A Timely and Powerful Exhibition
The Art Center presents “Liberty and Justice for All,” a bold and deeply moving exhibition featuring the works of Judith Heller Cassell and Diane St. Jean, on display November and December.
As political tension and global unrest continue to test our shared values, Liberty and Justice for All invites viewers to pause, reflect, and re-examine the ideals of freedom, humanity, and compassion that unite us. Through sculpture, assemblage, and printmaking, both artists confront the moral turbulence of our time with honesty, courage, and conviction.
Rebecca Proctor, founder and director of The Art Center, says the exhibition is more than a showcase—it is a statement. Working closely with both artists, Proctor has shaped a presentation that radiates urgency and empathy, embodying The Art Center’s ongoing commitment to fearless creative dialogue. “It’s important to take a stand in what you believe in,” says Proctor. “Art has always been a powerful force for awareness, empathy, and courage. This exhibition reminds us that silence is not an option. These artists are speaking through their work—and we should all be listening.
Proctor has never shied away from difficult subjects. Since founding The Art Center in 2017, she has curated socially charged exhibitions, including The Face of Feminism, Normalizing Abortion, and Un-American, each encouraging conversation and reflection on issues that shape our society. Liberty and Justice for All continues that tradition—inviting visitors to see art as both a mirror and a catalyst for change.
Judith Heller Cassell uses sculpture, assemblage, and mixed media to explore humanity’s recurring inability to learn from violence and oppression. “Our past, our experiences, shape us and make us the people we are and the people we become,” she says. “This body of work is an accumulation of memories and recent events—based on the pathos and angst of the human experience and the harm and violence we inflict on one another.”
Cassell studied art at Richmond Professional Institute / Virginia Commonwealth University under renowned printmaker David Freed. She later graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor of fine arts in Sculpture and Printmaking.
Diane St. Jean, a printmaker and instructor at The Art Center, employs letterpress, collagraph, and linocut techniques to reveal the interconnectedness of human beings. “Our actions cause ripples that affect others,” she explains. “Even small acts of remediation, resistance, justice, and joy matter.” Her work challenges complacency and celebrates hope, urging viewers to believe in the possibility of renewal.
St. Jean studied at the School of the Worcester Art Museum and holds a bachelor of arts in fine arts from Granite State College. In addition to being a printmaker, she has a professional background in graphic design, illustration, and education.
Opening November 10, with an Artists’ Reception on Saturday, December 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, Liberty and Justice for All is one of The Art Center’s most powerful and timely exhibitions. In a world of division and noise, Cassell and St. Jean remind us of art’s enduring ability to connect, heal, and inspire.
