections.

“I have a whole area dedicated to the Portuguese culture and a whole area with shells dedicated to the sea,” she said.

Other sections feature paintings inspired on her many travels and art pieces made with family crochet samples.

“As a child, I vividly remember spending evenings in the company of family members who crocheted beautiful tablecloths, bedspreads, and dollies. Using some of these unfinished pieces, I decided to revive and repurpose them by transforming them into wall art,” she said.

Among the works on display, her favorites are: ‘Single Mom,” a modern painting of her and her daughter which she started a longtime ago but touched later on; a Galo de Barcelos (Barcelos Rooster) made with rope, buttons and acrylic paint; a painting of the Baianas of Salvador, Brazil; and a painting inspired by Cinque Terra, Italy.

“My love of traveling and exploring different places and cultures also speaks to me significantly,” she said.

She noted the goal of this exhibit is to not only share her art with others but also “to inspire others to explore, express and nurture their creativity.”

‘Bloom’ can be visited Thursday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Botelho to lead hands-on workshop July 19

Additionally, Botelho will lead a hands-on workshop on Friday, July 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own flower paintings, using unique tools such as air-filled balloons, artificial leaves, bubble wrap, and spoons.

Admission is free, but registration is required. To sign up, visit thefracc.org/events-calendar .

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: New art exhibit in Fall River to feature works by local Portuguese artist Filomena Botelho