The Museum Of Bad Art: Masterworks

The Museum of Bad Art: Masterworks

Located in the basement of a theater, the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) is a unique institution dedicated to the celebration of artistic effort, however misguided. The Museum of Bad Art: Masterworks presents a pulsating collection of more than seventy never-before-published pieces of artwork from MOBA's permanent collection. Comprised largely of canvases found discarded on curbside trash piles or obtained for a pittance at thrift stores, this innovative compilation occupies a niche previously ignored in the international community of art collection, preservation, and interpretation. If the subjectivity of art appreciation were ever in doubt, this astonishing assortment of artistic commentaries will fan the flames of controversy. It is clear that many of these artists suffered for their art; now it's your turn.A photographic catalog of 70 exquisitely bad pieces of master artwork from the permanent collection of the Museum of Bad Art in Dedham, Massachusetts. Featuring profiles of select MOBA artists as well as the stories behind the art. ReviewsBoston Globe 4/30/08: Shopping Tip of the Day.From the Publisher* A photographic catalog of more than 70 exquisitely bad pieces of master artwork from the permanent collection of the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Dedham, Massachusetts. * Featuring profiles of select MOBA artists as well as the stories behind the art.About the AuthorLOUISE REILLY SACCO is the permanent acting interim executive director of the Museum of Bad Art. A founding member of the MOBA team, she originally served as director of financial enablement. A marketing consultant and cohost of the Frugal Yankee Radio Hour, she lives in Needham, Massachusetts.THE AUTHOR SCOOPWhat else do you do besides running the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA)?I'm co-host of the Frugal Yankee Radio Hour, a weekly show. I'm a fan photographer at Fenway Park.How did you get involved with MOBA?I was on the founding team in 1994. Initially, I was Director of Financial Enablement. But, as so often happens in an arts organization, I hung on when other founders were distracted by families, lucrative alternative careers, or death. Persistence paid off and I was named Acting Interim Executive Director. (There was dissension within the Board of Directors about the titles, so I got both Acting and Interim.) When, in a stunning media coup, MOBA was mentioned in the National Enquirer, the Board decided to make my position permanent.Do you have formal art training?Mike & I are proud of our OJT (On the Job Training) and believe that a degree in art could disqualify a person from a leadership at MOBA. Even the founding Esteemed Curator was a few credits short of an art degree and fought any pressure or inclination to complete that credential until he left MOBA.Does the MOBA collection ever travel? Yes. We've had exhibitions in Virginia, Ottawa, New York, and several in the Boston area. Before you ask us to come to your city, just line up a corporate sponsor and space, or a museum with some funding. We're ready to pack the art and hop on a plane.What's next for MOBA A second location (Opening Date: April 2008) in the basement of another movie house: The Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville. Sign up for our newsletter, subscribe@MuseumofBadArt.org to get all the info.MIchael FRANK is the curator-in-chief of the Museum of Bad Art. A professional musician and entertainer with enviable balloon-twisting skills, he lives in Boston, Massachusetts.THE AUTHOR SCOOPWhat else do you do besides running the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA)?As Mike the Hatman, I perform at children's events, making funny balloon hats. I teach guitar. I play with dance bands and for stage shows.How did you get involved with MOBA?As soon as I became aware of MOBA, I helped in any way I could. When the first Rejection Collection Auction was held in a vacant store in a mall, I put my musical and organization talents to work and led an all-kazoo band thr