Looking at 200 years of Lowell, an early industrial dynamo

“Washer Woman” (oil on canvas), by Wendy James, in the group show “200th Anniversary of Lowell,’’ at Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, Mass., through June 20.

The museum says:

“Lowell holds a pivotal role in American history…. Its textile mills transformed manufacturing, labor, and urban life. Today, Lowell’s preserved canals, mills, and neighborhoods stand as enduring symbols of American ingenuity, social change, and the complex legacy of industrialization.’’

“Through paintings, drawings, sculpture, fiber art, printmaking, and photography, experience the rich history and culture of Lowell through varying perspectives in this exciting show.’’

“From exterior and interior locations of the textile mills, to urban landscapes, and cultural events in Lowell, the exhibition includes artists Debra Poklemba-Anderson, Maureen J. Baker, Elena Behrakis, Margo Behrakis, John Brickles, Troods, Eileen Byrne, Sally Chapman, Robert Louis Del Russo, Linda Demers, Dave Drinon, Michelle Durand, Neal Emmer, Wendy Foy, Diane T. Francis, Claire Gagnon, Tom Gill, Chrissy Theo Hungate, Suzanne Hodge, Wendy James, T.C. King, Dennis Lucas, Richard Marion, Megumi Matsuki, Patrick McCay, Sandra J. Peters, Sharon Premo, Jim Roberts, Bill Tyers, Michael Vieira, Felipe Zamora, and Sandra Zappala.

'Fiber Fusions'

“Summer Planter, ‘‘by Sue Colozzi, in the show “Fiber Fusions: A Juried Quilt Exhibition,’’ through Oct. 26 at the Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, Mass. The show displays 60 quilts from more than 100 submissions from American and European artists. The building housing the museum was the birthplace of the famed painter James McNeill Whistler (as in “Whistler’s Mother”).

Textile show in textile town with a National Park and canals

"Evening Song'' (quilt), by Marianne Williamson, in the group show "Interplay: Fiber and Art Quilts 2018'', at the Whistler House Museum of Art, in Lowell, Mass., Aug. 11-Sept. 15. "Interplay," refers to the connection between fiber and art. The museum was the birthplace of the famous painter James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903); remember his painting nicknamed "Whistler's Mother''?

Lowell, at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers (which Thoreau wrote about so memorably), has a rich history in textiles. Founded in 1826 as a mill town using water power, it was named after Boston's Francis Cabot Lowell, a  major figure in the Industrial Revolution who had prospered in the China Trade. Indeed, the city became one of the cradles of the American Industrial Revolution because of its many factories, most of which were textile mills. Also giving the city a certain romance is its canal network, on which you can travel by tourist boat.

In the late 20th Century some of Lowell's historic manufacturing sites  became part of  the Lowell National Historical Park.  It's well worth a visit. During the  Cambodian genocide by the Communist Khmer Rouge in the '70s, the city took in an influx of refugees from that country,  leading to the development of a section called Cambodia Town.

The Pawtucket Canal, in Lowell's historic mills section.

In Lowell, the Massachusetts Mill at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers; across the Cox Bridge are the Boott Mills.

Tourists get a tour of the Lowell National Historic Park.

A kiss is still a kiss

"Carnevale,'' by David Jones, in the "Fall Juried Members Exhibition,'' at the Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, Mass., through Jan. 21.