Current Art Exhibits
January 2025
James E. Mahoney Foyer
Johan S. Ellefsen
JOHAN S. ELLEFSEN is a self-taught artist, a writer and, by day, an attorney. He left behind his native country of Bolivia to live in Wellesley, MA.
His first exhibition was in 2006 in the library of the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, where he showed a series of drawings from sculptures from the Louvre Museum. In 2021, he exhibited his oil paintings in the Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania. He is an Exhibiting Member of the Wellesley Society of Artists since 2023. More recently, in December 2024, he obtained the Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World with his painting “Canadaway Creek.”
He is inspired by the temperamental nature of water and the physical texture of oil paints. His current work focuses on landscapes in an impressionist style, but lately, he has been exploring historical themes. In his work, “The Funeral of Sir Wiston Churchill,” Johan re-imagines the final journey of Wiston Churchill along the river Thames, as the cranes lower their arms in his honour, evoking the sunset paintings of William Turner.
Wakelin Room
Cristina Farrer
Cristina Farrèr is a self-taught painter. Her mother refused to let her attend art classes, in spite of her incredible early artistic talent. “Your creativity should not be boxed in!” – she said.
However, her mother made sure that art materials and books were always available to her, as well as the support of the whole family. When it was time for college, art school got a family veto as well. Cristina has graduated with majors in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math, and holds a Masters in International Education. Her creativity was a constant in her teaching, always praised and copied. In 2023 she retired as a school teacher in Framingham, MA, and decided to pursue her first dream of becoming a full time artist. Since then she has had her artwork featured in Boston, Sudbury, Wellesley, Framingham, Concord, and several other towns in Massachusetts. She is a resident of Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Cristina Farrèr enjoys exploring new techniques. She works in acrylics on a variety of canvas sizes. She enjoys laying paint using everything from brushes to fingers, bubble wrap to spatulas. Each painting involves a complex layering process. Flowers are her constant theme of choice.
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are the sunshine, the food, and the medicine to the mind”
Luther Burbank
Instagram – Cristina Farrer
Venmo – @Cristina_Farrer
Lucky U Display Case
Aesop’s Fables by Nancy Schon
Nancy Schon is a Boston-based sculptor, celebrated for her warm and evocative representation of human and animal figures. Her work, characterized by a profound sense of empathy and detail, captures the essence of her subjects — making them relatable and endearing to viewers of all ages. She is best known for her iconic Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Boston Public Garden, which brings to life the beloved characters from Robert McCloskey’s classic children’s book. This charming installation has become a cherished landmark, delighting generations of visitors with its playful depiction of a mother duck leading her ducklings.
Schon’s Aesop’s Fables sculptures are a masterful series inspired, of course, by the ancient, previously enslaved Greek storyteller, Aesop. With a collection of twenty-four sculptures, each piece corresponds to one of the twenty-four letters in the Greek alphabet, creating a symbolic link to the origins of these timeless tales. Schon’s imaginative approach not only pays homage to the cultural heritage of Aesop’s fables, but also serves as a tribute to the universality and enduring relevance of these stories. Learn more about Nancy Schon and her work at schon.com.
Commons Area Entry Display Cases
Historical Photographs of Hunnewell and Hardy Schools by the Wellesley Historical Society
The Wellesley Historical Society proudly houses an extensive collection of over 35,000 historic photographs and negatives, offering a rich visual archive that chronicles the town’s vibrant history. This invaluable collection serves as a window into the past, capturing the people, places, architecture, events, organizations, and countless other aspects that have shaped Wellesley’s unique identity over the years.
Each photograph and negative in the collection is a piece of the larger mosaic that tells the story of Wellesley, preserving the town’s heritage for future generations. The Society’s dedication to maintaining and expanding this archive ensures that Wellesley’s rich history remains accessible and relevant, allowing both locals and visitors to connect with the town’s legacy in a deeply meaningful way. Learn more about the Wellesley Historical Society and its collection at wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org.
Learn more about the history of Wellesley Elementary schools at wellesleyfreelibrary.org/wellesley-elementary-schools!